Christmas 2008

On Christmas morning, we had Santa time once all the girls were up. They were all very excited. Surprisingly the night before when we were on the way home Emily mentioned for the first time ever that she really wanted a doll house. By coincidence the twins actually got a doll house from Santa and Emily got a bike. Once the kids had looked through all the Santa stuff, we headed outside for Emily to try out her new bike.

Once it was a reasonable time we all headed over to the Jefferson where we all exchanged gifts and had an early lunch.

Later that evening I went by and picked Walker and Steff up and took them and Emily over to the Christmas house in Kim's neighborhood. They were amazed.

Christmas Eve 2008

On December 24th we started the morning out with a family breakfast, got ready, and then all headed out to the store so that John could pick out the two gifts he wanted to personally choose. Later that afternoon, we all headed over to the Jefferson's to visit and enjoyed some Christmas lights on the way home. When we arrived home, we gave the girls their presents from us and let them exchange gifts with each other. They all had a great time playing with their gifts. Emily's favorite item was a glow station (a board you can write on in the dark), Bailey seemed to love a stamp set she got from Emily, and Ansley loved her microphone that played various songs, including twinkle twinkle (her all time favorite). After everyone played a little while, I dressed them all in their new Christmas jammies and they enjoyed some more play time. When the little ones were getting tired, we put them to bed and then helped Emily with baking cookies for Santa. Once the cookies were done and we set them out by the fireplace, we read her the Christmas story and tucked her in.

Viewing the Christmas House in Kim's Neighborhood 12-22-08

On the Monday before Christmas, Emily and I made our way over to Kim's house to view the light display at one of her neighbors house's. When we arrived, we were greeted by Dora who was very excited to see us. Emily and Helen played, while Kim and I waited on another couple that was coming to view the lights with us. When they arrived, we bundled up the kids, since we had a sudden cold spell of a day time high temp in the 30's, when it had been in the 70's the week before. You have to love that about SC, you never know what you are going to get =)

Emily pushed Helen's stroller for the first block, but she was having problems with the stroller staying straight, so Kim saved the day by pushing the second block. I had heard about the house from Kim several times, but without seeing it, it was hard to imagine. When we walked up to the house, there was a crowd of people coming to see the spectacle. The first thing we did was let Emily visit Santa who was out front. Then we started on the path they had set up for people to walk their back yard. It was amazing. I have never seen so many lights in such a concentrated area. After we had walked the entire trail that lead through their back yard and into their neighbors yards that they had also let these people set up in, we made our way back to Kim's house since it was so cold.

When we got in, we all enjoyed warming up with hot chocolate and other goodies. Emily being on her anti chocolate kick warmed up with her warm milk. Not a personal favorite, but she thought it was great. The kids were having such a fun time playing, we stayed until almost 9:30 when Kim and I were pooped. The little ones were still rearing to go =)

Ansley and Bailey's Class Christmas Party - Birthday Party 12-19-08

On Friday December 19th, I attended Ansley and Bailey's class Christmas party. When I arrived a little before 2, the kids were just getting up from their naps and everyone was heading to the story board to enjoy a story while the other teachers set up for the party. Before long, Daddy arrived to join in the festivities. Once it was time for the party, all the kids came over to the table and took a seat while the goodies were handed out. In typical toddler fashion, they dug in to the Cheetos. along with a few other goodies. After the kids were done with their goodies and they started to disburse around the room, the teachers helped each of the kids give their parent who attended their presents they had made. Bailey went first and was so excited to help me open the ornament she made. It was very precious. She had used paint to put her hand print on there. She also have me a wreath she had made. After Bailey's turn to give me her presents was up, we moved on to Ansley who had made equally as precious gifts. Once I had looked at the gifts and moved them to a safe place where the ornaments could not be broken, the teachers came around to the kids with the gifts they had gotten for each child. Ansley and Bailey were so excited to get their books and stickers and were also quite curious to see what others had gotten.

Soon, we moved on to the birthday party phase of the party. Since the Christmas party also happen to fall on the girls birthday, I had brought cup cakes and party hats for the group. The kids made their way back tot he table where we put on their party hats, sang happy birthday, and then passed out the cupcakes.

Once cupcake time was up and I managed to get all the icing off the girls hands, they enjoyed playing int he room for a while until it was time to say goodbye to their teachers and head home.

