Monday, December 27, 2010
A Christmas Snow Storm
Last night and into this morning over a foot of snow fell outside. The kids were very excited to put on their snow gear and get out into the yard to play. I had a blast pulling them around in their new sleds, and they had fun playing in the snow. It wasn't wet enough snow for a snowman, much to Zachary's dismay, but that didn't stop them from finding other ways to have fun. After about an hour we came in for lunch and a nap (for Zach). But they are both looking forward to getting back out there with Daddy this afternoon. What a wonderful way to end the Christmas weekend.
Boxing Day in Rhode Island
Our plan for Sunday the 26th was to sleep in, and head down to Rhode Island for lunch and gifts with the Lippman side of the family. It's always a lovely and relaxing day. But, the huge blizzard heading our way forced a small change of plans. Not wanting to miss out on seeing Auntie Jen, Uncle Devan and Cousin Eva, who were only in town for a couple of days, we decided to get up early and head down to Rhode Island as soon as possible. The snow was expected to pull in around noon or 1pm, and we didn't want to drive in a storm. So, we packed the kids in the car around 8am and drove through some light snow to get to Grammy and Grampy's house by 10am. Unfortunately, this only gave us a couple of hours to open gifts and eat, leaving almost no time for relaxing and chatting.
But, despite the rushing we were very happy to make it down before the storm so that we could see our family. We had fun exchanging gifts, and Grampy made a roast that was to die for. The drive home was fine after the first hour, which was snowy and slick. We literally drove right out of the storm, and it chased us all the way home. We were home with just enough time to grab some milk and bread from the store (yes, seriously) before the storm moved in ultimately leaving us more than a foot of snow. It was a very New England way to end Christmas.
But, despite the rushing we were very happy to make it down before the storm so that we could see our family. We had fun exchanging gifts, and Grampy made a roast that was to die for. The drive home was fine after the first hour, which was snowy and slick. We literally drove right out of the storm, and it chased us all the way home. We were home with just enough time to grab some milk and bread from the store (yes, seriously) before the storm moved in ultimately leaving us more than a foot of snow. It was a very New England way to end Christmas.
Christmas 2010
Christmas with five young children (Lexi, Zachary, Ben, Cassie and Sophie) is the most chaotic fun you could imagine. This year some minor illnesses led to slightly more chaos than normal, but it definitely didn't stop the fun. We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my parents as always. On Eve, we spent the day preparing for the big party, playing with cousins, and eating way to much (this would quickly become a theme). On Eve day, Cassie, Zachary, and ultimately Benjamin were all a bit under the weather, but boy did those kids rally! The party was fantastic as always, and everyone was thrilled with the visit from Santa. Sophie continues to be the only one of the 5 kids who is perfectly happy to go right up to Santa. Zachary was brave enough to take his gift from the big guy, but the others stayed far away. Maybe they won't be afraid of him when they're 20. It was a late night, and the kids were very happy to snuggle into bed and dream about all the gifts Santa would deliver.
Santa always delivers toys to Gigi and Poppy's house so that all the cousins can open their stockings and gifts together. However, it is not unusual for him to deliver an exciting gift right to the kids' bedrooms for them to see as soon as they wake up. This year Lexi called me in to her room bright and early to show me the huge surprise he left in her room. She was *very* excited about her new bike. Moments later we heard Zach calling us, and he was pretty happy to see what was left in his room as well. After a quick ride around the bedrooms, we packed into the car with jammies still on to head over to Gigi and Poppy's for morning gift opening. It was a very happy morning.
After a nice noon-time breakfast, we all took showers and changed into our Christmas day finery. The kids had matching sweaters from Gigi and Poppy that they all looked adorable in. In the afternoon we had a wonderful dinner with Aunt DJ and Uncle Jack, Uncle Jay and Great Gram, followed by another fun round of gift opening and dessert. We all had a wonderful time.
We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year. That evening we all went off to bed early so that we could get up at the crack of dawn and do it all over again in Rhode Island...
Santa always delivers toys to Gigi and Poppy's house so that all the cousins can open their stockings and gifts together. However, it is not unusual for him to deliver an exciting gift right to the kids' bedrooms for them to see as soon as they wake up. This year Lexi called me in to her room bright and early to show me the huge surprise he left in her room. She was *very* excited about her new bike. Moments later we heard Zach calling us, and he was pretty happy to see what was left in his room as well. After a quick ride around the bedrooms, we packed into the car with jammies still on to head over to Gigi and Poppy's for morning gift opening. It was a very happy morning.
