Not just because is it Down Syndrome Awareness Month...

 So it is Down Syndrome Awareness month...I feel like in the first few years after Ruby's birth I was way more active with my posts and words and pics and things, but I assure you it is not because there is lack of awesomeness, cuteness, triumphs and even struggles going on over this way.  Part of it is that I have tried to make a conscious effort to soak up every moment by just being present, spending time and not just writing about it.  And while I certainly want the world to know just how amazing and capable this lil' lady is, I have realized that she does a lot of that on her own...just by being Doobs.  She changes perceptions and raises expectations of those "rockin' it"....just by her determination to accomplish any task thrown her way.  Sure, it may take her a little longer than some of her peers...but she nails it every time.  I feel like my expectations are set extremely high for her....and she blows me away constantly!

Not only is she an extremely hard worker (working ten times as hard to achieve things that comes naturally to most)...she has a giggle that will melt your heart.  Thankfully she does a lot of giggling so we get our hearts melted frequently.  There is something so sweet and pure about her lil spirit that is absolutely undeniable. She will be the first to come love on you if you are sad or to high five you if you did something great (or even not so great!).

Not sure if you can tell...but this girl loves her some glasses....

The first time I held her in my arms I knew she was gonna rock our world.  I knew she was going to be ALOT to ALOT of people.  She already had that spunk and energy that just made me want to be a better person...made me want to try a little harder at whatever I was doing.  I was nervous about not being able to be the mom she needed me to be...but it was her that gave me the strength and confidence to rise above my fears and give whatever I had in my heart.

  And you know what I have learned?  That that is enough.  I have struggled trying to be sure she is getting all the right opportunities...struggled with the fear that we aren't doing enough.  Did I do flashcards with her today?  Did I work on her letter sounds today?  Did I work on her speech homework today?   Maybe not.  But did I spend the afternoon being present, trying to be the best mom I know how to be?  Does she know she is loved?  Is she fully included in all aspects of our lives?  Abso-feakin'-lutely!   With each year and with each milestone I get a little more relaxed and confident that this lil' lady has it all figured out. I will always strive to give her the best and greatest opportunities we can as a family...but I will also love and enjoy her in the moment. Enjoy her giggles and her sense of humor when she puts on funny glasses. Enjoy her unsolicited hugs and Eskimo kisses.  Enjoy just sitting on the floor playing farmhouse and not making a therapy session out of it.  We get wrapped up as moms trying to keep up with what "everyone else" is doing that I think sometimes we may lose sight of what is important to your own family. And these are the moments important to our family....

Seriously...she loves glasses!

Anywho...this girl has not only stolen our hearts but opened it up in a way that is in-describable.  We love you lil' Ruber Doobs and simply cannot wait to see what you have up your sleeve!!

       Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month ya'll!!!!!

This girl sure is rockin' this lil' life she was given!!!

Take this one to the bank...

Just had to lock this one away in the ol' memory bank.  That's all.

School and stuff...

So school started and DANG!  Why does it have to start so early?  Getting the girls up in the morning so vividly takes me back to my teenage years with my mom coming in singing like Julie freakin' Andrews...swinging the drapes open to bring in the sunshine to which I would bury my head under as many layers of blankets and pillows as possible while saying (or groaning is more like it) "go away".  My kids aren't even teenagers yet and they already do some version of this in the morning.  Of course I don't sound like Julie freakin' Andrews either...so maybe I should work on that a little.

Anywho...ELLA MAE STARTED FREAKIN' KINDERGARTEN!!!  And boy is this lil' lady lovin' it!  Several people have asked me..."did ya cry?"..or "how is mommy handling it??" With all the inquiries I almost felt like a bad mommy cuz their were no tears shed on either end and I think it is pretty kick-butt that she started kindergarten.  Now...maybe had she had a death grip on my leg and streaming tears this mama would have followed suit...but she marched right on in there and sat right down and there was no turning back!  Here they are right before heading out for the first day...do they look nervous to you?!?

This girl is ready to go!!

Doobs would sleep in her backpack if she could I think..

Sister hugs...

So NO, I did not cry or feel nervous or any of the above...I felt excitement for my daughters new journey. I felt proud of her strength, confidence and courage, proud of her sweet, kind heart as she sat down and starting talking to a new friend at her table.  She has gotten a "green" smiley face everyday since school started from Mrs. Sharp (except the one special day when she was line leader and making an excellent example for everyone and she got the coveted "purple" smiley face :))  No doubt in my mind this girl is going places...going wherever she wants to go...

