{Teddy Bear Tea-Time}

Our Lynbrook Library is so much fun they always have the neatest things going on. This time they had a "Teddy Bear Tea-Time" where the girls had to bring a Teddy Bear and enjoy some treats, hot cocoa, Crafts, story times and activities.

 My children had a blast. The funny thing  is I had to search for teddy bears in our house cause I wasn't sure I had 3 of them. After this party their Teddy Bears where their favorite stuffed animals ever!!! It's funny how it works out like that.  I was even able to sit down and enjoy the fun too! I thought I was going only to watch so I was pretty excited myself.

During the Storybook time they asked all the kids to come up and introduce themselves and their Teddy Bear. My girls somehow made up names for the first time. Alix even included that she sleeps with hers at night. Afterwards I had to ask her if that was honest to say considering her bear was in a bag in my crawl space to be donated.

 They had the kids parade around listening to fun music. Alix thought it was cool to lead the kids around next to the Librarian.

Here is {MB} marching around.

{Counting My Blessings On Long Island}

If you follow me on FB you would know how great my neighbors are about shoveling my walks for me.  They are so wonderful. In January we received tons of snow here on the Island. My dad was a bit jealous that we were getting so much while Colorado has had their most mildest winter yet. I bet he is even more jealous that I have neighbors who come out and snow-blow everything for me. My neighbor Joe said he has had his snow blower for 5 years and never had to use it until this year and he is love blowing everyone out. As much I wish I could say it's only me they shovel out, about 5 of my closest neighbors have snow blowers and love going around the neighborhood blowing everyone out. They do blow me out first so I feel a bit special about that. With me being pregnant and Jon somehow is always working On-Call at the hospital every time it snows it's been a great big blessing having them in our lives.  

Here is "Mayor Joe." That's what everyone calls him cause he 's always outside talking to everyone and he is the nicest man ever. Here he is brushing off my Van for me. This particular day 3 different neighbors came by to help shovel my steps, walks and drive way. I will admit while I see them working so hard I can't help but think to do something for them to show and tell them how much I am grateful for them.

So here is what I made them.

Some Yummy Cookies!

When I gave them the cookies that afternoon it was funny that said I didn't have to do that, but I believe they did more for me then I did for them. 

{Addison's Gymnastics Class}

Addison started her Gymnastics Class in January. She loves gymnastics. This is her going to her first practice. She is way excited, not so much about having her hair in a ponytail though. She loves her hair down. That is her least favorite part. Her favorite parts about gymnastics is swinging on the rope, jumping on the tramp and playing in the pit.

Alix is also doing gymnastics too at another gym and Emberlynn is doing a Free Lil' Playmates at the Library that she absolutely goes wild for.

{A Quiet Christmas Eve}

This year was our Families first Christmas with just us. No extended family, just the five of us. I was really nervous about this, thinking I was going to be really sad and depressed, but I wasn't. Jon had to work the day of Christmas Eve. He did luckily get home around 6:30. This was very much expected I knew I would have to face some times not being with him, but I didn't want it to happen the first year. It would of been great for him to be home all day, but I felt really lucky having him home for the main event. Besides me in the girls were very much occupied with preparing, cooking, decorating even playing a lot of fun Christmas Games. I knew I needed to have some alone cooking time, so I made each child their very own activity Christmas book and other Christmas games. It worked very well and shockingly the day was perfect, no melt downs (I'm speaking of myself, but the girls didn't have any either).  An hour before Jon was suppose to be home you could feel the wonderful spirit of Christmas. Everything was coming together and it then that I realized you don't need a room full of people, but just being around the ones you love is all you need. This year more than any other year perhaps because it was so quiet it was easy to feel the spirit of Christmas. I was too overjoyed this evening to even start to begin to miss my family. Even though they were in my thoughts I wouldn't change this day for another one.

My kids seem to get excited over anything. They were super excited when I bought these plates so they had to hold them up for the picture. Here is when Jon came home and the food was all ready to eat.

