DOVE FAMILY

So this year, I decided to do something different! You know those sticky gift tags that you purchase at the store for a few dollars- easy as pie to write on and stick on your gifts?! Well, I decided not to use those this year and go "crafty". There are so many websites such as Martha Stewart that allows you to print gift tags from her website! The gift tags are larger than the ones you buy at the store so you have more room to write on them, they are such cute designs and certainly some that are unusual! Take a peek and I know you can't wait to see which gift tag you are going to get on your present! Ha! (the websites where you can download them from are below!!)

http://www.tipjunkie.com/christmas-tags-and-cards/

http://www.domestifluff.com/2010/12/free-printable-holiday-gift-tags/

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2010Q4/msl_1210_christmastreegifttags.pdf

http://www.marthastewart.com/272344/gift-tags

http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/2008/12/gift-tags.html

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2010Q4/msl_1210_patterned_ballornament_gifttag.pdf

This past weekend we went to see the Lights on the Bay. It was a nice surprise when Santa greeted us at the gate and gave us candy canes. He then talk to the kids breifly about how he is checking his list and that he is excited to come to our house on Christmas! The Lights on the Bay is presented by Anne Arundel Medical center- the hospital where both kids were born. It's always nice being able to give money or give back to hospitals and charitable organizations. After we enjoyed a ride around the bay we went over the Bay Bridge and had dinner at Cracker Barrell. Although it was busy we had a wonderful family dinner and evening!

I did take a few pictures but we were so excited about the lights that I forgot to take pictures until the very end of the show :(

This picture is priceless- the road sign is included in the picture!

It's Christmas time! The last week, we have spent decorating the house- both inside and outside and we have already started to enjoy the many holiday shows on television. The kids are so excited and our countdown at home has begun! We have so many holiday plans, places to go to and things to see and we just love this time of year! Shopping is almost done as well--makes the holidays even better when I don't have to spend every day shopping!

Pajama Party in front of the tree!!

Fall soccer has come to a close and Matthew had a big season. This was his first season to be on the Juniors. Although he started a bit slow he finally did get in the game and was a bit more agressive by the end of the season! He loves soccer and enjoys playing it, but Im not sure what spring will bring for us. He has been talking about trying baseball- so we shall see. But, what a great soccer season and looking forward to what spring brings!

Amaya is finally 2 years old! We celebrated at their house with pizza, Lola's famous pansit and cake!She loved opening her awesome presents- Disney princes Laptop, color magna doodle, lots of clothes and of course dolls! Afte rpresents and cake, we headed over to Build A Bear in Towson and each of the kids had a chance to make their own special bear!

When all 6 grandkids get together-- lets just say that it is a HOOT! The kids are all over the place, we get a few cries, lots of laughter, a few little spats. Sharing--- well with 6 grandkids, its tough but they are all learning! They all get along in their own little ways, have their spats and love to be together. Below are a few out-takes from the last few weeks!

Silly Kids!

Just "Hanging" out!

You are never too old to play Duck-Duck Goose!!!

Saturday, October 29th- we headed down to see Grammy (Dave's mom) and Auntie Debbie to celebrate my birthday. We had lots of plans that day from carving a pumpkin, watching movies and running around in their costumes! Thanks for a great day- we all had so much fun and the cake and gifts were definately a PLUS!!!

Matthew, Auntie Debbie & Julia at Green Street Gardens

Julia has been asking for boots the past few weeks and I finally went out and bought her a few pair for fall and winter. Well, she fell in love with these PINK Cow-girl boots and thats it! She will wear the other brown pair but boy these boots just make her feel so special. She wwears them with pajamas, dresses, shorts, capris, jeans....even her nightgown!

This year we wanted to try something a little different for a fall festival for the kids. I heard a lot of wonderful things about the Fall Festival that Kinder Farm Park holds each year. It's only one day a year so I knew that it was going to be crowded! What I didn't know is HOW MUCH there was going to be for the kids to do. We didn't do half of the things because we were so tired from walking and we were beat from Matthew's soccer game that morning. Let me just say--- it was huge and spreadout so it didn't feel like it was overly crowded-- mechanical bull rides for kids (slow of course), Boo marn, corn maize, tractor rides, mini tractors for kids, music, dancing, an awesome 3 level playground, pumpkin painting, games, moon bounces, vendors, blacksmith, woodturners, and so much more. I mean..so much more! Next year I would like to go back when it opens so we have more time to walk around and enjoy the festvities we didn't have time for!

Last night, Odenton Elementary School had school night at our local Mcdonald's. This was such a treat for the kids because 1) we never go to McDonald's and 2) it was a week night and I usually cook! So last night the kids were so excited that we were going out and especially to McDonald's! Matthew loved seeing all of his friends and teachers, we stayed for raffles and even got sundaes. With one of the raffles, Matthew was able to pick out a smurf wich McDonalds is currently giving away with their Happy Meals. I was so surprised when I saw the NAMES of the new Smurfs! Now...some may not be new but Matthew picked out a smurf by the name of Panicky!! I don't recall--- Chef? Baker? Jokey?

