Oh the wonder of it all...

There is nothing better for me than spending Christmas with my family. If I could bottle up the delight I see in the words and actions of my children I would. Oh, to see life through the eyes of a child; that is what I love most about Chrismas.

Our Christmas eve began with Leila wrapping some of her books and toys for family members and others who needed Christmas presents. She was really into it, cutting, taping and wrapping. When I asked her who she was planning to give the presents to, she said, "kids that need gifts." How will we know who needs gifts? "We'll go door to door and ask them." I love it. So simple yet, perfect. Of course we didn't go door to door, but she had some great games and gifts to hand out to her family members that she had wrapped. (a little paper here and there to cover the gift) She was so proud of herself

Leila and Holden were so excited about going to church for the Chrismas eve service. We attended the early service where the kids got to be a part of the program. It's been so fun to see their personal growth and confidence change year to year, as they both went up to the front of the church with excitment and confidence this year. Leila was an angel and Holden one of the wisemen. They got to sit up at the front of the church in their costumes with all the other children while the Christmas Story was told. They were so proud of themselves when they came back to their seats. Now I must digress...a couple of years ago, we explained to Leila about the nativity scene and baby Jesus. She was really "into" her stroller and "strollerfitting around the house" that she would put the "breakable" baby Jesus from the nativity scene in her stroller and run around the house doing StrollerFit with "Baby Jesus." Every Christmas I giggle when I think about that great story.

After church we went to my sister's for dinner and stockings from my parents. :0 Leila and Holden both sang Christmas songs for us and told us what they wanted Santa to bring them. Leila had a long list and Holden's list consisted of most of what big sister said + 50,000 cars.

Annual Christmas Dinner

Fun Tradition

Christmas Dinner with the Girls

Famous Quotes

from a 4 and a 5 year old.

We were out looking at Christmas lights tonight and Leila and Holden were having a conversation in the backseat. It's always fun to hear what they have to say to each other.

Leila and Holden were talking about how they believed in Santa...

Leila told Holden, "You must believe in God, Jesus and Santa. You just have to believe Holden."

Holden, "I wish Santa was part of our family."

Holden, "I wish our dad was Santa."

Leila, "I can't wait until Santa brings me those tennis shoes with rollers. I haven't asked for them yet...I better do it soon."
(Santa's in trouble...he had no idea about this present)

Leila the Tooth!

Leila had a book parade at her school on Friday. The kids choose a book and then had to dress like a character from the book. Her book was called, The Tooth Book. She was not too excited about wearing the tooth, but once she got to school, she thought it was cool!

Yummy!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tom the Turkey dressed up as Princess Peacock!

One Coach

Holden had a wonderful coach last season and then this season! I can't say enough about the impact one person, one friend, one teacher, one coach can have on your child. We were so lucky to have coach Bob guide Holden and make his first team sport such a positive one!

Holden posing for his picture

Game face on

15!

It was a great season for Holden. He absolutely loved playing soccer and we loved getting to watch him play.

The 15 is for the number of goals he scored this season (by his count).

We would never have known how many goals he had scored, but each time after he scored his first, he would run up to us and hold up his fingers and tell us that's four, five etc. We finally started to catch on. Once he got to double digits and ran out of fingers, he would yell 12 etc. Of course we were the only people at the game that knew what he was talking about.

Lightning team pictures

Coach Bob handing out trophies

Holden showing off his trophy!

Holden and his best bud Jake hanging out before pictures!

A kiss for the good dinosaur

Which way to the goal?

What a difference....

a season makes! Holden was so excited for his soccer game today. He was really into it. The other team kicked the ball, Holden got it and took it all the way to the goal! I was so proud of him. He was so excited..."Mommy, I made a goal." Am I bragging? ABSOLUTELY!! If I could have put his happiness in a capsule, I would!

Last season was Holden's first. At the first game he cried, wouldn't let go of my leg and essentailly would only go on the field with me. Adnan banned me from the next few games, b/c Holden wouldn't leave my side. He did grow through the last season, getting better and better.

Since last season, He loves to kick the ball and run. So I guess, you could say practicing helps and now he is an older 3 so he has the concept!

2 Goals for Holden today.

Funny Fridays

Well, it's been pretty Funny this week in our household.

Last night at Holden's soccer practice, he blew the coaches whistle. (LOL) Coach Bob got close enough to Holden that he bent over, grabbed the whistle and blew it. Ha! He shouldn't have done it, but it was so FUNNY!

At Leila's soccer game last week, Holden was talking to one of the little girls. He said what is your number? She said, whatever it was, and he said, "mine is bigger than yours." He is 23, so I guess he thought he was better than her because his number was bigger.

I asked Leila what her fav. part of soccer was. And she said, "resting." Ha!

Wordless Wednesday

Got the munchies?

apparently my son does. It started a couple of weeks ago when Holden headed back to school. He has always been "into things" but he seems even more curious than he has been in the past. Hands on counter tops, in drawers, touching, doing just all together mischievous things. So...to the story about the munchies. He has been getting up super early in the morning and since Leila is so tired from Kindergarten, she is not up to "monitor" what Holden does before mommy and daddy are up. Two mornings ago Holden got in the refrigerator and helped himself to a juice box at 6:30 am.

