Here Comes Santa Claus

Santa came to town last Thursday on his fire truck. He arrived around 7:45 pm so my kids were in bed and Noelle was fast asleep. Bryan was actually home at a reasonable hour so we rushed upstairs and each grabbed a kid and carried them outside. They waved and got candy canes and Kellen commented excitedly about the three fire trucks and ambulances with Santa. Noelle was less impressed and said that next year we should just grab her a candy cane and let her sleep. She is definitely her father's child!

Kellen is excited. Noelle is cold and grumpy.

Firetrucks are way cooler than sleighs, at least in Catonsville

 On Saturday we went to B&O and rode the train with Frosty, met Santa, said hello to Mrs. Clause, and of course checked out Thomas and his train friends. The kids were more awake and excited for this Santa visit and even told Santa what they wanted - a yo-yo for Noelle and scarf for Kellen. I think Santa probably thought my kids were ether the least spoiled kids he has ever spoken to or insane. Probably the latter.

Train Ride with Frosty. Frosty liked to have his back to the camera throughout the ride but I promise, he was there.

 

This kid could seriously watch trains all day long. Every day.

The Roundhouse is beautiful during the holidays.

We found Santa! No tears!

I think here Noelle is explaining to Santa that yes, Kellen is in fact saying he wants a scarf.

Mrs. Claus got in on the action too but Kel decided that viewing trains was more important that saying hi to her.

We sure have enjoyed our B&O membership this year and are excited to have it for 6 more months! Thanks Grandma Gidjunis! And we can't wait for Santa to come tonight! Hope he brings everyone lots of goodies!

It's The Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And busiest! We have been filling our weekends with festive happenings since early December. First up, we went to friends to play and decorate cookies the day after our Thanksgivmas family celebration. Kellen wasn't having the best day so I just took Noelle with me and she decorated and ate her masterpieces and then ran around the house with all the other kids on a sugar high!

The following week we went over to another friend's house for the now annual Polar Express playdate. Noelle enjoyed the crafts, food, and movie viewing with friends. Kellen enjoyed the train table.

I also decided that the kids were old enough for their first holiday concert. The Army Jazz Ambassadors played at a local high school so we got bundled up and went to listen to the music. Noelle liked it and was mostly good. Kellen had some ups and downs - perhaps another year or two would be better for my little man. He does have some rhythm though and did some dancing when he wasn't getting too antsy.

Last Friday we had a Frosty viewing and made and ate ice cream with friends. We made vanilla in bags using a lot of dancing and shaking power. The kids thought it was so great and it was also nice to enjoy an adult beverage and some apple pie with friends.

And finally we made Christmas cookies at home. I have been avoiding baking this year and that has worked pretty well but Santa does need a few cookies for Christmas Eve. I decided that we were going to do real cookies if I was just doing one batch so Noelle and I carefully made the dough, refrigerated, rolled it out, and cut it in to shapes. Kellen helped us decorate and eat our creations. We still have at least 15 left so I think Santa should be all set!

One more day til Christmas Eve!

Holiday Lights Run

This holiday season I am successfully "Streaking in to the New Year." No, not like that. It is a running challenge that asks people to try to run at least one mile a day between Thanksgiving and New Years. I was skeptical - I tried last year and lost focus fast. But this year has been great. With less than ten days left, I haven't missed a day and am feeling strong and keeping off a few of the holiday pounds! Having two friends to motivate me to stay accountable has definitely helped - thanks Melissa and Katie!

So last Tuesday I participated in a holiday lights run around Catonsville. The local bike shop teamed up with a running group for the second annual event. The organizers mapped out a 6.7 mile loop around the neighborhoods of our town so that people could check out the lights and carol at a few houses together. There were a few points to exit the run early for those that didn't want to do the whole evening, but a few friends and I figured it would be our longer run for the week so we were on board.

Here we all are waiting to get started (picture from the Hub facebook page!). I am not sure what the final numbers were, but I would guess there were at least 125 or so runners. Pretty great for 8 pm on a December Tuesday night!