Mrs. Sharp

AND this one made herself right at home..

silly girl...

Such a BIG girl!!!

Since Ruby had been in the PPCD program at the elementary school last year this was 'old hat' to her. She felt very comfy in her old stompin' grounds...although, because of the amazing team of caring and loving teachers at their school, I requested her to spend some time in the pre-k class...and they agreed!  She is a year younger then most of the 18 other kiddos in the class, but it is a great fit for her.  I am so grateful for her teachers and the learning environment they have created for her.  I get positive reports daily and have seen a huge jump in language and confidence.  We started learning some sight words and she is also doing really well with that too.  It is mostly family members names at this point...although fish is one that she has down pat.  Hmm...could it have anything to do with those little orange, salty crackers she stuffs her face with daily?  I wonder.  Anywho...super proud of this one too.  And it is another one of those moments when I can take a big, deep breath....and relax.  Relax into life...our life.  Relax and know that Ruby will get there when she gets there...and will bring so much joy and so many smiles to others along the way.  I mean...how can you not smile when she comes around the corner lookin' like this...

At least she has panties on...right?

She is ready for school!!

So much more to talk about but remember...I have to get up at the crack of dawn and sound like Julie freakin' Andrews!!!!

Rock on peeps!!!

Thriller...

So one of Ella Mae's favorite things these days is to dance.  Specifically to the Michael Jackson Thriller album. In the dark. With the candles lit. Oh, and in her tights, leotard and hot pink leg warmers.  She calls it "Spooky Night". And girlfriend actually has some dance moves (like her looks, she didn't get that from me either :)).  She has to go around the entire house and make sure all the lights are off, every curtain drawn so not a single ray of light is coming in...and then crank the jams. And you know Doobs gets in on the jams.  She is usually naked cuz that's how she rolls around the house these days...so it is quite the scene as you can imagine.  I would take some photos...but it is dark..and Doobs is usually naked, shakin' her "booty" all over the place.  I write these things down because I don't want to someday forget...forget the simple joys of life (yes I mean Thriller) and just how simple utter happiness can be.  How free the girls make me feel when they are running around without a care in the world...shakin' their "booties" to some amazing jams.  These simple little joys are what life is all about and I hope my girls always keep a bit of that innocence and that free spirit...even when they are 'grown ups' and have crazy stressful lives.  I hope when they hear 'good jams' that they can be immediately transported into a space in time that makes them feel like they are in leg warmers listening to MJ, shakin' their booties with the lights off, not a care in the world. We all deserve a little bit of that in our lives...Am I right??

So KINDER-FREAKIN GARTEN has started but I am obviously a little behind on all of this.  I will write about that soon but here are the haircuts leading up their first days of freedom..

Ella Mae marched right into the salon with no problems or worries about the hair choppin...and she got quite a bit chopped off.  She went from 'surfer girl' to 'cutey patooty' in a matter of minutes.  The little one was a bit skeptical at first, but eventually let us transform her into 'I have NEVER had a professional haircut' to 'look how clean cut I look!!'

Honestly, I know it is good for their overall hair health...but the surfer look was definitely working for them both.  I LOVE how they look now though and am so excited to head into the new year (no pun intended :))   I love seeing how each of them blossom and grow with each new turn of life and CANNOT wait to see what the future has in store for these two!  Stay tuned!!

Well...HELLO!  It has been a bit since my last post but there is lotsa cuteness to catch up on.  For starters Ella Mae graduated Montessori School.  HOLY SHNIKIES!!  How did that happen?!? She will be starting Kindergarten in a month.  Geez.  I want to just freeze those sweet hugs and record all the "I love you Mommy's" so I will have them to unfreeze and listen to in the teenage years....but for now...this is what I am dealing with....

If you chopped her hair off and added a beard...just sayin.

Pure sweetness (well 98% of the time).  She had a solo where she sang a song about Martin Luther King during her "Transition Ceremony" as they call it in Montessori School.  The song went something like this:

I have a dream, said Martin Luther King 

We're gonna make that dream come true. 

Let freedom ring, said Martin Luther King, 

It's up to me and you. 

It's not the color of your hair, 

It's not the color of your skin, 

It doesn't matter what you wear,  

It's the character within. 

I have a dream, said Martin Luther King 

We're gonna make that dream come true, 

Let freedom ring, said Martin Luther King 

It's up to me and you.

 Here she is singing her solo....