Christmas Eve's 

Dinner Snack 

Menu Included:

Mom's homemade Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Mom's Peppermint Ice-Cream Punch

Shrimp w/ cocktail sauce

Cheesy Roll-ups (kids favorite)

Jalapeno Peppers (to satisfy my cravings)

 Veggies w/ homemade Ranch Dressing

Cheese-ball & Crackers

Cheese & Chutney Dip

Jello-Jigglers (100% made by the girls)

Clementines

Desserts:

Homemade Caramel

Homemade Chocolate Caramel Dipped Pretzel Rods

Homemade Chocolate dipped Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Chocolate dipped Caramel Marshmallow Sticks (New this year)

Sweets we received from Neighbors & Friends

Here are the crazy gals snacking away.

After the Yumminess we played more games and then a surprise visitor came to see the children.

Alix didn't think Santa knew to come to our new home. She was so excited. This year we didn't put any presents under the tree. Our focus didn't want to be about the presents and Santa. This year we really wanted it to be about Christ.  The girls completely forgot about Santa visiting on Christmas Eve so it was a fun surprise for everyone.

Addison was a little nervous but very excited about Santa being here. After receiving her gift from Santa she cuddled up to me and whispers "Santa knows my name!" 

 This picture shows {MB} a bit nervous but she loved Santa.

That Wraps up our Wonderful Christmas Eve!

{2010 Neighbor Gifts}

This years Christmas Cards. 

Note to self: Order More Next year!

This year I individually wrapped my homemade caramel, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, caramel, and chocolate dipped ritz peanut butter sandwiches.

Here is the platter I put them on. This year I made 20 platters.

{Christmas On 34th Street}

Okay I have to admit I wasn't too brave this year to try out NYC for the Christmas Season. I figure I have 4 more years to take it all in, so why rush it all in, in one single year. So baby steps for me since you need a great amount of patience to tackle the "GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD" {That's what my Uncle Jerry tells me at least} AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

So here is what I chose to do for the first time. I will admit I wanted to see the Famous Rockefeller Tree but it got too late and immediately wasn't up for it. So instead I wanted to see Santa at Macy's at their Worlds Largest Store and more appropriately located on 34th Street and Broadway!

 

 Here's pictures of us walking outside the store. The city was beautifully lite up with holiday decor.

 The girls wanted a picture next to this cute snow globe that had the mini coupe inside of it. 

 

Macy's Windows

Outside Macy's has I would say 8 store windows that as you moved from each one would tell a story about a little girl writing a newspaper editor to see if there really is a Santa Claus. It was really cute to listen to each one as we went from Window to window and watch the scenes move as well.

INSIDE OF MACY'S

TRAVELING  TO AND THROUGH 

THE NORTH POLE 

TO SEE SANTA

Here we are getting on the train to take us to the North Pole. You could even feel the train tracks as we moved over them on the floor. Next we greeting by the Elf's at the Visitor Center.

THE NORTH POLE

 SEEING SANTA
This was amazing. I thought they were really going to rush us through this. I felt like we had our own private session. We never were rushed. We took so many pictures and they didn't care I brought my camera. They even offered to take our family portrait. It was a wonderful time and even afterwards Santa played with little Emberlynn. We were there probably for at least 10 minutes.

I had no idea we were going to have this much fun. It really was a magical place and I loved seeing my girls face. I was really happy cause the traffic in the City was horrendous and we had a hard time finding our parking lot which was the matter of spending $10.00 compared to 35.00. I'm really glad we found it and it was only 2-3 blocks from Macy's.  I was relieved it was really worth it.

{A Plate of Yumminess}

We really enjoyed all the yummy goodies we received this Christmas Season, but I have admit I had an absolutely favorite one if I can say that.

 Our Neighbors who live behind us are from Poland and she carefully hand made this most delicious plate of cookies. I could only image how many days it took her to make each kind. Each one was so unique and delish that I had to take a picture so that I can always remember what thoughtful people live here in NY.