it's my girls' world

I'm going to be honest. 2014 was a pretty difficult one. In February D lost his brother suddenly and it was so very, very sad for our family. This was our first out and out experience with someone close to us passing and it was a rough one. My mom also had two surgeries and D's mom had to deal with the pain of losing a son…. so no, not an easy year.

However, we need to focus on the positive and that's what we will do!  More than anything, what this year has reminded us of is how grateful we need to be for those friends and family around us, how much we need to cherish those wonderful everyday moments and make a really, really big deal out of the little celebrations. We made some wonderful friends this year and spent a lot of time with family, both near and far. 

2014 also brought its share of milestones. A started school in September--- okay it's part time, half day school but she was ready for it and not a tear has been shed during morning drop off. After months of begging, we finally acquiesced to violin lessons for C. We also did dance, soccer, swimming and skating and continued music for both kids.We were  blessed with the birth of my sweet nephew, Liam this summer as well.  We didn't travel to any new and exciting places as we spent most of our time in Trinidad for a funeral, a wedding and lots of family time. However, we did manage to get away to the US for a couple weeks though where we visited Atlantic City and D and I were able to spend a couple nights alone for our anniversary in NYC. 

This has been a great blog year for me. I've made so many sweet blogging friends who often make my day with their kind comments. I learn so many things all the time through my blogging and my friends as well. My blog itself gets as much as 12,500 hits in a month. Not bad for a newbie!

So, yes this has been a tough year but it's also been a blessed one filled with family, health, sweet memories and lots of love. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

Linking up with Jess  for It's The Little Things.

Two days before Christmas, I managed to get my act together to take my kids to see Santa in the mall…. I know! Sheer madness on my part. Could I be any later (said like Chandler)? Every year, I seem to be procrastinating more and more. Not to despair, next year we'll probably get there on the night of Christmas Eve…. maybe sometime before midnight. 

So anyways, we scurried around this morning like little mice…. Had some wardrobe discussions with not one but two of the kiddos. I mean, I kind of get the almost six year old but since when did the two year old get that opinionated?!  Finally convinced them to wear similar colours then realised that A didn't have dress shoes, only boots and runners. Well she did have some hand me downs from C- but I could only find one way--- only me and only this morning.

We had a nut spilling incident, a toddler telling me "Mommy, give you a chance?" (I guess I say that a lot) and a forgotten Santa's letter but finally off we were! And of course, A pulled off her freshly done pony as soon as we go in the car giving this indescribable hair do-- think baby put hand in socket and then hair combed over kind of look. 

So we're at the mall now…. the far one as last year's closer mall had too much red on red on red- You can check it out later. First off to Gymboree where I bought dress shoes for both girls and a couple headbands for their bedraggled heads. VEry important to accessorize, no?! Then to Santa's little house. The plan was to take our pictures and then have lunch- so no messy faces since we already had  insane hair. Problem is everyone else in the mall had the same idea and the line was kind of crazy. And my kids were kind of crazy too. Between the slowly moving line, the tussling, the fighting and the fidgeting, at one point I could feel myself literally about to lose my mind a bit. 

But then this smile.

Only a little bit though :-)

Nearing closer and the anticipation is building. At around this time, A told me she has decided not to sit with Santa. And then there was bribery from her super-mom in the form of a candy cane. Thankfully, her love of sugar trumped her fear of Santa. 

And then the big event.

Next year, Mom will not be as ambitious but instead will bring Dad along as well! Or at least a flask….. kidding, Grandma!

Merry Christmas Eve, my friends! May you and yours have a wonderful day.

Please take note of the sippy cup in A's mouth.

Me: I don't know what's going on but lots of giggles involved!!

Party in the USA… 'cept we're in Canada

Let's hug it out, sis. With our bedheads and all. 

And there you have it. Happy Christmas week from my bawwa-winas to you.

Both girls took very long naps ( and maybe Mama also as she went our with some girlfriends the night before) and we spent our evening eating takeout, watching (part of) a christmas movie and wrapping a couple presents.

On Saturday, D had to go to a last minute meeting

(but got some love before), so the girls and I headed out to this birthday party for A's classmate. We headed to a birthday party for one of A’s classmates and the local indoor playground. Everyone had such a great time especially the little ones releasing all that pent up energy with lots of running around.  However, the birthday boy’s dad was not there. He (a young, non smoker) has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and was at home resting. My heart went out to this awesome family who still chugged along celebrating their son’s birthday and I pray for health and peace for them. I must say though it affected me for the rest of the weekend L

These smiles melt my heart!