Snow Day!

About a month ago the boys began praying every night for snow. Given our unseasonably warm weather I wasn't overly confident, but at the same time know that God loves the hopefulness and expectancy of a child's prayers. Prayers were answered. This morning, the boys awoke to a blanket of wet snow and I, to squeals of delight. Our Frewsburg Family will read this and laugh to hear that all of Charlotte is shut down because of 1/8 inch of snow and rain. Really, it is baffling, but I need not be told twice to have a "snow day"!

Despite the cold rain, I (Todd was in NYC) bundled the 3 little ones up in a motley array of winter gear for some playtime. After all, this may very well be our only snow for the year. We skipped breakfast lest my resolve wear down or the snow melt. The boys, canine and human alike, frolicked in the snow while I held Addison, enveloped and rendered immobile in her hot pink marshmallow-like snow suit. I finally got my wits and put Addison in the jog stroller so I could make the kids a snowman. He is a happy, jolly soul indeed!

The rain got the best of all of us so we have been hunkered down the rest of the day... The boys played over at Sager's house for a few hours and now they and Sager are over here watching old-school Disney, The Sword in the Stone. Grateful for good friends on this wet, memorable day of answered prayers.

Breakin' - the Birthday Party

This past Saturday was Sager's 5th B-Day. Sager is one of the boys' best buddies. He lives across the street from us along with Lila (7 months). The Whites moved in the same month we did. It is such a joy living daily life with them. Our boys can be seen running back and forth b/t houses many days. Can't wait for our girls to do the same!

Sager is really into (and quite adept at) break dancing! So, his birthday party was a break dancing extravaganza.

We started at his house -- getting tattoos, playing in his pirate ship tree house and eating cupcakes, of course.

A bit later, we headed to his mom's dance studio where 2 breakdancers wowed adults and kids alike with their moves. Afterward, they taught the kids a few moves and then started a break dance circle for the kids and some uninhibited parents to showcase their new moves. The guys were so patient with the kids and really encouraging.

Cole and Caleb had a BLAST. Cole sat mouth agape watching them dance and then proceeded to try to replicate every move. Both stood in the front row during the instruction time and tried intently to copy their every move.

Here's Cole showing his stuff....

And Caleb mid-move....

We loved every minute. Todd has resurrected a few headspins from "back in the day". Caleb asked yesterday if he could go to a gym to practice breakdancing... I'd better go find some cardboard!

Sassy New Hair!

This post is for my dear friend Shanna who lives in Prague. I loved living daily life with her when she, Phil and the kids were in Charlotte. Even though we're an ocean and several countries away, she likes to be kept up to date on life changes -- especially new hairdos... Shanna, what do you think?!? Miss you, girl!

Bye-Bye Daddy

When Todd leaves for work in the morning, Addison quickly crawls to the back door and stands at the window watching her Daddy leave. She'll tap on the glass and wave her arms to say good-bye whenever he turns around. She patiently waits sometimes up to 5 minutes for Todd to leave before coming back into the kitchen. It is so sweet to see!

Warm Days

We had some lovely weather in the days surrounding Christmas. Here's Addison enjoying a trip to the park.

May the Force Be With You

The week after Christmas, Caleb had a coming of age. We deemed him old enough to watch the Star Wars trilogy (the original three). Todd, Caleb, and I had a blast snuggling together three afternoons in a row and diving into the epic saga. Not sure who had more fun -- us or him! He is a budding Jedi Knight and eager to discuss the story and now watch the prequels.

Christmas Day

Christmas seems like a year ago... Sadly, Todd was really sick on Christmas Day, but we still had a great time together. We had family and friends over for a Christmas lunch and later went over to our neighbor's house to play and celebrate Will's birthday.

Traditions

Reading our bedtime stories and nightly Bible story by the light of the Advent Candles has been a favorite tradition these past two years. After books have been read, carols sung, and prayers brought forth, the boys delight in snuffing out the candles. Rather than take turns, they decided early on to share the snuffer -- the picture can't quite show the death grip each has on it!

Coley, the Christmas Elf-Knight

Future Lance Armstrong

On a whim, the Saturday before Christmas, Todd took Caleb's training wheels off his bike. He hopped on and was riding by himself the first try! We couldn't believe it! He has loved the freedom and is super fast, as he would say. Our next step -- teaching him to get on and started without any help! Our boy sure is growing up.

The Birthday!

The 21st was sweet Addison's first birthday. We had such a wonderful day! Mom and Dad Jackson were in town to help celebrate. All of us met Todd Uptown around 11 for an annual tradition of viewing the Leonard Bearenstein Orchestra -- a singing bear extravaganza in Uptown Charlotte similar to the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney but with Christmas Classics.

We ran into dear friends, the Sellners, there at all of us went to lunch at a favorite Cuban restaurant. Jack, their 5 year-old, later said, "I think Addison is the happiest baby in the world. She is always smiling!" Addison loved being sung to at lunch and enjoyed a yummy meal of black beans and rice!

That afternoon, we had Neely, Porter and Anna Riley over to decorate gingerbread cookies that mom had made. This is another annual tradition -- the 4th year! The kids had a blast icing and sprinkling and of course, eating a few...

After cookies, we awoke our birthday princess for her party. She was kicking her little legs in her highchair during "Happy Birthday" and was so thrilled to have all the attention on her. She kept beaming and turning her head to watch everyone. In true, Addison fashion, she had a brush with danger and put out the candle with her fingers! Her cupcake was a big hit -- little dainty picks at it with her fingers.

After the party, we took her out to one of our favorite restaurants, Lang Van -- a Vietnamese place in town. She loved her tofu, rice and veggie dinner and was even serenaded by the waitstaff who brought her a plate of Vietnamese desserts with a candle.

It was a magical day for a magical little girl!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Addison!

Oh, how we adore our sweet daughter and the boys, their sister! Addison, you are a joy to your family, your "big friends", your brothers' friends and pretty much everyone who meets you. We are constantly stopped when out and about because people want to talk to you. Folks are just drawn to your sweetness.

From day one, you have been nothing but an easy-going baby - full of joy, contentment, and flexibility. Crying has been a rarity and met with great concern from your brothers. Both your big brothers love playing with you, tending to your needs, and protecting you from harm.

You are known affectionately by the 4 of us as "Baby" -- we hope in your second year to call you by name a bit more, but for now, how we love our "Baby". Your mom is so thankful for your tiny frame (a mere peanut weighing in at 17 lbs -- it's all the crawling!) and bald head because it makes her feel, despite your 12 months, that you are indeed still her little baby.

Addison, we love hearing your babbles of hello, bye-bye, mama, dada, dog, and yabby-yabby (whatever that means!). It is such a treat to hear you carry on conversations with us and nod your head with interest and responsiveness. Your smiles and laugh are infectious and you just ooze sweetness. Yet, you are also a pistol -- getting into more things than your brothers before you. That glimmer of mischievousness in your eye melts our hearts. You crawl so fast we can't keep up, love to hide, put EVERYTHING in your mouth (including a roach -- poor mom!), and kick your legs and clap your hands with sheer delight.

Baby, we all love you so much. Thank you for bringing so much to our family and filling an Addison-sized void. This year has been one of our best and so much of it is because you are here with us!