The run wasn't greatly organized. Instead of pace groups, the people in charge had people wait at street corners and houses for others to catch up before moving on and the bikers in the lead didn't have the best sense of the route. This meant a lot of starting and stopping, and a lot of oh wait, this isn't the right road lets turn around moments during the night. We ended up doing about 7.25 miles that night at about a 9 minute mile pace but were out for almost 2 hours to give you a sense of how much just standing around was going on. Despite the disorganization and sore legs from all that starting and stopping, it was pretty great. The lights were beautiful, it was pretty amazing to look behind you and see a sea of lit up runners coming down the street, and caroling was something I hadn't done really ever. I would definitely do the event again and I think it is just another example of how cool our town is.

Seeing the lights around town even motivated me to take the kids for a drive over the weekend to check out the lights and inflatables!

The Littlest Ravens

On Sunday we bundled the family up and headed down to the stadium with our little Ravens fans. Bryan's client had given him tickets to the game against the Jaguars so that he could take our family. We explained we probably wouldn't make it the whole game with a 5 and 3 year old, but graciously accepted and prayed that it wouldn't be freezing cold!

Thankfully the weather cooperated with temperatures in the mid-40's - not too bad for mid-December! We arrived in time for the marching band's pre-game show and for the players to run out of the tunnel. At least I assume they did that to get to the field - I was in line for the first of several bathroom trips with Noelle!

The game started great - a blocked punt that was run in for a touchdown in the first minute or so. The remainder of the half we stayed for was less impressive for the Ravens and when we left they were losing a low-scoring battle. The kids loved getting up and cheering for third downs, whenever Seven Nation Army (or Christmas songs) were played, and the fireworks that went off before the game. At other times their interest was a little less intense. Noelle said the game was great and she wasn't ready to leave at half time. She looked ready for a nap if you ask me since she had been laying across her daddy the final 4 minutes of the half! Kellen had his ups and downs at the game. He likes to be contrary so said no when we asked if he liked the game, but I think he actually did enjoy himself. In any event, I feel thankful we were able to take the kids to a pro-football game and that I got to experience my first Ravens game.

We watched the 4th quarter from the comfort of our couches. It was warmer and they played a bit better without us there so it was probably better for everyone!

Thanksgivmas

Each year, my extended family gets together the second Saturday after Thanksgiving to celebrate the fall and winter holidays. We joke that we celebrate Thanksgiving through dinner and then switch to Christmas at dessert time. Now that my grandmother lives with my parents, our home is sort of in the middle for everyone. My parents, brother, and grandmother drive up from NC for a long weekend and everyone else journeys south for the afternoon and evening and we feast and catch up.

For the past two years, I have participated in the Jingle Bell Run in Ellicott City with my mom group before the family celebration. This race funds Arthritis research, a disease my grandmother suffered from, so is close to my heart. This year the weather wasn't great but six of us got out there to be part of the jingle bell fun. I was feeling surprisingly good when I started running and ended up in first place for woman finishers. My 5K time was 24:05, for an average 7:43 a mile. I am still shocked I was the first girl to cross the finish line in a race of about 600 people with that time, but am so excited at the progress I have made since my summer injury.

Ready to race with bells on!

When I got home, my mom was just getting the turkey ready for the grill and I marinated my pork tenderloin. I had some time to get my sides going so enjoyed a bit of downtime before the chaos. And then everyone descended, we finished up all the cooking, and we feasted! This year we had 18 people. I am the oldest cousin, and the only one with kids so far, so my children (and dog) enjoyed the attention from all the adults. Noelle in particular was bouncing off the walls and performing in her faux pearls. I think everyone had a great time and we even ended the evening with a pinochle show down with my cousin and his wife. It was Bryan and I's first loss in a long time, even though we were introducing them to the *proper* way to play the game.

Noelle and Uncle Mike

My favorite ladies

Saxton Selfie

Maddie had mixed feelings about the fun. Lots of extra attention but we kept her awake past her self imposed 7:02 PM bedtime.

The Saxton/Hayhoe/Gidjunis crew, minus cousin Joe who took the photo

Sunday morning we had breakfast and went to church before my parents, brother, and grandmother drove back to the OBX. We also tried to get a Christmas card picture but had limited success with lighting and people actually looking at the same camera. Oh well!

