Christmas Day

Holy Cow...Am I still on Christmas?????

After we opened up gifts at home, we headed over to Nana and Papa's house for Christmas breakfast and more presents!

Merry Christmas!

Between Nana, Papa, Uncle Al, and Auntie Gam, the girls sure got a lot of gifts...and love!!!!

Abigail with a new game from Papa.  You can also see their princess chairs from Uncle Al and Auntie Gam...that goes with their princess castle tent.  They love it!

Abigail Caitlin got a pink baby grand piano!  :)  She loves to play me songs!

Abigail got a vanity set and she has been getting "ready" every morning there....with A LOT of chapstick!!!!

How many adults does it take to put together a vanity set????

Caitlin bringing Daddy his stocking...it's as big as her!!!

The girls got so many great gifts...dolls, games, pajamas, Elmo bus, and so much  more!!!  Rob and I were also very spoiled, with new wine glasses which we needed and have been put to great use.  Rob got a whole lotta Hawks stuff and I got a beautiful pandora bracelet with the girls' birthstones...love it!!! 

After gifts, we headed home for quick naps (all of us) and baths...and then it was off to Great Nani and Papa's for Christmas dinner.  Homemade raviolis....such a treat!  And then the gifts started again...everyone got the girls gifts, it was so thoughful!  Cute clothes, toys and games including this hamster world which they love, princess games, and an ADORABLE Caitlin train that is on display in her room.  Thank you so much to Uncle Tom and Auntie Brina, Auntie Tina and Uncle Ben, Auntie Chelsey, Auntie Stina, and Great Nani and Papa!

My one picture from Christmas Day with Papa, Caitlin, Nana, Abigail, and Auntie Stina!

The next day, Uncle B and Auntie Mo came over to celebrate Xmas with the girls.  Abigail got this awesome Abigail bunny from Hallmark that reads (it's so cute) and Caitlin got clothes, an adorable Elmo bookbag, and Bozo buckets!  :)

Christmas is so much fun....and tiring....and humbling!  We feel so lucky and blessed to be surrounded by amazing family that love us and our girls so much!!!!!!  And thank you to everyone who sent a Christmas card!!!!

And to end, a picture from one of the days following Christmas.  The girls were playing Just Dance for Kids (Christmas gift from Santa) and they looked adorable.  Caitlin was also potty training this day....and we'll be doing it again in a few months!  :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was as exciting as EVER!  Rob and I believe the most important thing we can give the kids for Christmas is Christmas morning at home.  The girls were so excited to wake up (although we had a normal 7:00am wake up call, which we appreciated).

This is my favorite picture of Christmas.  You can feel their excitement at the top of the stairs...waiting to come down!

Santa left them slippers to get the presents started...and then the madness began!

Abigail got her first pair of shinguards and socks....Daddy's favorite present!

Bring on soccer!!!!

This cash register was the first thing the girls opened...and I'm pretty sure Caitilin cared less about the rest of the presents.  It has continued to be a big hit!

Caitlin's new bike!!!  Time to "skuut"!

Mommy and the girls...

Abigail's LeapPad!  She really really really wanted "a video game with a camera" and has continued to learn things I it that I'm not even sure how she figured it out!!!  Her favorite game right now is this Pet Shop where she takes care of her pet...and requires me to download new "treats" for the dog daily from my computer.  I love this LeapPad because to her it's a video game, but it's so educational.  For example, when she plays her Belle game, she has to find the word that starts with the right "sound" to move Belle.  Love educational and fun!

Caitlin also got a LeapPad...a little excessive I know for a 2 year old....but when we head to Disney, I really don't want fighting on the plane over the video game.  Caitlin has more books she can read on it, but is loving the drawing pad!

The girls had a great Christmas morning.  Santa brought lots of Elmo for Caitlin (elmo pjs, elmo legos, elmo bath toys) and lots of fun stuff for Abigail. Abigail also got a MP3 player, but it's great!  It's made my discovery toys and it's big and child proof.  She already had me download some of her favorite Jim Gill music and loves it!

