Christmas 2014

Christmas was extra special this year due to the arrival of little Sully. I heard a saying that goes something like this, "I used to think being a kid on Christmas was the best thing ever, but it turns out sharing Christmas with your own kids is even better." Or something like that. And it turns out, indeed, it's true.

We decorated the house and went to get our Christmas tree the week after Thanksgiving. We bought a live tree for the fourth year in a row and plan on planting it in the yard later this week. I'm happy to report that all four of our previous trees are alive and well.

Christmas with a two year old is so much better than Christmas with a one year old or a newborn (not that those weren't pretty darn special, too). It's just that Cece is really starting to understand the magic of Christmas time. I can imagine next year will be even better.

 

We got one new decoration this year, an advent calendar. It served two purposes, really. It added to the excitement and anticipation of Christmas and it helped Cece practice her counting. Each night she would get very excited to open "da hoose" and see what was to be found in the day's cache. We would count together until we reached the day and then she could open the door and see what was inside (usually a sticker, ornament or little chocolate treat). It was way fun. I look forward to continuing this one for years to come.

It's been nice being home on maternity leave during the holidays because it gives me more time to do things with Cece like make and decorate cookies and spend time with the family.

  

 

Christmas morning was special. Cece actually slept in until 8 and then we all got up and opened presents (mostly hers). Cece's big gift this year was a play kitchen that her Babcia and Dziadzia gave her. We gave her a shopping cart and play food to go along with it. She also got art supplies from her cousins and skis (yes, skis!) from her Nana and Gramps. Lucky girl. Sully got "Dino" the dino and a box of diapers. Lucky boy.

 

Merry Christmas, happy holidays! I hope you all had a wonderful few weeks with your family as well.

Choo, Choo...Cece's Two!

Our baby, Cecelia turns two today! I'll write a proper two year update eventually (maybe by the time she turns three!) but until then, here are a few pictures from her "low key" family birthday party last weekend. We also celebrated my dad's birthday and James' mom's birthday. Cece is a die-hard Thomas the Train fan and everything in her life right now revolves around him and the color blue so naturally, we went with a Thomas theme for the affair. I think it's safe to say Cece enjoyed herself, though was clearly a bit overwhelmed by the attention and in particular the gift opening part of the day. I think she warmed up to the idea of presents eventually but she has her cousins to thank for opening most of her gifts. I bet by next year she'll have it down!

 

I found a cupcake train idea on Pinterest. It was a big hit, that is, until Cece drove her little ride on car right into the table and it ended up on the floor. We managed to save a few cupcakes. 

Her very generous god parents gifted her an actual ride on Thomas. By that point, she was a little dazed and confused by all the excitement. Her face as she rode around on the train was priceless. She had a perfectly blank expression on her face as she scooted around the house. Not to worry though, by that evening (and after a good nap) she really hit her stride with it. She and James have already "retrofitted" it to make it do things it wasn't designed to do. That's James for you!

As for brother Sully, well, he was less than impressed with the whole birthday thing. He slept in his Babcia and Nana's arms the whole day!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Cecelia. You are such a special little girl. We love you!

PS - Cece's birth story and first birthday.