Christmas Recap

And just like that its 2013.  It always surprises me how quickly the holidays come and go.  Christmas parties and family gatherings make the days fun and go by so quickly.  And this holiday it was good, the kids had few meltdowns, it was easier packing them and going, and they're finally getting the whole sleeping-in thing after a late night.  Drew was home for the time between Christmas and New Year's and we enjoyed every moment.  Its wonderful to have a break from routine, to just wing the days and see where they take us.  And as much as I loved that time, I'm thankful that we're getting back into routine.

Our Christmas celebrations start early with a birthday, Maddie turned 2 on the 20th. 

And birthday celebrate we did, I worry that Christmas will overcome her birthday so we made effort to decorate the house with balloons and set her day aside and it was fun.  We keep the second birthdays pretty low key, Grandparents stop by for cupcakes and coffee and some of my nieces and nephews came over the next day to help us finish those cupcakes.  And this little girl was on cloud 9, having the attention to herself.  Dolls became the unexpected theme this year and she has been busy dressing, cuddling and hugging those little people.  The best part?  How excited Kaylin and Jacob made the day, they spoiled her and loved her and that my friends, is one of the best parts of motherhood.  Seeing your children come together and celebrate each other. 

And then it was Christmas.  We bounced from house to house that week from one family event to another and were energized by being surrounded by friends and family. It was wonderful watching the kids get to know their cousins/second cousins and watching them play together?  Awesome!   Our own family Christmas is pretty low-key, we buy a few gifts for the kids and spend the morning together.  Drew gifted me with an iphone, which I am loving.  

And this is how we looked by the end of the holidays!  

I'll be back later this week with a recipe and some exciting news, but right now I'm off to the library to bring home stacks of books for winter reading!