Christmas Joy

Christmas was wonderful, once again, this year. The girls were both very excited and looked lovely in their coordinating dresses. Mad was quite the trendy little thing with a large flower in her hair. Kaitlyn loved wearing her dress. She is really enjoying dressing up and putting on pretties just like her big sister.

We started on the 23rd celebrating Bobbie's birthday and Christmas with the Frank family. It was a lot of fun this year with five kids here. Madeline, Kaitlyn and Mary truly enjoyed themselves. One of the highlights was watching Mary walk around in the tutu Mad gave her, her tights and shoes. No shirt. That kid is a trip. We also had little Kenzie and Johnathan here for their first Christmas. Madeline was most excited to get an Easy Bake oven from Bobbie and Joe and a remote control Strawberry Shortcake from Teri, Eric and Kenzie. Kaitlyn was very excited to get a new baby doll (a Cabbage Patch doll that giggles) from Bobbie and Joe. She also really likes her coloring stuff from the Guses and her Zhu Zhu Pet coloring book from the Strothmanns.

Next up was celebrating with the Regan family on Christmas Eve. Mom, John, Binky, Wendy, Dan, Moe, Dylan and Steve were all here. Mad got two sweatsuits, two shirts and a sparkly ponytail holder from Justice from Grandma and Papa, which were her favorite from that night. She has also had a lot of fun playing the Zhu Zhu Pet board game that she got from Wendy and Dan. Kaitlyn loves her Meowsic piano (a cat head shaped piano) from Grandma and Papa.

Of course Santa came and we started our Christmas morning checking out all of the awesome gifts he brought for the girls. Madeline got A LOT of Zhu Zhu Pet accessories, a Zhu Zhu princess castle and media room and a Justice Zhu Zhu pet. Also, she got three Polly Pocket water girls, a Hello Kitty stuffed doll, a heart bracelet, a pink headband with a sequin bow, a ballerina book and a tube of Reese's peanut butter cups. Kaitlyn got a shopping cart with a Cozy Coupe car on the front (it holds her babies) filled with play fruit, a few Zhu Zhu pet accessories, a green Zhu Zhu pet named Shamrock, a small stuffed penguin that plays music, a headband with a sequin princess crown on it, a book and a tube filled with Hershey's kisses.

Shortly after we finished opening Santa's gifts, we started on our gifts for the girls. There was so much and they were all opened so quickly. Unfortunately, our camcorder had run out of room on the disc and we didn't get any of the present opening on tape. That was hugely disappointing. Madeline's most favorite gift was her American Girl Doll, Kit, along with all of the accessories she came with and the ballet set we got her. I found a matching leotard and sweater wrap for Madeline to wear. She and Kit spent all of Christmas day in their ballet gear. Madeline was VERY excited to get her gift from Joe. He built her a dollhouse shaped bookcase. At its highest point, it reaches my chin. It is amazing. Joe and Madeline still need to paint it. Of course Mad is excited about that and wants to paint it pink. She also told me that her other favorites were her Disney Princess set of 12 books and the outfit I gave her from Justice. Some of the other things she got from us are: scrapbook/craft paper, a ballerina Nutcracker, a necklace making kit, a stuffed angel snowgirl, the Kit movie and soundtrack and much more. Kaitlyn gave Madeline three ballerina themed shirts, a 2011 Princess calendar, a Hello Kitty town play set, a magnetic dress the princess set and the Beauty and the Beast movie. Kaitlyn was pretty much over opening presents, but Joe got her to open most of her gifts. She got a toy size Cozy Coupe, an Elmo see and say/shape match thing with an Elmo doll, an Elmo ornament and book, a stuffed penguin, an outfit from me, a baby that plays peek-a-boo, a little backpack with elephants all over the fabric, two different stuffed elephants. I gave her a baby doll care center/kit. It has a crib and a changing table with baby care necessities. Joe made Kaitlyn her own craft table and matching stool. They are amazing as well. Kate knows that it is her table and has it covered with a bunch of her new gifts. Just this morning (the 26th)she opened her last gifts from Joe and I - a Weebles playset and two extra sets of Weebles. Madeline gave Kaitlyn a sleeping bag/pillow combo, an outfit, a Zhu Zhu pet an Elmo DVD and a singing/dancing thing from Hallmark. KJ very much enjoyed Madeline's, so it was only fitting that Mad gave Kate one of her own. They also both got a new bath towel and washmit. I know there is more that I am forgetting. But that's okay. The presents, while fun, are not what I want to remember. I want to remember the happiness I felt when I watched my girls happily playing. How special they felt after I helped get them ready for each party. How much fun they had playing together with their Zhu Zhu pets, dolls and Weebles. The hugs I was given. The 'thank yous' from Madeline. Kaitlyn trying to get into the cozy coupe that is doll sized. Madeline's expression on her face when she saw her AG Doll. Madeline rocking Kit and Kaitlyn rocking Elmo at the same time. Kaitlyn pushing her shopping cart around the house, pausing every now and again to 'eat' some of the fruit out of the cart. I want to remember my girls just as they are now. So sweet. So little. So wonderful.

Nutcracker

Madeline participated in her dance studio's production of the Nutcracker this year. It was a lot of work, frustration and gas miles for me and Joe, but the pure joy on my girl's face every time she talks about it makes every moment worth all of the hassle.

We got home late last night after the final performance. Madeline had fallen asleep in the car on the way home. I called Joe to come out and get her. She of course woke up when he carried her in. So she took a few minutes to show her Daddy the trophy that she was given after the final performance last night. She is very excited about this trophy. It has her name on it and lights around the circle part that flash when turned on. Madeline also told Joe that her favorite part of the night was when I gave her a Disney princess magazine and a ballerina ornament. She just couldn't possibly be any sweeter.

Madeline's first performance was on Friday night. Her Auntie Teri and Uncle Eric came to see her. They brought along Eric's two oldest nieces, Elaina and Carissa. After the show they gave Madeline a bouquet of flowers. This made her very happy, especially the pink ones. Auntie Lisa and Julia came to see her first show on Saturday. They also brought a beautiful bouquet that contained pink flowers. Daddy, Kaitlyn, Grandma, Papa, Gamma and Gampa came to the second show on Saturday. Everybody had bouquets for her this time, too. Missy just couldn't believe that everybody gave her flowers. They are all over the kitchen and her room. So sweet and thoughtful of her family to bring her flowers (which she tells me are her favorite thing).

I was lucky enough to watch all four of her performances. The first one was a total mess. The three on Saturday were very good. The Angels were all sent out in the right order and did the routine very well. My little angel was clearly bossing some of the others and letting them know what to do next. In addition to being "just" an angel, Madeline was also given the role of Lead Trumpeteer Angel. Along with three other angels, she came out on stage "playing" a trumpet and walked across the stage. During the second show on Sat, she was looking for us and surprisingly, spotted me in the audience and we waved to each other. Lisa told me that after the first Saturday show when they all came back on stage for the final bow, Madeline blew kissed to the audience. She got blocked by some of the bigger dancers at the second Saturday show, but I did see her blow one kiss. Not sure what she did after the final performance, as I was waiting in line at this point to claim her.

I could go on and on with so many little details and memories from this time. I hope to remember the joy and happiness I saw on Madeline's face every time she saw me coming to get her. She was so excited and happy. I hope that she and I both are able to remember her happiness. She was also quite proud of herself. My little girl worked hard and she deserves her pride. She did an exceptional job and was absolutely beautiful.