Winter Break 2017

Last winter break, we took a flight to Florida and went on a Disney Cruise. This winter break was completely different. I spent most of the time at home with the kids. They went on a crazy Pokemon XY movie spree because I was too tired to take them out. While they were watching TV, I was either cleaning or napping. Yup, completely different from a year ago.

 Home Depot building day

 Ikea building

 Trying to get everything organized

 Weekend morning iPad time

 Excited to be an older sister

 She's jealous that her baby sister has a cuter room than her

They both like their baby sister's room

 Dad took the kids to see the Lego Batman movie

 Someone is already regressing...

Two big kids regressing...

 Beados

 Taking a stroll around the mall

 Thank you Apple Store and your iPads

 Annual check-up (both are healthy munchkins)

 Char claimed that a strawberry frap would make her feel better after her shots

Passed out for a good hour after her shots

 Painting at home

 Took the kids to one of our favorite joints - Pizza Chicago

 Topped the night with yummy dessert

 Crazy children

 Watching the SAME show on different iPads

 Love their love/hate relationship

Lucas is excited that tee ball season is back!

And that was our winter break in a nutshell. There really wasn't anything that exciting. However, tomorrow will be quite exciting and life changing. The house is clean, everything is set up and installed, we're just waiting to bring home our baby in a few days now. Life will soon be very, very different (but hopefully a good kind of different).

Happy 4th Birthday, Char!

I can't believe my little girl turned four today! I still remember when Lucas turned four (actually, that was roughly a year ago). I have never seen Charlotte so excited before for her birthday. I hope it was a very magical birthday for her. She seemed so happy in all her pictures. Valentine's has officially been replaced with Charlotte Day!

Saturday was a full-on Charlotte celebration. We started off the morning at Chuck E. Cheese with a few school friends of hers. I can't believe we were there for three hours. To a kid, it's heaven. To an adult, it's pure torture. 

 Happy little princess

 Hanging out with her lifelong BFF

Charlotte doesn't know it yet (nor will she admit it), but Lucas is her bff. Without her brother, she is bored out of her mind. In the morning, they entertain each other with stories. At night, they fall asleep talking to each other. I can only hope this friendship continues for a long, long time.

 Pizza with friends

 Happy birthday, Char!

 "Flying" with Dad

After our Chuck E. Cheese extravaganza, we went to a Mommy and Daughter tea party. Charlotte got a chance to make some crafts (her favorite was a tea cup she decorated) and have a little tea party. It was cute, and she had a blast! So although I was beyond exhausted, it was worth it once again.

 Working on her crown

 Love my baby girl

 All decked out in her princess gear

 After our tea party (and a quickly nap for both Mommy and daughter), we had cousins over for a low key birthday party. Charlotte didn't seem to care that there really wasn't much planned (so why did I bust my butt off in the past with all this DIY crafty stuff?!).

 Char, how old are you?

Singing happy birthday to their youngest cousin

Our last family birthday pic as a family of four

On her actual birthday (aka: Valentine's Day), we celebrated by bringing Jello to her classmates to celebrate. She was so happy when I walked in! I don't know if it's because it's her birthday or if it's because I normally don't get a chance to do this mom stuff because I'm usually teaching. Nonetheless, she was one happy girl!

 Class singing happy birthday to her

 Jello and snacks

Afterwards, I took her early to join her brother's Valentine's party. I didn't expect her to get any Valentine's, but Lucas's classmates had extras and were super nice to her. Lucas was also very nice to his sister and helped her out with things around the classroom. 

Happy honorary Kinder (two more years, little lady)

Showing off her Valentine's loot to big bro

Posing for Mommy before birthday lunch

Birthday girl's lunch of choice

Birthday girl's dinner of choice

 Like I said, she loves her Bruddy

 It was an exhausting Saturday and Tuesday, but the birthday girl had tons of fun and felt super special. I think this one goes down in the books for best birthday for her by far. And now that Charlotte's birthday has come and gone, it's time to focus on getting the house ready as I am now in full nesting mode.

The Final Countdown

I've been counting down maternity leave since I came back from Christmas break. And now, it looks like reality is hitting! My long term sub came in on Monday and has been helping me loads with grading papers and whatever else so I am actually able to go home at 3:30. This Friday is my last day of teaching and next week, I transition out while the sub takes over. The reset on life is becoming more and more real. 

Before life gets crazy again, here's a few random pictures I found on my phone.

 They requested dinner at Black Angus

With all the money we've been spending on food nowadays, I have come to realize that these two little rascals eat A LOT! We definitely have to start taking advantage of those kids eat free days.

 Can't go wrong with face paint and balloon animals

 Imitating art

 Some co-workers threw me a baby shower

 Cinderella play

Dad found an age appropriate Cinderella play for the kiddos and they loved it. I guess I'll be researching more of this stuff to do over the summer or whenever now.

 Another kid request

Yup, these kids are really Americanized. 

 Shopping sister

Charlotte has been obsessed with buying purses lately. She is a great shopping buddy! I wonder what baby #3 will be like. Lucas hates shopping with the girls because we can spend forever browsing (total guy)!

 CNY loot

CNY loot

It's getting real!

I am really hoping Baby #3 doesn't come early. I think we have all the necessities we need right now, but the house is currently a mess and during weeknights, I've been slowing putting things together a bit at a time. There's still so much to do, as well as some furniture and moving around to do. That's what I'll be doing on weekends and my time off from now on. Nesting mode is in full effect, however it is also NOT in effect because I'm so tired after work nowadays. Counting down the days till I'm on maternity leave now...