Snow Day and Catching Up

Because it is a snow day, and I have extra time, I thought I would take the opportunity to get "caught up" in blog world.

Since we last left off at Santa Lucia Day (December 13th...yikes!), there has been:

Christmas!
We traveled to Colorado to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Bassett and other lovely family members we don't often have the pleasure of seeing.  Santa made two appearances.  Once, in person, he came early to MeMo and Papa's house to deliver pajamas.  The other time, he merely ate his cookies, drank his milk, and left Elsa and Anna costumes behind for our little ladies. While Ellie was thrilled with the jammies, by the time her costumes arrived, she was wondering why she hadn't gotten the iPad from Santa that she really, REALLY wanted.  Mom and Dad had to break the news that Santa tries his best, and that he doesn't always bring EVERYTHING that might be written on your wish list. 

The New Year!
Unfortunately after our lovely Colorado travels, we brought home with us multiple waves of sickness which kept us away from society and functioning in a "do what you need to do" pattern of life.  Mommy's sick?! Watch a movie.  You've been sick?! Sure, lay in bed all day and eat Cheerios.  Laundry mounting up?! Make do with the clothes that you have that are clean, or rummage through the clean laundry bins to find what you are looking for.  This lasted on and off for a good three weeks, but thankfully, we seem to be on a positive, healthier trajectory.  Phew!

A Birthday!
Ellie turned FIVE.  The last year of being able to display her age using only one hand.  While big decisions were made from a potential party involving unicorns, fairies, make-up (what?!? where did this come from?!?!), a doll themed adventure was created as a way for Miss E to pave her way from 4 to 5.  She had a day of intrigue and adventure when she got to go to the American Girl Place downtown Chicago with MeMo and Papa to get her very own American Girl doll.  We had received a catalog from AG way back in the middle of November (How did they know we were a prime demographic?  They must have spies telling them that there was an almost 5 year old living at our house. Honestly, the timing was incredible, bordering on a little creepy.) and Ellie immediately took to it like a duck to water.  She took the catalog with her to MN and on multiple trips back and forth to Aunt Kari and Uncle John's house.  She talked to everyone she knew about the dolls and the outfits and which one she liked best.  When it came time for her adventure, she was still slightly torn between the doll, Kit, who looks like her, and Caroline, a blonde-hair, blue-eyed, perfect resemblance to "Elsa" from Frozen that you will meet.  She decided upon Caroline, and the rest was history.  Grandma and Grandpa Bassett gifted her with more outfits for her beloved doll and regularly changes her with the love that only a new mother might feel. 

Miss E has grown almost three inches this year.  She is full of spunk, zip, compassion, and personality.  She seems so ready for kindergarten to me, which I still cannot believe is coming for her this fall.  She loves learning and taking in the world around her.

Another Big Birthday!
My mom turned a big one this year just a week and a half later than my darling eldest.  We spent the evening of her birthday celebrating at Maggiano's and had a fabulous time.  It was the perfect way to ring in a new year of life in style and with great food.

In Conclusion...
So, there you have it.  The past (almost) two months in a nutshell.  Hopefully, I'll be more on it and keep up with things a bit more.