Holiday Card Tradition

Where did this come from? It's so American? I guess we started when Sascha was born, so here we are year after year trying keep our "Holiday Card" tradition going. I don't call it Christmas Card, I don't know why, but it makes me feel totally un-jewish if I call it Chrismas Card. Go figure.

Now each year I actually look forward to this tradition. I look forward to getting the cards from my friends and sending mine out as well. Yes, it becomes stressful, and I never have enough time to do what I really want to do, but at the end of the day I am glad we do it. It becomes a memory. Even the whole process of having the pictures taken, coordinating the outfits, shopping, and etc. I feel like I put more and more thought and work into it every year. And this year we even did our pictures early.

Lets face it... this whole family photo shoot is such hard work. Rushing around trying to get everyone dressed, looking good and ready! I felt like the dragon lady yelling and threatening, and you would think I would feel relief once we got in the car, but no... I knew the work had only began.

Of course the day we decided to do it, it's 80 degrees at the end of October so we are sweating, not to mention hiking in heeled boots is a ton of fun.

All for a perfect family photo! Or an adorable photo of the kids. I think I fixed Sascha's falling headband about 20 times and then finally gave up and took it off!

Not sure all the things we bribed Sascha wish to be on her best behaivior. She cooperated... sometimes, and sometimes not at all which made me even more frustrated. She wouldn't wear the shoes because she said they hurt her, luckily I anticipated it and brought another pair and then she wasn't too excited about posing with Cameron, and Cameron well he just didn't care too much for sitting, he wanted to crawl and get around, and eat leaves off the ground.

Yes this was hard work! The outcome... family photos... and Our holiday picture! To me, totally worth it.

Ideally I would have liked to have the family photo and then a photo of each one of the kids, but it didn't work out that way. I barely had enough time to send them out before the actual Holiday so I went with what we had.

I love their happy expressions here


A few more


The most challenging thing was to try and get a decent picture of these two together... here is Cameron receiving a kiss from Sascha.

Instagram photos post

Sascha thought it would be fun to wear mommys boots, beautiful clouds in the sky on my way to work, reading a book with a TAG - she loves those books by leap frog, Cameron on his 1st birthday decided he wanted to hold his own bottle, yummy cake, sea world for his bday. Cameron whipping up a meal in the kitchen & playing with Gills super fun bike toy.



Majority of these were taken at a park next to my parents house. It was later in the afternoon, and the light made everything glow, it was chilly but so beautiful. It really felt like Fall. The kids had a blast. Sascha is obsessed with the monkey bars and Cameron really enjoyed going down the slides for the first time. As soon as we put him back up to the top he would scoot down on his own and want to go. Such a fun afternoon!
Sascha put her animals under the blanket so that they can sleep. The hot air balloon was descending right next to their preschool when we happened to be there to pick Sascha up. The kids were beyond excited and all ran up to see it.

Hurry Hurry Step Right up - Big Birthday Bash for Sascha's 4th & Cameron's 1s Birthdays

To say that we have been looking forward to this Birthday party would be an understatement. We have been planning it for months!

Of course it looked like the weather was not going to cooperate with us, and I would check the forecast almost daily the week leading up to the big day. Finally the day before it still told us it would rain, and we started to think about plan B, but got super lucky. Although it was cold that day, the rain held out on us. It was only when we packed up the last car when it started to sprinkle. How awesome is that?

Daddy gets the credit for coordinating the catering which was delicious, and coming up with a Fall Fair/Carnival theme. We wanted something that would work for both girl and boy, so it was perfect. I knew we wanted to make it memorable with small details, so we started thinking of what kind of games we would want for entertainment, and it went on from there. It turns out I really do enjoy party planning. Yes it can be stressful and hectic, and I did get butterflies in my stomach on the day of, just like I used to when I was a little girl, and was looking forward to my own celebrations. This was so worth all the hard work!!! And I loved how everything turned out.

Here is the invitation I designed.

First off I could not have done it without the help of my family. Both my parents and sister were there the day off to either pick up food/cake, help set up, clean up, or babysit.