Pretty smart that Martin Luther King guy. Mrs Gayle (pictured below) told me once that Ella Mae was one of the sweetest souls she had ever met and it was such an honor and pleasure to teach her and watch her grow...

Ruby and Ella are in the same class for the summer so that has been pretty cool. I can ask Ella..."How was Ruby's day?"...and she can give me the scooby on what went on that day.  It also has some of her friends asking about the differences in Ruby..."Why doesn't she talk as much?" and "Why doesn't she play the game the way we want her to?"  We have talked  with Ella about Down syndrome some, but we don't make it a point to emphasize it...ya know?  We want her to understand what Down syndrome is...but not let it seem like it's a big deal.  Cuz it isn't. I think, in part, because she is surrounded by individuals rockin' that extra chromosome all the time that she doesn't see any difference.  The hubby and I were chatting with her the other day and asked her "Do you think there is something special about Ruby?"  Her response?  "Yeah....there is something special about her.  She is a great sister and has a great heart and imagination."  Be still my mommy heart!  She is genuinely so proud of her sister and I know that they will make each other better everythings just by having each other to learn and grow old with.  I know Ella Mae will help guide her friends and help them understand when they have questions about Ruby because that is just the compassionate lil' being she is. 

And this one....

She had a HUGE language spurt while on vacation last week.  We went to Indianapolis for the NDSC Conference and then to Michigan to see G-Ma and G-Pa.  It was doubly cool cuz the G-parents got to witness the action.  She is putting two and three words together, adding new words to her vocabulary everyday (can you say octopus??) and closing out her words with final sounds.  And she does it with total flair....."buusssssssssss! "  

I have to say it has been pretty darn awesome as we have been working on these things for a bit.  She even knows her entire alphabet!  All that bathroom reading is paying off...

Anywho....she has one proud daddy...

Dang he's handsome...

And one proud grandmother AKA "BABOO"...

And of course the most proudest mommy in the world!!  

More soon about the conference, our Michigan trip, the Rockin' Rainbowl, our new Rockin' Recipients and how we are rockin' this beautiful like we were given!!

Eyelashes and Fairies...

So Ella Mae had an eyelash on her cheek the other day and I carefully  picked it off and told her to make a wish and that we would close our eyes tight, blow it off my finger into never, never-land, where it would go  try and make her wish come true.  You wanna know what this kid wished for??  Her wish was that "everyone would be funny and peaceful."   Not for the new Frozen movie that just came out, not for a Barbie motor-home like her neighbor friend has...not even for that dang scooter she has been saving her hard earned dollars for.  She wished that everyone would be funny and peaceful.  Gah...talk about a mama's heart smiling and swelling with pride.  This girl was born with a sweetness in her soul that I see so clearly in her everyday life...

The way she loves life, the people in it...she is one remarkable lil' lady already at the ripe old age of five.

G-ma and G-pa  were in town, or if you ask Ruby "Papa and Nana" were here for a visit.  I know I have gushed about my hubby's parents before...but I sure do love me some G-ma and G-pa!  G-pa did his usual "fixing things" that needed some luvin around the house, while I would come home to a house full of the wonderful smell of G-ma's famous apple pie.  She always lets the girls help her in the kitchen...and this trip was no different. She even brought them matching aprons!

She lets them get in there and do the dirty work even though it doubles the amount of time it takes to finish.  But that's what grandma's do...right?  I can remember sitting with my own grandmother on her front porch snapping peas and rocking back and forth laughing...feeling happy.  I know my girls will have many, many of these memories with their grandparents...

It makes the pie tastes even better knowing these lil' hands helped make it too!  While they were here there was a "Fairy Trail" going on down at the Botanical Gardens.  Along the trail they had hidden some super unique, handmade fairy houses...who would't want to see that?!?  Well I guess the hubby and G-pa weren't as excited as us women, so it ended up being a "girl" outing which was very fun.

Ella Mae squealing with excitement once we found our first "fairy house" was all we needed to solidify this was one of the coolest trails ever...

 Each house was nestled into the trail and looked like it was awaiting a little fairy to come home to it soon.  Ella Mae kept asking us if we could come back at night so we could actually see the fairies.  Oh to be that young and have that kind of imagination and hope for magical things again!!  There is definitely something to be said for seeing the world through a child's eyes..I think even I almost saw a few fairies flying around while we were there. almost.  or maybe they were mosquitoes, but magical nonetheless!

Anywho...very cool and very fun.  The boys sure missed out on this one!  

