Christmas with Friends

Right after Christmas, Katie wanted to celebrate with her close friends from WPS.  So after the Christmas dust settled down, we threw another party!!  These kids are top notch - fun, smart, respectful,  creative and just plain lovely!!  I had such a nice evening with these six.  I am sure that we will miss each one of them so much next year when Katie goes to Bishop Moore.  They had a secret Santa and really came up with some great gifts.  We had dinner, ping pong tourney and of course a photo shoot!! 

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas this year was low key, comfortable and we took our time Christmas morning.  The weather was amazing and we spent the morning exchanging gifts, trying out all our new electronics, playing games, and playing outside.  Don't know where the pictures of me and Sean are?  I think we were so laid back that we were in the moment and not posing for pictures.  I think that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. 

Legos, wrestling figurines, more legos, a motorized jeep, and much more!!  

Littlest Pet Shop, La La Loopsy, Movies and more Littlest Pet Shop

 Nerf guns, video games, movies and his own LAPTOP!!

 Juicy purse, lots of clothes, boots, more clothes and an IPHONE!!

 Tons of team shirts, gum, soda, video games, sunglasses and an IPHONE!!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve is a very special night ... and the evening starts with Mass.  We always go to the early children's Mass .. Father Gregory does such a great job with the homily for children.  Andrew, Katie and Matthew served the mass.  We made our traditional beef stew and ate as soon as we got home from church.  Then the official activities began - tracking Santa on Norad, setting out our notes and cookies for Santa and veggies for the reindeer, sprinkling the reindeer food on the lawn and ended the night with Pawpy reading Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Daddy also gave each of the kiddos a special present from him.  It is a lot harder to get everyone to go to bed early ... especially with two teenagers in the house.  Another beautiful Christmas Eve!

Amazing

How is this for a Christmas Eve sunset?  Absolutely breathtaking on one of the most special nights of the year.  We received a wonderful Christmas gift in this sunset.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

Our Little Reindeer

William had a great Christmas party at WPS.  As always, Mrs. Hickey created an amazing program to get us all in the spirit.  And the kids got a surprise visit from a VIP ... Santa Claus!!  Each child got to sit with Santa and give him their wish list.  William was a bit nervous, but got up there and asked for a professional wrestling set.  Santa gave each of them a small gift.  They were all so, so excited.  I made fun reindeer cookies for the class ... peanut butter!!  Super yummy

Gingerbread with the Bestie

Can't have Christmas without the traditional building of the gingerbread house.  We invited Laine and Emily over to build gingerbread houses, trains, trees and men.  It was such a great day!  The girls worked really hard and created some masterpieces.  The boys tried to do a house but got distracted and left me to finish up their house.  Best part of the day was how cute the girls looked in their chef hats and aprons. 

 Santa & Snow in Celebration

Even though we don't live there anymore, we made sure we spent one evening in Celebration.  Julia and William wanted to visit Santa, mail their letter in the special mailbox, have dinner at the Tavern and  play in the snow.  It was a great evening and Pawpy came with us.  

In the Hot Room

My friend Kristin introduced me to Bikram Yoga.  Best exercise ever - very addictive, calming and HOT!  I practiced once in awhile at a studio by Sea World and was tickled to find out one of the teachers, Debora, was opening a studio in Winter Garden.  I started a regular practice in October (three times a week) and then accepted the 30 day challenge.  I completed 30 consecutive days of this hot, intense 1 1/2 hour class in December/January.  Even brought the kids with me a few times ... a bit too hot for them, but they came with me to encourage me.  I am hopeful that I can continue with this amazing yoga practice, but it is a lot of time.  Takes 2 1/2 hours out of each day.  Maybe once all the kids are in school full day, I will get back to a  regular practice.  

Serve it Up, Julia

So after mini club, Julia decided that she wanted to play a full season of club volleyball.  Club season runs from November - May!!  Wow ... that is a lot for a six year old.  OVA assured us that others had played at that young of an age and they did just fine.  So we took the plunge ... she has a really nice team.  Definitely not the most competitive group of girls, but we think it will be a great introduction.  Hopefully we will have some fun pictures throughout the season.  Also found right after she made the team, her goal list for the season!!  Only 6 and making goal lists - good girl!!

Latin Projects

Both Andrew and Katie are Latin scholars (that is what their teachers call them!) ... they love Latin, do well at it and even get to make some pretty cool Latin projects.  This year Katie handmade authentic Roman sandals and Andrew made a replica of Caesar's tombstone.  I thought both ideas were very creative!! Of course, Dad got in on the projects!!  He always likes participating and putting in his 2 cents!

New York State of Mind

A rite of passage ... a trip to New York City at Christmastime with Daddy when you are 6.  Oh - just for the girls!!  Daddy and Julia left for New York on Thursday the 15th of December and stayed through Sunday.  Daddy didn't want to take the big camera with them so we had to settle for pictures from the iPhone!!  They barely called home which is a good sign - they were having the time of their lives.  It is important in a big family to carve out time for each child with each parent.  I was so happy that Julia and Daddy could have this experience together!!

Ready for the Rockettes Show!

Jewish deli - Of course, Julia gets a pickle!

Another Kane foodie -- always up for something different!

Famous Macy's windows

Cutest Statue of Liberty I have ever seen!

Skating at Rockefeller Center!

I think Julia's favorite 

At the hotel!!

Look at that hair - top of Empire State Building.  

As a bonus, Julia met up with her BFF Emily at the matinee production of Mary Poppins.  Laine and I figured out that they were going to be in NYC the exact same time, and we had tickets to the same show!  We surprised the girls and they were shocked to see each other.