Jeromey of course helped with the ideas and games, but my biggest helper in planning was his awesome cousin Sarah. We love you!!! She just ran with it. I don't even think I mentioned that I needed the help (and boy did I!), she just stepped right in and did. She gave me so many great ideas and helped me put together just about every detail for the event. Also J's aunt Maria (Sarah's mom) put together the cutest matching shirts for Cameron and Sascha with the number 1 and 4 on them embroidered with their names and Sarah completed their outfits. The party would not have been the same without her there, and we so love and appreciate her coming all the way from Florida to be there to celebrate the kids birthdays, and spend time with us. She was also my designated "photographer" which was huge because now with all that said and done, I have some awesome photos to remember it by. It was so so special, and we will always look back on it with fond memories.

I won't go into too much more detail on everything that we did, and let the pictures speak for themselves.

The party was a big success, and most importantly I think everyone really enjoyed themselves, and had a great time. We had face painting, and balloon making, and carnival games. Sascha refused to get her face painted, not sure if she was just overwhelmed or trying to be difficult since she had her face painted last year for her 3rd birthday at Legoland. We didn't try to have Cameron's done, because I am not sure a 1 year old could sit still enough for it, but the balloons they loved and played with them for at least 2 weeks after the party. I have never seen such awesome balloon making especially from a kid, everyone was very impressed! Carnival games were a big hit, and every child got a little prize at the end. Sascha choose "Tramp" from the movie "Lady and the Tramp", and she also choose a little "Pooh bear" for Cameron. Sascha got her Rapunzel cake that she wanted (no it didn't go with the Carnival theme, but this is one thing she was very particular with and ask for multiple times... and I definitely didn't want to disappoint her). And Cameron got cupcakes with little carnival guys on top.

The look on Sascha's face was priceless when she walked into the room all decorated. Her mouth dropped open and she was in awe.

The photo booth was so much fun, and especially awesome since everyone was so willing to participate, and be silly. Also it was a great way to be able to get pictures of all the guests who came.

The Details.
Welcome sign was made by the very talented artist named Sarah, as well as all the labels and props. I made the Happy Birthday Banner. :) The table "center piece" was a popcorn cup with a windmill (I learned how to make them on You-Tube & and large loli pop) The goodie bags were stuffed with some Carnival toys and had a Thank you label on them.


Fun times and memorable moments





Being silly is way more fun than being serious! We love our friends and family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for celebrating the birthdays of the 2 most important little people in our lives


Here is a big THANK YOU to everyone in attendence. I got an idea for this from one of the Family magazines a few months before and thought it would be really cool to try out. Sarah helped line up all the toys and gifts that the kids got after their party to spell out the words "Thank You" Later on, I had Sascha pose to make the letter Y and the easiest thing to do to include Cameron was to make him the bottom of the exclamation mark. Would have been cool to have it done without the magic of Photoshop, however who was I kidding ... Cameron would have never sat still with all those toys around!

Halloween

Finally a Halloween post, which really seems like forever ago now. I have almost forgotten all about it in the midst of birthdays and birthday parties and all sort of other things going on in our lives. So this will be a quicky and a total picture overload.

We had a great time going to the Smith's Halloween Party in our neigborhood. We have taken a photo of Kingston and Sascha dressed up on Halloween since they were small, and this is our 3rd year celebrating it together and it was bigger than ever. Lots of friends came over and played until it was time to go trick or treating. Sascha had picked out her costume long ago and requested to be Rapunzel from Tangled, so no surprise there. And I already wrote before about the costume she picked out for Cameron - Spiderman. He was an adorable Spiderman.

This year Carolyn & Angelina joined us with grandpa & Judy, so they got to go around the neigborhood together. Sascha had a great time going door to door asking for candy, looking at the decorations and getting spooked. We had a minor meltdown right in the beginning because she decided she didn't want to walk like everyone else, and wanted to get on the wagon which I took back, but once we got past that, it was a great time. Cameron stayed behind and hung out with me and the girls. When everyone got back, it was time to open some candy. Surprisingly Sascha didn't try to devour her whole bag, she took her time and after about 2 items we tried to cut her off. It wasn't very successful, and I think she had at least 2 or 3 more packages. Sugar overload!!! Especially since you refused to eat anything before hand!