Ruby has been super chatty lately which is exciting, but one of the things I am really diggin' is she is saying people's names (like Nana and Papa!).  She has also gotten really good with the names of peeps in the culde-sac. The "grandparents" of the culde are Nani and NooNoo, neighbors who sit in their garage and are always friendly with the kids or anyone for that matter.  When the garage door is up these days you just can't keep Ruby out of there.  She will run across the culde-sac saying "Nani!!! NooNoo!!!" and pointing.  It never fails...everytime we are outside. One of her favorite past-times is to sit and rock with them in their garage..

She sure does love her some NooNoo.  No doubt she will have memories, similar to mine with my grandmother, of rocking with them in their garage and feeling happy. And then of course there is this....

an entire different level of fun!  My kids are surrounded by so many people that love them and bring out the best in them it is fabulous...

ummm...can you say framer???

Nani trying to get Doobs to "peace out, dude.."

Here is Nani really trying to get Doobs to show her "peace" sign..

Life is good folks!  Peace out dudes!!!!

Love Letters...Love Yourself...

So the hubs and I aren't huge "Hallmark" celebrators, but we do appreciate a good love letter.  Especially when our daughters are involved.  So I was just going to simply post my love letters to my lil' ladies...then I realized that I could benefit from a good ol' love letter to myself.  I think we could all benefit from this...am I right??  Social media and society these days put such pressure on us to be these "perfect" people...with our little homemade Valentines cards and our coordinating outfits. Nevermind the screaming it took to get our children into said outfits or the fact that it was really the parents who spent hours staying up super gluing Hershey Kisses together to look like a mouse with the saying "You're really mice" underneath it. Who has time for that??  I don't. And I am becoming increasingly more comfortable with my own limitations and what is truly important. We struggle everyday comparing ourselves to everyone else and what they see from the outside.  But that old saying "it's what's on the inside that counts..." well, if we could all just be happy and focused on that?  In the words of Sam Cooke...."What a wonderful world this would be....."

So here it goes...a love letter to myself.

I absolutely love the fact that I have no doubt my daughters know I love them with every fiber of my being. I know this because I tell them at least ten times a day, and even if I lose my temper (yes...sometimes I lose it) it always ends in hugs and talking and kisses and laughter. This stands true even for the hubby and I....and I LOVE the fact we can giggle after...even during and argument.  I know I am not perfect... but not acting like I am is half the battle.

I am not necessarily loving my muffin top these days...but I am loving and appreciating the fact that this body gave me these lil' humans that have forever enriched my life...so you know what??  I guess I am loving and appreciating that muffin top too.  And some day...when life eases up a little...I may choose to focus on losing said muffin top.  But for now...I will embrace and love my body and show my daughters confidence and self-love.

I love the fact that I know and am blessed to know what true love feels like...down to the deepest parts of my soul.  I love the fact that am I certain the people I call friends know that I love them and would do anything in my power to help them in any way I could.  My heart is so full of love and gratitude for all these peeps in my life, and I would not be the person I am today without them.

One last thing.  I am happy with the person I have become. All roads...even hardship, have led me here.  With each year I am able to ease a little more comfortably in my own aging skin..and I don't mind what I see. Grey hairs?  I see them as stripes of honor.  Wrinkles?  Each one tells a story...whether laughter or sadness...this is my life. I embrace every moment and love it and everyone in it to the best of my ability.

I love you!
luv,
me

ok...now here's the good stuff, oldest to youngest:

My Dearest Ella Mae, Sunshine of My Life

From the moment you came into my world my life has been infinitely richer and brighter.  I am so unbelievably proud of you and my love grows for you more and more every day, even though I never think it was possible to love you anymore than I do today!  I love watching your relationship with your sister grow too.  You are the best big sister in the whole wide world!  You are so patient and so willing to help Ruby learn and be the best she can be.  I love hearing both of your giggles from the other room as you play together so sweetly or run around chasing each other through the house like a herd of elephants. Your sweet hugs and kisses are mommy’s favorite.  You are smart and amaze me every single day with new things you have learned.  Your kind spirit is probably what I am most proud of.  You have the ability to make people feel happy and at ease when they are with you.  You are so funny and bring laughter to all those around you!

Ella Mae….I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THERE ARE LEAVES ON THE TREES IN SPRINGTIME AND FISHIES IN THE OCEAN!!  You, your sister and your daddy are my world.  Never forget that!

Luv you-

Mommy

To My Sweet Ruby Doobs, The Other Sunshine of My Life!

