Dude

So excited. I entered a fitness challenge contest on sbparent.com at the recommendation of my dear friend Kristen. They pick a certain number of moms to participate in different fitness programs throughout the city free of charge for a number of weeks. I was able to select 6 weeks at a Pilates studio. I have always wanted to try that! The only catch is that you must work out at least 3 times a week and do a short blog about your experience twice a week I think. 3 workouts a week is ah...about 3 more workouts a week than I have done since I was preggers with Miles but I am up for it, I'm ready. I'm gonna go eat some cheese to prepare.

Trains and Candy Canes

Last Sunday my sister and I took Miles and Danika to see a model train set at the Library. Miles was so interested. He sat mesmerized most of the time.
Later that evening he got to decorate his first gingerbread house with the help of my mom and niece Adrianne. We took the parts and candy out of the box and the first thing he did was stuff his pockets with the largest pieces of candy. Boy is a planner. I wouldn't say the house is structurally sound but it tastes pretty good.

No MY Da ka!

These two are the best of friends provided Danika (Da Ka) is not trying to play with Miles' toys. Here they are perfecting the crawl

sharing a healthy lunch (dude, I'm busy ok?)

Danika supervising the bath

jumping!

Holidaze

Lights are up and the tree is done, or I should say it's "on" Last year we purchased a fake tree. Something I thought I would never do but Miles was getting into everything and it seemed like a good compromise. I have to say I kind of like it, not that it will replace a real tree but just for one more year as Danika is into everything now. It's all silver and kind of modern - my sister has a pink one that I love too. You just take this thing out of the box, stick it together plug it in and it's Christmas. Done.
Having kids has it's advantages. They allow you to board the plane sooner, they eat free on Tuesdays, you can dress them up how you want and they can't do anything about it

but perhaps my latest favorite is how they make holidays so much better. I have always been a sap for holidays but it's so much more special with them around. Miles is old enough to get what's going on and look forward to things, which opens up a whole different game. He knows Santa is coming and he's going to put a candy cane in his stocking. For him. To eat. That's pretty much the best thing that could EVER happen, so Santa's in good. I want to do everything , go to every parade and Holiday show, to show them everything I can because there is so much to see.

Boo!

All Aboard! Miles is Two

Miles turned two years old on the 18th which kicked off a week of birthday activities. We started with a little party with my PEP group and his little friends and then there was a visit to his favorite bowling alley. We finished off with a lovely (quiet, calm, short!), party at the railroad museum which was appropriate as his favorite thing right now is trains. Trains all day, everyday. He was surrounded by his favorite things and more importantly by his favorite people. He gets more wonderful everyday and he is truly cherished.

So Nice

Robert and I just got back from a 3 night trip away. Alone. Without kids. It was so wonderful that we decided to make it a priority to get away for at least 2 nights once a year. It was just so nice to relate only as a couple and to take our time doing everything. The drive took 6 hours and we just talked all the way. We haven't talked that much in years and it was great. The more he talks, the more impressed I am. Oh, and the hotel room was amazing. It was so CLEAN and someone came to clean it everyday. Someone other than me. If you know me you know this is the way into my heart. It was heavenly. We missed the kids a ton of course and spent much of our time talking about things we love about them and doing impersonations of Miley. Coming home and having him drop his toys and run into our arms was gold. We will be smothering him for days. Strangly Danika wants nothing to do with me which is something I didn't expect - she won't breastfeed and when I hold her she cries and I can feel her body pulling away from me. Hopefully this will be all taken care of by morning :)