Daddy's Girl

Molly has always been a daddy's girl. She demands that Daddy put her to bed, help her get dressed, put her plate on the table, get her milk (but not that CUP, THIS cup), and on and on.

I try not to let this hurt my feelings or start to make me feel like I am doing something wrong. But it is hard. And often my feelings do get hurt and I question if I am treating Molly fairly - am I doing and providing the way I did when I only had one daughter. And while I know I can't do it EXACTLY the same, I think I am doing OK.

Especially when, in the middle of the night, Molly yells out MOMMY first, when she is scared or sick, or just waking up, she yells, "MOMMY". When she doesn't think about it, her first instinct is to reach for me. Yes, often she stops and says, "I WANT MY DADDY" or "YOU DON'T".

But I hold on to that instinctual yell for me. It reaffirms that I am doing OK, or maybe even better than OK. She knows I am here for her - even if she chooses to ask for her daddy. Which I think has a lot to do with just proving to me she can... and get away with it. And that is OK too.

My New Lens OR Christmas Exploded OR Close Ups OR Paparazzi Has NOTHING on Me

So I got a new lens for my D40, it does close ups and it rocks. And I am enjoying it like you wouldn't believe.

I think to say the girls were excited is an understatement, instead I will say that the Pony was a critical component to Santa's Success this year.

Aubrey with her Hannah Montana wig, her Sharpay Doll, her new outfit, and the pony.

The cutest turtles EVER!

This kid is funny!

And can be unbelievably sweet.

Everybody is tired from a long couple of days!

Love of my life.

Christmas Pictures

Happy Holidays! I love creating new traditions that come out of the personalities and group dynamics of the family we have built. But I also love the traditions that come from who I was before I was a wife a mother, when I was just "daughter" and "sister". The history and the excitement are a gift from the traditions my family created and I want that same thing for my kids.


Part of these traditions is forcing my children to get pictures taken for Christmas Cards and a picture with Santa every year.

Seriously had alot more to say but have been fighting with trying to post these pictures since 8am this morning... so hopefully I feel like talking soon :)

The Halls are Decked

Saturday morning we got up early an started cleaning out the toy room/living room to make room for a new tree. We got boxes and boxes and boxes of decorations from the attic and we went to it! The train table is set up the mantle is beautiful. And the tree is up, lights on it, waiting to be decorated. And to make it a truly magical day, there is snow.

Here are some pictures!

Here we are, at the tree farm... just 4 houses down from us! The place was packed! Apparently Saturday was a great day for tree getting.

Grandy and Max joined us. It was very special.

My girls, too cold to cooperate with a picture :)

Daddy is showing Grandy and the girls the Gunpowder River at the bottom of the hill.

Could this be our tree?
Or how about this one?

Apparently this tree hugged Aubrey BACK so this is the one we took home.

And honestly, every tree there was a keeper.

In the front window in front of the globe is the tree, the lights are up, and in the bay window to the right is our train table all lit up.

It really was a fun day. And while the kids were napping I finished addressing our Christmas Cards, in front of the fire, and then started a knitting project.

And at 7:20 this morning, Doug is plowing and salting, kids are playing with the train, I am blogging and drinking coffee. Doug is taking Aubrey to see The Wizard of Oz in DC with 2 other Daddies and their 4 yos. Molly and I are going to bake cookies and candy. I love this time of year!

Tear to My Eye

Last night during bed time chaos, Aubrey asked if she could give her sister a hug and kiss and sing her to sleep.

Molly was throwing a fit, but when we walked in she stopped. Aubrey helped her into bed, put the covers to Molly's chin, leaned down and kissed her, hugged her, and then stood by her bed - while Molly laid without moving - and sand her a made up song (a combination HSM Gabriella song with a couple christmas lyrics thrown in).

It was wonderfully sweet.