February 14, 2014

It is hard to know where to begin.  There are really no words to express how utterly in love with you I am!  My world is forever changed and forever more beautiful because you are in it.  I love how I see the world through a whole new set of eyes now that you have showed me the beauty in every little thing.  How I slow down and try to enjoy every little moment in life because I see you doing the same.  You are such a perfect example for us all.  You show the world that “perfection” comes in all sorts of different little un-suspecting packages…and we should never be afraid to take a peek inside.  You have taught me to never underestimate anybody or anything…not even myself.  I take such joy and pride in watching you grow and can’t wait to see all the things you will accomplish in your life!  You have the ability to touch people you meet so deeply and I have no doubt you will help make this world a better place just by being you.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THERE ARE STARS IN THE SKY…(that’s A LOT!)

Luv you

Mommy

HallowThanksBirthmas...and a Happy New Year!

Ok...totally made up holiday, but this post is jamming Ella Mae's Halloween Bday, Thanksgiving, Ruby Doobs Third Bday Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, actual Christmas...and I may as well jam New Year's in there too.  I mean..why not?  I have got nothin' but time on my hands...ha!  Did ya hear that sarcasm?  Life is great over in these here parts...but super busy...lots to catch up on!

First I will start with a few quick pics from this years Buddy Walk ( yes...that's right..I am jammin one more  event into this post...but whose counting?)...it was a super mellow one but still lots of fun.  We actually carried one of Ruby's friends banners this year who couldn't be there due to Leukemia.  I am SOOOO happy to report though that he is in remission and doing well!!  Woot woot!! I am also happy to report that I actually made  it through the walk this year.  Last year we had to run outta there before the walk even started cuz some stomach bug hit me like a Mack Truck. I was literally laid out in the grass moaning like I was about to give birth. This year was much more pleasant.  It is always nice to be surrounded by peeps and families that have a common bond.  99% of them are strangers, but we are all connected by that one tiny little extra chromosome...either having one or loving someone rockin' one.  Here is Ella Mae huggin' two of her favorite 'extra chromosomers'...

Could they be any cuter??

  and you can't tell in this pic but Ruby and her Grandmother are rockin' matching pig tails, "dog ears" as she calls them. They don't look like they have much together...

Ok...moving on to Halloween...AKA Ella Mae's FIFTH birthday...un-freakin'-believable.  I just can't believe it has been five years since I gave birth (26 hours of natural birth...but whose counting?) to that lil' nugget of love.  And she is truly a nugget of love...she is about the sweetest big sister on the planet...

not to mention thoughtful and caring....loves princesses but is not afraid of digging for grub worms or crop-dusting me while I am laying on the couch.  I will call that last one payback. She is a daredevil and will be the first to try any new activity, like riding a bike, diving to the bottom of an 8 foot pool, or leaping from furniture like superman (or I guess I should say Wonder-Woman) flying between tall buildings.  Fearless I tell ya. I will also call that last one payback.  I see so much of both my husband and I in her...but most of the time I just see her. Ella Mae. This perfect lil' nugget of love with a mind of her own...discovering herself and the world around her...and I love love love being in the front row to watch it all go down...

So we did what we normally do on Halloween...got together with the Culde Crew and hit up some houses for some candy...

Ella Mae was going to go as a Wonder Woman "twin" with Doobs, but she had a last minute wardrobe change (wish me luck in teen years..gah!) and went with Snow White.  She really can't go wrong in anything she wears though...

I mean seriously...how cute are they??

I had a last minute wardrobe change as well and decided to throw on one of Ella Mae's wigs.  I had no intention of really being anyone...but three different people asked me if I was going as my mom...ha!!!

Tim was going as...Brett Micheals with a beard? 

Here is a photo for comparison...I think they were right on the money...minus a few hot pink highlights...what do you think?

Moving on Folks...got alot of ground to cover here.  I will post a separate post about Ella's actual sleepover bday party at a later date (maybe :)).  Several people asked me if I traveled for Thanksgiving this year.  I told them if you consider walking across the culde-sac traveling...then yep. We traveled.  We spent a wonderful mellow day with our neighbors again this year...and it was fabulous.  Bryan deep fried a turkey...and seriously...who doesn't love them some deep fried turkey??

and who doesn't love them a man in overalls...seriously.

Doreen and I shared some "not three dollar" bottle of wine with dinner...

and of course we had our one pm Thanksgiving lunch right on time at 5pm...(but whose counting?)  The kiddie table was bumpin' this year again.  And yes...mine are the naked one at the table and the one still in her PJ's at 5pm....that makes for an awesome day to give thanks...right??

