Tree lighting at Gathrights

Thank you, Valerie and Graton, for having us over at your party... we were so lucky to come!!! Christmas lights, Frosty, Rudolf and Santa plus great food!We picked up papa at the train station and headed right over skipping dinner all together.

Sonia was brave this year. She sat on Santa's lap and told him all she wants for Christmas. She wants musical bells... I hope Santa can find them ;-) there is still time. I am sure he has some at the North Pole. Santa gave Sonia a candy cane... that inspired Audrey to come tell Santa what she wants too. We saw a tree light up and Allysa with Sonia stood right next to it gazing at a huge tree. You can't see the top when you stand right under the tree ;-)What a cute little guy I next to me ;-)

Feo's first Christmas is coming up and I can't believe he is here. Just a year ago we were a family of three.

and just one more picture.

We also rode in a traditional carriage pulled by Belgian draft horses. And not just any Belgian horses, Wolley was a horse that delivered a Christmas tree to a White House this year! We had to ride twice and if it was up to Sonia, we would have gone two more dozen times ;-)

Getting in.

All snuggled in the carriage.

Our ride was smooth in the replica of the 19th century carriage; it would be nice to travel great distance with friends in something like it.Best of all we spent a delightful night with our dear friends! Thanks guys!

Geese are getting fat ;-)

It is a busy time of a year... we have been trying to catch naps, get ready for Christmas and still have enough energy to keep up with everyday things.
Christmas shopping with Jeremy at Target didn't do much and I need to go back there next week... But Sonia got lots of things done...All animals are napping ;-) More of them and some more. Then she puts them all back on shelves.

Bounce, bounce squeak!

There is a mouse in the house

"It's been there for a week" goes Sonia's favorite nursery rhyme she tells Feo every morning.

Kisses follow ;-)The winter is finally arrived at our door steps with frost and snow, not enough to make a snowman. We used white clay.

Last night Jeremy happened to be color coordinated with Sonia and Feo... this doesn't happen all the time ;-) To go to Costco Jeremy takes subway from work and we meet him there.

We love our little Feo. Last night at the mall someone exclaimed: "Oh, what a cute Mohawk he has!" When I said it is his natural hairdo, a lady laughed in disbelieve. Well, I suppose we are just cool ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First time for everything... six years we made it without cooking the bird; today was our first one! Sonia helped me pick it out yesterday. Jeremy did an excellent job even though I surprised him this morning by saying the bird was his to cook. We planned to have friends over but at the last minute something came up... We went ahead with out plans and had a great time with just four of us and Mischa.

I rubbed turkey with spices and stuffed it with fresh rosemary. It turned out perfect! Thank you honey!

We also started a new turkey tradition. Sonia and I made this paper turkey a week or so ago. Then we wrote down little things we were thankful for each day and stuffed our turkey at night. Today we read our blessings aloud! Here is what we are grateful for: Sonia was grateful to sit on her papa's lap and eat grape nuts one morning. She was grateful to make this turkey with me. Grateful for yummy muffins. I am grateful for a clean fridge and bathrooms, for Jeremy leading home family night and talking about our blessings and for Sonia loving Feo. Jeremy is grateful for a cool foggy Thanksgiving morning and for his little women and one little guy ;-)

I am sure we have not mentioned all what was on our minds and grateful hearts... the turkey was waiting and it was time to eat. Sonia asked for seconds and thirds of turkey and cranberry sauce. Jeremy was into gravy and I enjoyed my green beans with golden chanterelle mushrooms. Making dinner was lots of work but now I don't have to cook for a week! Happy Thanksgiving!

gone with the week

These two can take a house apart and it will look like a hurricane passed by ;-) But it is all worth it!!! I miss them if I don't see them for just two hours.

My first story time with two of my children there. I found some excellent finger plays, rhymes and stories but the craft turned into lots of fun... We made sunflowers spinners. Our two-year-olds pored TONZ of glue and lots of sunflower seeds ;-) It was an instant hit!

