Happily Ever After...

This mommy has been sick. Yucky sinus infection, ear infection and strep sick. I was going to quietly celebrate Chinese New Year, by, umm, maybe saying, "Happy New Year" and going back to bed. Thankfully, Daddy to the rescue! He set up the decorations, pulled out the girls dresses and helped motivate this weak and sickly mommy. We had a tea party this afternoon.... We love to use our chinese dishes on special occasions. Thankfully the Chinese restaurant delivers!  They had "mooncakes" too. When I say mooncakes, think Boston Creme Toaster Strudels.  Ahh, close enough, right? Gong Hay Fat Choi! Happy New Year!

Gianna came bounding into the kitchen, "TAA-DAA! Look at me! Look at me!" And the next phrase made my heart sink.... Beaming with pride she says,"Look, I cut my hair with scissors!" Thankfully, she had only begun to give herself bangs. After four children, she is the FIRST to not heed the "we only cut paper" warning. Though she is a stinker sometimes, she is just SO. DARN. CUTE.  

I told the girls to clean up the playroom, and we would have a mani/pedi/movie night. Giggling with excitement, they rushed down the hall and were busy little beavers for quite awhile. They came and  got me telling me to close my eyes as we walked down the hall. The kitchen area- PERFECT! The dolls nursery- SPOTLESS! The dress up closest-AMAZING! Lots of hugs and kisses and high fives later, Gianna says, "Mommy we swept it all up." Huh?!?  "What do you mean Sweetie?" Apparently the Princess Castle doubles for a dustpan. So, instead of mani/pedi/movie night, we got to have a wonderful chat about what "all clean" really means. I told  them that if they had too many toys to clean up the RIGHT way, we would have to take some of them out.  Aria got tears in her eyes, and said, "Mommy, I don't want you to sell my toys at a rummage sale ." Excuse me? A what???? Did my four year old just say RUMMAGE SALE??? I am pretty sure the words "rummage s...

As I have mentioned, Aria LOVES to pick the decorations for everyone's birthdays. It is such a fun thing for her and I to do together and I love to watch her decide what she thinks is "perfect". For Daddy this year, she picked Hot Wheels Race Cars, because "Daddy just loves fast cars Mommy." I'm glad he didn't marry me for my coffee making abilities! Even on his birthday he INSISTED on making the coffee. Yeah, it's THAT BAD. He was a great sport and wore his race car hat and drank from the honorary Big Chicken Birthday mug. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART! We all love you so much!!

We have been busy, busy, busy 'round these parts. So much so, that my friend Mary called today to catch up,  and said, "Did you know you have a blog?"  Oh, yeah. I forgot. Thanks sweet friend! My sweet 23 year old sister came for a visit. She is such a wonderful auntie to the girls. Aria couldn't say "Katy" when she was little, so she re-named her "Candee" My sissy LOVES it! So Aunt Candee she  forever more shall be. A visit from our little sis= a perfect time for a tea party. Three sisters: Angela, Me, and Candee. After the old folks wore out, the twenty somethings went out for the evening. Can you believe my sister is only a year older than my oldest son? Aren't they gorgeous kids?!? "Please don't leave Aunt Candee! We love you SOOO MUCH!"

The girls are happy to help their big brother with his push ups each night. What's an extra 50 lbs on your back? A wiggly, giggly extra 50 lbs? What a good sport he is! We love you Yo!

2008 was a wonderful year for our family in so many ways... January: We went on an 11 day cruise to the Mediterraenan to celebrate Greg's big 4-0h. It was an amazing trip for all of us, although now I wonder what I was thinking to take a 3 yr old and a 22 mo old around the world like that! February: We made the decision to transfer all of Gianna's care to Shriners. Thanks again Mary for going with me when Greg could not. You are a dear friend!  Ryan also said goodbye to his teenage years when he turned 20. March : Gianna turned two, and I got my first birthday with our little pumpkin! April: Took my first trip alone with both of the girls to visit my family and friends in VA. It was a great trip! May: Gianna celebrated ONE YEAR HOME!! And Aria celebrated THREE YEARS in our arms! June: We accompanied Daddy on a boondoogle trip to BAHAMAS!!! Suffice it to say, it is now one of my new favorite beaches :) Aria celebrated her fourth birthday! July:...