Here's To A Great 2008!

Happy New Year everyone! Our run up to the holidays was hectic, but enjoyable. Since school didn't let out until the 21st, it didn't leave a lot of time to get ready, but that was good - not as much money spent! The best part is that we have so much time after Christmas to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. My mom often talks about the year we celebrated Christmas a week early and how relaxing it was. Everyone else was rushing around and we were done and just hanging out. We even all went out as a family a day or two before Christmas to eat and play together. Just what it should be. This year was pretty close to that.

We decided to go ahead and give Dante a haircut. His hair was adorable but getting a bit crazy. The one day we had the heater on his hair straightened and you could really see how long it was; and the mullet-do was coming through. Aunt Laurie came over and did a great job of making him look like a big boy. Now, everyone keeps asking what happened to his hair. It grows so fast, I'm sure it will be crazy again in no time.

This year Dante was a huge help in making cookies. He took his job very seriously measuring and mixing and making sure all the reindeer cookies had antlers...I went a little crazy and made 6 different kinds of cookies and had designs on others. I just couldn't decide!

While we were making cookies, I noticed that Dante was especially non-responsive when I would give him directions. Now, I know that he's 3 1/2 and all, but I would even say "m&m's" and he wouldn't respond. (Dr: "Wow, that's actually a pretty accurate test of a 3 year old's hearing.") We were all starting to get mad at him and then I realized that he was not just doing it on purpose. We were starting to get worried, since his hearing is already diminished. He and Carina had also had a nighttime, and sometimes daytime cough, since around the 15th. So, I took them to the doctor and sure enough, Dante had fluid in his ears and the doctor said that was why he was having trouble hearing. So, both kids were put on medication to improve the infection and it seems to be working. Now only the typical 3 year old ignoring is happening....

Dante has been super cute all through December. "It's Christmas-time at school now." "It's Christmas-time at home." "It's Christmas-time at Nonni's house." "Is it Christmas-time at Jen Palmer's house too?"

We did our new tradition of driving around to look at lights on December 23rd this year. Dante was hysterical - "Look at that!" every 20 seconds. My mom and I were starting to get silly - "Look Dante - brake lights! They're red - Look at that!"

We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house with Chris's yummy spice-crusted salmon with lime-orange salsa...mmmmm. And of course, lots of cookies for dessert! The kids got some new Dora and Sesame Street ornaments and were very excited to add them to the tree.

Dante's present to us was that he slept in. We went into his room on Christmas morning and he was sitting in bed reading a book!

The day of presents started from there, but it was pretty tame for a while. Carina was happy with her Sesame Street magnadoodle and Dante was very excited about his battery-powered Percy and bumpy track! They played well together most of the morning. It was funny to see how they gravitated towards each others gifts instead of their own all day long.

Carina would have been happy with just her new pajamas or socks that she was showing off to all.
Dante got 3 new shirts and every time he opened one, we had to help him change his shirt.

I know that many of us get caught up in buying on Christmas, but I was glad that we didn't go overboard. They were having the time of their lives playing with the new toys and it was more than enough.

The real craziness started when we first went to Great Grandma Yvonne's house to open presents, and then on to Nonni's house afterwards for Christmas dinner and still more presents. Nonni had a play cottage/kitchen for Carina and a Diego tricycle for Dante. They were just going nuts and having a blast! We got to spend Christmas with Uncle Mike as well, so that was fun for all.

The next day Aunt Melissa arrived with Hunter, Madison and Megan, who we hadn't seen in a long time. It took next to no time for both our kids to warm up and never leave their cousins' sides. It was a fun visit with tons of play time. We played with the cousins' Wii that they got for Christmas, went to the beach, had a cookout, played some Candyland and other games and just hung out. Boy, was it nice to have a break from the constant watching of the kids when they were around! They were so good with them.
We went to dinner and Megan took care of Dante, helping him make a mess with spaghetti. I know it was driving her crazy, but she stuck with it. Hunter and Maddie advised Dante on his computer game. My back got a break from carrying Carina too! They are getting to be so grown up and all have great personalities. (If not a little too attached to their cell phones...) We sure do miss them and hope to see them again soon. (Nonni has a bunch of our photos of their visit, so I will add them later!)

On New Year's Eve, we got to get together with some good friends at the WMNF New Year's party with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, a young group from New Orleans that had the whole eclectic crowd on their feet throughout the night. Even Dante had an eventful New Year's Eve/Day spent with Nonni.

Upcoming events this month - Dante has a CT scan (one year mark) mid-month, as well as some other tests for follow-up. Also, new audiology tests and fitting for hearing aids soon. Carina has her 18 month appointment next week. We'll keep you posted!