Genie, I Wish For Your Freedom

It's Monday night and Eli will not go to sleep.  Both babies have slept through the night for over a week!  Hopefully, this is just a small bump in the road.  Speaking of the boys, they had their 9 month checkup today.  They are looking good and up to around the 10th percentile in height and weight!  

Back to last week, Ariel modeling her new coat that daddy got her. Mommy doesn't like it but it's getting lots of compliments.

Elaine and the kids and Justin and Katie came to visit.  It was our first time meeting Justin's girlfriend.  We liked her a lot.  

Matching my new Whiskey.  Not intentional.

We had Aden's conference.  He's doing pretty well.  He's strong in math but not so much in reading.  Although he's really coming along.  

Art at school.

Ariel has been drinking her milk in the morning from a sippy cup since she gave up the bottle.  We knew it wasn't the best for her but it was one small vice and actually made it easier for us.  She's up super early wanting her milk.  We could stumble downstairs, give her the sippy cup and put on the tv and go back to bed without worrying about her spilling the milk.  But she told us she's 4 now and done with the sippy cups!  

Aden watched Aladdin the night before we went to the show.  This is the picture he drew about the movie.  His Genie came out great!

Last Wednesday, Aden was off from school and Ariel had school and Amy's mom had the babies.  A great opportunity for a day trip. We took the train to New York City to see Aladdin on Broadway.  Aden had been on the train before but this will be the first trip he remembers.

If you know about the Baked by Melissa tiny cupcakes, well, they started selling gluten free ones just a few days ago.  

Aden's mind was blown.

Of course he had to try a bunch before lunch.

We walked through Times Square, which was nuts, and ate at a small Italian place.

Yum.

Walking through the city.  It had been too long since we had been there.

We made the mistake of wandering into Toys R Us.  Aden had a total meltdown.

Time to head to the show.

We got someone to take a picture.

Let's start this thing already!

Aden's friend Brandon was up a level!

The show was great.  Aden had such a good time.  He watched most of it with his mouth dangling open.  We were psyched we got to see the original Genie who won the Tony last year.  We need to do that more often!

Happy Birthday Ariel!!!

This is Sunday night and it's Ariel's 4th birthday!!!  She has been anticipating it for weeks.  Last night she said she was going to bed a three year old and waking up a four year old.  (Of course tonight she said she was going to bed a four year old and waking up tomorrow a five year old-we will have to work on that)  You might have heard me say this but Ariel has such a strong personality we are constantly aware of her.  So fiercely independent and so full boundless energy that she really keeps us on our toes but we love it!  How is it possible it's only been four years?  We can hardly remember life before her!  Today we had her party.  I will post those thousands of pics shortly.  (ok, maybe not thousands, but a lot!)

Back to last week, I went to help out with Holland Elementary's 50th Anniversary celebration.  Aden was excited to see me.

They put on a beautiful show.  Many retired teachers came back to be a part of it.

My boy Anthony.

I tried to take a panoramic shot.  The school is so tiny.  I didn't have to move very much.

Each grade did something to remind of us 1965.  They did the twist, played Name That Tune and had a fashion show.

They made a time capsule to be opened in 50 years.  It included an iPhone with a video of all the kids saying "we will see you in 50 years!"  It was actually a moving ceremony.

For snack, the kids got root beer floats, which apparently were big in 1965.

Music class!

 Here's a sneak peak at Ariel's new jacket.

Amy and Ariel were at the market and ran into Adam and Brianna! They are not usually in from Atlanta at this time but we were so glad they came in!

Aden at dance class.

My Country Tis of Thee

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We had a fabulous dinner at Amy's aunt's house.  Now I'm going to sleep.  I noticed that almost nobody looked at the blog today.  That might be the same tomorrow so I will just keep this short and finish off last weekend.  

Ariel was trying out a new craft.

 My family came over for dinner Sunday night.  My grandmother would not let go of the babies.

 So how many people were pictured on the sofa the last few days in between Aden and Ben who were busy playing games?  

 It's hard to eat with that thing in your mouth Eli.

 Aden always makes the best faces when my grandmother talks to him.

 Another face.

She can still rock!

 Video chatting with cousins in LA.

Good night and have a great weekend!  Next week's posts will be huge so watch out!