Emily's School Performance 12-18-08

On Thursday night, December 18th, Emily had her school performance "From the inside out". In order for John and I both to go, Carmen so graciously agreed to keep Ansley and Bailey while we attended the show. Since Emily needed to be there no later than 6:15, after I fed here and the twins and got Emily dressed for the show, Emily and I left for the school while John stayed at the house and waited for Carmen to come by later. When Emily and I arrived, there were already several people there, so we followed the crowds into the Primary School building and then asked where we were suppose to go. Emily's class was upstairs in the computer lab so we made our way up there. She was very excited to see her friends and after she found a seat with them, I said goodbye and headed back out to the car in order to get the flowers I had gotten her for the end of the show. Luckily I had been able to keep them hidden so that it would be a surprise. On the way out to the car, I got a call from Mom saying she was there, so I met up with her and we walked out to get the flowers before heading to the gym to find a seat. When we got to the gym, there were surprisingly already a lot of people there, but we were able to find some good seats and wait on the show. Before long, John called saying that he was at the school, but could not find where to go, so I went to get him and then we made our way to the gym. Unfortunately right before the show started Mom got a call from the hospital and she had to go to work. Before long, the lights dimmed and the show began. It started with the older kids coming out to sing one song. After that was over, Emily's class started filing in. She was so excited to see us, she posed on the way up to the stage. The first song was "I promise". We had been hearing previews of this one for many weeks from Emily and it was very cute. She really got in to the motions. After they were done with that song, her class exited the stage and took a break until the last song "It starts with me". After the show was over, John and I made our way up to the computer lab to pick up Emily. When we arrived, John gave Emily the flowers and she was thrilled. The three of us then made our way back to the gym for the after party. While we were there, Emily saw her music teacher and went over to give he


r a hug and show her the flowers. The teacher accidentaly misunderstood and thought Emily was giving her the flowers. Emily talked to her teacher and asked if she would share the flowers, so it wound up that they split them. Unfortunately Emily ended up being sad after the teacher was gone since she did not have all her flowers. However we were able to talk to her and she perked back up. Since we didn't want to inconvenience Carmen, John headed home while Emily and I stayed at the party. While we were there, Emily got some cake and ate with her friend Victoria on the stage. After she was done and had said all her goodbyes, we headed home.

Emily's Class Christmas Party 12-17-08

On Wednesday afternoon, December 17th, Bailey and I made our way to Palmetto Prep for Emily's class Christmas party. The reason Bailey was with me for the day was she had to be out of school that morning due to a case of pink eye the previous day. Since she had been on the antibiotics more than 24 hours, it was ok for her to come with me to the party. When we arrived, my Dad was already there along with the kids who had just gotten back from art. We came in right as it was time to start serving the goodies, so I took Bailey and Emily through the line and fixed their plates with what they wanted. After they were settled, I helped a few of the other kids with their plates while the kids enjoyed their goodies. As usual, the chips were the big hit followed by the cake. After the kids were done with their goodies, we cleaned up while the kids played. Bailey had the best time playing being a big kid. Once things were cleaned up all the kids gathered around in the circle in order to hear the rules for the game they were getting ready to play. It was similar to musical chairs, but with using plates on the ground and the kids were to dance as they went around in the circle. Bailey had a great time going around and dancing with Emily and really got in to playing the game. They made it almost to the end until the two of them got out. When the game was over and the kids finished their candy canes they got as prizes for playing the game, they all gathered round to listen to a Christmas book. When it was finished and Emily had said her goodbyes, we made our way up to the other building to pick up Ansley.

Christmas with the Sizemore's 12-16-08

On the evening of December 16th, I headed to Daddy's along with Emily and Ansley for our Christmas get togethere. Since several groups would not be available on Christmas, we decided to have ours early. Unfortunately, John had to stay home with Bailey who was suffering a case of pink eye. When we arrived, we visited with everyone and then we served dinner to the little ones in the dining room. It was so cute to see all these little kids around the table. After the kids were done eating and the grown ups ate also, it was time to move on to the presents. IT was quite a fun year for it since all the kids were so excited. I think Emily's favorite present was her bracelet she got from Grandaddy and Gandmommy. It was Pearl w/ schwortzk crystals and a silver heart with her initials. It was quite beautiful and it was very special that all the girl cousins got one. After all had opened and thanks were said all around, the kids proceeded to play with toys, everyone visited, and cleaned up. As it was getting later, I took the girls home after we had stayed for a while after the presents.

