My First Starbucks

Nathan and I recently discovered Starbucks' peppermint mochas - yummy and very "holiday-ish." Today I had a craving for one. Luckily we live a mile away from a drive-thru Starbucks! I told SJ that on the way to the playground I was going to go get a coffee drink. She then decided she wanted a coffee drink, too. I convienced her that she would like hot chocolate even more. when we got to Starbucks I saw that the have a Kid's Drink "menu" of 8 oz of hot chocolate for $1.50. Not a bad price for Starbucks. It came in a little cup with lid and SJ was super excited. We went to the playground and both toted our Starbucks cups proudly!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The day after Thanksgiving we went to get our Christmas tree. I know, it's kind of early, but since we didn't get one last year (we got back from Germany the week before Christmas) we just decided we couldn't wait to get one and get the decorations up!



SJ was super excited to pick out a tree, was fascinated that we tied it to the top of the car, and wanted to help trim it and set it up.



She was even more excited with the decorating of the tree. We have a whole box of unbreakable ornaments that were designated as "SJ's ornaments." Nathan put on hooks and SJ proceeded to put them all in the same spot - which was not exactly on a tree branch, but rather on the sting of lights. Needless to say, the ornaments all sagged to the ground in one large heap! SJ saw nothing wrong with this and was quite proud! After she went to bed Nathan and I redistributed the ornaments around the tree.

Giving Thanks

SJ had an enjoyable Thanksgiving at Gami and Papi's house. For her pre-dinner snack she had 2 little bags of pretzels, for dinner she had 1/2 a dinner roll and for dessert she had 1/2 a pumpkin whoopie pie and 5 bites of Aunt Emily's apple pie. Not the healthiest of food days to say the least. She kept insisting that the turkey was her favorite part of the meal, but didn't even eat one bite.

Before the meal everyone had to go around and say one thing for which they were thankful. Aside from the food, SJ said she was, "Thankful for Gretchen." We aren't too sure if she was in fact refering to my really good friend Gretchen, or to her Aunt Ruthie, whom she often calls "Gretchen." Either way, I think the real Gretchen and Aunt Ruthie should both be very honored!

First Day of Snow!

Today was the first snow in Boston! SJ was very excited and she wanted to go out and play right away.

She asked for her shovel and started to clear the driveway. Too bad it's unlikely the rest of this season's snow will be this easy to shovel!

She also wanted to build a snowman. It was good snow, quite packable, but since it was so scant, the snowman only ended up being about 5 inches high and only about 3 inches wide. Soon after this picture was taken SJ squashed the snowman.

Then SJ invented a new jumping game over the mums.

She had a pretty fun day!

This Little Light of Mine

"Aren't you cold?"

SJ's newest thing is that she has to wear her swimwuit 24/7. Well, we did instate a rule that you have to wear pajamas to bed. But, otherwise she's all around the house in only her swimsuit. She will put on clothes to go out, but as soon a we get home she takes them all off. Yesterday she she said she was a little cold and she requested hot chocolate to warm her up. I'm wearing 3 layers and am still chilly, but a little "warm" chocolate does the trick to warm up SJ. She did also admit to being a little cold yesterday when we were at the playground and she had to use the porta-potty. You can imagine having to take off your coat, shirt, and swimsuit just to be able to use the potty in 50 degree weather! But, she wasn't deterred. Of course, all of SJs animals also wear swimsuits around the house. 3 of her biggest bears actually wear her winter coats and sweatshirts as their "suit." Betcha they aren't cold!

One Reason Why We Need A Bigger House

This is how SJ likes to play these days. All her animals get chairs (or blanket beds) as well as some other toy (yesterday it was a beach toy) and she spreads out in the whole house. There are animals everywhere, on every surface. There are toys everywhere! Can't wait to have a playroom in our next house!

My New Goggles

SJ had her swimming lessons today. Her teacher, Steve, let her wear some goggles during class. He even let her bring them home. This made SJ so happy and she has been wearing them since. My guess is that they will come to bed with her tonight.

Trick or Treat

SJ finally got to don her JoJo costume for Halloween. At school her class went on a parade through the VA Hospital. She got tons of candy. They had a Halloween party at school. She got tons of candy. We went to Arlington to Trick-or-Treat with friends. She got tons of candy. 4 pounds of candy in all. Most popular candy: M&Ms and KitKats. Most unique candy: a small box of mini Charleston chews (yum. I took these pronto!) Biggest suprise: a full sized candy bar (Hershey's with almonds - Nathan took this one pronto!) Oddest candy: a tie between the chocolate eyeball, the gummy foot complete with "blood" where the leg was cut off, and a Sponge Bob gummy hamburger. SJ willingly shared her candy with Mommy and Daddy - we each took a bag into work to share with coworkers.