Santa, I Know Him!

One of my favorite lines: "Santa, I know him!!" 

We've probably got this year - maybe one more - with the man in the red suit. He's still going to deliver, but the magic will be more developed and understood. The joy will remain. 

But tonight, we celebrate the fact that he is en route. We've got our sugar cookies to overload with sprinkles and our plate to put them on. And if we remember milk and carrots, then that's a bonus. 

It's Christmas Eve, 2017. It's starting to snow - we served at church for the first time - and as a family. It's chilly and glistening and gorgeous and calm and bright. 

We've got heat. We've got food. We've got gas in the cars, socks on our feet and presents under the tree. We've got Christmas blessings all around us. 

And in our usual tradition, it will be A Christmas Story (for the first time with the kids) and then White Christmas with a fire and Christmas lights. It'll be lovely. And we'll sing praises to the Savior, born in a manger; a King to save the world.

These Hooligans

Every year, they don't fail to impress me - they get bigger, but they still love their younger cousins. They get busier, but they always find the time. They get more mature, but they will still play. 

They have patience and kindness - and each year, when we celebrate Christmas and slow down the chaos of the week, it's one of my favorite times.

The 12th First Date

Each year, we celebrate. Each year, we laugh at how I baited him and he fell in love immediately. Each year, we toast to the fact that we get better. 

I'm such a lucky lady.

School Parties

The end of school for 2017 is here - the last day in our new class, new building, where we are starting to feel like we fit in. A little bit.

With the 11th hour on the very last day right after a winter storm warning, we snuck in one holiday party with lots of good humor...and with it in the record books, we're home now for 2 full weeks - with dadda! Let the fun begin!

A Few More

Just a few photos of the girl and her cake - because that's a lot of joy!

Happy #7

Oh my sweet baby girl, here you are at 7 already. Wasn’t I just lamenting that you’d never arrive? That I’d be pregnant forever?

You’re a negotiator. You’re persistent and diligent. You’ll concentrate better than most kids I know – but you’re service oriented, too. Acts of service still remain your love language.

You’re a hugger and a giggler – you’ll pump your hands up in the air with glee. Your sweet little girl voice comes out and you’re just a charmer.

Oh, but help us if you’re sad. Those alligator tears come and pour down those apple cheeks, just killing us. Well, most of the time. The other times, we look at you exasperated, as you’ve got Broadway in your future, kid.

You’re adapting well to school, everyone likes you, you’re making friends and you’re excited to have play dates with new neighbor girls.

You’ll chase your brother and keep up.

You’re getting pickier with your food – which drives me nuts, but girl, you’ve got some good opinions. And then all at once, you shock me senseless and declare how much you love something.

You’re reading now, and doing math, and remembering your library books on Wednesday and that gymnastics is on Thursdays. You’ll mother anyone, correcting them if need be.

As always, you remain a delight to us all – you are Daddy’s little girl and a fantastic little sister. You’re our pudding pop, sisselfriss, baby girl and lambie pie. You’re our KitKat bar, our KK and the light of our life.

Happy #7 angelmuffin.

I love you forever, I like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.

Family Christmas

Kala Christouyenna from the Greek side of the family!