Good bye 2013 and Hello 2014!

Does it seem like every year get shorter? Or it is the fact that I am getting older? I am not quite sure. Fact of the matter is that it went so fast I did not have time to blink. Woosh and gone!

As I was so excited not to work that night, I reminded the kids about the time we watched the ball dropped in NYC 2 years ago and Kyra asked me then what year Baba and Kolya would have :) This time she asked me if they drop the ball every two years :) I love her!

This year kids turned 7 and 8.. Both had great school year, played sports..Had busy adventurous summer. Neither of them were sick or lot or much.

I love watching them grow and see what people they are growing up to be. 

Jimmy got very sick once ending up in ER, giving us big scare but it turned out to be okay in the end. He took a different position within his company that he wanted to - dealing with innovations. 

As for me.. 

- I read 44 and 7/8 books,
- I received 73 cards from Postcrossing, including most from Germany, Russia, Netherland. Even got some New Zealand, Australia and Fuji.

- I did Hershey 10k in April, mt. Gretna triathlon in May, Warrior Dash in August, Phili rock-n-roll in September and Color Run with Brandon in October. Busy months. I watched myself getting faster and getting more comfortable with my pace, 

- I got a new job in casino, loving both of my jobs tremendously. 

For upcoming year.. 

My biggest wish is for everybody in the family stayed same healthy with no serious issues (or with no MORE serious). That is the biggest and most important...

As for the rest..

- I would like to get and learn how to play the piano. 

- I would like to read 50 books

- I would like to do 3-5 races

- I would love to spent another summer with my kids before I go full time

- I would like to see my family but not because of any bad reasons. 

- and if I see my family, I would like for the kids to see them too.

I count my blessings for having food on the table, roof over our heads and healthy people.

I was thinking of all of his while watching NYC ball drop show with the kids. We danced to some of the songs, snuggled with Brandon for the show.. Family time.. 

I am ready for the upcoming challenges, promising future and new goals set. BRING. IT. ON 2014!!!!!!!

It is hard to see what Brandon wrote. His note said: "2014! We made it another year!" Kyra's "Good bye 2013, Hello 2014!"

Princess Drawings

That is how Kyra sees them. Love this girl!

Sleeping Beauty

Days After Christmas

We did some crafts the next day and painting. 

Movie with friends. I got to hold 2 months old Piper

The next day - me and Brandon colored, me and Kyra painted, we built Legos, we roughhoused.. Brandon got some quiet time sitting in the couch covered by his armchair and reading his Body book with a flashlight.

Merry Christmas!

Last night kids had hard time falling asleep. Brandon got up at 10pm, saying he could not sleep (1.5 after bedtime). Then he came to my bed crying around 11 because he was beyond frustrated that he could not sleep. I welcomed him in and he was grabbed my hand and did not let it go.

He got up at 5.20 to go to his room and then I heard both kids talking. When I came into their room, they both said they could not sleep any longer and since then both of them were up. 

At 7am on the dot they were in our room, rushing us to go down. And that is what we came down to..

Btw, I DO know that Christmas is not about presents but let's be honest. Who does not get excited about them?

 Last note from Jingles

 Kyra's #1 on her wish list - Leap Tablet.

Brandon's #1 was Ipod Touch 5 which he got. He also got Legos, Crazy loom bracelets, 4 books, two notepads with Lego figures on it, 2 Wii games. Kyra got him hockey stick, pucks and a stuffed toy from Minecraft

Kyra's gifts: Leap tablet, portable DVD player, 2 board games, 2 books, 4 movies, 2 DS games, rainbow loom bracelet kit, DS case. Brandon got Kyra earrings and necklace (which she put on right away) and notebook.

Kyra's stocking - Elf coupon book for this year, 3 nail polishes, panda book mark, toothbrush, color pencils that she asked for, pony tails, rainbow loom bracelets, erase marker and 1 Direction book and pens.

Brandon's stocking: Elf coupon book, 5 matchbox cars, erase marker (his fav color), toothbrush, bookmark (snake, of course), 64 crayons that he asked for and rainbow loom bracelets

We did talk to my Mom and after kids were done showing her their presents, me and her were talking. This is what Kyra typed for me. Love me some her!