Rob and I also exchanged 1 gift...which we love because we get something fun (I got earrings with diamonds, he got a pullover he wanted) but it's really all about the kids on Christmas morning.  They also made us family portraits which we LOVED!!!!!  Homemade gifts are the best!

Here are a few pics off my phone:

Daddy reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Abigail waiting on Christmas morning.  We had the gate up and Abigail was waiting patiently for Caitlin to wake up.  I went down to check if Santa came and get some coffee...and low and behond when I came back up, Caitlin had "work up all by herself".

If you were wondering, yes, you can use a whole tube of chapstick in 1 sitting!!!!

We LOVE Christmas!

And let's not forget Kramer.  I'm pretty sure he LOVES his Christmas sweater!  :) 

Next...on to Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve 2011

Wow...we have LOTS to post!  Like our fun sushi dinner for Abigail, her new American Girl she got for her birthday, and her special day to see Pinkalicious with Aunt Julie!  But I figured I'd better start catching up on Xmas since we had 4 of them!!!!

Here's the girls helping me bake Xmas cookies to get ready for the big weekend!!!

We began Xmas eve by heading to mass with my mom.  Then, we headed over to my parents' house for Xmas Eve.  It's always such a great day full of drinks, laughter, food, presents...and drinks!  :)

It was extra special because it was the 1st Xmas eve we celebrated with Lucy!!!!!

The 3 beautiful girls

How cute is she?????  I know!!!!

The boys with their traditional oyster shooters!  Major injuries involved in the shucking...but everyone looks like they survived!

After some drinks, apps, an amazing dinner with all the traditions (of which I think we narrowed down we can't get rid of any of them...no matter how hard we tried....pierogies, fish, crab legs, beef, holy bread...everyone has a favorite) we headed to the family room for presents! We were prepared this year and made LOTS of room for all the kids' presents!!!

The girls were beyond spoiled loved again this year!!!!  They got suitcases for Disney full of cute clothes and toys, sleeping bags, more cute clothes that I really want to fit into, games, a doll house mansion (haven't stopped playing with it yet...with all it's pieces), American girl wagon, elmo dr set, barbie and car, etc....I'm sure I'm missing things but there were so many gifts!!!

Rob and I also got spoiled!  My dad had me (we do Secret Santa and each get one big thing) and I got amazing boots (love) and a necklace with my girls' initials and birth stones (love love love).  Rob got a gift certificate for new golf shoes (which he already bought) and a pass for 3 laps in a Nascar car...which he is so excited about!!!  Not to mention our $500 gift certificate for Restaurant.com [ long story :)....we are excited to probably NEVER have to pay for anything from Restaurant.com again].

I am sure I am missing so much more...but it was a great Xmas eve.  We started gifts at 5:00 and by 7:00 Abigail was asking to go to bed.  She was really excited about Santa the next morning.  It was so cute because she got really upset when we put her to bed at Grandma and Grandpa's because she wanted to sleep at home for Santa...but we explained we'd wake her up and take her home.  We woke them up around 10:00 to drive them home...and she watched out the window for Santa the whole ride (which most of us can relate too).  When we got home, Daddy read them the  Night Before Christmas and we put out cookies, reindeer food, and a shot to keep Santa warm.  Abigail heard Santa's bells while in bed....and was ready for the next day!!!!

Here's a few last pics from Xmas Eve!  Thank you mom, dad, Aunt Julie, Uncle Joe, Lucy, and Aunt Katie for a great Christmas!!! 

The girls in their pajamas!  I LOVE them!!!!!

The girls practicing for a sleepover!

Opening their doll house!!!!  Just look at everything in the background!

Uncle Joe with his "walking tour of restaurants in Chicago" from Rob.

