Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our Christmas Eve began at around 1:30pm. We had a wonderful dinner and then proceeded to 4:00 mass at Our Lady of Victory Church. Zach, Kara and Emily were great. And then there was our Alex - not so great. After putting us and our surrounding parisheners through the tortures of you know what, Don "reluctantly" left the church with Alex. All was quiet. Kara and Emily were wearing these sweet dresses; black velvet top with layered skirts. The top layer of the skirt was covered with silver sequins, as was the church pew! I really feel sorry for whoever sat there for the later masses.

We then returned to Nana and Papa's where we had snacks and home made cookies, which Alex could not get enough of and proceeded to open our Christmas gifts. As usual there was paper and presents everywhere. The kids were having a ball. Every bit of list making, list remaking, crowd shopping, cooking, baking - all of it was worth all the effort expended.

The favorite toy Nana remembered one wanted, Papa showing another how to use a new toy, everyone watching these four wonders so happy - this is just another memory our grandchildren will have forever, as will we.
Hugs and kisses,

Quite a Woman

I would like to post about a very special woman, who deserves the admiration of me, my children and grandchildren. She is my Aunt Irene; my children's great aunt and my grandchildren's great-great aunt. Aunt Irene is now 97 years old and living in a nursing home. She has had a major effect on my life and the lives of my children. I wish my grandchildren had known her even just 15 years ago. She worked cleaning houses and in a factory most of her life. Aunt Irene has a great sense of humor to this day. My husband and I went to visit Aunt Irene today. She looks wonderful and is still full of spunk. I was so lucky to have spent lots and lots of my youth with her.
Hugs and kisses,

Emily's First Sleepover

Saturday night was Emily Xian's first sleepover at Nana and Papa's. As you know, Kara stays often just for no other reason than she wants to. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous as to how this was going to go. The girls arrived at about 5:30 pm. Dad gave kisses and went on his way. We played games, ate homemade cookies, had fashion shows and just had a great time. At 9:00 pm Emily went to bed in the big girls bed (she sleeps in a toddler bed at home) and was asleep in 5 minutes. We did not hear from her till after 8 am. Kara and Nana fell asleep watching TV. Papa woke us and off we went to bed at around 10 pm. Emily announced the next morning that she loves sleepovers. I'm pretty sure she was stepping on Kara's toes.
Hugs and kisses,

Zach's 4th Grade Picture

Zach is in fourth grade already. He is doing great and enjoying being one of the "upper " classmen in Elementary School. It is so great to watch him achieve new heights. Of course, there are those times he gets caught doing things he shouldn't, like standing on the bathroom sink! That was a trick from last year. I have to ask Michelle what his new tricks have been this year. Papa and I are very proud of Zach. He is a great young man with a creative imagination we feel will be to his benefit.
Hugs and kisses,

Missing Newspapers

I always seem to have more to write about Emily and Alex, but that is only because Kara and Zach spend their days at school and not at Nana and Papa's. But this post is quite interesting.

A few months back we were missing our daily newspaper more mornings than not. It was actually very frustrating. I would call The Record and they would say the paper had been delivered. I would hang up and say, "Yeah, right." Most days another paper would be delivered to us. It got so aggravating I actually called our delivery person to complain. It was then decided our paper was being taken by one of our neighbors. Any of you who have been to our house know we do not have many neighbors.

Well, Zach was over one night last week. He was very busy at the table writing something. When he finished, Zach showed us four plans he had devised to catch the paper snatcher in the act. I find them very interesting and quite imaginative. Hope you do, too.

Now you must read slowly, as printing is not one of our boy's strong points.
Hugs and kisses,

History Repeats Itself

I received this table centerpiece from a friend the first Christmas Zach was home. My friend, Mary Beth, bought it for me because it has a young boy dragging a Christmas tree in the globe and a train surrounding the city. As soon as I looked at it, I thought of our Zach. He was constantly having me wind it up and just sat forever watching it go round and round. When Kara arrived, it was the same scenario. This "tradition" has continued year after year. Believe it or not it has been eight years already. Last Christmas Alex was young and too busy touching all the tree ornaments. This year he and Em run to see who gets to it first. Maybe I should leave it out all year!!
Hugs and kisses,

Our Day with Emily

Today is our day with Emily, as is every Tuesday. She came all dressed up, black stockings and all, walking so straight and tall so her crown wouldn't fall off. Nana and Papa were taking her shopping, which is one of her favorite past times. She is so much friendlier to people now and gives everyone that sweet special look of hers. Each Tuesday brings something new from our Emily, always causing laughter and fun.
Hugs and kisses,