Kids got to play till lunch time when Nan and Pop came. They opened their presents from us (I made mousepad for Pop with him and Brandon going hunting), game for Nan, red cardinal bookmark for Nans (her fav bird), covered dark chocolate blueberries. Of course by then Brandon had one Lego set completely done.
When Pop and Nan left, me and Kyra painted our nailes with new nail polishes and draw from a book that teaches how to draw.

I can not believe kids got more stuff. Kyra got this blue light-on dog, Pop the Pig game, Lego set, colorful duct tape, stuffed toy.

Brandon got 2 more Legos, some Skylanders stuff, sweater that says "Winners never quit" and thermal clothes for hunting.

Both kids got some movies

Finally my presents!
Brandon got me a nice jewelry box, Kyra got me earrings, magnet mirror with Moms written on it and some drawings.
Lisa gave me a box in a box in a box in a box with snowman inside.
Monique sent me some Finnish candy, 2 towels, shift for Kyra and t-shirt for me.
My in laws gave me gas gift certificates and certificate to Black/White Market.
I am so blessed with everything that I have got! Very happy!

Soshana came with Colin and she cried here and there. Both kids were such good hosts to her. At this picture Brandon was sort of like a dog to her, because all she was doing was petting Brandon like a dog and she loved it. Brandon seems to enjoy it too :) At some point when she was crying and Mike said: "Let's put her in the closet". I know it sounds terrible but it was still very funny :)

I know, I know.. More presents. Some are from N and P again. Winter clothes, crazy loom, case for Kyra's pad. She also got 3 books Kitty from Adelyn and Caiden. And more of craft ideas.
I do not have picture of Brandon's stuff. He has some winter clothes as well and from cousins he got word search book.

Another present from the bottom of my favorite girl's heart

Kyra's excitement for her Leapfrog Ipad :)

Ready For Santa

This year Santa even has choices on what to have. Gingerbread house was the first choice

 Trail mix was choice number two.

White Christmas Eve

Yip, we got lucky! It snowed like crazy for a little bit. Here is the proof. Love this shot!

 With all this camo you can not tell who this guy is :)

White Elephant

At work we had this funny gift exchange for fun. It is really not for gaining anything but to have a good time and laugh. We all contributed to potluck and feast started. 

We brought wrapped presents and the next person could still a gift from any person who has her gift unwrapped or pick another one from the table that is still wrapped. I got yucky looking brand new bag from Kathy. :)))

As for my present, I was trying to find something that I thought a person who gets it will still use. I brought a roll of toilet paper with drawn face on it. The person who got it? Sue, our VP of HR. She loved it. So much fun!

Gingebread House

3rd graders made this at school. Brandon told me his was the neatest one and the same was said to me by Mrs. Weimer.  Awesome job!

What an awesome job Brandon and Kyra did with this house!

Jingles' Notes To and From

Kids wrote notes to Jingles and he wrote a few back. He left them behind when he left till next year.

Kyra's. Red one is from when Jingles was eating cereal and he fell when a table was bumped
First yellow is when Jingles did not leave a note to see if kids would notice
Second yellow is.. my daughter's personality, a lot of notes, fun and love

Brandon's who threw his sister under the bus on the first one and then gave Jingles compliment on how awesome he is

Sleepovers

Brody invited Brandon over, so we asked Kyra if she wanted to invite Emma for sleepover here. Surprise, she said yes. We were guinea pig for them since it is first night for her to be aways from her family. 

We took the girls to McD and then Jimmy and them baked cookies. We played board games and at 9.30 we put them to bed. First Kyra read Junie B to Emma and then Jimmy read while Kyra was fixing Emma's hair (BFF forever :)

What a snuggle! I am not sure where in the world girls found room to lay in this twin bed of Kyra's with 40 stuffed toys and several blankets. I got Brandon's bed ready just in case it would be too tight for Emma but.. she slept with Kyra the entire time.
And in the morning I was awoken up by girls' loud laughing. :) that is one of the best way to wake up, that is for sure! :)

Has A Nerve?

