You can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man

Last year was the first time Reagan made a gingerbread house - same as me! So we were excited to continue the tradition this year at the Schmeltz house. This year that Donaldson family joined us as well - which was very fun. Christen was really on the ball this year and had the houses assembled when we arrived - ready to be decorated. Reagan was slightly disappointed that she didn't get to put it together, but the disappointment quickly changed to joy when she saw the selection of candies for her house.
All of the kids did a great job decorating their houses - and eating candies as they went along. In keeping with last year's tradition, the kids lined up by the Christmas tree to display their masterpieces and take pictures. Reagan was trying to get Will to look at his house while we were taking pictures - she was trying to replicate the picture we have on our refrigerator from last year!
Finn and Nola didn't get to participate this year but they had fun playing. Finn is so cute when he says 'Nola' and Nola is always excited to eat in Finn's chair at the counter. Next year should be even more exciting if those 2 get to join in on the fun!

The Taking of Christmas Pictures

I love receiving and sending Christmas cards - I just don't love the process of getting a good picture of Reagan & Nola by our Christmas tree. It always starts out well, but ends up with me losing my patience and yelling - not quite what I want my girls to remember about taking Christmas pictures. I was happy to have a few pictures to chose from - one in their green jumpers and one in their Christmas pajamas. (top 2 pictures)
But I thought I should share some of the other pictures I took so at least they were not taken in vain. The jumpers have matching hats, but during our first photo shoot I forgot about the hats so I thought it would be a good idea (obviously was not thinking clearly) to get them all dressed up again and take pictures with their hats. I was smart enough to wait until Pat was home from work, but they didn't make the cut either.
So please enjoy our attempts to make the perfect Christmas cards. Maybe next year I'll make a video of the process and include that in my blog - maybe that would keep me from losing my patience!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Happy Birthday, Cassidy!!!

We were so privileged to be able to celebrate Cassidy's 3rd birthday with her. Since Cassidy is at our house 2 mornings each week, she has become a very special part of our family. When it was time for her party Nola was still sleeping and Pat was sick so Reagan and I headed to the party. Reagan was so excited - she had to get all dressed up for Cassidy's party. When we got there the girls just played and played.
Cassidy was also very dressed up and excited for her party. When the Lurie's walked in she told me, 'Kate, those are my relatives, say hi'. Obviously not realizing that they were my relatives too! Just before dinner was being served (she must have smelled it from a mile away in her crib) Nola woke up so I ran home to get her.
Reagan probably ate 2 bites of food - not surprising since she ate a pirate cookie within 3 minutes of arriving at the party. Nola was just happy to be at the party. She likes the pasta and was telling Grandma Gloria a big story - very cute.
It was then time to open gifts. There was a lot of excitement and everyone wanted to help Cassidy unwrap her gifts. For a while it was a little out of control, but the situation quickly was fixed. Cassidy was so appreciative of all of her presents and gave everyone loves before opening the next gift. The castle she received was a big hit with all the girls - and it was a good distraction for them so Cassidy could open the rest of her gifts more peacefully.
Finally it was time for cake - Reagan's favorite part of all birthday parties! Cassidy had a beautiful princess birthday cake. After the many verses of Happy Birthday were sung she was able to blow out her candles - and she did a great job.
After cake it was pajama time and then time to go home. Not surprisingly my girls weren't quite ready to go home - but it was late and we had to get up for church in the morning. So I had one crying child and one who was really tired and happy to have her pacifier.
It was a great party and we can't wait to celebrate with Cassidy next year!!

Dance Dance Dance

A few weeks ago was observation day at Reagan's ballet class. Luckily Papa and Grandma Loretta were at our house so Nola could nap and didn't have to come. Grandpa John and Grandma Jane joined me in watching her class. Reagan loves dancing and was so proud to be showing us what she can do. I brought my camera and video camera - trying to be prepared. But after a short time the battery was dying on the video camera and the tape was full - so mostly I took pictures.
The teachers do a great job of getting them to do ballet moves without making it obvious that is what they are doing. It was so fun to watch Reagan doing something she loves so much!Reagan was even lucky enough to be the leader of the train - this has been one of her favorite dances since she began last year. With the way she keeps growing, the chances of Reagan being a ballet star probably aren't the greatest but right now we have a 3 1/2 year old who loves being a ballerina - both during her class and anytime she hears music - what is better than that!

