My My Maria! What a Day!

Maria had a big day today - she started gymnastics and dance!
(They won't always be on the same day, I won't go in to boring details...)

Andy took her to her first Parent/Tot gymnastics class this morning and she did great! (I was at Julia's preschool for a pizza party.) She looked adorable in her little leo with her tummy and her diaper. She even let me put a bow in her hair and kept it there! Her favorite things were the trampoline and the rings.
Tonight was dance for the first time. She looked adorable (I am seeing an adorable pattern developing...) in her little skirt and tights. This is a solo class so I was a little nervous, but she walked right in and her teachers said she did great. She has the same ones as Julia, and they are awesome. I am so excited for her! I was having MAJOR mommy guilt over her lack of activities compared to what Julia had been in by her age but I couldn't find anything that worked with our schedule until now. Hip Hip Hooray! It's Maria's turn now! I do have to point out that Julia wanted to go to both places with Maria and didn't really get why they couldn't be in the same class. It got me a little teary-eyed that she was so worried about her. When Maria came out of dance Julia gave her a huge hug and asked her how it went. Then when she walked back I heard her ask her teacher about Maria.....Ahh, sisterly love.....

On the rings...a future Olympian perhaps?

The trampoline...look at that tummy!

Ready for dance!

Dancing in daddy's boots

Dancing Darling

Today we got to watch Julia's dance class through an "observation window" - basically a two way mirror. I don't think most of the kids in the class had any idea that there was a hall full of parents watching their every move. Julia did really good - especially considering that it is for 3 to 5 year olds so some of the kids are quite a bit older then her. It was fun to watch her. I think one of her favorite things is watching herself in the mirrors, and she definitely makes up some of her own moves, which are adorable but so not what she is supposed to be doing. Bottom line, she is having so much fun and loves to go, loves her teachers Miss Kara and Miss Taylor, and seems to be learning some too. Mission accomplished!

**DISCLAIMER**

These pictures were taken through a window from really far away with no flash with a moving child so they are not the best.

Twinkle Toes

Checking herself out in the mirror

Waiting to go across the floor...

She was one of the only ones who changed her shoes all by herself.

Miss Independent, even at dance class.

Congrats Kelly & Clive!

Mrs. & Mr. Clive Lankwarden

We are back from our weekend in New Orleans and we had a blast! The wedding was amazing and Kelly was a beautiful bride. We found New Orleans to be a challenge with kids. The Big Easy was not so easy for us. Nothing could dampen the weekend though of family and fun events! It would be a mile long post to list all the happenings so here are a few highlights...

**MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW** I didn't take many because Andy and I always had our hands full but I have already had several people send me some - I just need to get them downloaded so stay tuned...Julia and Maria in their dresses was unbearably cute!

Top 5 Memorable Moments

5. My crazy dance-a-holic children who single handily kept the dance party going for awhile. THEY WOULD NOT STOP. Not to eat, not to rest, if the band was playing they were dancing. Even Maria was getting her groove on and would clap at the end of every song.

4. Seeing the crews from Cali, Boston, Ohio, and St. Louis. We love spending time with them but it is few and far between so it was so nice to catch up. We even talked about our summer vacation - I smell a beach house in Delaware...score!

3. Meeting a ton of people we have heard so much about but have never gotten to know. There were people there from all over the country and it was nice to put a face to so many of the names.

2. Being there to help celebrate with my sister-in-law as she and her new husband start the first chapter of their life together. We are so happy for them, happy to have Clive join the family, and happy to have been part of such a wonderful event.

1. My daughter as the flower girl. She looked so beautiful and walked down the aisle like she owned the place. Not a moments hesitation or nervous glance - I was stunned speechless and it was one of my prouder moments.

Top 5 We Will Laugh About it Someday Moments

5. There were no high chairs and no kids menus. No milk and no kid cups. It is actually like they are under the illusion that people come out of the womb ready to consume massive amounts of liquor and stare at naked ladies all day. I knew it was not a "kid town" but holy cow!

4. I never in my life thought I would eat at somewhere called the Sugar Shack (and it isn't called that because it is a candy store...) with my husband, 2 children and mother-in-law.....

3. I am confident that if I lived in New Orleans I would be VERY skinny. I do not eat seafood - of any kind - and that is basically what they have there. I know this is my own fault for being picky...

2. Cocktail party + toddlers = disaster for mommy and daddy

1. Toddlers in white flower girl dresses + promised M&Ms for walking down the aisle = no longer white dresses...

All in all it was a great trip! We had tons of fun, had a few laughs at our own expense, and gained a brother-in-law. It doesn't get any better.....

My new favorite thing....

is drinking beer. Now, I am not saying that to be funny. (Well, I am kind of...) We went Saturday night to the Vatican Splendors exhibit at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul (which was great - especially having been at the Vatican in Rome in October. I would say go see it but this was the last weekend - and it has nothing to do with the beer...) and after went to the place called the Blue Door Pub, where I had my first beer in a VERY long time. (Okay, first several beers...) Maybe since college? I am more of a wine gal but this place got me in the beer mood. It was awesome! Hole-in-the-wall dining at it's finest. They had a list of juicy "blucys" a mile long, deep fried tater tots and beer battered green beans. A few brave, and in my opinion deranged, soles even tried the SPAM bites. The booths has chalk board walls, which we made good use of, and the service was outstanding. We waited a long time for a table, clearly others love it too, but well worth the wait. And, the company we were in wasn't half bad either, wink wink. Thanks for the great night guys and the great find R!

