The month of December always approaches quickly and, before we know it, it's over. It was a great December full of memories, love, giving, receiving, and visiting with loved ones.
Mom coordinated a Christmas get together at Silver Wings for Grandpa. Cousin Maggie, her son Noah, her boyfriend and boyfriend's kids came for the celebration. Grandpa was a bit overwhelmed at times with the 'spirited' bunch of kids (he's not used to any noise whatsoever, let alone laughter and running around of kids so I don't blame him for needing a "time out" in his room). The one child that didn't overwhelm him was Micah and he even played cars with him. It was really cute watching them push the cars back and forth to each other. All in all, it was a good visit and a very mild December day for playing outside; which is always a win for the kids' energy levels.
Briella really helped out this year with our annual Christmastime donations. She was so proud to deliver a huge bag of goods and other items to the Salvation Army as well as another load to her school. I was (am) equally proud that she is coming to the understanding of the concept of giving, and that it is good to give! Much of the items that we donated were items that she thoughtfully put together. When I heard coins clanking and plunking all over the place one afternoon and walked into her room to find her emptying out her piggy bank, I immediately went to telling her that she wasn't allowed to take her money out of it. And she quickly interrupted me to say, "But can't I give it away to a homeless person?" This isn't the first time she's wanted to do this, but watching her empty her piggy bank like that really touched me. She had filled an entire ziplock bag, gave it to me and instructed me to give it to the next homeless person that's holding a sign.
I truly thank The Lord that He gives both her and me those moments of redemption because she really does have a great heart, but her strong emotions just give her hiccups some days.
Mom coordinated a Christmas get together at Silver Wings for Grandpa. Cousin Maggie, her son Noah, her boyfriend and boyfriend's kids came for the celebration. Grandpa was a bit overwhelmed at times with the 'spirited' bunch of kids (he's not used to any noise whatsoever, let alone laughter and running around of kids so I don't blame him for needing a "time out" in his room). The one child that didn't overwhelm him was Micah and he even played cars with him. It was really cute watching them push the cars back and forth to each other. All in all, it was a good visit and a very mild December day for playing outside; which is always a win for the kids' energy levels.
These pictures of Briella pouting crack me up. We had come in from playing outside for an hour and we told her it was time to stay inside for a while. Clearly, she wasn't thrilled with this decision.
Briella really helped out this year with our annual Christmastime donations. She was so proud to deliver a huge bag of goods and other items to the Salvation Army as well as another load to her school. I was (am) equally proud that she is coming to the understanding of the concept of giving, and that it is good to give! Much of the items that we donated were items that she thoughtfully put together. When I heard coins clanking and plunking all over the place one afternoon and walked into her room to find her emptying out her piggy bank, I immediately went to telling her that she wasn't allowed to take her money out of it. And she quickly interrupted me to say, "But can't I give it away to a homeless person?" This isn't the first time she's wanted to do this, but watching her empty her piggy bank like that really touched me. She had filled an entire ziplock bag, gave it to me and instructed me to give it to the next homeless person that's holding a sign.
I truly thank The Lord that He gives both her and me those moments of redemption because she really does have a great heart, but her strong emotions just give her hiccups some days.
Since we've been giving to the Salvation Army for as long as she's been alive, I felt she was ready to put her donating 'in action' and help ring the bell. I talked to her about the why of what we are doing and the what of the kettle and how it helps others. She was such a trooper standing outside with me ringing the bell. With windchill, it felt about 3 degrees; maybe less? It was cold, but she was eager and cheerful to do it. After an hour, I told her I wanted her to go home with Jim and she was so resistant to leave me alone, but we were able to finally convince her to leave; though practically shoving her into the car. I really hope to make the bell ringing an annual family tradition of giving back.
Gianna was equally happy and excited to ring the bell, but it was past 6pm and her tiredness can really kick into gear around that time, and with the frigid temps, she didn't last but a few minutes before she wanted Jim to take her into Walmart. Gianna continues to be on an eating strike for at least one meal a day. She will fidget, stare out the window, ask to go to the bathroom, and/or cry during the whole meal rather than eat. It's annoying; true honesty here, there's no other word for it. But when those meals happen that she actually just eats and doesn't do any of that nonsense stuff, it's soooooo nice!
Between her and Micah, I'm not going to sugar coat it, I pretty much dread meal time during this phase of life. But sitting at the table and training them to eat like 'civilized human beings' is important to me/Jim so onward we will go until this phase ends, even though there are some days we pick our battles and let Gianna and Micah walk around and eat or couch eat.
