Happy Birthday Daddy!

My dear, sweet husband is entering the last year before his decent into middle age. Therefore the girls and I decided Daddy would need a special supper (along with dessert) to celebrate.

For supper Daddy & Mommy had beef Pho soup from Daddy's favorite Vietnamese restaurant, and the girls had won ton soup. Since the girls were helping pick out the birthday cake, they decided that Daddy needed a pink, strawberry flavored cake! Which by the way, was actually pretty tasty!

Here are a few pictures of our little family celebration...

Funny Faces...

Twice the love!

And a little video of the girls singing Happy Birthday to their Daddy...


Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband and terrific father!

The best part of my day...

is slipping quietly into Sylvie and Mary's bedroom to check on the girls (and give them a final kiss) before going to sleep at night. They are so peaceful and angelic in their sleep.

Yes, this is how she tucks her special "Mr. Bear" in every night and often falls asleep with him on her chest.

While Mary sleeps on her side with her hands under her head, and her "Cow" not far away.

Christmas Day 2011

We started Christmas off this year by opening the presents left by Santa, with his little helper "Elfie".

Somehow, little Elfie found the camera and had his picture taken with the gifts Santa brought, before heading back to the North Pole until next Christmas. (Side note: we decided presents from Santa will be unwrapped, simply because Mama and Daddy were much too tired the night before!). The girls miss looking for Elfie every morning, but are reassured when we tell him he will be back next December.

This is the first year the girls are starting to understand Christmas and Santa. Sylvie was excited seeing the presents and knew EXACTLY what to do. Mary on the other hand was happy each time she opened a present and was pleasantly surprised when another one was handed to her.

Some of their favorite presents were:

New hooded animal housecoats

 And more dress up clothes, this time princess gear: dresses, shoes, tiaras and ear rings.

Sometimes it is the little things that fascinate them as well, like these battery operated M&M candy fans. They love blowing the air in their face and hands, and somehow have yet to figure out there is candy inside. 

Later in the afternoon, we headed back over to Grandma Marjorie and Grandpa Roy's for Christmas dinner. A further surprise awaited the girls - their new little cars, thanks Uncle Jeff! The batteries were charging, so they didn't realize they move, instead they just had fun buckling themselves in and out and playing with the steering wheel. 

It was a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. We are very blessed to have such loving people in our life. Merry Christmas to you and your families, from the Drinkwaters!

Christmas Eve Evening...

Christmas Eve - 2011

Sylvie 3, Mary 3

This year we spent Christmas Eve with Cory's family that lives near by, his Aunt and Uncle whom the girls lovingly call Grandma Marjorie & Grandpa Roy.

The girls love playing with both Grandma and Grandpa. They also have Grandpa wrapped around their little finger - and he more than happily obliges them in whatever games they want to play. Games like "Go to sleep, Grandpa" where they tuck him in *bed* and sing him songs, of course all the while reminding him to "Keep your legs still!", "No moving", "Close your eyes!"...I wonder where they come up with these phrases! ;)

And what is Grandpa time without a little snuggling?

Or playing golf with Grandma?

We also opened stockings on Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa, along with Uncle Jeff and Aunty Kelti who were both home to celebrate. The girls, of course were spoiled - in presents and love.

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance.  They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life.  And, most importantly, cookies. (Rudolph Giuliani)

I think this quote was written specifically with Grandma Marjorie and Grandpa Roy in mind...especially the cookie part...with a little ice cream on the side.