Visiting with Aunt Margie 12-13-08

After the girls awoke from their naps on Saturday, we made our way over to visit with Aunt Margie who was up for the weekend. We all visited for a while upstairs and played while JOhn went to help with Gran. As it turned out, Alli was also up for the weekend and Walker was over to play. After playing, visiting, and the girls eating dinner, we made our way downstairs to see Gran. It was very amazing that with a little candy, Bailey was able to be coaxed in to sitting with Uncle Gran.It was so cute!! I was even able to find the cat, who does not like to be heald that much, and she sat on the bed and let Bailey pet her.

Emily, Ansley, and Bailey's Birthday Party at Pump it Up 12-13-08

For Emily's 5th birthday and Ansley and Bailey's 2nd birth day we went to Pump it Up for a big blow out. Due to lots of family that lives in Greenville, great friends, and school buddies, we had a record number of kids. They all had a great time jumping. Emily and Bailey were the crazy jumpers/sliding fools!!! Ansley for the most part took the more laid back approach and stayed with Grandmommy Dee some.

Once we were all done jumping we headed to the party room where we took turns singing happy birthday to each of the girls and enjoying pizza and the 60+ cupcakes that John and I decorated. After food, we took some time to let the girls open a few presents before packing it up.

Lindsey's Bake Shop (Making 60 cupcakes for Pump it Up) 12-12-08

Friday eveningg, December 12th, I baked approximately 60 cupcakes to get ready for the girls birthday party at Pump it Up the next morning. I was crazy to see all the cupcakes spread out on the kitchen table. After they were baked and Ansley and Bailey had gone to bed, John and I iced all the cupcakes and then Emily worked on the sprinkles.

Emily's Drama Performance at School 12-12-08

On Friday morning, December 12th, I arrived at Palmetto Prep around 9:30 in order to see Emily's drama performance. For 10 weeks, she had been enrolled in a drama class offered at school that was through the South Carolina Childrens' Theater. I headed to her class where they were getting ready to head outside. I followed the class out to the playground while the kids played until Kathy Jones (ast. director of the school) came to get Emily and the other kids that were in the performance. I then waited with the other parents in the lobby of the school while the kids were preparing in the theatre. Once it was time we were escorted in the theater and took our seats.

The play was a fantacy story bassed about some village maidens and some

dragons. The story was narrated by Traysie Amick, a teacher at the SC Children's Theater and a cast memer of Cafe and Then Some. The story started by Emily's group of maidens coming out to pick flowers. They were soon scared off by the group of dragons. After the dragons were gone, the maidens came out again and say that the dragons were in trouble and went to help them.

After the performance was over, they all said their names and took big bowes. It was very cute!! After we were leaving, we spoke with Traysie Amick and she thought Emily was just like her at that age and thought EMily would love going to some of the classes.

UMOMC Christmas Party 12-11-08

On Thursday night, December 11th, I arrived at the Neely Farms club house for the UMOMC Christmas Party. When I got there, Leah and Katie were working away in the kitchen. We visited as everyone helped set up. Before long, several people started to arrive. Once a good crowd had arrived, Leah talked to the group to welcome everyone, Katie said a prayer, and then everyone headed for the line to serve their plates. In order to let Anne Marie get a plate, Amy held her 6 week old for her. When Amy needed to head to the restroom, I got the pleasure of taking over as baby holder.

After a while, the baby started getting hungry, so it was time to give her back to Ann Marie. Soon it was time to start the game "dirty santa". As Katie described the game for those who did not know what it was, we found out all rules were off =) It really lead to a very fun game!!!

The hot items ended up being a bottle of soap from Bath & Body Work and two different bottles of wine. When my number (9) was called I decided to go for a surprise with one of the items that were still wrapped. My present was quickly stolen so I decided to steal the bottle of soap from Tammy Ryback. However, the soap was stolen right away. Once it was stolen, I decided to go for one of the bottles of wine. Throughout the game, my item continued to get stolen and I went back and forth about stealing the soap or the wine. In the end, I wound up with the bottle of soap. After the game was up, we all enjoyed visiting and after most of the crowd cleared out, the board and I stayed around until 11 to thoroughly clean the club house so that we could get back our security deposit. It was a great night!!

Twinkle Twinkle little star, performed by Ansley

Ansley's all time favorite song is twinkle twinkle little star. She loves to sing it all the time and wants people to draw stars and diamons for her all the time to she can point to them as she sings.

Emily's Birthday

On Thursday, December 4th, Emily turned 5. Since it was her birthday, she wanted to wear her princess dress to school and take the cupcakes for her class that we made the night before.