Holiday Vacation, Day Three

We spent yesterday afternoon playing with Christmas toys and watching Madagascar, a new movie that Elizabeth received as a gift. The Thomas the Tank Engine trains, Hooked on Phonics hand-held learning stick, and Puppy Bingo game are all HUGE hits so far. Elizabeth loves Linda's toys, Linda loves Elizabeth's toys, and so far everyone has been very good about sharing.

Today is New Years Eve and Superwife is home for the day. She came up with a great idea for the girls: Lindissimo and I go to the movies, and she and Elizabee got to the Please Touch Museum to renew our yearly membership. After checking the movie schedule, we quickly rushed out the door to see The Tale Of Despereaux. This was Linda's first time ever in a movie theater. I think she would have been perfectly happy eating popcorn and watching previews for two hours. When the lights dimmed and the movie started, she was absolutely giddy. "Daddy, why is it dark? Daddy, why is the curtain opening, Daddy, why is it so loud?" The questions just kept coming as the movie started. Despereaux is very good fairy tale about a hero mouse who saves a princess, but I think it was a bit to intense for Linda. About 15 minutes in, she asked if she could sit on my lap because she was scared. Terry and Elizabeth picked us up after the movie and we all went home to feed the girls some YoBaby and fish sticks.

I was pretty happy that Terry decided to renew our membership at the Please Touch Museum. It's one of the better kid friendly places in the city and recently moved from it's downtown location to Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park.

Dinner Tonight: Potato pancakes (regular and sweet potato.)

Holiday Vacation, Day Two

We had a slight hiccup this morning. After a quick trip in our new red Radio Flyer to the tailer, we got in the car and headed to Tunnels of Fun, an indoor playground a few blocks from our house, has apparently shut down. We made a quick drive-by to see if they were open yet and instead saw a big LEASE sign in the window instead. I hyped it up to Linda the day before and she was very excited to "go to the place with the tree in the middle with the phone in it and the nets." That description makes perfect sense if you've ever been to Tunnels of Fun. I made a quick change of plans and took them to the Smith Playhouse instead. Tantrum averted. The girls had a great time and it's days like these that I am thrilled that we live in the city. There is always so much to do.

Dinner Tonight: Breaded pork cutlets, roasted potatoes, salad

Holiday Vacation, Day One

Superwife, Lindissimo, Elizabee and I spent this past weekend in Boston visiting our family. We got off to a very late start on Friday because the girls decided that they didn't want to sleep on Christmas night. we wanted to be on the road by 5:00, but I don't think we all got to bed until 3:30. We left around 8:30 and got into Danvers around 3:30. The girls did very well in the car and were very excited to see everyone. Uncle Jeff was there with his dog so there was lots of squealing from Elizabeth when we arrived and she saw two doggies. Except for the drive home, everything went well. It was great to see everyone and all of us got some very cool gifts. (Thanks for the headphones. I love them.)

I have the girls by myself all week so I'm a little nervous about how things are going to go. I'm taking them to the Zoo today and an indoor playground called Tunnels Of Fun tomorrow. Both places are always a big hit so I know they'll have fun.

Dinner Tonight: Home made Gnocci with an arugula salad with goat cheese, tomato, and craisins.

Merry Christmas Everybody

Terry and I planned the present wrapping pretty well this year. Rather than leaving it all to the last possible minute, like last year, we did a little each night and were able to get to bed at a normal time on Christmas Eve. The girls woke up at the usual time, around 6:30, without much fuss. It took Linda a few minutes before she blurted out "did Santa Claus come?!" We followed our usual tooth brushing, face washing routine before we went downstairs. Linda's face lit up as soon as she saw the goodies. I think Elizabeth was excited just because she saw how happy the rest of us were. The first thing they saw was a sink and washing machine for their Rose Petal Cottage playhouse. Linda tucked it away in the playhouse and moved on to the next present, but Elizabeth dragged it out of the house and wanted to play with it. The rest of the morning went well as they tore through gift after gift. Christmas 08 was much more fun than last years vomit fest. Thank you to everyone who sent the girls a gift. We are very lucky to have such a generous family.

We leave early tomorrow morning to for Boston for a nice long weekend visit. Merry Christmas.

Ho Ho Ho

Grammie Linda, Papa Nick, and Auntie Amy came by this weekend to help us pick out and decorate our Christmas tree. There are some new pictures posted on the Flickr account of the selection, the walk home, and the decorating party that followed.

Arizona

Happy belated birthday Nanny. Linda, Elizabeth, Superwife and I flew out to AZ last week to visit Nanny, Grandpa, Jenn, Matt, and Cee-Dub. The girls got along fantastically with their cousin. I owe a few posts to explain all fun we had but for now, click over to the Flickr account and have a look at the photos.