Yesterday morning I found some brown stuff on his mouth and asked him if he had eaten anything. He looks at me and says, no. I get close enough to smell his mouth...CHOCOLATE!! Adnan had chocolate custard in the freezer leftover from our visit to Sheridan's the night before. (I ate all mine :)) Holden helped himself to 1/2 of the cup.

Random Announcement...

Leila learned to snap today!!

Wordless Wedneday!

First Day of School

Kindergarten Orientation

It was Kindergarten orientation today. I have a million and one things to do, but didn't want to forget the feelings from today, so thought I'd post while they were fresh.

We dropped Holden off at his school this morning, and I turned and asked my husband it we could leave Leila there also (this is where she has gone to school for the past 2 years). Something about change, or growing up, or familiarity got the best of me this morning.

Leila was so excited to be going to elementary school. It took her a long time to adjust to pre-school, so I guess I assumed that this change would be difficult also, so far so good. :) Rewinding to Friday we met her teacher and of course Leila fell in love immediately and said she was the nicest teacher ever!

When we entered the school, it couldn't have been better; everyone clapped and cheered and made the kids and families feel very welcome. After an assembly where we met all the teachers, the parents were then taken to the children's room to go over all kinds of info. My brain is on overload.

I came away from today really feeling like Leila is in GREAT hands. Her teacher seems to really, genuinely care for her students and what she does. I can't ask for more than that. There is nothing better than when you can look through someone's eyes and see their heart.

Although Leila went to school 5 days last year for pre-school, my heart still aches for this "new beginning." It makes me think back when I dropped her off for her first mother's day out, I couldn't get to my car quick enough as the tears began to flow. (that one day per week was optional) :)

We grow up as parents too. Each time there is a "new beginning" it's not so much about the event, it's about having to let go a little bit more each time. I'll tell you what, this letting go is for the birds. :)

I'm anxious yet excited for Leila on her new journey in Kindgarten!

Wish us luck!

Out of School

Both Leila and Holden have been out of school this week. We've been shopping and getting all the last minute things together for Leila to start BIG school (Kindergarten) I can't believe it's here. my baby I won't go there or I won't be able to finish my post. BUT anyway...we've done a lot of splashing around the neighborhood with both kids in their hello kitty and cars rain boots. Holden cracked me up today as he and Leila were walking up ahead of me, he puts his arm around Leila and says, "We're going to a wedding." OH GEEZ...They continued to walk (with his arm still around Leila's waist) Then he says, "hold my hand Leila." She holds his hand and then he says, "We are going to a wedding, Right?' She says YES. And then just as you think he can't be sweeter, he kicks her feet to try to trip her. Ah...yes...It's the same Holden I love!

It was bound to happen...

Oh the window in my car!! I have been having trouble with my passenger side window, in that the window keeps slipping down into the door. Well, I was on my way to teach StrollerFit in the pouring rain this morning with a window that was partially rolled down. I kept saying to myself, please let me get there with out the window dropping all the way down into the door.

Holden was with me and kept cheering me on to drive thru the "BIG" puddles as he LOVES when the water splashes all over the windshield. It scares the pants off me, but heck, the kids wants to have some fun. I love FUN! In my effort to hear cheering from my son I go over a big puddle, lots of splashing and a big bump...(not the curb) boom there goes my window into the door. OH CRAP!!!

I pull over in the pouring rain and there is about an inch of window I can see. Luckily, i have some mommymuscles and slid the window most of the way back up.
YES! I may be wet, but I'm awesome!!

Well, after StrollerFit, I found the window stuck all the way down in the door! It was a lucky day. It's sunny now!

Wordless Wednesday

Sea World Continued

It's Shamu time!

We sat in the splash zone and got soaking wet. I'll never get over the unexpected abundance of freezing water. He splashed us 3 times in a row, YUK!

As Shamu was swimming around water would spray out of his blow hole. The first time it happened, it was really quiet and Holden yelled out, "Shamu just tooted!!"
Picture with a penguin...I'm surprised Leila would stand close to it as she doesn't like to get close to anything in costume.
We waited in line for what seemed like forever for this water rapid ride, but it was super fun! Leila and I got soaked again.

Getting Ready for Sea World...

After a LONG drive to San Antonio and the kids asking every 15 minutes, "Are we there yet?" We finally arrived at our friends home at 8:30 pm. It was a wild time with a 5, 4, 3 and 1 year old. :)

Here are the kids getting ready for Sea World.

We are ready to go. The kids have their water spray bottles!

Headin out...Leila thinks she is in charge of these boys!!

First stop was the splash park and then to the "Monkey ride" as the kids call it. Kids look a little apprehensive here.

Pretty fun...Leila and Holden's toes make me laugh.

Up high...sitting next to some random family

Vacation...

We had such a great time on vacation!! The kids had anticipated it for so long with Leila counting down the days until it was vacation day. We went to San Antonio to visit some friends, go to Sea World, a wedding and get some much needed R&R.

I'm going to post in segments with pictures one so that Leila and Holden can look back and get all the details and remember the fun we had and two, so I don't bore everyone else who is reading this.

Wordless Wednesday