And it wouldn't be a Xmas post if I didn't say, I was terrible with pictures and got none of the hosts or my sisters....just the kids!!!  I think I'm just accepting it!  :)

On to Xmas Day....

Study Point

I was recently asked to learn about a ACT/SAT tutoring program in the Chicagoland area called Study Point.  Being a former teacher...and a parent of 2 future (in the long future) college students...I was very interested in learing about Study Point. 

Study Point is a one-on-one tutoring program that focuses on ACT/SAT test prep.  However, they also cover other topics such as math (algebra, geometry, etc), writing, and French. 

One of the things I really liked about Study Point is that the tutor comes to your home.  Even with 2 young girls, I can already see how helpful this would be that a parent could be in the comfort of his/her own home.

I looked at the Chicagoland area and was very impressed that the first 2 tutors I read about both hold a master's degree.  If a tutor is going to be working with my child to prep for college, I think it's important that the tutor has a lot of college experience.

The one thing I could not find was the cost of having a Study Point tutor.  However, I read that the average student goes up 3 ACT points, and I know the difference between a 24 and a 27 on an ACT test could result in HUGE college financial scholarships.  One parents commented that their child received a scholarship for $19,000 per year...that is a lot of money!!!!

My daughters are still far away from college, although I know the next 13 years will fly by!  I would definitely look into Study Point for my daughters when the time comes.  I feel that the best thing I could do for my daugthers is give them the confidence and testing skills necessary to do well on their ACT.

(I was compensated for this review).

Happy Birthday, Abigail Grace!

Dear Abigail,

Happy Birthday to my beautiful princess!  For 1460 days, you have filled our lives with joy and laughter. 

There are so many things your daddy and I love about you:  how smart you are, your ability to never forget a thing, your sweet hugs and kisses, your love for learning and playing, the kindness you show your sister, your "spunk" at times, and on and on.  You are so sweet and compassionate!  You are always thinking of others before yourself..and we learn from your selflessness everyday!  We love you so much!!!!  Thank you for letting us be your mommy, daddy, and little sister!  We are so excited to celebrate your big day with you...Sushi and all (you love sushi right now)....and look forward to all the fun that lies ahead this year!  Happy Birthday, 4 year old (how you asked us to refer to you today). 

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Caitlin

A BIG Holiday Post

Wow, I am so behind, it's almost hard to catch up.  We have been super busy with end-of-the-year activities.  Trying to get ready for Xmas and a special birthday, on top of working 5 days a week (watching kids) for the past month has made this month fly by.  We have been trying to slow down a little and enjoy the holidays. 

I figured I'd just do one big post for all the holiday activities since the next 2 days are devoted to a special "soon-to-be-4" year old!

Last week Caitlin had her last day of Panther Preschool...at the exact same time that Abigail had her parent observation day at ballet.  Luckily, Rob was able to get the morning off.  Abigail really wanted him to see her do ballet so he hit the ballet scene while I hit the preschool scene!

Caitlin had a great time in her first preschool experience!  I am not sure if we are going to continue with the program next session because she just had her speech increased to twice a week (that's a whole 'nother post to come) and it may become too much...but I am happy she got to have a fun time in panter preschool.  Here is her panther ornament she made for us!

Abigail has enjoyed her first "official" ballet class so far.  She is very excited about her recital costume and dance that is coming up in May! She is the youngest in the class, but seems to be keeping up.  However, mommy and daddy are VERY excited because she is starting soccer in January!!!!!

Over the weekend, we had 2 holiday parties.

Friday night we headed to the Hackneys for "Kiddie Festivus".  The kids exchange little presents and have a great time...and as always, after the kiddies go to bed, the parents have an even better time!!!! 

A shot of the crew (minus Avery) at Kiddie Festivus.

Saturday we took the kids to the Jim Gill concert (pics on my phone).   Caitlin loves music and will dance and sing even if she's the only one up!  It was so cute to watch.  Abigail was just excited to have her daddy with her...she's such a daddy's girl!

