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.

The best part of being woken up early...

is hearing these words... for the FIRST time...



...initiated by HER - not in response to me saying "I Love You" first.

*Obviously, this video is a reenactment, but the memory will stay with me forever :)

Christmas Eve 2011

A couple short videos to share with our family and friends of the girls...

Mary...



Sylvie...


Can I guess add...Christmas with children is even MORE enjoyable and magical.

Merry Christmas from the Drinkwaters!

And we are a *little* late getting everything into the mail, so these will likely not reach you until New Years, oh well...enjoy! :)

What we have been up too lately...

Yes, I have been very lacking on the blog posts lately. There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done, and posting pictures seems to fall at the bottom of the list every time. But, I know how much out family (Hi, Grandma Shirley!) and friends like to check to see new pictures of the girls, so here is a quick recap of our past couple of months.

There have been many, many days playing with leaves in the yard.

Who knew leaves could be so much fun for little girls?  

Although all theses leaves offered hours of entertainment for the girls, they weren't as fun at times for the big people around here. But I don't think Daddy has really much to complain about, he does get to suck most of them up with his lawn tractor after all! 

As the weather turned colder, and snow started to fall - it was time for out new winter jackets and snow pants. Which they of course, also find wildly entertaining to put on INSIDE the house and try running around chasing each other.

And a quick video for the Grandmas and Grandpas of the girls in their snow suits. No idea how to change it so it is not sideways, so just turn your heads ;)



Other things that keep them entertained include building structures or stacking items out of everyday things - because apparently those colorful blocks we bought just aren't sufficient. Thank goodness for Costco.

 

We also took the girls bowling with friends one evening, to make it even more fun they turn out the lights and turn on the black lights. The girls love bowling and ask regularly to go back, it certainly is a fun way to spend a winter evening inside with good friends.

So there's a quick recap of our last couple of months. Since we are already into the Holiday season, I will try to make it back soon to post some more pictures.

Happy Third Birthday Mary!

Our littlest princess has turned three! This means Cory and I are now parents to two 3 year olds! We feel very lucky that we made it through the second year without any of the "terrible two's" that many parents talk of, hopefully three will be even better!

When looking over the pictures from the past year, we can't believe how much Mary has grown! She has grown over 7 inches and gained more than 10 lbs. She is most definitely a little girl now, but she will always be our baby!

Second Birthday, December 2010

Mary's birthday is also a special time because I share the same birth date with her. So although we thought of having TWO birthday cakes, we decided on having cupcakes instead. Elmo and his various Sesame Street friends are still a big deal in our house, so of course they had to make an appearance.

 
The two birthday girls before blowing out the candles, which Mary did all on her own (she has come such a long way since her surgery, making Mama and Daddy very proud)!

What are birthdays without a few presents to unwrap? Mary is still trying to understand this whole "birthday" concept, but interestingly enough, caught on pretty quick to "MY birthday present"! Her new stroller by far has been the biggest hit, no more having to take turns with jie jie to walk her "babies" around in the one stroller we already had.

Of course we didn't finish all the cupcakes in one day, so the girls were able to practice blowing out the candles for a couple more days. And eat copious amounts of blue and red food coloring...which the body doesn't digest - just in case you wanted to know ;)

Here is a short video of our birthday girl!

As we take time to celebrate our darling daughter's third birthday, we also take a moment to think of Mary's birth family and in particular birth mother. This too, may be a bittersweet day for her...and we wish that somehow, someway, we could let her know that Mary is doing well, she is happy and healthy and loved.