Fish, Firsts, and Festivities

Dear Maya and Emi,

What a truly festive December it has been!! We've done so many fun things together and now, looking back at the photos and the memories, I can see how much easier it is to enjoy some of these activities since you're both getting a bit bigger. It's a beautiful thing!

A little while back, mommy decided I needed some special time alone with you, Maya. I could see that sometimes you weren't getting all the love and attention you needed during the fall which is always so busy for mommy and Baba. I wanted to come up with a place for us to spend a weekend and Baba had the perfect idea--Mystic, CT! We enjoyed the aquarium 2 days in a row, had Japanese food and cookie dough, watched a movie and snuggled, and hit the hotel pool, too. It was awesome!

 

Emi, you had some firsts these last few weeks---your first holiday spirit week at school (mommy put you in the same retro nightgown Maya wore a few years ago for PJ day), your first time at the Nutcracker ballet with Maya, mommy and Grandma (you loved it!), and your first time at a movie theater (the new Grinch movie!) The latter overlapped with a first for you, too, Maya--the first time you had a friend sleep over! Like I said, it's been a full month!

 

We did a couple other fun things leading up to Christmas, too. We went over to Matt and Rhi's house to watch the Muppet's Christmas Carol with the family. And mommy volunteered in your classroom twice, Maya! Once was to help do Christmas craft stations, and the other was to do a presentation about what New Years is like in Japan. You loved helping me out as your classmates asked questions and played games!

And finally, the big day--Christmas! Santa brought you two new chairs and set up a new desk/storage area to do all your craft projects. He also gave you the office supplies you asked for, including grown up staplers, tape dispensers, post-it notes, and so, so much more. And what did the two of you do once you'd opened all your gifts? Why you put most of them away neatly in the drawers Santa set up for you! That was a Christmas miracle right there!

After all the presents were opened, we got dressed and headed to our annual brunch at Nanny and Poppy's house. It was so wonderful being with them and the whole family! Once we were fed (stuffed) and had exchanged presents, we came home for a little rest before heading to Grandma and Papa Stan's house to do it all over again! You both got some really awesome gifts and have been playing with them all nonstop ever since!

Well, Grandpa just arrived from North Carolina and tomorrow we have some preparations to do for someone's EIGHTH birthday this weekend, so mommy needs to sign off now. Love you both!