Getting ready for Christmas

It looks like Santa stopped by Nonna & Pops house for some early Christmas cheer. Cupcake was so happy that Nonna made her macaroni and meatballs since it gave her enough energy to open some gifts. She was so happy with all her presents and looking forward to playing at home! Cupcake is very fortunate to have 2 sets of grandparents who love her very much! We are so happy that she "gets it" this year, so much fun to be had. Days left everyone and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! I can't wait!

Swimming Lessons

A bit out of the ordinary for December but we enrolled Cupcake in swimming lessons. She really enjoys swimming and we felt she wasn't ready for soccer or dancing yet but wanted her to participate in an activity. She loves jumping into the pool every Saturday morning after our run to Dunkin Donuts. I know this doesn't really go with our December Christmas activities but we just wanted to share Cupcake's passion!

December Events

Well, we all know that there is 1 Santa Claus in the world and he has many helpers sent out to all the local malls, fire halls, parties, etc. making sure that every child sends their Christmas wish list to Santa himself! I wanted to make sure that Cupcake not only had "the summer of Cupcake" but she also had "the Christmas of Cupcake" before her little brother arrives. We hit every mall, party, eatery, home and local shelter (kidding) saying "hello" to Santa's helpers. Cupcake jumped from lap to lap and looking back I probably should cut it back to maybe 1 or 2 next year. I'm very pregnant (about 32 weeks) and have seen every Santa in a 50 mile radius. I hope Cupcake reads this blog on day and realizes that I'm an idiot who loves her and tries hard to give her everything and every Santa!

We spent December going to a Breakfast with Santa with Nonna, Pop, Uncle S, Aunt K, cousins A & J. We had so much fun visiting, eating and Cupcake kept sneaking back to see Santa. Well, she kept sneaking back to get more lollipops.

Up next was our MOMS Club holiday party! I didn't get many photos since I was helping to organize the event and at this point I"m over pictures. Santa came by and Cupcake jumped right up and giggled!

Last but not least was our party at school. Actually, we were invited to attend Jesus' birthday party. Cupcake was so happy to show me around her school, sing some songs and play with her friends. This would be the last day of school until the new year. I was crying inside because I had so many things to do before Christmas and not enough of time and about 34 weeks pregnant. I had a fantastic time at Jesus' birthday party and can't wait to celebrate on the 25th!

Elf Academy

Cupcake heard through the grapevine that Santa's elves would be offering classes at one of the local malls. Who am I to deny anyone Christmas cheer? We headed to the Elf Academy wondering what would be in store. Low and behold we learned how to make decorations, write out cards to our troops, color pictures for people in the hospital and last but not least visit with the big man, the one and only........Santa Claus!! I was very nervous to find out what would happen during this visit since last year's visit did not go as smoothly as expected. We were pleasantly greeted by a woman with one tooth, smelling of cigarettes and a mildly sized chip on her shoulder. I'm not judging but where the hell is Mrs. Claus or the kid in the Christmas sweater vest??? Moving on! Cupcake stood in line, asked a few questions and before we knew what happened she was sitting on Santa's lap talking about baby dolls, princesses and caliou. Cupcake was so happy and had a smile from ear to ear! That my friends is what I call a success!

Can't wait for the rest of the Christmas activities.

Christmas is in the air! December 2011

We survived the Halloween and Thanksgiving season however I am me and I'm a pain in the arse so I wonder how many Christmas activities I can pack in for Cupcake. We returned from my brother's house and thought wow, we have nothing to do. So, I checked the calendar and low and behold we have soooooo many Santa/Christmas activities on the agenda! I just hope Cupcake is excited too! Thank goodness for Tink, she helped Cupcake get over her Santa phobia.

