31 December 2013

Oh What a Year...

2013, the year's come and gone,
It's hard to believe the holiday season is also so done.
But let's start at the beginning of this wonderful year,
(and see if I can get through this post without shedding a tear!)

We started the year making new friends in tumbling class,
Bouncing and running, the trampoline was a blast!
You had sleepovers at Grammie's, and rode Thomas the Train,
We spent our birthdays weekend in Ogunquit, for once it didn't rain!

You left the two's and turned the big 3,
It was a 90 degree day when we had your dinosaur par-ty!
We went camping and fishing, roasted s'mores and swam a lot,
Went to Santa's Village and Storyland, man it was so hot!

At Santa's village, you made friends with the big guy himself,
and played a game that had you searching for every single Christmas elf.
At Storyland you conquered roller coasters galore,
and didn't you ask to go on that !@#$% 'Turtle Twirl' more than once more!

The summer also brought beaches, festivals, and a zoo,
You went to your first circus, the Circus Smirkus, and that was fun too!
We did Ogunquit with your cousins, then Camden and Rockland with me,
You took your first boat ride to Peaks Island with Grammie and Grampie.

We had lots of dates, me and you, all done together,
Apple-picking, pizza night and park picnics, all in stellar weather.
Of course there were trips to the Gardens, and the MSA to see big fish,
Getting you potty trained this year has been my biggest wish.

Ah yes, the potty...the host for #1's and #2's...
You do look so cute in your superhero underoos.
We took hikes with Gabs in the Brunswick Town Commons and picked strawberries in a patch,
You saw your first fireworks, and learned to play catch.

Five Guys came to town--you call it the "hangleburger shop",
We go there a lot, it's just too delicious to stop!
The fall brought some changes, a new room and big boy bed,
We said farewell to the crib and soon our nights filled with dread.

You cared not for your bed nor your cozy sweet space,
You'd get up in the night, every night, and that was not a fun place.
But like all phases, you managed to turn a corner and stop,
For that we were rewarded with trips to the gelato shop.

Fall also brought pumpkins, a visit from Aunt Tanya and Uncle Seth, and Wolfe's Neck Farm,
Too bad it was sorta rainy, and sadly not all that warm.
Alas! The holiday season was upon us...
Multiple Santa sightings and sittings, no fear from you, a big plus!

The annual pic with you, Gabby and friends went splendid for once,
I won't lie, I'd been anticipating this for not one but several months!
We rode once again to the cold and wild North Pole,
On a freezing steam train we sat, with other brave souls.

We rode horse and wagons, went sledding and had lots of cocoa,
Baked cookies, ate cookies, and saw decorations aglow.
Christmas was magical, and now it's over til next year,
So many other things happened in 2013, though not all filled with cheer.

The Ravens won the Superbowl, despite a black-out,
'Argo' won for Best Picture, the Oscar did shout.
The world was introduced to Francis the Pope,
It seems traditions are departing, giving Catholics new hope.

There were the outrageous trials of Zimmerman and Arias,
and that phenom Harlem Shake, I still don't know what that is.  
Civil war in Syria, and NSA leaks,
Marriage equality across the nation, and Target's big breach.

Famed Chef, Paula Deen, found herself in some hot water,
Providing all the late night hosts some quality fodder.
Boston's bombings in April saw its darkest day,
But rebounded in October for a celebration on Yawkey Way.

Sox won the World Series, in games that were long,
Once again proving that Boston stands Strong.

There was Miley and 'twerking', and the selfie made news every day,
Government shutdown, Obamacare, and we asked "What does the fox say?"
The world waited and waited for Royal baby George to be born,
2013 proved a heavy year for all those who we mourned.

Tom Clancy, Lou Reed, Esther Williams to name just a few,
Paul Walker, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Thomas, also passed too.
Marcia Wallace played Edna Krabappel on the Simpsons, a long running show,
Fans of Glee's Corey Monteith hope that star stays forever aglow.

Ed Lauter played SJP's strict dad in 80's flick, "Girls Just Wanna have Fun,"
Among others who left us, an Oz flowerpot munchkin.
Eleanor Parker played Sound of Music's Baroness,
We lost James Gandolfini, the Soprano's top mob boss, we surely not jest.

Margaret Thatcher, Ed Koch, and Dr. Joyce Brothers too,
All passed in 2013, we'll miss Roger Ebert's best movie review.
Annette Funnicello, of the original Mickey Mouse Club cast,
Archie's Edith, Jeanne Stapleton, did too also pass.

The world lost a giant in Nelson Mandela, a true hero and legend,
May all those who left us this year rest in peace, so many not even mentioned.

As 2013 winds down, we look forward to starting anew,
Happy New Year to all, from our family to you!




30 December 2013

A Christmas Story.

As we hover on the eve of New Year's Eve, it's hard to believe the holiday season, and the year for that matter, have officially wound down.  Christmas was wonderful, as we knew it would be. 

That morning, I woke up around 6:50 or so, and you were not yet up.  So I took Gabby outside, but she seemed to linger longer than necessary, and when I brought her back inside, there you were, already in your playroom, marveling at what had appeared under the Christmas tree overnight.  You were, in fact, introducing yourself to the giant inflatable dinosaur that Daddy had gotten you. I was only sorry that I had missed your entrance into the playroom to see your face.