Here Comes Santa Claus!!

Last weekend we headed to the South Holland Fire Station for their annual kids Christmas party. Reagan & Nola were happy to run around the station and play with their cousins and new friends they made. They served a great buffet dinner - Nola thought it was great and couldn't get enough - whereas Reagan & Leo probably had 2 bites each!
Not too much later it was time for the big event - Santa Claus!!! It was so fun to watch the excitement in Reagan's eyes as she watched him walk in and up to his chair. Reagan & Nola were the first kids to be called up to get their presents. Reagan was great and told Santa that she wants Bye Bye Baby. Nola was giving her fake cry - definitely for attention. When they were done they opened their presents - Reagan was excited with her paint/stamp set and Nola was busy playing with her photo purse.
Reilly, Taylor, Hannah, Anthony & Leo all got their turns to visit Santa and no one else cried! But after a few other kids went Nola decided that she liked Santa so she kept walking up front and waving to him while they were trying to get pictures of him with the other kids - too funny!
We attempted to take a picture of my parents with all of the grandchildren - not too bad for 7 kids.
So we took home 2 very tired, but very happy children. Reagan has told me she is going to get up on Christmas Eve and look outside so she can see Santa and his reindeer. Oh what fun to see Christmas through the eyes of a child!

First Snow

Much to Reagan's pure joy, we experienced our first snow a few weeks ago (slow to post, I know). So we all got bundled up and headed outside. Reagan loved shoveling and making snow angels. Nola, on the other hand, wasn't so thrilled with the snow. She couldn't move very well in her jacket and snow pants and if she fell she couldn't get up. But she did like touching the snow and checking it all out. After a while Nola and I headed back in but Reagan stayed out in the backyard and kept playing. She was playing on the snow-covered slide and playing with buckets that she filled up with snow.
I have heard we are in for a snowy winter - and I have one 3 1/2 year old who thinks that is the best forecast ever!

Family Fun Night

Since we had a long weekend we wanted to do something fun as a family - just the 4 of us. We contemplated going to the circus but thought it would be more fun next year when Nola will be 2. So instead we let Reagan pick where she wanted to go eat and we headed to Pompei. No complaints from Pat or I because we both really like it as well. And Nola loves to eat - so she was happy.
When dinner was done we headed over to Yorktown to ride on the train. Our first stop ended up being a sleigh set up next to Von Maur's tree. If I had known I would have put the girls in dresses and gotten our Christmas card picture ready, but instead we just got a cute picture for the blog and our scrapbook. On the way to the train we saw Santa taking a break and took some pictures by a very large teddy bear. Reagan was not interested in sitting on Santa's lap, so we didn't push it.
When we got to the train the worker was just leaving to take a 30 minute break. So we went over to the climbing area and slide and let the girls play there while we waited. The first few times up I followed Nola closely and helped her on the slide. But then she figured it out for herself and was on the go. She climbed up the stairs and then would go right down the slide - even if there was a line - she wasn't waiting! She loved it and so did Reagan. The 30 minute wait for the train flew by and before we knew it we were ready to go back to the train.
This was Nola's first time on the train. She and Reagan handed the worker their tickets and climbed in the caboose. As soon as it started moving Nola climbed up on her seat and looked out the back 'window'. Reagan was all smiles as they went around. Nola was happy to wave at us when they would pass us. When the train came to a stop all of the other kids (including Reagan) got out of the train and ran to see their parents. Nola thought she should stay for another ride. The worker was even trying to convince her that she needed to get out. So we had to go in and take her out - screaming the whole time.
Next we headed upstairs for Dairy Queen - only to discover that Dairy Queen was no longer in the mall. We quickly changed plans and headed back downstairs to Ed Debevic's for ice cream. Reagan and Nola colored their hats as we waited for the ice cream to arrive. Reagan's 'scoop' of chocolate ice cream ended up being a large bowl - so we had one happy girl. Nola got the world's smallest sundae and was thrilled. She used the small spoon as much as possible, but at the end when she couldn't get all of the fudge out she went in with her fingers. Pat was very happy with his double chocolate malt indeed. Our waitress even took a family photo for us - not many people probably take their camera to Lombard, IL but we sure did! It really was a great night - the girls were exhausted on the way home and Pat & I were happy to have shared such a fun night together as a family. I am sure the circus will be fun next year - but Yorktown was a great time this year!