I adore Gianna's simplicity and her want for little. When we asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said, "A mint!" When we explained to her that a mint isn't a Christmas gift, she smartly replied, 'Yots and Yots of mints?!" She continues with her silly sayings. She was rubbing her nose the other day getting all frustrated and says to me, "My nose! My nose is all nosey" as she vigorously rubbed it. When Briella casually said to her, 'Wouldn't it be cool if Mommy married Santa', we didn't expect Gianna to start crying telling her, "No, I don't want mommy to get married! NOOOOOOOO (insert sobbing)." I would've NEVER thought that I'd been comforting my child over a hypothetical question of Santa being her daddy.
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| It was super sweet of Dad and Mom to take a trip to Walmart to see us ring. Thanks to Nonna for taking pictures of me and Briella and thanks to the Salvation Army Lieutenant for insisting to take our family photo. |
Between her and Micah, I'm not going to sugar coat it, I pretty much dread meal time during this phase of life. But sitting at the table and training them to eat like 'civilized human beings' is important to me/Jim so onward we will go until this phase ends, even though there are some days we pick our battles and let Gianna and Micah walk around and eat or couch eat.
I adore Gianna's simplicity and her want for little. When we asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said, "A mint!" When we explained to her that a mint isn't a Christmas gift, she smartly replied, 'Yots and Yots of mints?!" She continues with her silly sayings. She was rubbing her nose the other day getting all frustrated and says to me, "My nose! My nose is all nosey" as she vigorously rubbed it. When Briella casually said to her, 'Wouldn't it be cool if Mommy married Santa', we didn't expect Gianna to start crying telling her, "No, I don't want mommy to get married! NOOOOOOOO (insert sobbing)." I would've NEVER thought that I'd been comforting my child over a hypothetical question of Santa being her daddy.
Micah also enjoyed ringing the bell. He was a natural. He turned 20 months old this month and he’s
really trying to put sentences together. He is completely attached to Jim and will look at me and say, "Where Daddy at?" "Wa Daddy doin'?" "Where Daddy go?" If he's upset, for any reason, or seems bored and I ask him, "Do you want to read books?" he will run to the books. I love that he enjoys reading and I see him retaining so much from reading the books. I'm teaching him his colors, animal sounds, and counting to ten.
Briella saw me reading to Micah and took these pictures of us all by herself, without anyone asking her to do it! Each time she excitedly ran to the camera saying, 'I HAVE to get a picture of this!" On the flip side, she's also been just as eager to take pictures of me working out, but those pictures will not be shared.
Micah pretends he's cooking in the kitchen or eating at the play table and it's adorable to watch. He says Briella "Bwell-wa" and gives her the sweetest hugs. Gianna, on the other hand, he hugs and hits her but they can be the best playmates when Briella is at school, just like in the video moments below. He must hear us telling Gianna to "EAT!" more than I like to admit because he recently began pointing his finger at her shouting "EAT!" "Anna EAT!" at her during mealtimes. Oh boy... |
| It just wouldn't be a "happy" Christmas memory without tears, fussing, and the pictures to prove it. |
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| Getting ready to lead Christmas worship with kids choir at church. |
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| Waiting for Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe play to begin at Barberton Magical Theatre on December 12th. Cayleigh was at home babysitting Micah. |
Micah had his very first experience walking in the snow after Briella's school day on December 13th and the following day Briella had her very first school snow day. Micah and I did a workout DVD that morning while both girls slept in, all the kids crafted multiple times through the day, we played out in the snow a few times, I had to shovel because I couldn't start up the snow blower with Jim being gone, we enjoyed a tea party, and played my very original "flashcard frenzy" sight word card game (the kids request it daily.) Though Jim missed it, because he was in Chicago for the week, it was a wonderful snow day memory with all the kids cooperating and getting along. They had fun and I did as well.
December 19, 2017 and week leading up to Christmas: Briella had her first school Christmas program performance at Northside Christian Academy. For a fidgety, wiggly natured girl, she did great. She would go from grooving and singing to starring off into space or wiggling her tooth like there wasn't hundreds of people even watching her doing it. I admire her natural ability to be in front of a crowd and not seem at all nervous or intimidated.
December 21st Nonna came over and picked up the girls for an overnight mid afternoon. While the girls were with them, Micah and I went shopping because I knew Jim would have to work a little late. After we came home from two different stores, Jim and I took Micah to Fairlawn to Five Guys for dinner and World Market afterward.
December 19, 2017 and week leading up to Christmas: Briella had her first school Christmas program performance at Northside Christian Academy. For a fidgety, wiggly natured girl, she did great. She would go from grooving and singing to starring off into space or wiggling her tooth like there wasn't hundreds of people even watching her doing it. I admire her natural ability to be in front of a crowd and not seem at all nervous or intimidated. 
