Christmas Morning

I love that my kids love to sleep - especially on Christmas. Reagan didn't get up until 8:30 so we were able to get up, shower, make coffee and still have a moment of quiet before she joined us. She was still half asleep but excited that Santa had been to our house. Since Nola was still sleeping we had a chance to have Reagan open her stocking and actually enjoy what was in it. We read the books Santa gave her and got her new toothbrush out of the package. She was so excited with her stocking we could have just stopped there (but not really).
Nola joined us around 9. She also received a new toothbrush in her stocking so we went into the bathroom so they could brush their teeth before we opened presents.
Then it was time for presents!! We started a new tradition of each girl getting 3 presents - in remembrance of the 3 gifts given to baby Jesus. Reagan was very excited when she opened Bye Bye Baby that Santa had brought to her. Nola was just busy playing with paper and running around. She was happy once we got her new MP3 player working. The girls had fun playing with the new toys and enjoying being home.
Pat and I give each other gifts from the girls - which is fun. Reagan was very excited to give him the new screwdriver she had picked out (not that he needed another screwdriver). He was happy to get his shake of the month club card from Oberweis and a matching cone of the month card for the kids. I was thrilled with my new pajamas (wearing them now), hat and earrings.
In keeping with our family tradition, we had ice cream for breakfast! Reagan and Nola had peppermint, I had peanut butter cup and Pat had chocolate peanut butter - it was great!
Then we got dressed and packed up all the toys and babies that were going with us and headed to South Holland for more Christmas fun!!!

Christmas Eve

We enjoyed a great brunch with the Mulcrone's on Christmas Eve morning. Unfortunately Roy and Mike had to work, but we were able to enjoy ourselves. We enjoyed breakfast and french toast casseroles along with breads and fruit - it was nice to have time to sit and converse.
After we finished it was time for opening presents. Reagan was so excited! And her excitement only increased as she opened her gifts. She was excited by the stickers of Reagan from Aunt Maureen and Uncle Roy and she was thrilled with the Princess set from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike. The definite hit was her new Leapster! She stopped opening presents and started playing with it right away. Grandma and Papa knew just what she wanted!!
Nola was happy to be a part of the fun too! She walked around with her black sheep in the Victoria's Secret bag from Aunt Maureen and Uncle Roy and was very happy to have a new baby from Grandma and Papa. She also got a very cool book from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike that has the pictures move - one of her favorites.
Later that afternoon we went to the family service at church. No nursery - so the girls were with us in the second row. Reagan loved it because the children's choirs sang and kids read from the Bible. Nola was busy trying to get Cheerios from Juliana in the pew behind us.
We then headed to South Holland for dinner with Grandma Jane, Grandpa John, Aunt Karen, Uncle Nick, Nikki, Linda and Brent. We had a great time - and good food. Before it got too late we changed the girls into their pajamas and headed home before Santa arrived!

Real Meaning of the Christmas

(its been way too long - no good excuses)
The Tuesday before Christmas we headed to church to experience the real meaning of Christmas - the live nativity. This year we were lucky to have Cori and Cassidy join us - as well as one of Cori's friends and her kids. It was very snowy and cold, but what a great experience. Nola loved the animals and spent most of the time taking baby Jesus (a doll) out of the manger and walking around with him.
Reagan had fun playing in the snow with the kids and drinking the hot chocolate that Jen had brought.
We have done this the past several years and it is just a great reminder in the busyness of getting ready for Christmas, that we need to stop and remember why we are celebrating this great day. When our kids our older we hope to be able to volunteer at the nativity as Mary, Joseph and the wise men - what a great memory that will be for our girls.

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!