Good Golly Miss Molly!

Much to Julia & Maria's delight, my niece Molly stayed with us for a couple of days last week while my sister and John took a much deserved vacation to Mexico. The girls all had so much fun together and it was nice having her here. My favorite thing was listening to her and Julia talk and giggle in bed at night. The best was Molly declaring, top volume, "Be quiet Julia! Auntie Jenny is coming!" Ha! Made me laugh so hard. My sister survived the experience of leaving her kids, it was touch and go for awhile, and had a great time. We would would watch her again, anytime......

Hanging out in the play tent. The only bummer was that Julia wasn't feeling super great. She has another ear infection and a bad cold - she is on the mend now, I just wish she had felt better when Molly was here.

"Sleeping" in Julia's bed. Check out those little smiles.....

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve this year we do what we always do - spend it with some of our closest friends, going out to dinner and then holing up at some one's house for the evening. We always go to the same restaurant and it was great again this year. After, the kids played and we watched a slide show of our trip we took in October that our friend put together and drank the wine we brought home with us. If you tuned out the kids and just watched the pictures go by as you drank your wine you could almost feel yourself back there. Almost. It gave us the bug to start planning the next trip. We have some fun things up our sleeves.....

As for resolutions, I only have one.

WORRY LESS, ENJOY MORE.

Worry less about money and appearances, enjoy my children and husband more. Worry less about my weight and my need-to-be-dyed roots, enjoy my friends and family more. Worry less about about the laundry and the mess everywhere, enjoy the time I spend coloring and playing dollhouse more. Worry less about what doesn't really matter, enjoy the things and people that do.

Our family at dinner

The girls partying

The Whole Gang

Maria, Ethan, Julia, Kendall, Jared, Bailey, & Maren

A Look Back at 2008

Capri, Italy

As we say goodbye to 2008 I find myself looking back at my favorite moments of an eventful year. I know this post will be long, and it is more for my children to look at one day then anything else, but it reminds me what a blessed life we live and how fortunate we are to not only have all the memories I will record here, but more importantly, that we have each other. Here is why 2008 was great! According to me anyway.......

Julia's Firsts

There were many! First dance recital, first day of preschool, first time playing soccer, first time jumping in the pool solo, and first time wearing big girl underwear, just to mention a few. She is getting so big and amazes me everyday by all that she absorbs and how she processes things. She talks non-stop, asks a million questions and gets more beautiful inside and out everyday.

First soccer experience - she is no Beckham but had fun! (April)

In her big girl underwear - being potty trained a definite highlight for this mommy (January)

First day of preschool (September)

First dance recital (June)

Maria's Firsts
Maria had even more firsts then Julia, but they were very different. Maria took her first steps, said her first words, ate her first solid food, got her first haircut, and had her first birthday, just to cover a few. It was a year of new discovery and watching as her personality emerged. She went from baby to toddler right before our eyes. She is spunky and sweet all rolled into one adorable, loveable package.

First Birthday (June)

First pigtail ( March)

Taking her first assisted steps (April)

First dip in the ocean (February)

Winter
We got the tail end of one winter and the beginning of another in 2008. Last winter was tough, Maria was too little to really go outside, which meant Julia was stuck indoors if only one parent was home. We did manage to escape the cold for a week long cruise in the Caribbean with my family. It was wonderful.... This winter has been so fun so far! Both girls love going outside. They have sled down the hill in our backyard, made a snowman in the front yard and love to look out the window when it is snowing. We are looking forward to more winter activities to come. I may even try and take Jules ice skating one of these days...

Cruising in Tortola, BWVI

That's Julia buried in there, sledding....

This picture is almost exactly one year old - my how they have changed!

Spring

Spring is always busy with dance recitals and both of the girls birthdays, but it also marks the end of my work year and the start of several months off. By far the highlight of this past spring was a trip to Disney World. It was a week of family and fun and we had a blast. So much fun in fact, that we are going back in February for week.

Julia's 3rd Birthday

Maria's 1st Birthday

The girls with Snow White at Disney World

Summer

We had a great summer this year! Julia was finally tall enough for the rides at Como Zoo, we spent a ton of time at different beaches and the pool, we took trips to Chicago and Boston to visit family and friends, made it up to the cabin for a fun weekend, and hit the State Fair, twice. I turned 30 and my sister and Andy threw my an awesome 30th birthday party and Andy hit 34. Old fart...

Julia & I in front of the Old North Church in Boston

Riding the cars at Como Zoo

The Great Minnesota Get Together

Fall
Fall is my favorite time of year and this past one did not disappoint. We did the pumpkin patch, the corn maze and the apple orchard. It was almost WARM on Halloween as our Little Bo Peep and Sheep went trick or treating. My nephew Parker turned 6 and my niece Molly turned 4. Andy and I took a week long cruise with some of our best friends and saw some of the most beautiful places in the world. It was incrediable and we are still thanksful to my mom and sister for taking care of the girls for us. (See photo above - I messed up and couldn't figure out how to get it down here....opppss!)

Pine Tree Apple Orchard

Little Bo Peep and her Sheep on Halloween

It wouldn't be a recap of the year not to mention the passing of my grandma Margaret. I miss her everyday.

Overall we are counting our blessings and looking forward to what lies ahead in 2009. We have some big plans for our family and house and vacations and ...... I can only imagine what I will have to say at this time next year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2009 be good to you all!