December 20th was her first official day of Christmas break and we hosted Renee and her 3 kids over for a morning playtime and tea party. I credit our last playtime at her house with realizing that Gianna really enjoys tea parties. All of the kids had a great time, played incredibly well together, and had fun; they are a very nice group and to think we "made friends" at Giant Eagle! Later that afternoon, it was such a mild day that we went outside and drew on the driveway with sidewalk chalk...in December. Who knew that would be the last 'nice' day for weeks. We've been under some extreme cold temperature days shortly thereafter.
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| Totally captivated watching Nicole get off the bus from school and quickly after I took the picture they all ran toward her side of the yard to talk to her. |
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| The only way to get them to sit still and look at the camera at the same time was to offer them a peppermint stick, but getting them to take them out of their mouths to smile at the same time...well, that never happened. Oh well, I tried. |
December 21st Nonna came over and picked up the girls for an overnight mid afternoon. While the girls were with them, Micah and I went shopping because I knew Jim would have to work a little late. After we came home from two different stores, Jim and I took Micah to Fairlawn to Five Guys for dinner and World Market afterward.
The girls came came home the next morning very happy from a memorable overnight and Cayleigh and Nicole came over with Christmas gifts that afternoon. They are the sweetest babysitters in the world! Cayleigh had a very scary and rough health scare this past summer and we were fervently praying and concerned daily over her well being. She is making a slow but steady turnaround and we are so happy to see her doing well again. These ladies love The Lord and respect their parents and it shows with how they take care of our kids. We are extremely fortunate to have them as neighbors and babysitters. There have been numerous times that Jim and I have felt we should reconsider living in our Covington Lane home and move while the market is good, but every time we do, I say, "But what about Cayleigh and Nicole?"
December 23rd we left the house at 9:30am for Bellevue and what a scary drive it was on the turnpike heading there. We had a great time at the Piscitello Christmas at Uncle Jon and Aunt Rita's house. They always host a great Christmas get together. We had an unprecedented occurrence on the drive home when ALL of the kids fell asleep at the same time! Usually, *someone* is awake while 1 or 2 sleeps, but they were all worn out from such a great time. It was adorable and quiet. The drive home went so fast, hahaha! We attempted to watch Home Alone when we got home, but the kids weren't into it so we turned it off halfway through and that's when I noticed Gianna seemed sick. She went to bed with a fever.
December 24th Gianna woke up with a fever so Jim stayed home with her and Micah so Briella and I went to the morning Christmas Eve service. It was a very sweet time to share with Briella and I'll always remember that service she and I spent together. Grandpa and Grandma Molnar came over after Micah's nap and the kids absolutely loved the visit. Grandma made them all homemade quilts! And I totally failed to take a picture of them all holding the quilts alongside her, but Gianna fading from sickness toward the end of their visit didn't help with taking such pictures. Kid life. Grandpa made sure they all got a 'fun' toy, even calling me a month ahead to ask me what they would like and enjoy to receive. The girls crafted with their new craft kits most of the visit and Micah thoroughly enjoyed playtime with his cars and new track. It was a very special time!
Despite the fact that we saw Gianna was very tired from the sickness, we made the decision to go over to Dad & Mom's for Christmas Eve gift opening. Gianna fell asleep on the drive there and took about 30 minutes to wake up from it, but once Jim got her to eat some mashed potatoes, she perked up a bit. The kids all had a great time and I was pleasantly surprised that Micah wasn't obsessing over their stairs or throwing tree ornaments the whole night. The girls both got cameras and Micah got a fire station toy, but his *favorite* gift was the race track. He's been playing with it multiple times a day.
December 25th was an interesting Christmas morning. The sickness had all the kids trying to recoup from feeling gross, I guess? Briella woke up around 7:45 while I was doing devotions, then Gianna woke up about 30 minutes later, but Micah--who is most often the first one awake--had to be woken up at 8:55am! The kids were all very excited to open and really enjoyed their gifts; especially their bounce house. Dad and Mom came over with beef tenderloin and sweet potato casserole. The kids enjoyed having them over. Briella went into emotional overload waiting to use her pottery set while they visited. She almost always does this during times of gifts and excitement with an audience; resulting in exhausting all last chances from us, which I despise, because we give her every opportunity to succeed, but she doesn't accept the offers. I just wonder when she's going to realize the choices are hers to make and consequences don't happen with good choices, self control, and/or patience? I know, I know, she's only 6 and to give her grace in her immaturity.
Nevertheless, the day closed with bedtime bounce house fun, bedtime books, hugs, kisses and her in excellent spirits with a smile on her face cuddling with her life-like kitty, despite her emotionally charged and feisty afternoon. Jim and I felt accomplished having cleaned up all the Christmas decor by the end of the night. After having the tree up since Halloween, we were ready for it to come down, and you know what, the kids never even questioned it the next day.
