MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We have had an amazing Christmas week, and it's not over yet.   But the photos are piling up so I thought I'd post what we've done so far.  It has been nothing short of perfect for Simone--just about her every Christmas wish has come true.  Today she asked me if we were going to come back to Grammy's next Christmas, just to make sure this wasn't a one time shot.  lol!  

When we arrived last Saturday, Simone wasted no time meeting up with her cousin Madalyn and baking cookies.

The next day, we took a trip to a German Christmas market with Gram and Pop and her cousin Kamryne.

Tony asked Santa for this hat.  He did not get it. 

Simone and Madalyn met St. Nick at the Christkindlmarkt.  He was particularly sweet and spent loads of time talking to them.

Afterwards, the girls came home to another treat -- Operation Santa Claus.

Then the heart of it all...

Christmas Eve before mass.

And Christmas morning opening Santa presents. Simone only asked for 4 things this year -- one of them was her very own suitcase.  Santa brought her a very fashionable Paris suitcase and Simone can't wait to go!

But here was the big moment.... We woke up to a white Christmas.  We only got about 2 inches, but it was wet and packable, so Pop brought Simone outside to build a Christmas morning snowman.  She was deliriously thrilled.  She's been waiting for snow all year.

After they built the body, off they went into the forest to cut branches for the arms....

 AND VOILA!!!... the masterpiece.  Pop had to bribe Simone to come back inside after such fun.

The next day we got a little more snow, so our frosty got a fresh coat of frost.

We were lucky though that the snow was modest because it let us to hit the road for a daytrip to New York.  First stop -- Angelina Ballerina Holiday Musical.  No cameras allowed in the show, but Simone loved it.

Grabbed some lunch at a great little Thai place.  Simone enjoyed the lemongrass soup and drunken noodles.

 Then we hit the subway downtown to take a peek at the 911 Memorial.  It was an incredibly powerful place.  Extremely well done.  We look forward to going back in the summertime to see the park in bloom.

Tony explained to Simone the meaning behind the 911 memorial in very simple terms.  She seemed to grasp it.

We couldn't leave Manhattan without giving Simone the tour, so...

On Wall Street in front of the NY Stock Exchange.

Tony discovered where Ohio was created. Oh happy day.

Swung by Grand Central Station 

The Chrysler Building

The Empire State lit up for the season.

And, of course, Rockefeller Center to see the tree and ice skaters.

Finally, Simone loved the light show displayed on the Saks building.

Ahhh... I just love Christmas and this has been a remarkably good one.  I think they just keep getting more and more fun as Simone grows a little more each year. It will be sad to see the holidays end, but for now, we'll continue to savor the remaining moments.

9 Days Til Christmas!

Well, we're having a great December.  Busy, of course, but lots of sparkle, carols, family time, and smiles.  This almost certainly will be my last post before the big holiday, but here's an update on our month so far...

 We had a very fine time at a holiday party a few weekends ago with many good friends.  For the very first time, I straightened Simone's hair. (She begged and said it was her "dream come true".  Sigh... the grass is always greener, ain't it?)  Anyway, she was thrilled to pieces;  we personally didn't care for it.  She looks totally different and at least 5 years older.

You all gotta see this house.  It's insane.  EVERY single bush, tree, shrub, everything is covered in lights-- front and back, inside and out.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but we were all amazed.  Simone asked, mommy how'd they get so many lights on those trees?  --- a very good question indeed. I can't even imagine their electric bill, but I certainly do admire their spirit!

We also had cousin Jack's fourth birthday party.  Sheesh, they are all growing up so fast.  The kids had a ball at Chuck e Cheese -- Simone's very first time there.  Until now, I had her convinced that place was horrible.  Now the gig is up!

And what's better after a birthday party than an evening wagon ride around the neighborhood to check out the lights?

And finally.... today we went to what has become an annual tradition-- Patowmack Farm's cookie exchange.  Simone and I got super creative this year and whipped up these little guys.  They had more sugar in them than anything has any business having, but they sure looked cute.  They were a big hit, not a single one left.  To be sure,  Simone managed to snatch the first one for herself. 

