Christmas

We enjoyed our quiet Christmas this year. We opened up our pjs and the girls opened one of my parent's presents since they have been staring at them since the beginning of the month and were dying to know what they were. Bells was excited about giving presents out...she's been giving them out since they've been under the tree and Dan and I were just excited to have such excited girls.

First present....she wasn't sure if she should open it since we kept telling her "no" when she'd pick them up.

New pjs!

"Grandma Nancy always gives such great presents!" Hannah was super excited about lip gloss....and the zipper earrings the girls got impressed us all.

This is the reason our tree looks so empty on the bottom and so cluttered on top....

The girls set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. They were wanting to go to bed at 7pm...they were pretty excited about Santa. I'm sure Madison knows...someone spoiled it for her last year and I was pretty upset about it (the person spoiling it part since it was about tooth fairy, Easter bunny, Santa. I was just upset that she had only turned 6 and someone was taking away part of her childhood)...but I told Madison if she didn't believe no matter what the truth was, he wouldn't come. She's never mentioned it since and she's really good about not telling Hannah and getting excited about it. I Love that about her. Dan and I kept them up until 8 when they just couldn't stay up any longer. Everyone got up at 7:30...which is quite late at our house...I enjoyed listening to Madison and Hannah look at their things. I was laying on the sofa in the TV room...that is my bed when I can't sleep....and then Bells woke up and Dan. We all got together in the living room and looked at what Santa brought and then opened up all our gifts.

The girls loved everything...they were so thankful for everything. I did not hear one complaint....Dan and I were "sensible" this year and didn't spend a whole lot on each other...or others...just our kids. And really...we just ordered a new car....I count that as a pretty big Christmas present! We had a nice dinner...it was just us and I liked that a lot (I'm 8 months pregnant...I didn't want to deal with anything or anyone else...call me the Grinch but that was how it was this year). We played with our new toys, tried on our new outfits and went on a Christmas walk and drive. All in all...we had a very Merry Christmas!!! (Well minus my occasional grumpiness.)

Stuff

I should be wrapping presents but instead I'm going to blog....I'm going to be regretting this tomorrow....

Madison and I had a day out...I took her with me to get my hair done and she got hers as well...we both got a sweeping fringe...we both love it! I'm trying to get things done before the baby gets here and Dan doesn't want a wife with nasty hair. I love how he's so sweet and honest about when it's time to go out and get my hair done. I use to love sitting in the chair for 2-3 hours...now I can't stand it and only think of all the things I should be doing. Drives me nuts I don't enjoy it anymore. And so we ate our bean burritos and then chatted the whole way home about all sorts of things. We even had a little cry about moving...she's heartbroken about it. She should be...she has some great friends out here she's going to miss. This is also her first "home" she really remembers...not that she doesn't remember the others but she's old enough and we've been here the longest we've ever stayed before. And so it's going to be tough...she is excited about staying at Grandma Nancy's for some of the summer...and me redoing her bedroom....those are the things that are somewhat getting her through the thought of this move. I am going to try and work on Dan on letting us get a dog before he leaves...he wants a dog...he just wants us to wait so we will see. I suggested 2 dogs perhaps...he said that is insane...I said having 4 girls isn't...what's the big deal about adding 2 dogs???!!! I also loved this conversation...it went a little something like this:

(The "Last Christmas" song was playing...the WHAM! one)

"Mum, how can you give someone your heart? Like as he cut it out and gave it to her...he'd be dead!"

"Do you want my heart when I die?"

"Well, I guess. That way I can remember you. Or I have a better idea, I can just get a heart shaped locket thing and put your picture in it. It'd be a lot less messy."

The things kids think of.

And here's Bells....she feeling much better these days!

5 days sooner...

The doctor is going to push for the 28th of January! YAY! It's not officially in their books yet, they can't put it in since I guess the January one isn't out yet...but he said I'd get the date. I can still hope for my water to break before then. I'm ready to end this last pregnancy!

