Merry Christmas!

Up at 4am for our flight!









It was our turn to spend Christmas in Michigan this year. Other than the craziness that comes with navigating through airports at this time of year it was a really relaxing time. We went to church on Christmas Eve. Olivia loved seeing Baby Jesus in the nativity. We ate way to much Polish food and stayed up very late. It was so neat to see how Olivia "got" Christmas this year. She said thank you after opening her gifts and she let everyone help her with the unwrapping. She wanted to share the fun! It was also great to see how much Olivia enjoyed seeing everyone. Whenever anyone would walk in the door she would run up and give them a hug. We also got to enjoy some Christmasy weather. Olivia got to go for a sled ride around the front yard. She LOVED it! We can't wait to see everyone again.

Pictures with Santa

Saturday we took Olivia for her Santa picture. Despite the look on her face the pictures went really well. She didn't cry at all and she actually gave him a hug when we were leaving. We talk about Santa a lot and I think she's really going to be excited for Christmas this year.

Let it Snow!!

It has snowed in Houston three out of the five years that I have lived here. Last week's snow was the best by far! Olivia and I skipped cooking class to enjoy the weather and Luis was actually sent home from work early! It was great while it lasted. Olivia loved playing outside. Every once in a while she would look out the window and say, "There's snowmen out there mom!" I think she's ready for her trip to Michigan this Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2009

Move Over Rachael Ray!

Olivia and I are taking a cooking class together. She is having so much fun! She already loves helping me in the kitchen. I also think the class is a good way to introduce different foods to picky eaters. So far she's made pizza cups, blueberry pancakes, strawberry banana smoothies, and some cookies are fruit decorated like turkeys. We'll have to see if I have an extra helper in the kitchen on Thanksgiving.

Halloween Part 2

Last Sunday we took Olivia to pick out her pumpkin. She wasn't as excited about it as I hoped she would be, but we managed to get a cute picture.
She helped Luis carve her pumpkin, but she was not crazy about sticking her hand inside!
On Halloween we went to our city Trick or Treat Trail. Afterwards we went Trick or Treating around our neighborhood. That was the best part of the night! Olivia had so much fun. It didn't take her long to catch on to what she was supposed to do.

Halloween Part 1

Last weekend we got to attend two Halloween parties. The first was hosted by someone from our playgroup. To say they love Halloween at their house is an understatement. I knew Olivia would be afraid of all of their scary decor, but we actually got to stay for longer than I had thought. She was by my side for most of the party, which was ok with me. What a difference a year makes! Last Halloween she would not have been phased by any of the spooky stuff.
Saturday we went to our neighbor's Halloween party. It was definitely Olivia's type of party. They had a ring toss game, dance contest, and pumpkin decorating. We are so happy to have met such nice people close to home. Having kids makes it easy to make friends!