All good things...or so they say.

And just like that, our holiday break is done.  It feels like just yesterday (20 December to be exact) I was reveling in being off with you until January 2nd.  And now it's the eve of that day, and I find myself wishing we had just a few more days.  We didn't necessarily do all the things we had in mind, since we were hampered by such cold and snowy days...but we made the most of it.  

Today was lovely though, as we spent it with friends, sledding, taking in the beauty of the outdoors, and just playing.  Playing is good. Real good.

Tonight as you were brushing your teeth, you said, "I had so much fun with you this week, Mommy."  Me too, my sweet, me too.  

With more snow impending tomorrow and Friday, it's good that we got this outside play in! Your buddy, our neighbor the horse, who we affectionately call Brownie, was also outside enjoying the sunshine.  I couldn't resist taking his picture for you too.

Our vacation is over, so this good thing must come to an end.  We'll just be counting down until the next one...

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!

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?

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!