I think it's safe to say Abby's day was made when she was invited to be the mystery reader for a class of Pre-K students in her school. If you ask her, she would be quick to tell you that she is going to be a teacher when she grows up...making this moment a seven year old dream come true!
When Grandma asked her if she was nervous while she was up there, she laughed.
"No! Why would I be?"
Yup. That pretty much sums up her confidence any time she is put in the front of a group and asked to lead/teach.
It's been years since we've been in my hometown to celebrate a holiday at "home", so we were excited about our plans to spend New Year's together at Papa's house. We started the party early with Hibachi.
It's crazy to think about, but the last time we were at this Hibachi restaurant, it was for my 8th birthday (i think), which means Cory was about Juliet's age!
The girls were stylin' in their 2017 headbands.
Trying to decide what she should order... 😆
The ladies! 💜
We were thoroughly entertained all evening, both by our chef and the people at the table next to us.
They don't look alike or anything...
I don't know whose face is better....Mama's or Juliet's?
After dinner, we headed back to the house for a night of games and dessert. The girls were hilarious while we were playing Hedbandz, both because they were up way past their bedtime and because Nagymama couldn't figure out that she was a tractor! At about ten, we realized the girls weren't going to make it to midnight, so we decided it was probably a good idea (and necessary) to get the girls to bed. Thanks to the geniuses at Netflix who created kids New Year's Eve countdowns, we pulled out the glow sticks, noisemakers, sparkling grape juice and fancy glasses two hours early and cheered in the new year together. The joy on their faces was the best!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SjPwax_CRc
After the "cheers" and on their way to bed, we headed outside with confetti poppers and let loose on Papa's driveway!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniGYmdzUiM
It was the perfect way to end the night. The girls were so tired, but so overtired that we knew either daddy or mommy were going to have to get in the middle or they would never go to bed. Joe laid down and the girls were asleep in two minutes. They were excited to have a sleepover with Nagymama in her room. Joe and I were down the hall with Juliet. My dad was downstairs. We told the girls to come to us if they woke up in the night. Ella woke up coughing and Mama woke up to help her, but Ella said she was fine and closed her eyes, so Mama went back to sleep. My favorite was learning in the morning that after Ella couldn't fall back to sleep, she just went downstairs to Papa and snuggled with him for a while. Eventually she ended up in bed with us until the morning, but I love knowing she went to Papa first.
The next morning, the girls watched cartoons in their favorite chair. We ate a special Papa's house breakfast and then went to play in the park for a bit. Nagymama cooked a Hungarian New Year's Day lunch before we loaded up and headed home. It was a really special way to start the new year!
I'm always sad to see the holiday season go, but once I get over my weepy nostalgia and pack up all the decorations, I'm all about New Year's Day. I'm just a sucker for fresh starts! January 1, 2017: New year, new beginning! Looking into the new year with purpose, hope and gratitude.
The day after Christmas is one of our favorites. We have one rule. We do nothing but play and spend time together. No cleaning or organizing. No busy. This year, we played with new toys, built lots of Legos and piled onto the couch for a movie.
Abby modeling her new sweater from Grandma.
Blurry Lego building party
Princess playtime with Daddy
Oliver is always happy when it's a movie afternoon.
We introduced the kids to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe for the first time. This little love kept us laughing during our movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAc4lNHSRgA
We had a pretty rough night a couple of days after Christmas. Maybe it was the post Christmas crash. Maybe the reality of living in a house of sinful human beings. Probably a combination of both. There were attitudes flying and frustrations mounting. I'm thankful for Joe who led us well in this moment. He took all the female emotions, gathered us on the couch and pointed us to Jesus as a family. We talked and prayed. The girls went from a very emotional 10 to a calm and peaceful 2 after the Lord broke through the resistance. What was shaping up to be a bad end to the night, ended up being the sweetest moment for our family because we pressed in instead of giving up. The girls curled up with both of us on the couch and fell asleep in our arms as we prayed. A grace gift to us and a reminder to me of the process God has called us to as parents. It isn't easy. We often get it wrong, but I'm thankful for these moments of grace and beauty when we are reminded that it isn't about behavior, it's about hearts.
A couple of days after Christmas, Grammy and G-Diddy came to town and the fun continued with another celebration!
We exchanged gifts, played games, went out to a fun dinner and had a great time watching everyone take a turn at Twister.
G-Diddy introduced the girls to edamame before dinner. Once they got the hang of how to eat it, they liked it. One of the things I like about the restaurant we went to is that they have a more extensive kids' menu. It isn't just chicken fingers and mac and cheese. Abby looked at the menu and asked if she could order BBQ ribs. I love that she tried something new and really enjoyed it.