Up first is a trip to the local botanical garden to see what Christmas cheer they can throw around. We have lived here 7 years and have yet to go to this local gardening wonder joy because 1) we didn't have kids 2) didn't want to brave the families/crowds. Well, we were pleasantly surprised that warm December night when we traveled to the gardens, walked around, didn't wait in lines and gawked at the beautiful wonders of Christmas! Cupcake was so happy to see all the lights, trees and Christmas surprises. There was an entire room made out of candy. WTF? I don't like candy so I was mildly impressed but Cupcake and Hubs were salivating all over the floor. If that room was made out of hummus and Doritos I would lay down and die. Regardless, I was happy to be out as a family (hubby laughs because I act like I'm on crack during family events) and possibly dinner too. I dragged out the night as long as I possibly could because Cupcake was happy and Hubby was happy. I could cry with all the happiness occurring. How many more days until Christmas? I hope this Christmas cheer would never end!

Countdown to Christmas folks..........

Thanksgiving - upstate NY style November 2011

The last few years we've hosted Thanksgiving at our humble abode but this year we decided to head North and spend it with my brother, sister in law and kiddies! Cupcake was so excited to know that she would be spending several days with Tink again. We loaded ourselves into our car and hit the open road to only sit in traffic for several LONG hours. We almost debated turning around and starting all over again in the am but that only made me angrier.

Regardless, we finally arrived late at night (again, I am sure my brother hates me for showing up on his door step in the middle of the night) and were so happy to spend 3 nights with my entire family. My parents arrived earlier in the week and my sister was coming in right behind us but staying at a hotel. Hubby and I are a tad too cheap to spend money on a hotel when we know someone has a floor/bed/room to spare. It was good to finally be out of the car and with family! Can't wait for Turkey Day to start!

Morning! Someone woke up very really today (shocking) and wanted to watch TV at 4am. I wanted to cry especially since I didn't know how to operate my nephew's TV. Besides the point, Happy Thanksgiving! It was a fabulous Thanksgiving! My brother and Wahlberg are fabulous cooks and went all out creating a perfect Thanksgiving. The kids played outside for hours, Cupcake and Tink switched on and off being nice to each other and kicking/screaming. I'm about 30 weeks pregnant and really starting to feel it! We played games the rest of the night, the girls made some arts and crafts and my brother entertained us with his outrageous sense of humor and jokes. Hubs even sat back and enjoyed himself. He didn't have work to do or calls to take, he just sat and played video games all.night.long!

The next day the kids went to the movies, Nanny and Grandpa chilled while Wahlberg and I took Tink and Cupcake to see Santa! Cupcake was a little nervous however Tink walked up to him as if they were best friends. She is such a confident little girl, so sweet and full of love! Tink cut the line, got on his lap and didn't stop delivering her wish list. After witnessing this for 5 minutes Cupcake realized that Santa isn't a bad man after all and slowly sat on his lap. She wouldn't speak to him or even crack a smile, she just gave that "give me a candy cane and no one gets hurt chubby" look. Ahhh, to be young again. After Santa we even managed to get a few Christmas gifts. I am so excited for Christmas!

Overall, the holiday weekend was great, very relaxing! Big thanks to my brother and his family for opening their home and hearts!!! It doesn't matter what we do, as long as we are all together! Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's potty time! November 2011

I forgot to mention that Cupcake is potty training! We tried over the summer however it only lasted a few days when we decided she just wasn't ready. So, the other night Cupcake was moving her step stool/potty out of the bathroom and quickly stopped what she was doing, pulled her pants down and said "oh, I have to go potty". Hubby and I thought she joking so we didn't make a big deal but all of a sudden "her royal highness" potty music played and we both ran into the bathroom shocked. We weren't sure if our pup used the potty or if another human being snuck into our bathroom, did their business and quickly left. After a few minutes and a huge smile on Cupcake's face we realized that she indeed went pee pee on the potty! On one hand we were so happy that she did this on her own but on the other hand we were getting ready for a very long road trip and was hoping we could rely on diapers. Well, like most things when dealing with kids it's on their terms, not ours.

We are happy to report that Cupcake quickly made the transition from diapers to undies, wakes up in the middle of the night to potty and rarely wakes up wet. I guess she was ready, who are we to argue.

No pictures please, potty time is private time!

Side note, she is still not sleeping in her big girl bed.