Wow, it has been over a month since my last post. A new record! To my defense, there has a lot goin' on. My mom and dad came to visit on December 8th and Sophia had her 4th Birthday party on the 12th. We then left for Los Gatos, CA to spend Christmas with Ethan's sister, Sylvia and her family and Emily on the 15th. The period prior to the 8th was filled with Christmas gift buying, birthday party planning and Christmas card making. As soon as I get our cord for the camera (left behind) I will post pictures of all.
Sophia's 4th Birthday party was held at Ellis Gym and she had a BLAST. Was so great to see her laughing and running and playing WITH the other kids at her party. She claimed it was the best birthday party ever. YAY! We had strawberry cupcakes at the gym party and chocolate raspberry cake at the "after party" at our house.
I had my mom re-teach me some knitting stuff and teach me some new knitting stuff. I was able to crank out a pair of mittens for Dylan in the midst of the chaos at the house while they were visiting and get started on a sweater for Dylan. I finished the sweater (in about 8 days) in CA with a little technical assistance from Emily and Dylan wore it on the 22nd and has worn it another two times since. My fingers are all a jitter and I am anxious to start on my third project. Will hit the knitting store soon.
We had a nice Christmas Eve party here and I went to town on the butter tarts. They were fine even with my mess up on the sugar type I put in the crust. Bob prepared a feast of lobster and beef and we munched on fancy hors oeuvres like pate and caviar. The highlight to my night was seeing Dylan chowing down on a slice of bread with caviar on it. He was licking the caviar OFF, rather and leaving the bread. Then I asked him if he wanted more caviar or a cookie and he asked for caviar!
I have been making the most of the weather here - approx. 3 mile run everyday plus another 3 mile walk into town for last minute Christmas gift in the first week. The kids are enjoying their stroller runs with me, so I hope to keep it up in the frigid Boston air. We'll see...
We have another four days to go in Cali and then back to the grind. Sophia has really come out of her shell here and I hope she stays out. Syl and Bob invited their friends over a few night after I arrived with the kids and Sophia REALLy took to their boys (aged 5 and 7). For the first time ever, she forgot all about me and ran, chased and laughed with them all night. It was great to see. When I told her they were coming again on Christmas Eve, she asked "Jack too?" and when I told her yes, she squealed with delight. Hilarious. She has left no platform un-sung or dramatized upon while here either. So funny how she is such a performer. Dylan has become one with the little green tractor ride on toy here. He is on it everyday and at the party was zooming around after anyone who would ride on another one in front of him. Good times :)
