Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Just waiting for Tamara to wake up ...

she was too excited to sleep last night.. so we're letting her sleep in.

This may be the last Christmas for Mommy and Daddy to sleep in as well...

you know past 6:00 am ..lol

OK... Mommy needs a double shot of coffee this morning so we'll catch ya later.

We'd like to wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas and the Happy and Healthiest of New Years!

Oh.. Yeah.. Today is also 200 days home in the USA with Tamara.

200 days ago she steps off the plane at Kennedy Airport and became an instant US citizen. Time sure does fly when you're having fun ;o) .

~~~

Holiday Sing

Holiday Sing

Tamara's first public performance was her Holiday Sing at Preschool. Mommy and Daddy seated in the first row camera and video camera in tow were very proud of our little girl. While some other children froze, cried and tried to run off stage. Our little girl bopped to the music, shook her jiggle bells, tried to sing, smiled, waved and blew Mommy and Daddy kisses. No stage freight here. ;o) Sooo Cute!

~

Tamara models her Christmas Dressy coat set.

"I'm Ready"

Holiday Sing

Big Kids.. 4-5 year olds in the back

2-3 year olds up front.

"Hum... is that Mommy behind that camera?"



Looking at her teacher who was coaching the little ones.

There's that little girl smile. ;o)

Watching her teacher who was holding the other little girls hand through out the performance.

Are they cute or what?

~~

OK... Elf update.

Your cards are still here... almost finished.

Tamara's gifts are wrapped and hiding until Santa comes.

Gingerbread house is finished.

Cookies... cookies? Oh snap I forgot the cookies again. Do you think Santa would mind a protein bar instead? ;o)

Having down load issues this morning .

More later.... gotta get back to it!

~~~

Santa Baby

Santa Baby...

Santa or Father Frost as he is known in the former Soviet gets a visit from Tamara.

She wouldn't sit in his lap so Mommy had to get in the act? Oh well maybe next year.

Tamara helps Daddy wrap a gift for Mommy.

Yes... of course I know what it is ;o).

Daddy and Tamara wrapping.

Tamara showing Daddy how to make corners.

Sticky stuff... that tape.

Need more Daddy?

OK.. you hold it and I'll tape.

~

We're getting there.. although I must say arranging to have Santa stop by on a fire engine last Thursday night. Sirens blazing and then totally forgetting about it and putting our daughter to bed an hour before was not one of my brightest moments as a Mother? Yup I did that! Poor thing I popped her out of bed wearing her footie PJ's.. threw on her ski jacket and took her outside to see the jolly fat guy. She was in a daze through most of it. But amazingly she remembered the whole thing the next morning as she ran to the tree and opened the package Santa gave her the night before.

Santa giving her a gift.

Tamara watching Santa walk back to the fire truck and zoom up her buddy Zach's driveway.

She was very happy to see Santa give him a gift as well. Too cute!

OK... back to bed. She went straight to sleep.

Yes... there is a God! ;o)

Happy Mommy!

OK.. still catching up... more to come!

~~~

Congrats Cousin Katie

Congratulations Cousin Katie

Just a quick update on Katie's Cute kid contest.

I got this email this morning from her Mom

"Well Katie won 1st prize for the contest. She wants to email everyone later after school but I wanted to thank you guys for your help."

Oh... the power of the Internet. ;o)

I know many of you have voted for Katie and she left the competition in the dust winning with about a 20% lead.

So Thanks everyone.. it was fun and I know Katie really appreciated knowing her family from around the world voted for her.

~~~

God Bless Us, Everyone!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...Mom Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode

Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds

while visions of X-Box & Barbie flipped through their heads

Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV

with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter

which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand

She descended the stairs, and saw the old man

He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug

"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."

"your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"

"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,

Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"

"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.

"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,

as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.

That's my child's LOVE she is going to steal."

Smiling wisely, Santa said: "To me it is clear,

Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.

"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.

Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,

before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side, Santa said: "Goodnight.

Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.

Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,

and all we do is clean, bake, and procure.

You get the picture -- I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,

whether he/she is 2 or 22, or even older this year.

For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,

and what a special gift to be treasured, with endless LOVE!

May The Real Meaning Of Christmas Be With You All Year

There are no miracles for those...

that have no faith in them...

Have faith in the Miracle of Christmas !!!

God Bless Us, Everyone!

Arrived via email from Judy in Fl. Although I've seen it before... This year I can relate.

Thanks Judy ;o)

~~~

Tis the season...

Tis the season...

to be jolly.

I'm working on it.

4 days to go... are we stressing yet?

Daddy is in the basement putting Tamara's play kitchen together. I never would have put this one together. There are hundreds of parts, screws, boards, knobs. Last I checked he was

step #27 and he still had a ways to go. But I just know she's going to love it.

And like I've said before Daddy is a good sport. ;o) .

I'm almost finished with shopping. The weather isn't helping in that department. 90% of the wrapping is finished and I'm on the L's for Christmas cards. Progress right? Still have a Gingerbread house to make. If I have time I may put my cake decorating skills to work and make it a rose cottage? Ha... yeah if I only had the time. Cookies... cookies? Oh snap I forgot the cookies. Well I'd better get moving... again.

~
Below Tamara reaches for a singing / dancing Christmas mouse.

Helping with the decorations.. Tamara finds Lily in a box.

Opening a gift from Dan & Marsha.
Thank You.. she loves her new books.

Tamara in her new chair.. enjoying one of her new books.

Time to decorate tree #2

Video of her decorating skills. Motion.. no sound.

We're doing another tree?


Tamara reading "The idiots guide to Preschoolers"

She giggled an awful lot. Makes me wonder who's raising who?

She loves her Advent calender.

I think she gets this from me ;o) Ha.. yeah... right.

Watch out Rudy.. Tamara wants your job.

Tree decorating... she's such a good little elf.

Loves to help.

So as you can see things are moving along. Tamara has caught the Christmas spirit. She loves the lights, music and of course the gifts and treats.

Lots more to come... still catching up. Stay tuned.

~~~

Ho Ho Ho

Ho Ho Ho

OK... it's snowing over an inch an hour here. Santa will be here soon and Mommy has sooooo much to do yet. Anyway.. I thought I'd change the music to Christmas for your listening pleasure and update you on some pictures.

Much... much more to come as soon as Mommy catches up on holiday prep.

~

Below are the Malibu girls... who came to visit one night not too long ago.

Tamara had a wonderful time as did Mommy and Daddy. Hope to do it again soon.

Tamara ... can not only open the frig door now she likes to sit in it?
Apple sauce... Yum!

Oh Pooh!

Catalog shopping... Her American girl catalogs are always a hit.

I like this one...

and this one.

I need the attachment Mommy.

What's with all these rugs?

" Here Lily" playing with ribbons

ribbon.. ribbon everywhere.

it's stuck.

~

Trying out a new look.

What do you think?

Is pink my color?

Look into my eyes.

~

Being cute again.

pretty bow

Little Darling.. no?

Watching the Christmas Toy... again.

Thanks Debbie ;o)

Petting Lily

Nice Kitty

~

One of my personal favorite shots.

Daddy and Tamara watching TV

Too cute !!!

~

OK... better get back to it.... clock is ticking... tick tock.

Thought about putting a count down to Christmas clock on the blog but I didn't want to stress you all out. lol

Ho Ho Ho.... that's yes, yes, yes in Georgian ;o)

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