Prolog.. Jimmy calls me BSB (big stinky butt) but kids and me always argue with him that it is him, not me. He has the biggest butt in the house (and we even measured them because he insisted) and yes, admit it.. that is why it is called that.

So I do not know if it is nerve or may be it is sense of humor that Kyra is watching us to exercise :) She is REALLY good at tricking us, sometimes I think she has got adult kind of humor, oh boy!
When me and Jimmy were both still in bed, she ran to us, giving Jimmy this as a present.

It was nice until she told him that it is a stinky flake (written on the right leg of this creature). She said since he is BSB, it is for him. Hahahaha! She tricked him so good! 

Project Snowflake

Yip, we were working hard. With all the years I did them in daycare, school and home, I am pretty darn good at it. I taught her how to bend and cut them. The ones are square/rectangular are the very start. Then we moved on round ones. I will take picture later but how cool when you cut Darth Vader and when you open up, it turns into beautiful flower. So cool! 

Merry, Мерри

Found on my desk. Brandon was trying to match the letters on his own. I ABSOLUTELY love this.

All I Want For Christmas Is...

You can tell kids are still working on persuasive writing techniques. I have to admit it is pretty darn convincing. 

Christmas Spirit Is Here!

Brandon definitely feel the spirit, he was wearing this hat in the morning eating breakfast and then wearing it to school. Love him!

Getting a Christmas Tree

This year we decided to try a nice place, Elizabeth farm instead of the one in Dillsburg. Here they take you on a wagon pulled by horses and then drop you off with a saw. Last year Kyra threw a huge fit because we did not pick the tree she wanted. This year we picked hers.

Snow as deep and it was cold even with us bundled up, it was still pretty cold. Kyra does not seem to notice, though. She is playing in the snow as the boys cut the tree.

 Brandon is under the tree, starting to saw. Dad joined soon afterwards

 Cold but happy kids, bribed to be done soon with hot chocolate :)

When we brought it home, smell is so strong, I LOVE it. Fresh, green tree in the middle of winter... Yay! Starting to feel more like holiday season! :)

Snowball Fight

Kyra went over to Emma's to sled and Brody came over and for a change, besides playing Wii, wrestling and playing Legos, boys actually went outside to play in the snow.Looks like fun!

Jingles - 9 Day to 0 Left

Yip, this guy awoke up and look what he has done. And he seems to be pretty comfortable being carried away like this! 9 days left!

Oh boy he WAS thirsty! 8 days left!

 He needs to get ready to head back to North Pole. 7 days left!

What a naughty guy! How many candy is gone! 6 days left!

5 days left! May be he got cold to get into my sock draw :)

 3 days left! He is playing Vroom

 2 days left! AND he is not sure how to get out

I guess this guy likes to play tick tack to. 1 days left! Almost there!

What Is Trending

Kids LOVE it. It is called Crazy Loom. There is also Rainbow Loom. It is for making bracelets and rings. It became so popular that kids' principal had to send a message home to parents asking them not to allow kids bring bracelets to school as they act as a big distraction.
We all have a couple kids made for us. And they love doing it together

Back To Back Snow Day

We knew it would start at 6am but I did not think it would be too bad. I was awoken up by a a text message from Tonya asking if I wanted to stay home or drive to work. Apparently, it was worse than I thought.

When I looked outside, I could not understant how possible kids did not have at least delay. Middle schoolers and Highschoolers went in and, as I saw on fb, some buses were stuck in Derry township. NOT pretty. 

At 7.30 we got information that kids had 2 hour delay and then around 9am, that there would not be any school. Kids got soooo excited! We all dressed and went out. 

TONS of snow 

 Chewing on ice :)

 Her fav snow angle

Oh that snowman! Neither of us can build a big one so we made a tiny one. It has yellow eyes and carrot for a nose. Kyra found sticks for arms and I stuck them in up like it was saying "Oh where, oh where has my haaat gone, oh where oh where has it beeeen?" :) Then Kyra found a leave for a hat :)
Snowman Ricky

 Snow shot caught in action

 Nothing else but playing in fresh snow!

 And must be very yummy!

We played for almost 2 hours. So fun to be off work and school for a change! :)