Despite the fact that we saw Gianna was very tired from the sickness, we made the decision to go over to Dad & Mom's for Christmas Eve gift opening. Gianna fell asleep on the drive there and took about 30 minutes to wake up from it, but once Jim got her to eat some mashed potatoes, she perked up a bit. The kids all had a great time and I was pleasantly surprised that Micah wasn't obsessing over their stairs or throwing tree ornaments the whole night. The girls both got cameras and Micah got a fire station toy, but his *favorite* gift was the race track. He's been playing with it multiple times a day.
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| Our new metalworks wall art from Dad and Mom for Christmas. I LOVE it! |
December 25th was an interesting Christmas morning. The sickness had all the kids trying to recoup from feeling gross, I guess? Briella woke up around 7:45 while I was doing devotions, then Gianna woke up about 30 minutes later, but Micah--who is most often the first one awake--had to be woken up at 8:55am! The kids were all very excited to open and really enjoyed their gifts; especially their bounce house. Dad and Mom came over with beef tenderloin and sweet potato casserole. The kids enjoyed having them over. Briella went into emotional overload waiting to use her pottery set while they visited. She almost always does this during times of gifts and excitement with an audience; resulting in exhausting all last chances from us, which I despise, because we give her every opportunity to succeed, but she doesn't accept the offers. I just wonder when she's going to realize the choices are hers to make and consequences don't happen with good choices, self control, and/or patience? I know, I know, she's only 6 and to give her grace in her immaturity.
Nevertheless, the day closed with bedtime bounce house fun, bedtime books, hugs, kisses and her in excellent spirits with a smile on her face cuddling with her life-like kitty, despite her emotionally charged and feisty afternoon. Jim and I felt accomplished having cleaned up all the Christmas decor by the end of the night. After having the tree up since Halloween, we were ready for it to come down, and you know what, the kids never even questioned it the next day.
Christmas Morning Memory Movie
The rest of the Christmas week was relaxing and spent sharing Jim's much needed, deserved, and long waited time off of work. Even though he and I had disgusting head colds and sinus headaches most all week long, it didn't affect my outlook for his time off. I got silly household stuff done, like painting my Ikea nightstand that's been next to my bed in it's raw state since pregnant with Micah. Or, finally hanging up pictures on our walls for the first time since we moved here in late July of 2016. Jim installed an automatic light in the laundry room and put a back cover on our entertainment system shelf so the cords are no longer exposed after 6 years of it being like that so my "acts of service" love language bucket was totally overflowing this week. It was an amazing feeling to go at a slow pace. Let me tell you, it was just as much needed for Jim as it was for me.
And then, if the week wasn't already going happily, to get a random text message from Cayleigh saying that she and Nicole wanted to watch the kids--for free--as a "gift" to us, my mind was blown for such a gesture. Not because we can't afford to pay them, but because they would offer to watch our kids without payment really makes me feel like they do love our kids as much as they appear to love them and that just touched my heart tremendously. To willingly want to spend time with them, and equally do it for us to get a little alone time during his work vacation, really speaks volumes of their good character and genuine nature. We are certainly blessed to have them as our neighbors for multiple reasons. I had wanted to ask them to watch the kids during his vacation, but with our sickness I didn't do it worrying that we would get Cayleigh sick (her immune system is very fragile from her health scare this past summer) so when she offered, we couldn't refuse.
Briella got to enjoy a whole day of horse camp on the 29th and Jim and I were rewarded with tons of compliments on Briella's work ethic, maturity, and excellent manners from the teachers so I'm glad to know that even though we may have our silly struggles at home that she's putting our training in action out of the house. She also got to enjoy a Papa and Nonna sleepover immediately after horse camp was over. I'd say it was a great Christmas vacation week for all!
And then, if the week wasn't already going happily, to get a random text message from Cayleigh saying that she and Nicole wanted to watch the kids--for free--as a "gift" to us, my mind was blown for such a gesture. Not because we can't afford to pay them, but because they would offer to watch our kids without payment really makes me feel like they do love our kids as much as they appear to love them and that just touched my heart tremendously. To willingly want to spend time with them, and equally do it for us to get a little alone time during his work vacation, really speaks volumes of their good character and genuine nature. We are certainly blessed to have them as our neighbors for multiple reasons. I had wanted to ask them to watch the kids during his vacation, but with our sickness I didn't do it worrying that we would get Cayleigh sick (her immune system is very fragile from her health scare this past summer) so when she offered, we couldn't refuse.
Briella got to enjoy a whole day of horse camp on the 29th and Jim and I were rewarded with tons of compliments on Briella's work ethic, maturity, and excellent manners from the teachers so I'm glad to know that even though we may have our silly struggles at home that she's putting our training in action out of the house. She also got to enjoy a Papa and Nonna sleepover immediately after horse camp was over. I'd say it was a great Christmas vacation week for all!
