Merry Christmas from the Galkas!

Sing it Katie!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

It has been snowing and snowing and snowing...

I think we got 4 inches between Thurs and Fri and are supposed to get another 10-15 inches today.

What better a time to make our Christmas cookies. Katie was too little last year, but a good age to introduce her to baking sugar cookie cut outs this year. Lately, she has to do everything herself. She floured, rolled, cut them out and then used the "shovel" (spatula) to put the stickly ones on the cookie sheet.

It was messy but fun!

...Before

After...

Oh to be a Second Child...

Ned let me sleep in the other day...When I came downstairs , he we eager to show me the cute pictures he took. He was so proud.

I looked at the camera to find indeed a cute picture of Andrew eating a frozen Stoneyfield yogurt tube or, as they are called in our house, yogurt pops. Not a problem. EXCEPT that it was strawberry! Oh Daddy...Babies aren't supposed to have strawberry for a year... Well, they aren't supposed to have egg whites until a year too and Andrew accidentily had those at 8 months. Whoops!

...And, I don't think they are supposed to have Tootsie Pops either
(that one he snuck off Katie's little table when I wasn't looking)
Boy was he angry when I took it away!

First Steps

As of Tuesday, Andrew is walking!! He has taken up to 10 steps. He lets go of furniture all the time now and walks and falls gracefully. He just bends his knees and crawls.

In this video, he is walking towards me. If I had moved back faster, he would have taken more steps.

Oh Christmas Tree

Had to be done or I fear Andrew would scale the tree!
(I am not exaggerating)

Decorating with Grandma

At least he has a sense of humor about it...

(Thanks, Blanchette's for loning us your gate)

Happy Birthday Katie!

We had quite the eventful birthday weekend.

As most of you have probably heard, NH is in a state of emergency. There was an ice storm Thursday, the 11th. We lost power at midnight. Ned's mom was already staying at our house. My parents, Rich, Carolyn, Charlie, Jeanne and Dino and Ned's dad were all on their way for the weekend festivities. Their hotels were closed. This meant a very full house for us. We had all the Magers plus Ned's mom at our house. 10 people in total.

Next, Katie's kids party was canceled at Rumble Tumble in Portsmouth. So, we scurried to call all our guests and rerouted them to our house.

Timeline --I found out the party was canceled at 8:45am. I started calling guests at 9:15am. Party was set to start at 11am...

I delegated...one person went to pick up the Backyardigans ordered cake (thank god the bakery had a generator!), one person got some balloons, one person pastries, one person to the grocery store...Good thing there were 7 adults staying at our house! It was hectic but it all turned out in the end. We had a great party with great friends and family.

Every year I make an invitation for Katie's family party complete with a poem. Thought I would share this years --

From toddler to preschooler and Big Sister too
No title will ever change how much we love you

You said goodbye to binky and moved to a bed
Both were easier than everyone had said

You can pedal a trike and can do a front roll
You are learning to swim and can count in espanol

Your smile is so big, your hugs so tight
Your happiness tells us we're doing something right

We love your imagination, it is silly and sweet
Always making up songs and "cooking" up treats

1095 wonderful days to date
What's in store for next year?
We cannot wait!

Before I sign out, I feel compelled to write a little note to Katie. I guess I am feeling a little sentimental...

Dear Katie,

Happy 3rd Birthday. I really can't believe you are three years old. In a blink I fear that you will going to kindergarten. I am not ready for that. You will always be my baby.

You are a smart inquisitive little girl. Full of spunk mixed with a little sass. You have a great sense of humor. You crack me and your Dad up on a daily basis with your silly antidotes and songs. Although you come across as shy in groups, we know that you are developing into a confident little person. You are very affectionate. You love to give hugs and kisses to friends and family. Your brother is enamored by you. You make him laugh the hardest and smile the biggest. I love to watch you play with him. It truly melts my heart.

I love you. You are a beautiful little girl. I can't wait to see how you change this year and in the years to come.

XOXO,
Mommy

Joint birthday party for the December "babies".

Katie met these friends when she was two weeks old.
Right to left: Uma, Katie, Jillian, Ryan and Mickey
Singing of "Happy Birthday": Take ONE

Class of 2024 display that Jillian's mom made.
Each row captures how each child has changed.

Birthday breakfast
Pink frosted donut with candles and lucky charms
(does it get any better than that???)
Singing of "Happy Birthday": Take TWO

December 9th birthday dinner
Katie requested steak and cous cous .
For dessert, one girlie cake with candles.

Signing of "Happy Birthday": Take THREE

Ad hoc friend birthday party at our house December 13th.
(Several people at the party still did not have power at this point)

Singing of "Happy Birthday": Take FOUR

Family birthday party Saturday night.
Singing of "Happy Birthday": Take FIVE

That night, putting Katie to bed, she said "Mommy, is my birthday over?" It was such a sad little question. I told her, yes, but we celebrate her every day.

Playing Together

Helping Himself

Grandma and Pop's house is not babyproofed. Andrew quickly figured out where the snacks were kept.