Invented words

Maya just came into the kitchen and exclaimed, "momma! Ryleigh is just screamin' at me and she bein' a real mean meany-ac!". As sorry as I was that Maya had her feelings hurt, I couldn't help but laugh at her word after she walked away. I think may start using that.

We Promised

Will and I promised the girls that if they went to bed nicely and on time all week, that they could stay up until midnight tonight. They did, so now we are looking at a rather late bedtime. They have requested donuts and fizzy water (seltzer) to celebrate the new year. I have no doubt that Lilly will make it, I am fairly sure Allie will make it, and I am certain that Maya will be asleep by 9:30 at the latest. I am not sure if I can stay awake that long, so maybe that will be Will's job. Happy New year!

Another big step

We have reached a major milestone at our house. We have gone from having the playroom downstairs (which also means toys that were constantly streaming into all other downstairs rooms) to having it upstairs, and therefore, no more downstairs toy takeover. We set up our former playroom as a quiet room for games, reading, and general relaxing. There is no television, but there is a fireplace that is working for the first time since we moved in five and a half years ago. We bought ourselves some new furniture, and it turned into our favorite room. The girls love it in here because it means family game days, and Will and I love it because it is comfy and calm. It is so nice to have a downstairs that doesn't look like a toy factory exploded. It is amazing how such a simple switch makes such a difference. Now the upstairs...

I guessed Lilly, 5:24

I was wrong. Lilly woke up at 5:13. We went to sleep just before 1:00. The rule at our house is that you cannot wake your sisters up (they have all been sick and sleep trumps Christmas early morning this year) but you can open your stocking while you wait. So Lilly has opened a few stocking gifts and now we are watching Lazy Town waiting for the others to wake up. Lilly looked down our stairs into the living room and said, excitedly "he sure did come alright! There is a bridge of presents across the livingroom!". I cannot wait for Allie and Maya to wake up! It is 5:41 now... Merry Christmas!

Birthday Cakes

I completely forgot to post pictures of the cakes I made for Lilly and Allie for their birthdays this year.  Yes, they were in September, the party was a halloween party, so I guess I am not that late...  Allie wanted a butterfly cake with rainbows inside, so I made her butterflies out of royal icing, and the actual cake with enough food coloring to power a small nation (if you could power a nation with food coloring).  Lilly wanted a half chocolate, half vanilla cake, but not marble, and not alternating layers, actually half of the cake chocolate (including the frosting which was chocolate and vanilla whipped cream) and half vanilla.  They came out pretty well, but I was especially happy with how the butterflies came out.

All wrapped up

Allie is beside herself with joy. She has chosen the perfect gift for me for Christmas, which is odd considering that she hasn't left the house in a week. She wrapped it up all by herself, beautifully I might add. She decorated the package and presented it to me this morning. She pleaded with me to open it then and there, much like I have been doing with my own mother for the better part of December (I cannot wait for her to open it!) And much like my own Mother I told her I would open it Christmas morning. She begrudgingly agreed. My Mother, who had been with Allie during the wrapping, and who had provided the box, pulled me aside after Allie had left the room and said, "I won't tell you what's in there, but if you happen to be looking for your black heels...". Sweet! I love those shoes.

Sick

The girls have not been to school since Monday,there has been puking and coughing and crying, oh my. Oh, and we've been up since 2:30 am, when Maya who had a fever of about 103 was hallucinating that there was a swarm of bees in the corner of her room. Fun times. I hope this is over soon.

With a knickers nack paddy whack...

Apparently according to Allie,
"this old man, he played six, he played knick nack on my ticks...this old man he played seven, he played knick nack on my Kevin...this old man, he played nine, he played knick na k on my spine..."
That old man's got issues, and the singer sounds like she may have some as well...

Gingerbread houses

Lilly: making (decorating) gingerbread houses is hard because you need skills!

Love that kid, and you know, the baking the gingerbread from scratch was a breeze!

A very true thing (around here anyway)

Will quit drinking a little over a year ago.  This has been an amazing thing for us.  To mark the anniversary, Lilly made him this card.  I love her.  And him.  They are both quite something.

I thought we lived in New England

Today, December 3rd 2009, we went to the beach. We had a picnic, played in the sand, and ran around. It was pure bliss. The time and temperature clock read 68 degrees. I will try to remember this when it is snowing in April.