Afterwards you were very aware of where your candy stash was and would ask for a treat for days! I took a lot of the candy out, but told you that if you are a good girl and eat your dinner, you will be able to have a treat. The bag is actually still there, and you remember about it from time to time.

It was a fun night. Her are a few photos:

Sascha's preschool also had a Halloween festival a few days before the holiday, so the kids got dressed up a few times and had a great time!

You also got to do a little trick or treating and dressing up when Grandpa & Grandma took you to Sea World. The same weekend as Disneyland! What a lucky girl!

Of course we did our annual pumpkin carving night at the house. It was a lot of fun this year. Sascha was not too interested in getting her hands dirty, but she helped me carve a few pieces out.

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Baby Boy!

Oh how bitter sweet this day is to me. I love that you are growing and turning into a such an adorable little person. You have the sweetest little personality, that I just can't get enough of.

At the same time I get so sad and sentimental about you not being a little baby. The little bundle that I held so tightly at the hospital just 365 days ago. How is it that this year has flown by so fast!

Of course all the birthdays are special, but a 1st birthday is by far the one that I have always cried at. So many changes in those 12 months, and I try to remember and treasure every single special moment. My heart feels like it's swelling up with so much love, joy and happiness. I feel so special to be your mommy. How did we get so lucky to have this precious life in our lives?

You are so loved, and not just by your mommy and daddy and sister! I hope we never stop letting you know that!

So we didn't do a whole lot on your actual birthday (sorry about that), but it was still a great time. In the evening we just had cake with family and friends, of course we sang you a bday song and you enjoyed your first cake... Mmmm. You loved playing with it, and you even picked up a piece and put some in your mouth.

The day after we went to Sea World to celebrate and had a wonderful time! You loved watching the dolphins play, the bright fish in the aquarium, and you loved the turtles too. You sat on our lap and enjoyed the shamu show, pointing and talking. Then we let you run wild in the crawlers area. You were timid at first, but then took off crawling and didn't want to come back. We had Sascha redirect you every time you went the wrong way. Then we had dinner at our favorite Greek place and you loved Avgalomeno soup. Like father like son... We got a ton of comments from people sitting near us, how well behaved and adorable our kids are, and we left very satisfied. It was such a fun day for us all. I can't wait for your Big Birthday Party!!! (will have that in a post of it's own once I catch up)

On another note, we had your 1 year check up. You laughed and giggled on the drive there and was your usual smiley self. I felt so bad that you had no idea you were about to get 4 shots. The doctor loved your personality, you were such a happy little guy smiling at everyone. Up until you got your shots. You screamed pretty hard core after each one, brutal! I hated every minute of it. I picked you up right away to try to comfort you and gave you a pacifier, but you let me know you were mad! You would stop crying for a few seconds, and then start again, stop and start again. It was sad... and as soon as you got into the car seat you passed out. Hopefully you have forgotten all about that day!

What was surprising is your weight gain, or lack thereof. You only gained 1 lb in the last 3 months? I almost didn't believe it once I put you on the scale, and that was before I compared your weight with 9 months. In any case, you are a skinny tall little guy! I thought for sure you will go over the 20 lbs by your 1st Bday, but I guess not the case. I also checked and crazy enough Sascha also weighed 19 lbs and 10 oz at her 1st year appointment. Wow, same weight! Very strange, especially since you were always bigger in your previous check ups. I guess that's not the case anymore. I am really hoping you will put on some weight, although I know after a year it's usually not the case because kids get so active by then. You don't seem to have any issues eating. You don't eat a ton, but you try just about everything we put in front of you which is really great. Milk you are not a huge fan of, unless it's in the morning. You are very much interested in all the things we are eating, and now that you are a year I let you have just about everything we are having, and you seem to like it, even though you still only have 2 teeth. Yes, it looks like the top 4 are on the verge of poking through, but it's been that way for weeks now and still nothing. Foodwise, you are a lot more easy going than Sascha was, so I am hoping for a less picky eater.