Dan and Bells

These two are buddies. He'll be watching TV and she'll come running in and climb up on the sofa to "her" spot. He comes home from work...she comes running calling "daddy" and wants to be picked up by him. She calls his name first when she needs something...well most of the time. She loves playing with him and wrestling...she grunts when he grunts. Her new thing is when he's hugging her, she softly rubs the back of his head...he would always to it to her and now she does it back. What is she going to do without her daddy for a year? I don't know what I'm going to do either. We're just going to enjoy these next 6 months and then hope the 12 after that go by quickly.

New Addition!

No, the baby hasn't come but we did order this today:A 2011 GTI...moon roof, touchscreen premium sound system...we're excited. Well it's Dan's car but I do get to drive it. This was the car he smiled when he drove...it was a headache shopping today for a car (we had 2 cars in mind but then were side tracked with other options) but I convinced him to just get this one today...well order it and put our down payment on it. We're excited...now just the waiting for it to be built in Germany and then shipped here to us. We've been spoiled...we can't buy used cars anymore. No, it's not a total sports car...but it's fun to drive and we LOVE it!!!

London, Winter Wonderland, and The Lion King

Dan and I let the girls skip school and I took them down to London to see The Lion King. We had a lot of extra time so I wanted to take them to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. The girls were allowed to ride two rides...goodness, they are out to rob you....and they were able to talk to Father Christmas. I was happy they had someone taking pictures since I did not take my camera that day...I just didn't feel like carrying it around....and they were able to sip some tasty hot chocolate and get new hats and gloves since it was COLD and rainy...and then eventually snowy. I have a human heater in my belly so it wasn't so bad for me. They were such good girls and enjoyed walking around despite the horrible weather and looking at what the market had. We hopped back on the tube and went back to Covent Garden where the bus dropped us off at...and walking in some of the shops and found presents from them for Isabella. It was cold and had been a long day but they were patient as I was set out to find a "perfect" place for us to warm up, eat and relax after our 3 hour venture to Hyde Park. We walked all around...I had been there but never with kids and dark...we saw it about 3 blocks away from the theatre...TGI Fridays! Perfect place for the kids to be loud and entertained with the coloring books they give the kids. We enjoyed our food...me not so much at 2 am....and we headed back to the theatre to watch our show. The girls LOVED it...I LOVED seeing their faces. It was great...I have to admit...not one of my favourites but I'm glad we went. It's something the girls will remember and I love spending just time with my "big" girls. We talked to strangers and said Merry Christmas along the way....I think it's always so crazy how people always stop to say how beautiful my girls are (yes, I'm bragging)...then it would lead to "is this one a boy?" And then I tell no, it's my 4th girl and they laugh and say some witty comment. My girls love the big city...they didn't complain once about walking all around...we just held hands...the three of us...enjoying life and feeling blessed we can make these memories.

Good bye...

Our truck is gone...I didn't think I would be sad about it but I am...well not so much anymore. I saw the new owner pull out of the post office and I got a little teary eyed. Yes, lame..I know. I can't help it...it was our first brand new car we bought together....it was for Dan's birthday in 2005...a 2006 Tacoma with only 16 miles on it. We have had some great memories in that truck and some not so good ones...like when both kids got sick in it while we were driving through the mountains in Washington state. It was the longest we have ever kept a car. And so we are now looking for a new car for Dan. We're down to two choices...he test drove one of them today...I loved how he had a big smile on his face when he pulled up. He liked it. Friday he is test driving the other option...I like both...I think he's going to end up with the one from today. I like it too!

A picture!

A picture with all 3 girls...amazing! Poor Bells...we took this Wednesday...that is the day she started coming down with a cold. She's been miserable the past few days....it doesn't help that all her teeth have decided to come in at the same time. She will no longer just have her 2 bottom teeth....I don't know what to think.

I have been an emotional wreck the past couple days. I have never been this bad before...I really don't know what the deal is....all this estrogen? My poor girls probably think I'm going crazy...it also doesn't help my house isn't up to my standards of clean....I stress out big time. Luckily this week we have our girls trip...well minus the Bells....to London to see The Lion King and do some shopping with my favourite Madison and Hannah. Dan just has a 3 day work week...his Christmas leave starts Thursday and so we'll have him home for 2 weeks which I'm looking forward to. We're having a quiet Christmas...and to be honest...I really enjoy those. I enjoy not having to be at certain places during the holidays...it makes me think we're probably going to end up just staying home when we're back in the states....I hate traveling just to have to drive more to see everyone and live in a suit case.