Cheese!

I hate this mom!

Ok everyone is looking the right place but me...oh well. 

About 30 minutes after my family's departure, Noelle and Kellen asked to watch a short holiday show. About 6 minutes in, my big 5 year old that doesn't really nap anymore looked like this. I felt the same way! It was a fun but tiring family weekend!

So sleepy!

Happy Thanksgivmas!

Catonsville Tree Lighting

Our actual Thanksgiving this year was super low key; time to relax, do some organizing, potty train Kel, and give thanks. In fact, our entire four day staycation was extremely different from last year when we visited both Bryan's entire family and Disney. The only day of our long weekend that was a little more adventurous was Saturday night as we journeyed out for the annual Catonsville Tree Lighting next to the fire station.

We started our adventure around 5 when we met lots of friends for pizza and ice cream. It was crazy crowded but we got there just early enough to get seats together, food without super crazy long waits, and to start the festivities. Right at 6:30 we got up to the stage in front of the fire house to listen to some poorly sung Christmas songs. About 15 minutes in, I ran back to Peace a Pizza not with my potty training son, but with Noelle for a quick bathroom break, and as we returned it was time for the tree to be lit and Santa to arrive on his fire truck. A small fireworks display followed and then we took pictures and played with friends and quickly said hi to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

I love Catonsville. I love this tradition. And I love that my kids are old enough to enjoy it without getting crazy antsy. Noelle and Kellen danced to the bad music, waited in line with their friends patiently for candy canes and a Santa greeting, and were really good as gold. And it wasn't freezing this year which was a bonus! I don't think we'll be at this celebration in 2015 since it is a Saxton Florida Thanksgiving year, but we certainly will return in years to come!

That wasn't exactly the kid small I had in mind before having her stand out in the cold :)

Listening to the (not) good music!

Here comes Santa on his firetruck! Godfather Sean was pretty brave to put Kellen on his shoulders on day 3 of potty training...

My Loves

Noelle and her BFF Julia looking crazy and ready for either more sugar or bed.

Merry Christmas! Where's Wyatt?

Finding friends!

November Round Up

This time of year is always crazy. Holiday parties, weekend work commitments, charity events, festivals, less daylight, and more homework have all added to our already insane schedules. So I am going to do one post to combine much of our November fun!

At the beginning of the month I took the kids to the Family Tree's annual walk. Bryan was doing wills for heroes so I met up with a few friends down there and we had a great time walking, playing on the moon bounces, getting balloons, and checking out the playground. It was another excellent morning and I continue to be excited that our family supports this great organization.

We have also spent a lot of the month looking at, doing projects with, raking, and jumping in leaves. We are doing our thankful leaves again in November with Noelle selecting one thing a day she is thankful for. Kellen helps sometimes but mostly just repeats what Noelle has said. And this past weekend the weather was actually lovely so the kids raked and played in leaves with daddy.

Noelle and Bryan spent one very cold Saturday afternoon watching his alma mater Georgia Southern take on Navy. The game didn't work out quite the way he had hoped but the two had a great time together and even stopped for a special dinner after enjoying the freezing cold football fun.

We had our first Kindergarten parent conference and were proud to hear she is doing great. Noelle is reading really well, doing great with her numbers and math, and is generally really liking school. We continue to work on handwriting (her letters and words are well formed, just LARGE!) and building her confidence about new experiences but are so proud of how far she has come in just two months.

And this past weekend, Bryan had another wills for heroes event so the kids and I met up with Catherine and Avery (and ran in to some other friends) for the B&O Railroad Museum Lego weekend. We saw some great model train villages, the Blue Lego man, and went on a train ride. The kids had fun and even complained little when we headed to the zoo afterwards to get my race packet without going in the actual zoo! Zoo Zoom the next morning was a great race and my first race since May and my summer injury. I was 13 out of 245 for my age group so I was really pleased and am excited to keep running.

 

So that pretty much catches you up on our November pre-Thanksgiving happenings. Oh and Kellen's two bouts with the stomach flu. We'll post again soon and wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.