Gretas first Christmas program

Greta has been practicing in Sunday school for weeks. She knew her song despite me never having heard it before. We had practice on Saturday and she did great! So k was starting to get optimistic that she was actually going to go up on stage and sing. 

We get to church. I leave her in the room with the kids - literally snuck out. Starting to think it's a bad sign. The kids make their entrance. She stops at me but only to give me a hug - phew. I thought it was over. And up to the front they go. Bad news - they do t song until almost the end. Good news they all hung on and did great!!

So proud. She marched up there and sang almost all the word. The first of many Christmas programs to come! 

https://youtu.be/-EHfGInB5TA

Horsey Rides

Greta giving Lola a horse ride. To my surprise - she could actually pick her up. They laughed and laughed! 

One week til Christmas

I'm not going to lie - I'm super excited about Christmas. Greta is so excited and keeps saying she'll be excited with whatever Santa brings. That makes me super happy.

But none the less I can't wait to see her face (and Lola's too) Christmas morning when they come running out and see all the gifts under the tree. 

Also good news I don't have much left to do. Shopping - 95% done. Wrapping - 90% done. Bring on Christmas!!

Best picture we got from bronners like a month ago. 

Santa visit

A tip from a friend that Santa was going to be at this restaurant for lunch... perfect. Little stress and craziness - maybe a better chance Greta would talk to him. She already talk me she didn't want to sit on his lap and I told her that was fine. But she said she'd standby him and let me take her picture. 

So I dress them in cute Santa outfits... we go in and Greta wants nothing really to do with him. Okay fine. She goes by him and does tell him what she wants but only when Ryan or I were holding her. 

Lola wasn't too sure. But did give him a high five. 

So we go back to eat and another kid crawls up into his sleigh. And I tell Greta and she watches.  Only a few minutes later Greta decides she wants to sit in his sleigh with Santa. We walk over she crawls up and has the biggest smile I've ever seen on her face. 

I'll call this a great memory!!! 

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

When Karle and Kahle were little Mary had them sing Christmas songs. I remember loving getting them. It was so fun. 

So continuing the tradition... here's song #1.

https://youtu.be/cdP9auQfLJQ

Lola 16 months

16 months and counting and Lola never ceases to amaze me. She's silly, sweet, has a little temper and is always smiling. 

Top 10

1. Another tooth broke through - she's up to 12

2. Learned some new words - Papa, Greta, dog, juice and a few more I'm sure

3. Has a little temper and knows how to through a temper tantrum

4. Is a great sleep and usually sleeps from 7:30 to 6:30

5. Is a great eater and will eat anything - favorites are fruit, anything I'm eating, and popcorn

6. Loves to give kisses and blow kisses

7. Loves playing outside and swinging

8.  Is a great car rider and usually sleeps at least half of it and then just hangs out and laughs with Greta the rest

9. Spent a week at grandmas when I had to go to Chicago 

10. Will tell you that Santa says ho ho ho. Super cute! 

Chicago

Last week I headed to Chicago for the annual RSNA meeting. It always starts thanksgiving weekend which makes any plans almost impossible. And this year I had to leave Friday to be here by Saturday morning for a training. So a quick trip up to unionville, some yummy turkey, online shopping and away I went - leaving the girls behind :-( but in good hands.  

Worked all morning Saturday and then took a break to watched that unfair and disappointing game. Then back to work and some Chicago deep dish pizza. 

The rest of the week was a bit of a blur but luckily went fast because we were so busy. We did have a chance to do some team building activities that involved taking my Belgian colleagues to their first hockey game and watching their first American football game. We also did some karaoke and walked a 5K.

Thursday after the show we loaded up and headed for home - this time with 3 others in the car - which was great. 3 stops later, I finally arrived home. And of course had to sneak in and cuddle and give the girls kisses. Best feeling ever being home in your own bed and waking up to the sounds of children. So missed them! 

Good work trip. Girls is good hands. Doesn't beat that. 

Confession

Please don't tell or judge. I did something that I swore I never would. I ask Ryan if he wanted to get a fake tree. Gasp! I know! It truly goes again everything I believe in. But as I started to think about how easy it would be and how tired I was from traveling and how much I really wanted my tree it - I did it. And ryan didn't say no and has been actually thinking about it himself but thought there was no way I'd go for that. 

Yikes! I did.  But on the other side i did buy 2 small trees that we will plan. I think that will be our new tradition and then when they are big enough we'll cut one down. 

Until then... we are the proud over of a beautiful almost real tree.

Adventures of Greta and Lola

Despite my sadness leaving them - I knew they would both gave a great time with grandma and papa and aunt Julie snd uncle Jason. So much love there! 

I don't even know everything they did but in all the pictures they were smiling and always on FaceTime they were happy (well except when they took the phone from Lola). 

It's so reassuring that I have an amazing mom to help me when I travel. Thanks Mom!