Christmas 2013.

Dear Scarlett,
This was our Christmas this year……….

Holiday Sangria

It's the morning after Christmas. I'm sitting here curled up on the love seat watching the snow fall outside the big bay window. A calm has come over the house. Scarlett is in her room sitting inside her new play canopy, a gift from her auntie Shauna.  I can hear her little voice reading books.

My family came this past weekend and we had a houseful here. Lots of laughing, eating and Christmas movies. They all left by Monday and it wasn't long enough. Ty's sister came from Massachusetts to stay with us for a few days during Christmas. We spent Christmas day with Ty's family. Another dinner and a full day of presents, Christmas music & delicious desserts.

Scarlett loved Christmas this year. As a lot of you know, she's been asking for a dollhouse for quite awhile. She has been telling everyone we come across. She must have been on the nice list because this year, Santa brought her a beautiful wooden dollhouse. Scarlett received so many gifts from family,  too. We are so thankful for all the fun toys that she got to open up. (Yes, even the scary Ursula doll, Kalin. haha.)  Scarlett is so appreciative for everything that she opened and that makes me feel good- like we are doing something right. I expected screaming and screeches of delight when she saw her dollhouse. But no, it was a quiet, modest expression of wonder and delight, which we are finding is most definitely a Scarlett trait.

There was so much excitement and I truly felt blessed to be surrounded by family. I know it sounds so cliche, but it really was a home filled with laughter and holiday cheer. Every year this happens. I feel sad after it's all over. I plan to keep my Christmas tree up until the New Year, along with the lights. Although the holidays are over, I still have a lot of things coming up. We are having New Year's Eve at our house with a couple friends and hosting a Holiday Party for 14 girls the weekend after!

The holidays always make me realize how blessed I am. Ty and I didn't exchange gifts this year. We just decided that we didn't need a thing. As I get older, it becomes more clear that the holidays aren't about what we get. My present was watching Scarlett open her gifts with wide eyes. That and spending time with all the ones I love. Someone asked me if I got anything good for Christmas this year and I replied with, "Yes, I got the best gifts ever! Scarlett is happy and healthy, I have a good man next to me, and a cozy place to call home." What could be better than that? Happy Holidays to you all! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. 

2 years and 7 months old.

Dear Scarlett,

Yesterday you said to me, "Where's my grandma? I want to see my grandma." I asked you who your Grandma was since you call my mother, Nunna. You replied, "Roseanne is my Grandma." I laughed and laughed because I watch Roseanne a lot and it just shows how much you are beginning to learn. Even just watching me. And boy do you make us laugh. You were screaming from our bedroom today. I ran in to see what was the matter, you said, "The fox is coming!!!" I looked to Daddy. He said, "She wants you to say, Swiper No Swiping". I said it to you and you laughed. The cutest little girl ever!

Lately, you want to help me cook everything! You drag a chair over and help stir or knead dough or do whatever I have for you. Another sweet memory of this month is you making me breakfast in bed. Since I'm not a morning person, when I don't have to work, I lay in bed being lazy as long as I can. You get up and make me breakfast out of your kitchen and bring it to me. "Here Mama, here's some tea and breakfast." Makes my entire day!

It is scary how fast you are growing up. I think about things too much. In five months, you will be three years old. In a couple of years, you will be in Kindergarten. Time goes too fast. I try and savor each moment with you. I try and not pay attention to the bad days and soak up the fun times.

I am now working part time and you attend childcare, or as you like to call it, school 3 days a week. You love going and interacting. You read books and play with the kids. Today, a little boy was crying at school when we arrived. You looked at me so concerned and said, "Mama, I want to give him a hug." You are caring an loving and I love those things about you. At two years old, you are such a good soul.

Christmas is coming soon and all you have asked for is a dollhouse. I'm not sure where you came up with this idea but I'm pretty sure Santa will bring you one. You are a good little girl. Of course you have your two year old tantrums and you tend to whine a bit now and again, but that is to be expected. When I was little, all I did was whine. Haha. Compared to me, you are an angel! This Christmas, we are having the entire family here again. I love having them here with us. It's my favorite part of the holidays, besides watching you wake up on Christmas morning.

I am so pleased with the little person you are becoming. I just have one request….slow it down. I love you so much!


Love, Mama and Daddy

Thanksgiving 2013.