 Once again was a great afternoon.  Each year gets a little more crowded, but that just means more cookies for everyone!  The restaurant staff also really outdid themselves this year.  Very yummy.

So, there you go.  A little taste of our holiday season so far.  Simone has been counting down the days with not one, but two, advent calendars in very very very high anticipation of Christmas.  This week we'll wrap gifts, get haircuts, finish up all the last minute holiday preparations.  Lots of fun still to come...

Getting in the Spirit

So, we pledged to ourselves that this year we would find the time to do something festive each weekend before Christmas.  Simone is well old enough now to have strong opinions on and interest in different holiday activities, so the possibilities are very fun.  Tonight we took a drive westward on route 7 and found a county park with a walking winter wonderland tour.  We practically had the whole place to ourselves and the cold weather really made it start to feel like Christmas time. 

Yes, that is Tony under there.  He was bundled up for more of an alpine ski vacation than a stroll through a park.  His tolerance level for the cold gets lower and lower each year.

Santa AND Mrs. Claus.  Simone is happy to jump right on Santa's lap these days, but she curiously doesn't have very much in mind to ask him for.  You'd think she'd keep adding to her list, but it's actually pretty meager.

We had a very nice night and grabbed some hot drinks and turned on the Christmas music for the drive back home.  It was so adorable to listen to Simone singing along and making up the words she didn't know.  Hopefully we made for her another great holiday memory.

Thankful on Thanksgiving

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with a visit from Grammy and Pop who brought Peyton, Ella, and Seleste.  It may have only been Thanksgiving, but it sure felt as good as Christmas to Simone. Before they even arrived, Simone asked me if they could stay at her house forever. lol!

While "the feast"--Simone's newest holiday reference-- was being prepared the girls went outside to bounce around the yard.  The weather has certainly cooperated all weekend -- a beautiful day.

of course,  another obligatory princess show

After a bit of black Friday shopping for the mommies, we headed over to Reston Town Center  for their holiday parade.  A very festive kick off to the holiday season!

And last but not least, the event the girls had been waiting for....  somehow, someway -- I'm claiming temporary insanity-- the girls convinced us to take a trip to the American Girl Store (a first for Simone's cousins) ON BLACK FRIDAY.  They all scored some new clothes for their bitty babies, and then went and piled on Santa's lap to relay to him the rest of their wish lists.  Oddly enough, there was no line for Santa pictures.  I guess no one else was brave/crazy enough to bring kids to Tysons Corner on black Friday.

I really don't know where kids get all their energy.  The adults can barely move and the girls are taking an after dinner swim as I type. Incredible.   But we had an amazing Thanksgiving packed full of fun for everyone.

now, BRING ON THE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!  (but first a nap)

Simone's Thanksgiving Pageant

Today was Simone's first, official, public pageant.  That's right, if she ever becomes a famous performer, she can trace her roots to right here... her kindergarten Thanksgiving pageant.   She was an Indian, which was her first choice, and did a great job with her songs and lines (though admittedly, was the most shy of all the performers).  She was also really excited because she got to be the line leader and lead the class onto the stage.

Mommy and daddy, of course, had backstage privileges!  

And when it was over, we all had pumpkin/apple pie.  Perfecto!

Celebrity Simone will owe a debt of gratitude to her first director/teacher...

and just think, we'll all be able to say, "we knew her when..."  LOL!

A Visit From Grandad

Simone had an extra special treat this weekend... a visit from her grandad, Auntie Lea, and cousin Nailah. It was awesome to get to spend time with them and, of course, Simone ensured maximum playtime-- at home, swimming, the gameroom at the club, the mall-- she had it all!  

 What would a visit be without an improptu play?  Actually, the girls had two plays--one starring a princess and one about a movie star-- but I only got pictures of one.

With Auntie Lea and Nailah.

After dinner on Sunday evening, we spent some time at the bookstore, where naturally Simone had Nailah reading to her every book she could find.

And best of all, Nailah and Grandad went along on Monday morning to drop Simone off at school.  She was so excited to get to show them her classroom and meet her teachers.  She will miss them terribly!