And thankful we are...for so many things and for so many reasons.  Thankful for my perfectly awesome lil' ladies, for so much love and support from family and friends, for having such a wonderful crew of neighbors...this list could go on and on and on...that's how lucky and thankful we are!!  My hubby was not so thankful, however, for my love of the Christmas tunes a week before Thanksgiving...

So forging on through this celebrating and reminiscing of the holiday season...the hubby and I are trying to simplify life, shed things we don't need, not buy things we "think" we need but really don't.  Which is pretty much everything...am I right?  I mean...minus food, shelter and what-not of course.  The truth is...we don't really really need much.  I've got my beautiful lil' ladies...my hunky hubby...life is good...so we made the decision to cancel cable and move the gino Armour the TV was in out of the living area and into 'the garoom'.  We still have family movie night and stream "Castle" (that was one of my main concerns with cancelling cable...how on earth will we watch Castle??), but for the most part we don't even think about it...and it completely opened up the living space, bringing in more light...more room to play, read books...it just feels better.  Another great BIG plus was we brought out the record player and rediscovered our love affair with playing records....

Tim and I used to spend hours digging through old records at the record store.  It was a cheap date (although I have always been a pretty cheap date, I think that is why the hubby married me) and so much fun discovering old tunes you forgot you loved....like this beauty....

Why, I do love a rainy night Mr. Rabbit...

 All I gotta say is jams....serious jams. It makes family dance party alot more fun too (as if that were possible!).  We had lots of fun putting the Christmas tree up this year...it's nice to have lil' helpers.  Well...it actually took about five times longer...but it was way more fun :)

We also added a new addition to our "spirit of Christmas" family....meet Jimmy.  Ella Mae named him and I am not quite sure where it came from...but he is pretty cute and waves at Santa, Frosty, Tree, Mickey, and Shivering Polar Bear across the culde sac...

So this is the Santa at the Down Syndrome Association Christmas party...I am thinking I am goin to have to hire him for Doobs party next year because Dakus in a Target Santa suit just ain't cuttin' it anymore...

There was a big line waiting for picutres with "Target" Santa at Ruby's Third Bday party and all you could hear was "Is that really Santa?"..."I can see his strap!"....and my favorite from Ella Mae  "Whose in there mommy??".  I gave the typical "It's the spirit of Santa...blah blah blah" theory...but next year we have to take it up a notch. I would hate for peeps not to come to her party for fear of ruining "the spirit of Santa"...ha!!  Maybe Tim could grow a long beard?

ok...maybe his beard was a little crooked...

  Anywho...there was a little more competition this year for the coveted trophy for the ugliest Christmas sweater...I mean who wouldn't wanna have this bad boy on their mantle...seriously.

So my cuz Courtney really went all out again this year...and yes.. there is a person hiding in that tree!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner....

It was a perfect day for me because I got to hang out with these ladies...and got to hang out in my flannel doggy Christmas jammies all day....

Seriously...it doesn't get any more fun than this...the uglier the sweater the better.

The main thing is that Ruby had fun....

mission accomplished.

One of our bestest families oldest daughter turned fifteen.  Just. cant. believe. it.  They had a Quincenera for her and it was one of the funnest events of the holidays for us cuz we saw so many old school friends coming together to celebrate her.  The dance floor was bumpin...but Ruby Doobs captured the attention of quite a few of the gentlemen...

and then more came...

Honestly...it was so great to see high school kids being so sweet and attentive with her. Although she does draw you in like a moth to a flame!  We added a new addition to our family...can you feel the hubby eye roll from there?  Introducing....Colonel Hedgie Hogermeister....

He is actually very easy to care for but he is just a little prickly.  My thought process was that he needs to be able to defend himself from all our other fur babies in the house, but I didn't take into account there would be no "snuggle" factor.  Ella asked me if next time we could get something a little more "cuddly"..ha!

So Christmas was wonderful and uneventful...just the way we like it!  My brother and his family came and we just hung around, played games and caught up on life.  Our tree once again was packed with lots of goodness....

And these ladies were so much fun....

Whew!!  I am done for now.  Next post I will update on how Ruby Doobs is doing in her new PPCD classroom.  She started a program at her local elementary school that focuses on speech and language. She marches her lil' booty right on in there and with the big kids like she owns the place.  Watch out for this one peeps!

Happy HallowThanksBirthmus peeps....and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hopefully it won't take me this long for my next post...but whose counting??