After a nice noon-time breakfast, we all took showers and changed into our Christmas day finery. The kids had matching sweaters from Gigi and Poppy that they all looked adorable in. In the afternoon we had a wonderful dinner with Aunt DJ and Uncle Jack, Uncle Jay and Great Gram, followed by another fun round of gift opening and dessert. We all had a wonderful time.
We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year. That evening we all went off to bed early so that we could get up at the crack of dawn and do it all over again in Rhode Island...
Christmas Preparations 2010
Preparing for Christmas with Lexi and Zachary this year was a blast. They both have the same love for Christmas that their mom has and love listening to Christmas songs, decorating, cooking and baking and just enjoying everything that Christmas has to offer even before the big day.
Lexi has been helping me cook and bake for years, but this year Zachary is old enough to help out too, and really got a kick out of it...especially using the "cooking power tools"!
This year, Lexi was old enough to help Gigi and Mom cook the traditional Christmas Teepo Peepo (Tiropita, Greek Cheese Pie). I have been helping my mom with this for as long as I can remember. My job has always been to butter the filo dough layers, while my mom prepares the cheese filling. This year, extra thick filo dough was the perfect training filo for Lexi to learn the trade. She did great, and I was told that the teepo was fantastic this year. (My mom and I still make it, even though we haven't been able to eat it for years!)
This year Lexi really wanted to make Christmas cut-out cookies, so I converted an old sugar cookie recipe to gluten free, and this was our final product. The cookies were fantastic and both kids had a great time using the cookie cutters, and decorating.
Many of our neighbors delivered treats to us as well this year. One gave us some chocolate covered marshmallows for our hot chocolate. The kids *really* liked that!
One of the best parts of Christmas this year was going to see the Rockettes with Lexi, Gigi and Poppy and Great Gram. We had a fantastic time. Lexi told us that she didn't blink for the entire first half of the show. This may have to be a new tradition in the family.
We always help Gigi and Poppy decorate their Christmas Tree. This year Zachary got to top the tree with the angel.
What's more fun than matching Christmas jammies?? The kids LOVED dressing in their "candy cane" jammies every night. Our good friend Annie gave them both sets, and they are pretty cute in them.
By the time Christmas arrived this year, I had already had all the fun I needed. There is nothing more fun than preparing for the big day with my kids. And now that it's all over, I'm hoping the deconstruction of Christmas will be just as much of a thrill for them...maybe not.
Lexi has been helping me cook and bake for years, but this year Zachary is old enough to help out too, and really got a kick out of it...especially using the "cooking power tools"!
This year, Lexi was old enough to help Gigi and Mom cook the traditional Christmas Teepo Peepo (Tiropita, Greek Cheese Pie). I have been helping my mom with this for as long as I can remember. My job has always been to butter the filo dough layers, while my mom prepares the cheese filling. This year, extra thick filo dough was the perfect training filo for Lexi to learn the trade. She did great, and I was told that the teepo was fantastic this year. (My mom and I still make it, even though we haven't been able to eat it for years!)
This year Lexi really wanted to make Christmas cut-out cookies, so I converted an old sugar cookie recipe to gluten free, and this was our final product. The cookies were fantastic and both kids had a great time using the cookie cutters, and decorating.
Many of our neighbors delivered treats to us as well this year. One gave us some chocolate covered marshmallows for our hot chocolate. The kids *really* liked that!
One of the best parts of Christmas this year was going to see the Rockettes with Lexi, Gigi and Poppy and Great Gram. We had a fantastic time. Lexi told us that she didn't blink for the entire first half of the show. This may have to be a new tradition in the family. 
We always help Gigi and Poppy decorate their Christmas Tree. This year Zachary got to top the tree with the angel.
What's more fun than matching Christmas jammies?? The kids LOVED dressing in their "candy cane" jammies every night. Our good friend Annie gave them both sets, and they are pretty cute in them. 
By the time Christmas arrived this year, I had already had all the fun I needed. There is nothing more fun than preparing for the big day with my kids. And now that it's all over, I'm hoping the deconstruction of Christmas will be just as much of a thrill for them...maybe not.
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