Hanging with G-Diddy before bedtime
Everyone (except me and a napping Juliet) headed out the next morning for a walk through the winter weather! It was cold, but refreshing to get outside.
After the cold walk, everyone came inside for hot chocolate. Personally, I think G-Diddy and Oliver made the best decision and took a little nap! Oliver is always looking for a cozy lap to curl up in.
With only 24 hours together, we packed a lot of fun and special memories into our time! Looking forward to the next time we are together again.
The countdown to Christmas weekend was extra exciting this year. Uncle Cory came home from the academy on Friday night and stayed with us the whole weekend. We watched Christmas movies, wrapped gifts and put the final touches on our Christmas plans.
On Saturday evening, we headed to church for the Christmas Eve service before the rest of the gang arrived.
"Your name will shine for all to see. You are the one. You are my glory. Glory in the highest! And no one else could ever compare to you Lord. And all the earth together declares...Glory in the highest!"
It had been ten years since we were all together to celebrate Christmas in one place. Nagymama came home for Christmas. It was our best Christmas present by far.
The power of FaceTime is amazing. We talk to Mama everyday on the phone. The last time Juliet was with her face to face was in July (when she was 10 months old), but when they saw each other it was like they had been together just the day before (because thanks to FaceTime, they had). These two have a special relationship already!
Papa and Nagymama were here when we got back from church. Ella's words were pretty much non stop from the minute Mama got out of the car to the time we sat down for dinner. She had her heart set on taking care of every one of Mama's needs. The royal treatment!
"Ohhh Mama, I've missed you so much! Come inside. Would you like to wear my sweater? I don't want you to get cold. Here...let me take the cap off of your water for you. Would you like something to eat? I'll get your plate." -Ella
These girls were loopy with excitement, sugar, family and anticipation!
After dinner, the Christmas Eve traditions continued when the girls opened their Christmas pjs and annual Christmas ornament.
After the girls were tucked in and fast asleep, we finished up the last bits of wrapping and stocking stuffing. Then, it was time for our annual Home Alone movie night.
My dad has laughed at the exact same parts since I was a little girl!
The pups were comfortable!
As we were getting ready to sit down for dinner, Nagymama walked over to the tree and placed the red heart ornament on it. It is a picture of my grandfather. He's been gone for ten years, but when she placed him on our tree, it was a reminder of how his love, legacy and influence lived on in that room. Ella walked over to his picture and said, "Look Mommy! It's Nagypapa. Hi Nagypapa!" Our girls have never met him, but they know all about him.
My favorite view of the tree is on Christmas Eve. It's the one night we leave the lights on all night. I love walking out and taking it all in after we shut everything down, the house is quiet, the gift are laid out and the lights are twinkling.
Christmas morning came early! The girls could hardly contain their excitement when they came out to the tree. They waited a bit and then went to wake up the rest of the house. When we have a house full of people for Christmas and everyone adds their piles under the tree, it looks kind of crazy on Christmas morning.
Oliver knows the drill!
Sisters in their matching Christmas jammies!
After a full day of fun and excitement, the house was quiet and it was just us. We were tired, but the good tired that comes from the sweet chaos of having a house full of family and Christmas celebrations all day. I'm so thankful for this guy. No one else I'd rather have by my side in this crazy life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgEPnL1eij0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHfuBnrHKhY
Aunt Cyncy's tooth pillow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXrJCAjUXnQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtJg3kjDCc
After breakfast and gifts, the girls stopped to take it all in and play!
Ella and Papa took on the annual Christmas morning Lego build!
Grandma and Casey arrived in the afternoon! We had seven adults, three excited girls and three dogs under one roof, a few wild rounds of Pie Face, Jesus' birthday cake and lots of memories that made this Christmas extra special.
Ella was showing off one of her Christmas gifts in this pic, another beautiful sweater made with love by Nagymama.
Coloring with Grandma!
The dessert spread
Happy Birthday Jesus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VISeqpB2H1g
Jesus' birthday cake was fun to make, but let's be honest...nothing on the table could compare to Nagymama's kremes. Nobody can get enough of the yummy goodness!
Mother & Son 💜
A definite highlight of the afternoon: Pie Face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzZvjGlomo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3eyCtdLQ58
Someone needed a nap...
These two... 😆💙
Three generations!
It was such a special Christmas weekend filled with memories we will never forget! Memories that remind me over and over again of God's kindness and faithfulness in my life.
The difference one year makes! Sweet Juliet: last year and this year. 😍