That night we headed to the Glures Xmas party!  The highlight of the party for the kids is the visit of Santa!  This year Abigail was very excited because Santa knew her name!  Caitlin....well, she could have done without Santa!  :)

The girls and the cute host and a half (baby Glure due to arrive in March and we are so excited).

Abigail really loves Santa!  Caitlin did let Daddy carry her up to Santa to get her gift...

On Monday was Abigail's Xmas concert at school.  My mom had the day off this year so she was able to go with, which was very exciting for Abigail.  Surprising to us, Abigail actually sang all the songs!  She is very shy, but she did a great job up on stage! 

Abigial and Luca looking so cute together!!!!

They really crack me up because they are so darn cute!

So, there's a glance at our past few days!  Tomorrow is the big 4...all Abigail has requested so far is sushi for dinner (I love her).  And she doesn't know it yet, but Friday is a big day for her because Aunt Julie is taking her to see Pinkalicious (her ballet recital song is Pinkatastic from the musical so she listens to it all the time) downtown..and then we are headed to American Girl because she is getting her first AG doll for her birthday.  Such an exciting day for her...and then it's time to get ready for Xmas Eve and Xmas Day!  Whew....I had better finish my shopping!  :)

Hope your holidays have been as busy and blessed as ours!!!!

Thith tree is a thymbol of the thspirit of the Griswold family Chrithmath

In keeping in the Wennerstrom family tradition (and I love me a good family tradition...much to Rob's dismay), we headed over to get our Xmas tree from Beaver!  He sells it to us every year (thanks to my parent's recommendation).  This year was our record fastest "finding the tree" ever...I would say we were there for a total of 5 minutes and that's including paying....but it was about 9 degrees at the time!!!  Here's the beaut:

And again, keeping in Wennerstrom family tradition, the girls and I decorated the tree while Rob watched football!  He claimes men don't decorate trees!  But he did help with the star.   (Okay, to be fair, I should mention that he was outside putting up the lights for a good portion of the afternoon while this mama took a nap to help in the recovery from girl's night out..see below).  This year was the first year the girls really did a lot of the decorating...notice all the ornaments clumped together at the bottom.  It was also a record for the most dropped and broke....good thing I stocked up on crazy glue!

"Best Tree Ever!"  (And that's Caitlin putting up the star..I thought it was Abigail at first glance!)

I think they love our tree! 

In keeping with other traditions...I went shopping with my girlfriends for the 14th year in a row!  There is something about being on Michigan Avenue with the girls to really get the Xmas season started...or it could be the many Peppermint mochas consumed...followed by the many glasses of wine! 

Rob stayed with the girls and they had a really great weekend bonding together.  It was really good for all of them.  The proof is below!  We took the girls on Sunday to Chuck E Cheese (first time ever) to celebrate Cally's 4th birthday.   Cally was the under 1 lb baby born the same time as Abigail and part of the amazing family we met in the NICU.  It was so great to celebrate such a beautiful, healthy girl...and a great friendship that has continued outside the walls of the hospital!  Anyways, there were lots of games played...and the girls got to play a few too.  (Oh, is this where I should mention I kicked Rob's butt in basketball....twice....16 to 8....He will love this).  Okay, back to the story. 

Below is what happened when Chuck E Cheese came out:

Lots of tears.  Oh boy, Disney World should be fun....anyways, look at this.  They both wanted Daddy and no one wanted Mommy.  I was defeated!!!!!

And finally, a random picture.  For dinner on Saturday night, my friends and I ate at Sable, where the executive chef Heather is currently on Top Chef. As luck would have it, she was our chef that night.  And also, she happened to win the episode of Top Chef this week so we got to taste her winning Right Side Up Pineapple Cake...served by Heather. Very cool for us Top Chef lovers!!! 

And so, the chaos and fun that is Xmas continues!!!!!