Birthday Celebration

In the beginning of December our cat, Indy, turned 11. Of course, we had to celebrate her. I don't think she really enjoyed the hat though. 

Elliot on the other hand, could not wait for his 6th birthday to arrive. It feels that December babies are always last and never get the same birthday exposure as birthday celebrations held in other months. But we always try to make it a special day for him. And sure enough, he enjoyed himself. 

Before school, he only was able to open a couple of gifts. His wish was a Beyblade Stadium...and that he got:

I took the day off and was able to join him for lunch at 10am and then I brought in cupcakes later that day: 

Back home, there were more gifts waiting to be unwrapped. For weeks Elliot talked about going to Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday but when we picked him up from school, all he wanted to do was build Lego and play at home. 

The battle is on: 

We finished the day off with a birthday dinner and a special ice-cream treat at Chili's and a delicious chocolate ganache cake. 

Earlier that week, Elliot received a gift card from his Opa and I took him to Target to choose a toy. He was so excited and proud and thought that was the best gift ever. By using a coupon coupled with ongoing sales, he was able to buy 3 toys. He was so proud of himself and when we left the store he said: "Mommy, I got three gifts. That's all I need for my birthday. I don't need more toys but want to celebrate with you, and Daddy and Amelia." Oh my sweetheart! He is the best little boy ever. 

Happy 6th birthday, Elliot!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, ELLIOT!

Dear Elliot,

Today your are turning 6 years old and you are so ready to be older. I'm on the other hand not as you are my last baby. I still love holding you in my arms and stroking your hair and luckily, you still want to be cuddled. You are a momma's boy, full of tender love, sweetness and a pure heart of gold. You always think about others first and you care how they feel and what you can do for them. I love that about you!

You also love sports and any time of the day, you can be seen throwing around a football, hitting some baseballs in the front yard, playing tennis against the garage door, riding your bike down the incline at unsafely speeds or playing basketball with your daddy. I'm dumbfounded at how many pairs of  pants you are able to ruin in just a couple of weeks. You are boy through and through. I love that about you too!

You are our funny man at home or as we call it, the class clown (luckily not so much at school). You love to tell jokes you made up (over and over) or do silly faces. The prove is in the pictures. Everyone who sees you automatically smiles as your face always portraits openness and happiness. My prayers are that you always keep a smile on your face and embrace all people with your warmth and happiness. It truly makes you a special fellow. I love that about you!

This year, you graduated from preschool and finally became a Kindergartner. You were so ready for this step. Again, me not so much. You lost some of your boyish innocence but I also love to see you flourish and soak up this new adventure and come home with a proud smile of accomplishment every day. Your love of going to school, learning, being with your friends and growing is ever present. You are an avid reader, which is awesome except when we are running late for school because you had to finish reading your Who Would Win books (I can't be really mad about that as we all love to read). I know you will go far in life as you are smart and ready to tackle any assignment that comes your way. I love that about you too!

You have grown so much this past year, not only physically but also mentally. Just this morning, you told us about your first wiggly tooth and how you can't wait till it falls out. Another big milestone ready to happen. You are quite tall for your age, a fast runner and have great hand-eye coordination. No wonder you love sports so much...these traits come in very handy. You fit right in with the first and second graders on the football field or the basketball court and no challenge is too big for you. I love that about you!

Happy birthday, my sweet boy. Make a big wish and enjoy!

Love you to the moon and beyond!

Mommy and Daddy

Kicking off Christmas Season

Every year, our town has a Tree Lightning Ceremony on the first Friday in December and for me, that is the official kick-off to the Christmas season. This year, as Derrick was flying back from his business trip, Elliot, Amelia and I bundled up to go to the ceremony at City Hall. We always enjoy the singing and then the countdown to light up the tree: 

We then went inside to Santa's Village to see  jolly old St. Nicholas and for the children to hand them their wish lists. The set-up there is always beautiful and Santa and Mrs. Claus really took their time to talk to the children. 

There was also a crafting station, hot cocoa and cookies and more singing. Their elementary school's Orffestra also performed. 

Outside, the city asked local business to paint a house for the Candy Cane Village contest (aka fundraiser) and more than 20 local businesses participated in this fun event. So did my company... a week before the house was due, we painted our hearts out. I think it looked great: 

And some of the competition's gingerbread houses:

Next evening was Yulefest at the Historic Mansker Station. We have gone there for 3 years now and love this evening where the fort comes alive with music, storytelling and demonstrations based on life in the 18th century. The bell ringers and the harp player are our favorites and so is the free carriage ride. This year, only Amelia and I went but we met some friends and it was a fun time.  

 

It was a chilly night and when we came home, the children wanted to warm up by the fire. Best spot in the house to watch TV in December.

Instead of going to our local Christmas Parade on Saturday (Elliot had a basketball game), the girls went to see our neighboring town's 50th Annual Christmas Parade on Sunday afternoon. 

And with that, we are only 3 Advent Sundays away from Christmas. 

Thankful and Blessed

Thanksgiving is always a great time to reflect on what we have and what we are thankful for. My greatest blessings are my family and friends. They are always there when I need them and always lift me up. They make my heart beat faster and are the ones I live for. I'm beyond thankful for be a wife and a mother. 

This life I live might be messy, chaotic and definitely not what I have ever dreamed of but it is so much better and all I ever wanted.

Earlier this month, Amelia and Elliot had their Thanksgiving luncheon at school and since these were both on the same day, Derrick attended one and I attended the other one. 

The kindergartners also talked about the First Thanksgiving and made a Native Indian outfit, complete with their Indian name: 

For Thanksgiving, we invited our Austrian friends, Bettina, Dominik and Evie, to join us for dinner. My first time cooking a 13 lbs turkey. All the food (from ham to yams and Knoedel) was delicious and plentiful and as usual, we ate way too much. 

Thanksgiving is by far one of my favorite holidays...really, what is there not to like? Food, family, friends and one does not need to worry about gifts. Unless you went Black Friday shopping this morning, like me. I only went out for a couple of hours but I was very successful.