Ho Ho Ho!

The Girls enjoyed an exciting Christmas Season this year, kicked off by their first school Christmas Performance at Mary Seat.  Caroline and Victoria were so excited to wear their new vestidos that Areli and Family gave to them.  Santa then came early to Park Ridge so that the Girls could enjoy a trip to FL over Christmas Week.

Victoria (pink), friend Kaitlyn and Caroline (purple) singing their reindeer song on stage.  A lot of VERY proud parents in the audience.

Three Peas in a Pod.  The three Girls do everything together.

V & C at our early Christmas in Park Ridge.   The Girls were a big help making cookies for Santa and Peppermint (Elf on Shelf) gave the Girls a good report!  Caroline proved she is definitely the rapid gift opener of the pair.

V & C had a great time at the beach, however, within an hour of being there Victoria and Mama were stung by a jellyfish for the second time while in Palm Beach.  The reward is a smoothie and ice cream, so Caroline smartly said upon returning to the beach that she wanted to get stung by a jellyfish!

C & V were fish, we spent most of our day either in the ocean or the pool and water slide.  Santa also brought them two necklaces that they are both wearing in this picture.  Santa came to FL also, for his vacation.

As you can see, Santa arrived Christmas morning at the resort "Florida Style", arriving on the beach via his waverunner.  Papa thought this Santa may have been out late the night before, and he wasn't delivering gifts!

Once inside with St. Nick, Victoria realized that the beach Santa was different from the one under the tree.  Mama reassured her that the waverunning Santa was just a helper.  We know we'll have to be careful with the Christmas story as V starts asking more questions!

Caroline enjoying some delicious hot chocolate and cookies after visiting with Santa Claus.

To keep it real, the weather on Christmas was overcast and windy, so we went on a seashelling expedition.  The Girls collected plenty of shells for jewelry making projects.

All in all, the Girls loved their trip to Florida, but Victoria said she misses her little "Lovey" at home and Caroline misses her "bed".

Merry Christmas!

Cuatro!

The Girls turned 4 this October 6th and had a Smashing [cold & rainy] Bday Party at Didier Farms. Despite the chilly weather, they had a great time w/ their friends at the Pumpkin Patch and loved the hay ride, corn maze and of course the cake!  Even though they are 4, Victoria insists that she "will always be our little baby doll".  

Here the Girls are enjoying a fresh blueberry/banana yogurt shake as a little snack.  Caroline really enjoys any edible that enables her to create a mess of her mouth!

Bday Cake for the ninas.

Panchos, hats and gloves for the haunted hay ride!

Mama y Papa forgot Victoria's hat, so she was sporting Mama's, which made her look like a 4 year old hipster!  Harper, next to her, is ready for the weather!

Lilly and Abby showing off their clementine decorations.

Caroline was looking so looking forward to her cake.  She was able to enjoy leftover cake for a couple more days.

The Girls were so proud of their new bikes.  Unfortunately, Papa initially had just one assembled, so it was a true test of sharing, but they did all right.  Nonnie and Pop accessorized the bikes with streamers and bells.

Sissy Love!

Mama and the Girls doing some recent leaf raking for Papa while he was a way. Victoria said it was a lot of hard work.

Eby Family photos.  The Girls were happy excellent subjects throughout the shoot.

Nonnie, Pop and the Grand Daughters

It doesn't take much for them to smile when their Mommy is around!

Victoria has about a full 2 inches on her sister these days.

Tia Kristin and her nieces.

And they're off......

The Girls' first day of Pre-School at Mary Seat was a few weeks ago.  Overall, so far, so good.  Albeit, the Girls are now having to be woken up in the morning because the routine gets started pretty early and neither one is really a ray of sunshine when she is woken up prematurely.

This morning, for example, Mama opened V's door; V looked up and then pulled her covers over her head.  C usually comes out with a whimper of a voice and says "I'm so tired"....but we march on, usually put a vestido on them (C loves dresses), brush the hair/teeth and get them a quick breakfast.

They are enjoying their teacher, Mrs. Golden and have already brought home a number of new songs, phrases, and 'prayers', which is quite cute.

Just before school started, we took an overnight to New Buffalo to visit their friend Harper, so below are some pics from that trip and the first days of school.

V at the Silver Lake Beach Carousel

Sweet little Harper on the Merry Go Round

C loves face painting (or scribbling)

V testing out her "sleep sack" prior to her first day of school

Well, here it is, Morning 1 of Day 1 of Year 1 of Pre School. Having their morning cereal/yogurt.

Their new dresses from Nonny on Day 1.  Best buds about ready to head off to school.

Uggghhhh...the school specifically said at least 17" backpacks...mind you, they look like human turtles when they have these things on.

Summertime

Well, the Girls have been busy this Summer, which has kept the blogs to a virtual stand still.  However, for good reasons as Caroline and Victoria have had a great time playing at the community pool, playing on the "parque" in our backyard, swimming lessons, spending the 4th in MI (Girls pronounce it Meshico, almost like Mexico...hmmmm) and most recently attending Summer Camp where they were able to ride their first School Bus on a field trip.....all in preparation for them to start Pre-School in a couple weeks at Mary Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge.  Here are some recent shots of the Girls.

Ice Cream stop during a bike ride near Traverse City, MI.

Victoria and her new lake buddies.

Caroline showing off her fancy footwork on a rocky shore...ouch!

The Fam sitting outside the lakehouse we rented on Suttons Bay.  Pure Michigan, as they say.

We were loaded with the legal and non-legal fireworks for the 4th of July.  Here Victoria, and Caroline below, enjoy one of several sparklers. Years past the Girls were much more skiddish with the sounds and sights of fireworks, but they love it now.

Papa giving V and C "one more time" so they can say hi to Mama w/ the camera.

Like the blog, it is usually One After the Other.

The 4th of July Crew.  The Girls had a blast playing with all of the other kids and the whole week went down with virtually no meltdowns.

Victoria fishing w/ Papa off the pier in Leeland, MI.

The Girls and their cousin, Evelyn, standing atop the Dunes near Saugatuck during the intermission of a most exciting Dune Ride.

C  and V both love the backyard swingset.  

Huh?

Up at Bangs Lake.

The Girls and Papa out for a tube ride.  C is definitely the thrill seeker in the family, but Victoria may be catching the bug.

Off To The Ball

Papa earned the Super Dad Award today and took Victoria and Caroline to the Fairy Princess Ball.  The Girls and all of the attendees wore their finest Princess attire and had a chance to meet some of the most famous princesses of all.  They were a little shy at first, but eased into the royal limelight and had a great time.

Papa and his two stunning Princess dates get ready to go to the Ball.  

V and C were stoic models when getting their faces painted by Sleeping Beauty.

A moment with Snow White and Prince Charming.   Caroline's face says "Is Snow White really behind me?!"
 When we left, the Girls insisted on giving hugs to Snow White and Cinderella.

The Girls were very happy to see Cinderella at the Ball.

V was delighted to get a pink flower on her cheek.

The other night, Caroline had hit her head and Victoria came over with an "Owie Friend" and also offered her sister a kiss on the forehead.