This Christmas season in St. Louis was a busy and fun one. Can you find the pictures that go along with the following descriptions?....
Since the house was decked out for Christmas I decided to devote a festive little nook to our birthday girl. After coming down the stairs, excitedly discovering it and getting a few pictures she opened presents. (1) clothes from Once Upon a Child--She was needing some things for the winter and it's great to be able to find cute things from second hand stores (2) Elmo's Alphabet Adventure and (3) a new winter coat from Bompa and Mémé, thank you! Then, per request, Bry made Brie a crêpe breakfast with tisane and all. Later that morning Azhar came over and three of us decorated Christmas pretzels. The three of us + Alex went to the Dollar Tree to pick up a few last minute things (for a little caroling event I had planned). Azhar let Brie pick out one thing from the store for her birthday. So sweet! The rest of the day was pretty laid back. The evening was swallowed up exchanging goodies at the club house then caroling around the complex (I didn't put 2 and 2 together that the date I'd picked was Brie's birthday when I booked the clubhouse, otherwise I would have chosen another day.). Unfortunately I ended up getting really sick after caroling :0( We had planned on having ice cream over at Gublers' (while baby sitting Peter and Sam) but instead Bry single handedly took care of all four children, got them to bed and I slept the evening away. Brie was a good sport about waiting a few days to finish the celebrations. We turned a sugar cone (some ice cream, hot fudge and a few sprinkles) into a "Christmas tree", stuck a candle in it and sang her happy birthday. She loved it...and so did we, it was nice a simple :0) Through out the week birthday cards came in the mail. She was on cloud nine opening them. Thank you to each of you who helped make Brie feel so special for her birthday!!
(Some of the above pictures are of Grandpa and Grandma, and others are with Kim (his dear second wife) and Kristina (our step "auntie" ;0))...who we love! We are so grateful to have them as family.
I was flooded with memories as I walked in the front door and got choked up as I was welcomed by Bruce & Nilda. The giant fish tank that used to house salt water fish, the front bathroom where we would hide treasures in the drawers, the big stair case, the pool, the list goes on and on. I was so grateful that Bry and the kids were there with me to soak it all up and to spend time with the Sheets side of the family.
My family participated in some of the funeral service. Dad gave the eulogy, Matt & I sang a duet ("Be Still My Soul", Bry accompanied for us) and our whole family sang "Our Savior's Love". I think the most touching thing for me that day was seeing family and friends, from the Sheets and Chau families alike, coming together to celebrate Grandpa. It was a sweet day.
Brie is three! During her birthday breakfast Bry and I took turns telling things that we love about Brie. Some of them included Brie being fun, happy, having lots of personality, making funny faces, being sweet with Alex, and being so great to help Mama.
Aside from the things listed on the picture, Brie loves changing her outfit and "matching" different articles of clothing. If she had it her way she would only wear skirts and dresses... with leggings or tights :0)
She loves her little brother and really has done a great job sharing her toys, her things, her parents ;0) She loves to tickle him, blow on his tummy and make him laugh.
One of her favorite things is being my helper...she loves to do what I'm doing! Usually I try to run with that. It's generally so cute to have her little energetic self as my side kick.
Although she is such a girly girl, she hates to have her hair done and runs around and plays with the boys wit the best of them. I kind of think she's going to be our girly tom boy and I love it!
Brie is becoming so capable and wants so much to be independent and to do things on her own, in her own way…especially if it’s NOT what Mom and Dad want :0) But what 3 year old is not going through that? Little by little we’re getting the hang of things and I really am finding much more joy in motherhood. There is joy to be had, I just need to recognize it and embrace it.
Brie you are a sweet, fun-loving, creative, cute girl and we sure love you! Happy Birthday!!
Keeping with tradition, we each mentioned something we were grateful for with each Christmas ornament we hung on our little tree. My heart melted as Brie's first 4 or 5 things all involved Alex. i.e. I'm thankful for my baby brother, I'm thankful for making Alex laugh...Oh how I love those two.
After getting back from our trip (more details on that later) Brie wanted to try out her new winter gear from Bompa & Mémé (vest, mittens and boots). Even though it doesn't look particularly cold in these pictures, it was! Brie stood out there a few minutes, long enough to watch the garbage truck come and go, and raced back in to get warm. I think her choice of tights and skirt didn't quite cut the windy day. In any case it was cute to see her outfitted for the snow, and I can't get enough of her raccoon tuque. Love it.
I recently read that if you want to check toys to see if they're safe for babies to play with, you grab an empty toilet paper roll and see if the toy can slide through. If it can, it's a no go.
there was snuggling with Alex
playing with Brie
a pizza party with the neighbors
she even helped us wrap some Christmas presents while I worked on...
...Sister-in-law who has been serving in Toronto, Canada!
She gets home NEXT WEEK...CRAZY!!