Stats:

Weight: 19 lbs 10 oz - 9th%

Length: 31 inches - 86th%

Head Circ: 17.75 inches - 16th%

You are not walking yet, but have turned into a very efficient crawler. You pull up on everything and try cruising around tables and chairs. You are such a talker. You point at things and talk and talk like you really mean it. You hand us objects, try to stack rings on top of each other and you throw things off the high chair that you don't want (like milk in a sippy cup). You definitely let us know that you prefer your milk in a bottle. :) So far you have not tried to climb up the stairs but you are getting closer. You love putting everything in your mouth, and we try to put the small toys Sascha likes to play with away, however she often gets them down and sneaky little you pick them up and put them in your mouth. I have had to pry things out of your mouth a few times, which has been a little scary!I wonder what you will do to the Xmas tree once that goes up. I am pretty sure you will keep us on our toes. It's been a fun month with you turning one and we look forward to you starting to walk... but no hurry!

Happy Birthday little guy! We love you so much!

Here are a few pictures from your Birthday:

(this one our friend Vanessa took at the family session we had done a week before your bday) I just love your big beautiful blue eyes and the look you give in this photo

I took this picture with my phone of you on the morning of your Birthday and you gave me the sweetest smile

Enjoying your cake

Family photo

Sascha's blue mouth from a blue frosting cupcake. :)

Here are a few from our time at Sea World.

Instagram Photo post

Catching up on my Iphone photography... seems like I am always about 2 weeks behind. :)

Halloween pumpkins and pumpkin carving. My perfectly posing kiddos (this never happens!) so I will treasure this rare shot of both of them looking and smiling.

Cameron doing a squinty eye trick he learned a little while ago. Rainy weekends have made a come back... and I am not a big fan, but Sascha enjoys going outside with her umbrella and rain boots. Jeromey scoored some tickets to Chargers vs. Packers game, while we stayed at home, played outside until the rain came back, so we went inside to bake an apple pie from the apples that fall from our apple tree.

Instagram Photo post

Jeromey's cousin Josh was in San Diego for a visit and we got to spend 2 weekends with him which was a lot of fun. One of the days we went hiking at Torrey Pines (Sascha wasn't there because she was having way too much fun at Disneyland with Grandma, Grandpa and her cousins). Meanwhile we took full advantage of only having to take care of one kid. This was Cameron's first time in the backpack hiking and he loved it. The expression on his face once he was lifted up onto Jeromey's back was priceless. It was an ear to ear grin! I only wish I captured it. About 30 minutes into the hike he fell asleep, and once we got down to the beach he wanted out of the backpack. It was another 15 minute walk to the car, so I think he did pretty well.

The other few pictures are from our night out at Dave & Buster's celebrating our friend's birthday. Cameron loves the toy where you push the balls in, I was so surprised to see him able to actually locate the holes and push the balls in.

Here are a few more of the kids playing in the tent. It's Sascha's princess tent, and sometimes she wants Cameron in and is very inviting and other times she screams "No boys in the tent!"

Another picture of Sascha right before her first day at the Montessori school... which she seems to adjust well to. Ferris wheel from the Del Sur Festival... I took way too many photos of it with the sun going down. I just loved how cool it looked! Bath Time. Sascha patiently waiting to get her pictures taken at a Infantino shoot. Wonder if I will actually see any photos from it? It was a campaign called "Everybody plays" and I submitted her picture and a few weeks later she was part of the shoot. Kind of fun! Also I got to meet Kelle Hampton from Florida because she was the photographer. I love reading her blog, and actually found out about this shoot from her. Every time I think I don't have the time to update this blog or don't really have the motivation to do it, I read hers and it inspires me to update more often, to take more pictures, and to make more fun memories with my kids.

The next few are from the kids getting dressed up for Sebastian's Bday party. A little pre-Halloween dress up. Sascha was Rapunzel & Cameron was Spiderman (Halloween pictures coming soon...) Daddy with both kiddos in the morning (usually letting mommy sleep in on the weekend, which I am oh so thankful for). Daddy with Cameron out to breakfast. Mommy's night out. We went out downtown, dinner, dancing, drinking... lots of fun! It's been a while.

Cameron asleep in the car.