Christmas In Bawlmer, Hon!

We had a fun weekend spent getting into the holiday spirit!

Saturday night we welcomed Santa (riding in the back of a fire truck) to our little town. It was pretty cold...and REALLY crowded...and we could only see the big guy from a distance. You know what? That was perfect. Really. It's just the way Lily likes fire trucks...and Santa...from a distance!



Sunday was such a mild day that we decided to go to Hampden and see the lights. We go to Hampden every year and it always seems to be the most bitter cold night. Not this year! It was lovely out and we could actually take the time to really appreciate how over the top and gaudy the decorations truly are!! I mean, where other than Baltimore would a crab sleigh being pulled by eight tiny crabs, the Natty Boh guy, and a Natty Boh beer can angel be considered Christmas decorations?



Lily is so excited about all things Christmas. This holiday is going to be so much fun!

So Thankful

I am truly humbled by all the blessings in my life. For my husband, our daugther, our families and friends, my home, my health, and too many other things to list...I give thanks.

I Know I'm Partial...

...but this child positively takes my breath away!


We had such a nice weekend...playing at the park with friends, raking leaves, and just spending some quality family time together.

Friday Ballet Day

Fridays are quickly becoming Lily's favorite day of the week for one simple reason...BALLET!

Lily loves, Loves, LOVES her Ballet and Books class. It's really very cute to see how excited Lily gets about going to class. She's absolutely having a ball!

During the week Lily shows no interest in wearing her leotard, tights, or ballet slippers. But...when Friday rolls around...all of that changes! Lily's eyes are barely open before she asks to put on her ballet outfit and it doesn't come off until she's ready for bed. In fact, I'm sure she would sleep in them if her parents weren't such party poopers!

Here's a cute shot of our little Prima Ballerina from today.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling...

...it's because they saw our precious Chirish girl enjoying the musicians and step dancers at the Irish Festival today!

Unfortunately, most of the pictures I took of Lily inside the festival today did not turn out. It's funny how that happens when you don't have your camera set to the right setting! The good news is...I was able to get a picture of Lily and her Irish Dad Dad.


Here are a few cute shots that I took outside this morning before we headed to the festival.




Can you guess whose preschool teacher likes to stand with their arms crossed and to sort of flick their hair over their shoulder???

Oh, and one more thing. I know I just did a Lily-isms post yesterday, but I just have to share. On the way home from the Irish Festival Lily asked me if she had to get married when she's a big girl. When I told her that was entirely up to her she told me she would never get married because she always wanted to live with me. My Irish eyes were smiling...and a little teary!

Help With The Vacuuming

I know, I know. I always say when I do a cute Lily-isms post that it will be my last. Obviously, I lie.

So, this time I'm not even going to bother saying I won't do another...because we all know I will! Instead...what I will say is...here is the latest installment of comments that have made me laugh out loud in the last 24 hours:

Yesterday, out of nowhere Lily said to me, "Mommy, the day I get braces on my teeth I want to wear my hair in a bun. Okay?"

Um, sure honey. Nothing like planning ahead.

This morning during breakfast as Lily was buttering, cutting, and pouring syrup on her pancakes she looked at me and said, "You know Mommy. I'm getting so big now the only thing I really need your help with anymore is doing the vacuuming."

What? What! What?!? Doing the vacuuming??? I guess no matter how big and independent our Little Miss is getting she still doesn't like loud noises. And, hey, it's good to know I'm still useful for something!

And, here's one more.

This afternoon as we were leaving another dreadful...oops...I mean delightful birthday party for one of Lily's friends Lily turned to me and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry you didn't get to hit the pinata or get a goody bag. But, don't be sad. You get to drive. That's something children can't do."

How sweet of Lily to look out for her chauffeur.

Lil4 20 10

It seems like Lily not only goes through growth spurts, but also through ability and knowledge spurts. Well, right now, Lily's going through all 3 spurts simultaneously!

The shirts I bought Lily at the end of summer to make it through the Fall/Winter are now showing off her belly button and the pants...yikes...let's just say calling them high-waters doesn't do them justice. There will definitely be another Fall/Winter shopping trip in our immediate future.

Not only is Lily growing by leaps and bounds, she's also learned how to write her name. This is not something we've "worked on". In fact, Lily and I don't "work" on anything. I'm not a big fan of "working" on letters or numbers or whatever with kids. They are only little for such a short time. I would much rather spend our time having fun...not "working" on whatever. Lily's preschool also takes the same approach. There is no "letter of the week" or any kind of formal teaching. Their philosophy is the same as mine...children learn through playing.

Okay, let me get off my soapbox. As I was saying, a few weeks ago Lily said to me, "Look Mommy, I wrote my name." When I looked at the paper I was shocked to see she had in fact written her name. Of course, my little perfectionist then said to me, "Mommy that Y looks like a 4."



Lily has also learned how to count to 30...and beyond. Sometimes when Lily counts she goes from 29 to 20 10. She is so funny. If Lily says 20 10, 20 11...she will catch herself and say in the funniest little voice, "20 10??? 20 10??? I mean 30, 31..."

That little cutie absolutely cracks me up!

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Today is my big brother Don's 46th birthday.

Since our birthdays are so close together, growing up Don and I always celebrated our birthdays together.

Speaking of growing up, it seems like just yesterday Don and I were taking each other's friends to the prom, going to Jimmy Buffett concerts together, and having more fun than we'll ever tell our kids about. It's hard to believe 30 years has past since then.

Don, I'm looking forward to the memories we'll make during the next 30 years!