Breakfast With Santa

The town of Brookline hosts a breakfast with Santa every year. Last year we hauled out to Yankee Candle but were happy to just run down the street this time.

Breakfast proved to be very nice - pancakes, sausage, donuts, and most importantly - coffee.

Afterwards Santa meets with all of the children to hear their Christmas wishes and have pictures taken. Our children did not utter a sound - not even a hello. Poor Santa. Hannah, despite how she looks in the picture, walked right up to Santa and hopped in the chair - no fear though. Maddie on the other hand, held back and still required Brian's hand while I got the photo.

Hannah's First Hair Cut

Maddie Turns 4!

I desperately wanted a tea party....Maddie wanted a Toy Story theme. I turned to the internet at a total loss of how to go about entertaining the 14 children invited. Luckily I found several good ideas....We did a Mr. Potato Head craft, we went panning for gold like the prospector Stinky Pete, and we gave the kids a crack at a Buzz Lightyear pinata. I think they had fun. Each attendee received a cowboy hat, badge, and Toy Story bandana. That night when I put Madeleine to bed she gave me a big hug and said, "You are the best Mom! Thank you for my party and all the fun!"

P.S. A special thanks to all of the adults who dressed in costume and made it a blast. You know who you are.

Halloween

Well, as most of you know we got hit with a huge snow storm just before Halloween. Trick or Treating was actually postponed until a week later. We had our annual open house and beer fest with homemade pumpkin brew in the dark on generator power. The candles added to the ambiance for sure and we all made the best of it. Our power was out for a total of 3 days but we weathered it well.

Maddie wanted desperately to go as Jesse from Toy Story and we dressed Hannah as a frog. They both got to hop on the hay ride that goes around our neighborhood and got boatloads of candy.

Additionally, Maddie had a Halloween parade with her classmates from school.

Maddie's First Day of Pre-School

Ballet

Maddie has been going to ballet class every Saturday morning. Sometimes she is a bit reluctant to get up and out of the house but we manage to get there somehow. She loves her teacher Miss Theresa and is looking forward to a recital in May.

Another Girl?!

So after returning home from damp camp I thought it a bit odd that both Maddie and I had gotten car sick. I took a pregnancy test and - voila. Positive! Maddie quickly spread the news for us, and although not happy at first, she is now very excited about the baby. Hannah has been excited right along, but let's face it, she really doesn't quite know what she's in for yet.

This pregnancy has gone well compared to the last. I was sick in the first trimester but certainly felt well equipped to handle it. The girls and Brian have been a lot of help as have grandparents, aunts, and uncles ;)

We found out it is a girl a few weeks ago. We are working on a new bedroom for Hannah so that the kiddos have their own space. We have also selected a name but for now are keeping it top secret.

I would have scanned an ultrasound photo but we don't have one. We were so happy there were no abnormalities noted during the test (for mom or for baby) that we didn't get a profile picture....simply for got to ask. 23 weeks and counting. I will keep you posted.

More Pictures From Hannah's Party

Hannah Banana Turns 2!

Damp Camp

The Seymour -Tisdell-Straubs and the LaPointes gathered up at Lake Winnepocket for a weeks vacation together. We enjoyed the lake mostly, but also had several outings to an Indian Museum and a corn maze. We had lots of fun. Thanks guys for making it a good time!

Play Ball

Butch and Jane gave Brian and I the best tickets for a Sox game that either one of us has ever had - row E off the field, behind 3rd base. And we won! Check out how close we were to the players.

Play Dates II

Carol and Carl's

The Shandrowski family got together with the Whitney's a little

over a month ago to check out the new house in Pepperell. Carl refurbishes antique automobiles and he spoiled us by taking us out in the Model - T.

Also pictured here - Maddie and Hannah in the Lotus.

They loved it. Thank you guys!

At Brooke's

We took a quick trip up to Rockland to spend some time with Brooke and
her girls. This picture was taken in the yard. Hannah had lots of fun hiding behind the tree and Brian was lucky to get this shot.

More Old Orchard Beach

Swimming in the pool....getting some ice cream...hanging out under the
umbrella...

Old Orchard Beach

Finally got some good weather for our vacation. It was hot and sunny all week. We had many visitors at the beach - Grammie, Grampie, Mimi and Popi, and Aunt Lois and Uncle David. It was also the first year we got to check out the fireworks. This was an especially nice treat since we didn't see any over the 4th of July holiday.



Hannah riding the carosel....An early start to a sand castle....Sleepy baby on Grampie....Maddie on the ferris wheel with Dada.