MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

We met some friends at The Grove in Los Angeles. As you can see, it is a beautiful spot this time of year. Everything is aglow and it even snowed! (fake, of course) Ellia & Jackson are getting cuter with eachother each time they meet. The second they saw eachother, Ellia puckered up and they kissed and hugged. Then they held hands (despite Jackson's gloves) and walked the cobblestone streets, chatting back and forth. I will upload video of it soon because it must be seen!

We waited in line to see Santa at The Grove. This is the first year that Ellia is understanding the concept of Santa. She calls him Mr. Santa. She planned on telling Santa that she wanted: "Pappa Pony and Baby Pony. You can carry Pappa Pony cuz he is big. I'll carry Baby." But she had stars in her eyes once she was with him and didn't say anything, haha!

Claira was also an angel with Santa! I suspected she would scream at being left with such a peculiar looking person. But, luckily, it stunned her long enough to get some adorable pictures and video.

CLAIRA'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Just as we expected - Claira LOVED being able to jump and slide and climb! Her favorite thing was this mini trampoline. She was in a great mood for her party and we're so happy that we were able to give her a special event!

We are so lucky to have wonderful and supportive family & friends. The day of Claira's party was stormy, dreary & cold. We would have understood if many parents decided to stay home on such a day. But everyone made it!!

For Claira's "Tol", she wore her traditional Korean hanbok courtesy of her "Halmony"/Grandma. We set up the items for the Toljabee tradition. Claira stood in front of them for a very long time. We nudged her and prodded her. Eventually she went straight to the Microphone. This is a modern item that has since been added to the tradition. Sorry that it wasn't included in the poll...I didn't know the staff would add that item. Apparently it means Claira is destined to be a SUPER STAR! The second item she chose was the Journal, which I suppose means she'll temper her SUPER STAR qualities with occassional INTELLECTUAL STUDIES.

Beautiful Birthday Girl

Thank you, Ellyn, for capturing on film the special beauty of our little Claira...

Memories...

Similar pictures in very different times. (2009 & 2007)

Mommy and Ellia: same place, different time...

Daddy Time!

Much of October and November was spent with all of the couch cushions pulled off the couch and turned into an obstacle course for the girls to burn off energy.

The girls are getting an early introduction to Daddy's long standing belief that he could have made it as a triple-threat entertainer.

Ellia Update NOVEMBER

Anyone who knows me, knows of my long standing love affair with board games! I was excited to introduce Ellia to her very 1st board game: "Candy Land" Well, let's just say we managed to get through the game. She just wanted to look at the different cards and use them as 'money'. (sigh) We'll readdress the board games at a later date.

The flu hit me like a ton of bricks one Monday afternoon.
It lasted a long and treacherous week while I had both girls at home with my miserable self. Luckily Claira never got the flu! She was busy teething with 3 teeth and constant congestion. Ellia had just a touch of the flu for 1 day! While I lay in misery I had no qualms about letting Ellia watch TV show after TV show. You can see, above, how she looked like for an entire week. I was so worried about my babies and the flu. They don't have the H1N1 vaccine but I've been pumping them full of homeopathic supplements.

Here the sissies are playing in their craft corner.

Ellia really liked hanging out with the Hill boys.
Their swords, guns and cars were right up her alley!

Claira's Update NOVEMBER

I looked at Claira one day and was surprised to see that she had taken it upon herself to put necklace and necklace over her head and wear them! She also puts bracelets on or dangles a purse from her wrist!

I finally let my wild child Claira experience sand.
Boy did she love it, even ate a bit of it.

This chick will climb ANYTHING put in front of her.
I think she'll love climbing at Gymboree for her birthday party!

Claira started taking a few steps in October. By Thanksgiving she was walking more than crawling. And suddenly I realized, as I led Claira into daycare by the hand instead of carried, that I have two upright children!