A whole lot of catching up to do...

and not a lot of time to do it, as I can smell Celia depositng a little gift for me right now. Because I am not busy enough, a few weeks ago I began taking real estate classes, so the ti

me I used to have to update this blog is now spent on hours and hours of homework. I've got another month and a half of classes left, but it definately makes me admire those moms who work full time and go to school even more than I already do. Life just keeps wizzing by, and I really am amazed a how the girls are thriving, even if Daddy is in charge a couple night a week! He is actually doing a great job, as good as me, and we all know most women think the way we do things is the best AND right way. Did I say most women, I meant all women. Anyway, Celia is really talking like crazy, which is fun, because with three girls in the house, it's just so quiet and nice to have someone fill that void, ya know? She is coming up with all sorts of stuff, half of which is totally understandable, to me at least. Yesterday, she was running around yelling "Batman! Mommy Batman, Daddy Batman, Baby Batman, Sophie Batman (which for some unknown reason, she can only say it sounding like Abby), Momo Batman!" over and over and over. Combine that with Maia's off the wall statements (after walking in on James going to the bathroom, her response was "Daddy, do all boys pee out of their pockets?"), which get funnier every stinking day, and Sophia's Miss FancyPants attitude, and we've got quite the comedy show here. Sweet Sophia will be turning 6 tomorrow, which I will post about next before I unwrap the gift Celia has bestowed upon me. I know I haven't posted in a long time, so I'll do my best to TRY and at least post once a week a short something or two until this class is done. But, no guarantees. Keeping cheking though, you never know, I may suprise you!

Program week

This week has three programs for us to attend. Monday was Sophia's kindergarten concert. She and her classmates did a fantastic job. I'm having video difficulities, but I will keep trying. Maia had her little class party/ show today. As you can tell, she's being weird. She pretty much didn't sing at all, and just looked around the room, yawning and seeming confused. When we got home, she took a killer nap, so we're guessing she was tired. But we have all 7 minutes of refusal to participate, so we'll always have the memories! Friday is their dance recital. Sophia is super enthused, and Maia could care less. I won't be there. Hopefully I'll be home from the hospital, but in no shape to watch a show. This year I'm counting on James to actually hit the record button, since he failed to do so last year. Finger's crossed! I know Sophia will do great, as usual, and Maia will be funny and obstinate, as usual, so they will be cute. If I can get the videos to upload, I'll definately have them on here.

We came home and decorated the tree. The girls had an absolute blast placing all of the pieces. James didn't really care to join in, but he did us all a HUGE favor by keeping Celia distracted by reading her books and keeping her entertained. As a little girl, my mother and I would decorate the tree while listening to Bing Crosby's White Christmas. I found it on cd the first year I moved out, and have listened to it ever since. Of course, we also must listen to Jimmy Buffet's Christmas Island, to balance it out. I'm curious to know what the girls will listen to when they are on their own!

Oh Christmas Tree..... Oh Christmas Tree.....

how cold it is when we are picking you out! As usual, we had a fantastic time picking out our christmas tree. It was very cold, in the low 20's, but the girls had hot chocolate to warm them up, and had a blast running around finding the perfect tree, which for Sophia, was every tree. Celia's mind was completely blown when she saw James pick up the tree after cutting it down. It's a tradition we started as a family when I was pregnant w/ Sophia, and we will keep doing it forever, since it is always so fun. Yeah christmas tree day!

The reason for the absence...

I know it has been a LONG time since I last posted, and I am very sorry. 90% of it was just due to the breakneck speed at which our lives are paced, but another 10% is due to the fact that I was dreading/ really thinking about explaining the initial abscense. As I had posted earlier, my paternal grandmother was very sick. Her cancer spread quickly, and by the beginning of November, we knew we didn't have much time left with her. Given the fact that my dad passed very quickly and unexpectedly earlier this year, I was determined to do for her what I could not for my dad, which was simply to be there with her and support her to the end. My aunt Glenda, and my cousin Allison, were just amazing, putting in at least twice the amount of time and work I was able to. Their strength was just awe inspiring. By the last week, we were all there around the clock, and able to all be with her, and my grandfather, as she took her last breath. She was a really amazing grandmother, and I am honored to have had her in my life. She was the kind of lady who let me dye my hair pink with Koolaid and use her treadmill as a shopping conveyer. She always let myself and the rest of her grandkids know that she was there whenever we needed her. I am so greatful to her for that love, and am so glad that while we couldn't beat this cancer and have more time with her, that we were able to spend it together until the end. So that is my post about why I have been gone. I'm going to probally be gone again for another period of time, due to the fact that tomorrow I am having a hysterectomy. Having three little girls back to back, being small, and having traumatic births left me a bit damaged, and it's time to get it fixed. I hope that I'm a tough cookie, and that I will be back soon, but if not, I'm posting a month's worth of blogs today to catch everyone up. So enjoy the rest of today's posts!

Let's call her bruiser

Celia 0, sidewalk 2

Oh, and C and her dog. Too cute!

Halloween!

What an awesome day we had this Halloween! My cousin Tricia threw an awesome party, and suprised me with, hands down, the best birthday cake I have ever had! The girls got their way, James and I dressed up as superheros as well, so we were one super family! We now have a HUGE bowl of candy, plus leftover cake, for the girls to indulge in, and for me to resist. It's so nice to ring in your birthday on a day that everyone is in a good mood for. Thank you to all the wonderful friends and family that made it a great day, and for the wonderful presents. Most of all, thanks for spending the day with me, and reminding me that I am so lucky to have such a great group of friends and family! That was one great birthday!