Okay, so I'm a day early for New Year's Eve and two for New Year's but I'm not sure I'll be able to get a comment in after my late night hootin' and hollerin' tomorrow evening. Before I receive numerous emails asking if I'm crazy, it's a joke. I'm hoping that my usual 9:00pm bedtime will stand, that also is a joke. But suffice it to say, I will be having a celebration next week, just not for New Year's and most likely at a more respectable hour for my children and myself.
Murphy will celebrate her 3rd birthday on the 2nd of January. She has been telling everyone she meets for the last couple of months, "my birthday is January 2nd and I'm going to be 3". It's a very big deal for her whether she understands what turning three means or not. Mostly, I think it just means more presents. I have asked my siblings to refrain, but there are still a few that will no doubt shower her with gifts. But I think we may have to move to a larger dwelling after the load we got this Christmas. Murphy had an especially good Christmas as she thought EVERY gift was hers, including Julia and Josephine's.
Murphy, Mairin, Kilian and Meredith taken at my house Christmas Eve.
Mairin and Murphy taken Christmas Day at my Mom's.
We celebrated Christmas Eve at my house, the second annual actually, and it was a great time. The kids had a blast celebrating Christmas together. I can only imagine how much more exciting each year will get as the kids get older. Christmas Day was spent at my Mom's with my Mom's scrumptious caramel rolls. They only make special appearances on holidays, so we were all pleasantly surprised to see them with my Mom's broken wrist. What a woman, even a little broken wrist won't keep her away from the kitchen to keep up the holiday tradition. Eric just got passed the recipe and wants to have a go at it. I'll have to double time my running if I'm going to live with someone that can master the recipe.
Eric, Julia, Murphy, Josephine, Mary, and Sidney (dog)
The photo I'm attaching was supposed to be a picture for my Christmas card, but the whole batch didn't work. Actually, that was the third in a series of photo sessions I attempted. Anyone know how to get three small people to all look at the camera and smile? Anyway, after several attempts and not getting a picture, it got later and later, and my Christmas cards moved further and further back on my desk. So Happy Holidays to everyone, and hopefully, I'll get a Valentines Day card or Easter card off this year instead. Happy New Year!!
Mary -- I love your message. I love your pictures. I love you and your husband and your children. And I love your dog with the white beard.
My mother made delicious caramel rolls and I well remember how I had to beg her to make them, just as you have to do. Her breads and rolls were always wonderful, very light and airy, but the caramel rolls were exquisite. I'm glad your mother was able to come through for you once again, in spite of her wrist. I hope that's healing well. And good luck to Eric in his attempt.
We're having a second day of rain today and I don't like it at all. And neither do the girls. Liezel has asked to go out twice in the past half hour, but each time she pokes her nose out and then backs up. No thank you. Uncle Sam used to walk our rain-shy dogs outside with the umbrella and I really miss that service.
Happy New Year up there in the north woods. I guess you're glad you're not in Denver?
Very nice pictures and update, Mary. I hadn't seen Murphy's blond hair. The last time I saw her, it was red.
What great pictures Mary!! It sounds like you've had a wonderful Christmas season. Your family is adorable! I can't believe how big the girls are already. Happy New Year to you and yours. Carol
Great pictures! The girls aren't babies anymore. I remember Christmas morning with little ones, fun times! We still have one child who still shakes packages, counts the number each one receives, and was most upset gift opening was delayed for 3 days due to work schedules and he's 23!!! Happy New Year to all.
Mary, I loved the pictures! I sent you a picture Xmas card of my people and it got sent back to me just a few days ago. It was addressed to Mr. Eric Tompkins. I am not sure if that was the problem or if I just had the wrong address.
I loved the picture, but hated the picture taking session. I made one attempt on Thanksgiving with Scott and me in it, but had to give up. (Tears and scowls do not a happy picture make.) My second attempt, I bribed Polina and Joe with a trip to McDonald's and then I had to add a wrapped Xmas gift to the bribe. The older people and Scott complained loudly about the wrapped gift part, but I have no regrets. I got several great pictures and they were very cooperative.
If anyone finds the secret of getting the children to look at the camera and smile at the same time, he/she needs to write a book about it and market it very smartly. I hope to be that person someday. I had three different picture sessions for my Christmas card this year. Joey is almost as bad as the boys when taking pictures. Anyway, I love seeing your girls, Mary. Very cute!
I like the idea of bribery, but Murphy wasn't having it. The first attempt at pictures after Thanksgiving, was exhausting. I bribed everything, but the kitchen sink.
We just got back from taking her 3 year old picture and I had to bribe the play area at the mall, McDonalds, and a wrapped gift. Geesh, can you say manipulation. It's funny, I don't let anything slip by in the privacy of my own home, but when out in public, it's funny how easily I cave to save the general public from the crazies of my small children.
Aunt Ginnie, can you believe Sidney is only 5 with that white beard. She developed it shortly after the age of two. I think she looks so cute with it. She is recovering nicely from her knee surgery and has had a few romps in the new snow. We got doused with it New Year's Eve all to the delight of Murphy. She was standing at the door, no matter what the wind and cold had for her, she was determined. Shortly after walking out the garage door, Eric came back into the house to ask for a scarf because Murphy wouldn't leave the garage. I was hot just looking at her but apparently the scarf did the trick. They stayed out for about 15 minutes. We made a second attempt yesterday and she lasted longer with the sun out.
I just bought the twins some boots so they can go out with Murphy later today. I couldn’t find boots in a size 4, so they’ll have to be a bit awkward in a size 5. The twins love being outside. Rain or shine, Julia loves to run down the sidewalk, usually to get to the park or maybe the joy of me in hot pursuit holding Josephine under my arm.
Mary -- when I was a child, my boots were always too big because they were bought to grow into! Once they were grown into, they had to be replaced because, although they tried, they could not squeeze a hard-soled shoe into a boot that was a smaller size. So then we were back to too big. Some girls in my class wore their big brother's boots; you know, the kind with those big clamps? You may not have those anymore, but I was so grateful that my brothers were so much older than I was that there were no left-over boots for me to wear. I don't think I could have stood wearing boy boots.
Next story time I'll tell you about wearing boy skates, painted white. Not a pretty story.