With coffee in hand, we set out to watch you open your gifts.  A radio flyer big wheel and the most awesome Eyeore hat from Auntie Tanya and Uncle Seth! A Pooh hat, Pooh figures, alphabet train puzzle, Thomas the Train slippers, a soccer net, a few games, binoculars, a kids camera, some books, a lot of trucks and, as you like to say in reference to Hot Wheels "fast cars", and tracks, some blocks, and a fire station doll house. Then of course, the most wanted item of all...the one that you told Santa you wanted...the Butterfly Net!
Needless to say, we've been kept very busy this last week.  














Christmas morning was gorgeous.  Clear, sparkling skies, and the ice was dripping off the trees like the diamonds.  Gabs and I stepped outside to enjoy it.







Soon enough it was time to hit the road and head to Grammie and Grampie's house.  Fun to be had with your cousins and family! A few years ago, we abandoned the idea of a sit down meal and now everyone just brings all kinds of snacks.  It was a buffet of deliciousness! And this first picture doesn't even show half of what was consumed.  









So there we have it...your fourth Christmas gone by, but each year gets a little more magical, and even more special.  It's been a wonderful season and year.  What will 2014 bring?




24 December 2013

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas
We call it Christmas Eve
All the kiddies are awaiting Santa,
as are the Adults who still Believe.

It's been a magical season
So festive and fun;
We've taken lots of pictures with Santa
Your fear? No, there was none!

We've seen pretty lights, 3 alpacas, and many decorated trees,
Rode horse and wagons, old-fashioned steam trains, and 
Waddled in snow up to our knees.

We've watched Rudolph and Frosty, Mickey's Christmas and the Grinch too,
It seems 10,000 time at least for each,
How you don't tire of them
I haven't a clue.

We hung our ornaments with care and delight,
and baked tons of cookies for Santa
to leave on this very special night.

A few short hours til the season draws near to a close,
get a good night's sleep with sweet dreams 
of sugar plums, presents, family, and Rudolph's red nose.

Merry Christmas to our lovable Boo
I hope you enjoyed the magic of Christmas
as much as we love YOU!




15 December 2013

Alpacas, Santas, and Steam Trains.

Ten more days until Christmas! Today we find ourselves snowbound; hunkered down with over a foot of snow, staying in our pjs all day, and watching the birds anxiously grip the feeders in hopes of catching every last morsel.

We've kept busy these past two weekends, as part of our (or my) effort to make the most out of every single second of this holiday season.  Last weekend, we had our annual picture with Santa and friends at the Bath Animal Hospital.  Let's recap.  This is our fourth year doing so, as we started when you were just seven months old.  We go with your buddy Nolan, and we bring Gabby and he brings Buckley, and we amuse the workers of this vet, as they've watched you two little boys grow from babes uncertain on Santa's knees, to grown up little boys who are (thankfully!) all smiles.  Here were the results:


I love how when Santa asked what you wanted, you said, "a butterfly net."  I have no idea where that came from, but it sounded sweet and sincere and utterly charming.  

Sunday, we visited a local greenhouse that was hosting an alpaca event.  Who knew Alpacas could be so festive? But you loved meeting them, we both loved touching them, and it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.  At this greenhouse, we also bought two giant pinecones, slathered them peanut butter and then rolled them in birdseed to hang for our feathered friends.  










And then there's the way you make friends with every animal you find.  Somehow you found this greenhouse kitty and made friends instantly.  I love that about you.  







Fast forward to a week of work and school and the weekend is once again here.  Frigid temperatures for the past several days have made for alot of time spent indoors.  We remedied that yesterday when we took our second annual trip to the North Pole via the Boothbay Rail Village.  It was a gorgeous day.  We already had a blanket of snow covering the ground, so the sun reflecting off made for a sparkly, crystal clear day.  Perfect for a train ride.  The frosty temps continued as we waited inside the little train 'station' and even once inside the train itself.  But that didn't deter you from dictating your letter to Santa...for which you once again asked for a butterfly net.






Soon we heard the chuff chuff of the engine and it was time board. I gotta say, love the steam train, but I'm pretty sure they promised warmth and there just wasn't any to be had.  That's ok, you didn't seem to mind, as you clutched Pooh and watched out the windows in wonder.








Our train arrived to the North Pole, and we were ushered in for cookies and cocoa. A story was read, a few selfies of you and me, and Santa appeared, providing yet another photo op.  










Then a few more 'together' shots :).




Soon enough, we boarded back on the train to go.  You insisted Pooh get his own seat.





While we waited for our friends to come back from their train ride, we explored the grounds.










And so that brings us to today.  We were supposed go on yet another train ride, this time from Bath to Wiscasset, with Santa, the elves, and more cocoa and cookies.  It's called the Candy Cane Train and I bought the tickets ages ago, eagerly anticipating what I think would be a gorgeous train ride, especially with snow.  Alas, waking up to nearly a foot of snow did not make me eager enough to go on the train.  So we missed it this year, maybe next year we'll try again.

Instead, we've stayed in our pj's, watched Christmas shows, and are attempting a gingerbread house. (The latter is still a work in progress.) I'm also fighting a nasty cold and you have a few sniffles too so it's just as well we make our own cocoa, admire our tree, and watch the snow fall.  

Ten more days, my sweet...ten more.