It has also been a crazy week in weather here...snow, ice, frost, rain and sun. I took this picture of the girl's school just before pick up. Today it said it was 50 F...one morning when I took the girls to school my car said it was 18 F! I am glad the ice is gone...people scare me driving when the roads are all slick...wait people just driving are crazy. Like the man who cut me off and then flipped me off for honking at him. He was so in the wrong...but whatever.

Oh and we are pretty sure we sold the truck...the guy is just waiting for the check to be mailed to him...and so we cleaned the truck up today and Dan took it to get washed. It looks so good....so good Dan said to me, "Hey, maybe we should just keep the truck!" I wanted to hit him...not hard but like in the "are you kidding me??!!!" way....he is driving me nuts with what car he wants to get next. Well I know what he wants but he can't take it back to the states so he's bummed and the whole thing makes him want the car even more. I think we have come up with a solution....it's just him waiting that he gets all antsy about. And who knows...maybe the guy will change his mind last minute and not want it and Dan will have his clean truck "forever" just how he said when we bought the thing.

Christmas Fair and a Christmas train ride

Friday was the school's Christmas Fair. Oh my goodness....15 month old at one of those is NO fun! She wanted to get into EVERYTHING that she shouldn't touch...it was driving me crazy and after about 2 minutes I was so done. We stayed for awhile longer until Santa came. We waited and then went into Santa's grotto. Bells had absolutely no interest in Santa and clinged on to me for dear life. She is not a Santa fan yet. Madison and Hannah told Santa what they wanted...Madison wasn't sure and Hannah asked for a motorcycle. My little daredevil. When they were asked if they had been good, Madison said she wasn't quite sure...she doesn't always like to listen. YAY for honesty right. Then Santa told her she needed to be good so she could get presents. She told him she was sure she'd be okay since she always tends not to listen and she still gets presents. Nice! She really is a good kid...in honesty...what kid listens all the time. She's well behaved in public, respects other people's things and she is very kind to her sisters....we just need to work on remembering the "boring" things. I brought my camera to the fair without a SD card so no pictures.

Dan took Madison and Hannah to Nene Valley Railway to ride the "Christmas train." Dan came home with the "are you kidding me" face. He was not impressed by the train ride straight into Peterborough and then back with no commentary. They did see Santa and Madison and Hannah got a little gift they both loved. They also got a 50p candy...did I tell you Dan was so not impressed. I think the fact it was £13 for each of them...good thing Bells and I didn't go...I would have been so mad spending another £26 for the both of us...yes....they charge over 1 year old. The good thing was they got to spend the afternoon together doing something different. Dan took the camera but I'm not too sure he took pictures. Bells and I stayed home and she took a nap the whole time they were gone. It was so nice since I hadn't slept the night before. Dan was so nice...he woke up with me and stayed up the whole time I was awake so I wouldn't be alone. We were exhausted the next day but the girls were so good and helped us out so much. Madison is really good about taking Bells out of her crib and then we hear them all giggling in their room. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever. I love my house full of girls. The rest of the day we hung out at home in the living room enjoying the Christmas decorations and the warm fire. Dan and the girls wrestled...I sat by the fire with my little buddy Bells and then we ate chicken and dumplings. It was such a nice weekend...well minus the not sleeping part but you can't have it all.

Oh and Dan bought me Eclipse. He was playing Racquetball at the gym Saturday morning and thought to stop by the BX to pick it up for me. And so we all watched it Saturday night. Madison and Hannah were getting into it too. Yes, I let them watch Eclipse....seriously...I think Sponge Bob Square Pants and some of those other cartoons say more bad words then Eclipse and are a lot more cruder. I can't stand potty talk...(yes there is a time for it but that is very rare.) Dan said buying that movie was worse than buying tampons...at least tampons were obviously not for him. And I would like to mention he did watch it....I think he was secretly just excited to watch it since I saw it with a friend at the cinema instead of him.