On the 15th Day of Christmas

Merry Christmas, The Rudnicks, 2012

Advent and Christmas are 'so last year' but they are still holding on here on Greenwood Drive.  It's not until after Epiphany that anything decorative comes down in our house.  And this year is no different.  I look over my shoulder now and the Christmas tree is still there.  Since Epiphany is over it's just a matter of getting it done now.  I waited all week for angels to come and take the ornaments off the tree, put away the nativity, and tuck the stockings in storage but no angels came.  So, in my last moments of a decorated home I think back on our joyous Christmas time.  Join me.

A book a night.  We ended each day with our advent reading and then picking a wrapped book under the tree.  A delight.

The children were VERY excited and engaged decorating the Christmas tree.

Rowan's gingerbread train.

Evangeline's gingerbread train. 

My lil'baker

At intermission at a local performance of The Nutcracker.  The children loved it!

Star of her pageant.  She'll always be my star but she actually was the Star of Bethlehem.

The wise guy man.

Poised to open their Christmas Eve pajamas, a Christmas tradition from their Aunt Jill.

Christmas morning, looking at each other's presents.

Testing out their presents

 

Eva and little Eva

This shot is timeless.

A white Christmas

Christmas love!

Ushering to Israel

We saw Daddy off this week for his big trip.  The children took his departure in stride and, to be honest, a lot better then Mommy did.  We love the airport. We happen to be there a lot.  The sights, sounds, and view of the runway are a joy.  This week's trip was no different with the addition that the children were eager to usher Daddy off on his important flight.  Both Rowan and Evangeline wanted to help carry the bags, check-in, and tag bags.

  And Evangeline, always ready for the camera, scooted in for a last snapshot with Daddy.

For more on Alan's adventures follow his Israel trip here.

Cousin Craziness!

Hiking at Saratoga Spa State Park

Visiting the springs

Tractor Ride at Great Country Farms in Virginia

Everyone loves a jumping pillow

Stomp rocket time!

Petting zoo at the farm

We were very blessed this fall to spend a lot of time with our Pinto cousins. Quantity and Quality! The children love being together and they also love to see what sorts of craziness they can get themselves into together!

Birthdayville

What a season we have to celebrate Rowan's birthday as we end October and Alan's birthday as we bring in November. My birthday boys are party animals! Our week was filled with family (young and old), celebrating at church, school, and home, food (treats, sweets, and cake), presents, birthday singing, activities (bowling, ballocity, ticket-games, movies, swimming, hiking, playing), and Halloween in the middle of it all. Happy 5th Birthday Rowan and Happy Birthday Alan!

Alan with Rowan (2 weeks old)

With every year that Rowan grows older the blog celebrates a birthday too. Happy Birthday blog! It's wonderful to have 5 years of memories here!

Fall Favorites

Fall is always filled with our favorite things:
Stocking up on New York apples from the orchard and spending the morning together making and canning homemade applesauce,

Heading to our local farms for wagon rides given by Rowan, and exploring the pumpkin patch, and Pumpkin Carving Hall of Fame with friends,

 

Carving pumpkins, and watching the joy on the children's faces as they play with the seed-goo and then realize the awesomeness of their lit, carved creation,

Lot's of fall walks and bike rides at the lake and home,

And Mommy's favorite,
Caramel Pumpkin Lattes

I pray that your family enjoys this season of change and harvest delight as much as we do.

[Back] To School!

For one it was back-to-school time for Pre-K M-F,

First day

Ninja move

and for another it was to-school time for the 3's M&W.
 

Twirling before her first day

Dancing after a day of school

Both, are very pleased!

A New Arrangement

Evangeline and Rowan, having previously had their own rooms, now share a room.  It all started with Rowan needing 'a human' to fall asleep. Alan and I have always taught self-soothing skills to our children. To hear that Rowan needed someone else with him to fall asleep seemed very out of place for our 4 year old.  I would persist "You have your own room, your own bed, all your blankets, and loveys,..now, go to sleep."

Rowan's desire to sleep in the same room with his sister continued from the spring through the summer. The only time I didn't hear this request was when Rowan and Evangeline were tucked together in the same room at the lake house, sharing a bunk bed, or at family and friends, where they would share a room.  Those times were quiet and only otherwise filled with adorable sisterly/brotherly giggling.  Watching their success sleeping elsewhere I began to contemplate what a shared sleeping room would mean for us.


I resisted because:
1. We had the privileged of having enough house space for each child to have their own room.
2. Rowan's room was decorated all-boy and Evangeline's room was decorated all-girl.  
3. They nap and sleep on the same schedule and they might disturb or distract the other.

I was a proponent of it because:
1. They desired it.
2. I could always separate them for naps and they hardly ever bothered each other after being tucked in at night.
3. It could always be undone.
4. One stop shopping for picking up and cleaning, and delivering laundered clothes. A mamas dream.

5. One of the rooms (Rowan's) was big enough to hold both Rowan and Evangeline's bed, dresser, and nightstand/bookshelf.
6. Having each of them in one room freed up the other room.  It would serve our space needs now as a playroom.

Our 'For's outweighed our 'Against's. But, just to be sure, I also asked around seeking guidance from those that were raised sharing a room and those that facilitate a shared room for their children.  I was very interested to hear bountiful positive stories. 

So, here we go.

Pirate Day

     

We did a little something this summer called 'Pirate Day'.  Lolly (Karen), Aunt Jill, and I planned and prepared throughout the year for an all out themed summer day of play for our little ones on Lake George. Our pirates ranged in age from the oldest at 7 years old and the youngest at 1 year 7 months old. Here's a glimpse into our day via our schedule:

Presentation of Pirate Day ( a surprise to the children )  - a monologue presented in character by yours truly. It's on video but for right now, to keep my embarrassment down, that is where it is going to stay.

Wardrobe - new stripped shirts, cut head scarves, belts, handmade earrings and eye-patches.

Arts and Crafts - Individualized pirate coloring books and adult made telescopes for the children to paint.

Games and Storytime - Backyardigans treasure board-game and book about pirates throughout history.

Snack - Pirates Booty (Pirate Booty Puffs) and Canon Balls (cheese balls)

Treasure Hunt - The children were handed a hand-drawn treasure map. They each chose an adult to accompany them and they were off. One on foot, one on a bike, and two by boat.

Booty - With treasure in hand it was time to go through their loot and enjoy their splendors.

Lunch - Aaaarrrr-tichoke dip, Fish sticks, fruit and veggies.

Snack - The adults and children iced sugar cookies with a smiling pirate face :)

Activity- Walk the Plank - where the children had to walk the plank and jump in the lake! Thanks Amy Jenkins for the Plank!

Other items - pirate puzzles, storybooks, and decorating their Treasure Hunt Booty boxes.
The Finale - Pirate Mini Golf - in character we all headed out to mini golf at Pirates Cove and had a blast with playing and laughing topped off with a visit to our favorite ice cream parlor.

Even though this took place over a month ago it lives in the children's minds like it was yesterday and they yearn for it again as early as tomorrow!