Matthew is playing soccer again this fall and he does really enjoy it. He is now in the Juniors level with Arundel Soccer. Many of the kids on his current team he played with when he first started in the Minis program which was at age 3 &4! This is the first season that Matthew & his team are learning about the different positions on the field and playing with a goalie. This is certainly a learning season for our group but the kids still seem to enjoy the sport and have fun!

Go Blue!

Really...Wow! The kids on this team were so much bigger, taller and faster than our little squirts! I was a little intimidated and I was on the side lines!

WARNING: The link below and the book does contain explicit language. Although it seems like a harmless children’s book- this book is meant for adults and adults only!

A friend of mine gave me this book, "Go the F--K to Sleep" after hearing my stories and struggles of trying to get my kids- mostly my son to bed. After we had Matthew, Dave and I agreed that the kids should not sleep in our beds with us – unless they are sick of course or if there is an emergency such as weather related or no power. Don’t think that Dave and I are super strict because we do allow them on our beds for family movie night, early I in the mornings as we are getting dressed and of course on the weekends when we all want to sleep in and cuddle…we just don’t want them to sleep with us every night, fall asleep in our bed and take over our own bed!

Once Matthew started to sleep in the toddler bed, we had to sit down next to Matthew’s bed as he fell asleep. Once his eyes closed and we were sure he was asleep, we would tip-toe to our room. If he woke up in the middle of the night, we would take him back in his room and sit with him until he fell asleep. I know you are probably thinking---OMG—when did you sleep? We didn’t. It could take us 3, 4 or 5 times taking him back in his room each and every night until he was almost 2 years old. Once he turned 2 we gradually moved to the hallway. He could still see us, but we weren’t right next to his bed. This allowed me to get some work, homework, reading and fold laundry but I had to do it in the hallway. Once he fell asleep we would tip toe back to our room until he woke up and we would do it all over again. Since Matthew & Julia share a room, they have been used to me or Dave sitting in the hallway until they fell asleep. Just recently, we have reached a new accomplishment!!! We now tucked them in after a story and we go right to our room. But we check on them every few minutes until their eyes can’t take it anymore. They are learning how to fall asleep on their own, without mommy or daddy sitting next to them or in the hallway. It has certainly been a long process but one that I am proud of. My kids can now sleep on their own and they know that if they wake up in the middle of the night, they cannot crawl into bed with us but we take them back to their room, kiss and hug them and tuck them back in. They are proud of themselves that they can fall asleep on their own without mommy & daddy next to them.

This book is A-MAZING! I wish I had this book early on when we were battling with Matthew on going to sleep. I know there is some explicit language. Just remember that this book is NOT something that you should read to your children. But instead, read on your own, think back to those sleepless nights and laugh. It’s how we feel without saying the words. It’s the frustrations that we go through so our children can learn and have good sleeping habits especially if they have horrible sleeping habits. Having a child that could not sleep on their own, falling asleep on the hard floor because your child would not go to sleep even if it was 11pm at night, waking up countless times in the middle of the night just to put them back into bed and then wake up again, or as you are tip-toeing into your own room and all of a sudden the floor creeks and wakes them up…..you just don’t know how hard it is.

Take a few moments and listen to Samuel L. Jackson reading this book. Dave and I just laughed so hard and we just really shared our stories of the countless nights of no sleep, frustrations and reminded one another that we are not in the clear yet….although they can fall asleep without mommy & daddy…they take turns waking up in the middle of the night .…baby steps….

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6536596/samuel-l-jackson-reads-go-the-f-to-sleep

Now that Matthew has started grade school- more specifically, Kindergarten, we have had many opportunties to sign up and volunteer at school. Along with PTA, the book fair, volunteering at school, Dave signed up for "Watch D.O.G.S" -- "Watch- Dads of Great Students"

"Watch D.O.G.S" is a program that promotes and gets fathers, uncles, grandparents involved in their student's schools. They spends few days or more throughout the school year helping out in classes, cafeteria, cultural arts clases such as music, art and gym, read to students, help administrators and teachers. It is so important for family members to volunteer at their student's schools. Its extremely important to see more dad's in the schools, lending a hand and being a part of the student's lives.

Congratulations David on being part of the WATCH D.O.G.S program! This is such a great program and I hope that many more schools and fathers join and take part in DADS OF GREAT STUDENTS!

http://www.fathers.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=60

Getting ready for fireworks!Matthew running the bases. He is right below in the blue shirt with a white stripe. He is in front of the girl wearing white! FIREWORKS!!!