Little Tin Man

Shoe Store

Girls love shoes, or so they tell me. I've never had much of a shoe fetish but my darling daughter may be different. She LOVES the shoe store! However, she is under the impression that the "shoe store man" is in the business of giving away shoes out of the goodness of his heart. "Thank you man!!!" she exclaims as we exit with a new pair of fast velcro footwear. Someday that bubble will burst, but for now it makes us both happy. Try living through your kids' bubbles once in awhile; I promise you'll smile.

Little Mascot

She thinks she IS an Eagle. Charlotte has recently claimed Ali's basketball teammates as her own friends. Basement dance parties and ball games alike - Charli is (or wants to be) in the middle of it. She always has a hug for each player after the game and even treks off to the locker room with the big girls. "Let's go Eagles, let's go!"

Icing, Sprinkles, Cookies - Oh my!

Try as I might to be that calm, cool, mess-appreciating momma, some things are just better left for evenings at grandma's house. A sprinkle here, a lick there...Charli had the best time decorating 2 big gingerbread cookies. The finished product wasn't quite magazine-cover quality, but they were a thing of beauty to all of us and a pride to the 2-year-old decorator.

He Knows If You've Been Naughty...

She talked big. "Go see Santa?" "Charli sit on his lap?" "He's sooooo nice!"

But then, once the big moment arrived, the cart seemed safer.

Mall-ing

Unless you are the mom of a toddler, you may think that the primary reason for going to the mall is to shop. But for us, the play area and carousel are the main draws! It's great. The moms get to talk while the kids burn off some energy before going home and (bonus!) taking an extra long nap.

Candy Cane Miracles

My mom planned a big meal and fun evening with our dear friends from Haiti, many of whom I hadn't seen in years. They are as sweet and beautiful and fun as ever. I think it may have been my favorite holiday get-together thus far. What fun!

Charli, Allie, Nylah, and Claire played so nicely together. Aren't they the cutest?!

The buffet line.

Ali and Vaudry have an interesting friendship.

Charli and Nylah making a joyful noise :)

A leetle-teeny cupcake for Vaudry - Happy Birthday!

Nylah just turned 3, Happy Birthday sweetie!

Some of the gang enjoying dinner of roast beef, redskin potatoes, carrots, homemade pickles, cottage cheese, and lots of fruit. Delicious!

Charli was more than happy to share her baby dolls with any willing participant.

Claire's first roll - she approves!

Mom told us the story of her "Candy Cane Miracle". Feeling utterly overwhelmed this holiday season, she stepped out to her cross/clothes line to talk with God. In the midst of pouring out her stresses regarding menus and gifts and miscellaneous Christmas preparations and the realiziation that she FORGOT CANDY CANES FOR THE STOCKINGS (!!!!), she glanced up into the sky that had been endlessly overcast for days. And in the heavens was a single break in the clouds in the perfect shape of a celestial candy cane. She, always being one to see God in the little things, saw it as an obvious and loving reminder that God is there in the details and that His story is what should really be overwhelming our hearts. When she glanced back up into the sky, the break in the clouds had completely disappeared.

Micah and his ladies - precious to me!

Charli and daddy hanging out with their new friend, Nylah.
Allie is such a little artist and totally enjoyed her Christmas gift of sparkly gel colors from my mom.