Feo turned one month ;-) Sonia is a book worm and she passes on her passion to her brother.Mom, how do I look with all these books? Is it fall? What about a snack?!My mom called and said it is a respectable age! Best of Feo... he loves Sonia and can't stand to be away. She went to her music class with papa this week but by the time they got into a car she kept asking papa where Feo was.

We take baths together ;-) It is lots of fun with Feo swimming like a little fish and Sonia asking me to put his head all the way in water.

I survived yet another 104.5 fewer. On Thursday my friend, Valerie took me and the children in for the day. She saved me from a coming of an anxiety attack... by being Heaven sent ;-) It made me think of how grateful I am for bonds of love, womanhood and friendship. Here is a quote from Elder Bednar that lifted me up along with the blessing from my loved one.

"Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts our fear (see 1John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul." Thank you everyone who picked up a phone when I called and helped me figure out what to do!!!

On Saturday we all felt better and went on our Huntley Meadows walk... I am glad we did because for the first time we enjoyed a company of a beaver.

He just hung out with us for about ten minutes letting us enjoy him.

As soon as we thought to take a family shot... he dove in ;-)

Silly beaver!

Two of my favorites guys in the world ;-)

Last week Jeremy snapped a photo right before bedtime...and then on the stairway with all of us ;-)My best table runner ever!!! It took me nine months to make one ;-) Feo is going to think he belongs in the middle of the dinner table because he is always there when we are in the kitchen!

Grandma's Blanket

Nana, Jeremy's mom sent us a package for Feo with a hand made blanket. Gigi Wilder made this blanket for Jeremy when he was a baby. So we piled up on it and took a picture ;-)

Kid EuroFestival in washington DC

Feo's first week of life

On Saturday we couldn't stay home simply because we all had a need to get out and go places. It was raining so we went to see... Children's Museum. KidEuroFestival happened just to take place over with Nikos Xanthoulis presenting ancient Greek music. We got through a classical lecture first (please read target age: dead people ;) and then enjoyed listening and playing ancient instruments.

We explored a museum exhibits with birds and animal tracks.

Then we made "A doll with Amber eyes" or Estonian Raggy. We listened to a story and learned to appreciate the sound of a language we can't understand.

Feo's second week

We found ourselves in the Embassy of Finland listening to my all time favorite Mumin stories. I grew up on this. They are as epic and full of goodness as Hobbit to all well brought up nine-year-olds ;-) Snufkin played his harmonica and Moomintroll a base and we all enjoyed music and dancing. The Embassy building itself deserved a visit and admiration. Meyer's style architecture fitted well the surrounding.Open space, great utility and everything seemed child friendly. In the bathroom the sink was right height for Sonia to wash her hands. Finnish people think about children and build practically. While we played, Feo rested on the floor pillow.

Perhaps some one might think it's odd but for me Mumintroll wins over anything Disney has to offer. At home Sonia and I watched Mumintroll cartoons made by Russians/Soviets. Pretty cool stuff ;-)

Feo's third week

Our last trip took us to Austrian Embassy for an opera composed for children. Take a guess and you'll be right... Wolfgang Amadeus Motzart and his Bastien und Batienne was performed by Noah Donahue, a 13-year-old soprano and Katherine Mariko Murray, a 17-year-old soprano. Plus an Austrian guest baritone Steven Sheschareg. Pure music heaven for someone like us ;-) Sonia was thrilled and it made my day even better.

Sonia's new puppy

This morning Sonia woke up, walked into our bedroom and said she wants a yellow puppy. Jeremy was in the shower and I couldn't help but laugh. I asked her what about Mischa; she insisted on the puppy so I told her to go and talk it over with her papa.
"Papa, Sonia wants a yellow soft puppy" she said into a shower.
"But what about Mischa? He is our puppy!" came from the shower.
"Mischa is mama's. Sonia needs yellow soft puppy, please"
"A lab?"
Sonia came back into the bedroom still asking about a soft yellow puppy. I told her a new puppy would eat up her toys and pee everywhere.
Then when we were getting dressed in her room, Sonia pointed to her yellow puppy on top of the book shelf and exclaimed again "I want my yellow puppy!"... Ooh, Good Heavens!!! One dog at a time ;-) And never, never assume you know what puppy the conversation is about.