Abby Caddaby Birthday Party...

Miss Emily Grace has a birthday during a terrible time of the year...Christmas. I promised her that she wouldn't miss out on having a birthday party just because of the busy holiday season. She's such a happy baby and I thought that she and some family and friends would enjoy going to Build a Bear and making a new stuffed animal. My oldest children love going to Build a Bear and Emily had yet to experience it. I picked up some Abby Caddaby birthday supplies, set up a little area in the mall's food court and couldn't wait to celebrate Em's 2nd birthday. Well that really didn't happen according to plan. About a half an hour after we arrived my poor baby had an ear infection that hit her pretty hard. She whailed in pain for hours and then finally passed out. What a horrible way to celebrate your 2nd birthday with your friends-- She would have really enjoyed her first Build a Bear experience.

Shepherd (#2)

After soccer ended in November, the kids were back into the Sunday School routine. This year our church did things a little different and didn't have a traditional Christmas Pageant with a manger scene. They did a Christmas story told from the point of view of the ANIMALS that were in the manger. Dylan had a speaking part and memorized his line very quickly. He kept telling anyone who asked him that he was "Shepherd #2" The church was packed for the children's performance which took place in the middle of our regular Sunday services. My boy did quite well although he complained that he burlap sack costume was way too itchy. I can't wait to see what they come up with next year for the Pageant. This year's show was done brilliantly!

Brynn's Christmas Pageant

I was pretty upset that I was going to miss out on Brynn's very first school performance. When the Sing a Long at Dylan's school ended at 9:45 I was thrilled--I figured I could still make it to see Brynn perform! I probably should have gotten a speeding ticket but I made it in time to see (and hear) Brynn sing a traditional Philippine holiday song. Brynn's school has a theme this year "Communities around the World". Each grade level chose a song from a specific country for their performance and, of course since it's a Catholic School, the pageant ended with a traditional manger scene. Brynn looked absolutely adorable in her costume and I was so proud of her for singing so well and doing her little dance. I was happy I didn't miss any of it.

8 tiny reindeer...

Having the kids in two different schools was working out fantatsic until they both had activities going on at the same time! Dylan had his first holiday "Sing a Long" the same day (and pretty much same time) as Brynnie's first Christmas Pageant. Stephen decided he would go to Brynn's since it is closer to the office and would tape it for me since I couldn't make it to both of the kids shows. Dylan and his classmates looked absolutely adorable wearing their reindeer jingling-bell antlers and did a fabulous job singing and dancing to their song "8 Tiny Reindeer". It was so cute and I'm so glad I was able to see his first performance!

Thanksgiving 2010

I have so much to post, but little time to do it (and I lost the cord to download pics from my phone). This year's Thanksgiving was extremely enjoyable. As we do every year, we spend Thanksgiving with the Poley Family. I cook dinner which I love to do. Thanksgiving is always and entertaining night with lots of laughs. This year Dylan got his Pop Pop to even play Wii with him. The girls played with their cousin Abigele and the football games were on in the background. The Christmas Tree didn't go up but I did deliver a tree to the cemetery with the kids to put on my dad's headstone. There's certain Douglass traditions that I won't forget, but now that I have my own family, some traditions can go on but changed a little--

Here's a pic of my beautiful kids wearing matching turkey outfits.

Halloween 2010

This Halloween was something else! I felt like the parties never ended, and, oh my, the CANDY!!! The kids were wonderful this year. They got dressed, could not wait to knock on doors and politely said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You", without the unnecessary song that last year snuck it's way in at every house (you know what song I'm talking about). It was freezing out and Emily fell asleep after the 4th house we stopped at. Brynn and Dylan loved walking in the 32 Degree FREEZING temperatures. After several houses I reminded Dylan that we wanted to go home and scare some kids and hand out Halloween candy to Trick or Treaters at our house. He was a little bummed when only 4 kids showed up. Maybe next year we'll have a better plan and Dylan can stay closer to home and really scare some kiddies!

Pumpkins

I'm so far behind blogging I'm going to try to catch up. A couple of days before Halloween the kids designed their Jack o' lanterns. Dylan I have to say really enjoyed this experience this year. He drew a face on his pumpkin, took his shirt off (I guess it was easier than pulling up his sleeeves) and cleaned out his pumpkin all by himself. He then (with daddy's assistance) cut the pumpkins face and couldn't wait to see it lit up. Brynn also got right in the pumpkin and while making some hysterical noises (she was slightly grossed out), cleaned her pumpkin out and explained to daddy what her pumpkin should look like. Emily, oh sweet Emily, was grossed out and even with a spoon didn't really enjoy the jack o lantern experience. The faces she made were too funny. Until next year....