Here's the Diehl

Somehow we managed to keep Santa Claus alive yet again. I keep thinking that Julia will figure it all out just by noticing how we wrap gifts in the same wrapping paper as "Santa." Too smart. What to do? Buy special Santa paper and keep it in the trunk til Christmas Eve and then go crazy wrapping until after midnight. I half expected Julia to come downstairs while we carried all this up to put under the tree. We were safe though. And the girls woke up to a delight of gifts. We had a lovely morning with chocolate croissants and mimosas. Not sure we've ever drank through Prosecco that quickly. Hot coffee and then some egg casserole (which was terrible, I hate that). The rumpus continued at Nana's house that afternoon with more gifts, including Bitty Baby and another doll for Schuyler too. Bitty Baby has been by Julia's side every day. Schuyler has a whole new wardrobe and she loves caring for the babies. We are so lucky to have such happy girls...and we look forward...

The annual Diehl family Christmas was upon us once again. We packed up our sleigh and headed to PA for some fun with siblings, cousins and grandparents. It was a whirlwind...I think because Julia and Lila are old enough to get the concept of presents and so it all just went down so fast. The girls were incredibly patient while the boys went off and has their own pre-holiday celebration...at a brewery. Apparently girls were not invited (who can  blame them with so many girls running around!). Fortunately, they came back with some suds to keep us smiling. I did notice that I completely neglected group shots this year. I guess it really all just did race by. We had a great time exchanging gifts and sharing stories. The idea of next year, with four girls screeching with delight is fantastic, and terrifying. Good thing we have a long time and much to do between now and next December. "No one's taking MY baby!"

Evenings are feeling like Groundhog Day, the movie. Every night we are at the table making cookies. Decorating cookies. Rolling dough. Shaping stars. Fortunately, I have my little helper elf, Julia, who has become a pro at rolling, cutting, sprinkling, coating..... and eating. Lots of sugar rushing.

How did it happen? Julia went from being a Munchkin star to a Wizard Tree and how, our third and final Abra Christmas Show with her, she's the Special Innkeeper. Special Innkeeper, you ask? Yes, I too thought perhaps Julia had some sort of stubborn tantrum and the teachers gave her a special role to compromise. But, no. It's an actual role! The BIGGEST speaking role. She had several lines that she had to memorize and....she memorized it in less than ONE DAY. Incredible. Of course, then we were reminded of the utter stage fright she had as a Munchkin. The teacher had to literally drag her into the church and onto the stage. Butterflies grew in my stomach thinking about it. What if she got scared? Cool as a cucumber. She got up there. Listened to the play. Was only slightly distracted by the giant baskets of toys for needy children that lay stage left (which we learned the next day at school from the teachers). When it was time for the special innkeeper to offer Joseph and ...

Julia finished her second semester (yes, the classes went that long) of ballet this week. And, finally, there was a performance to show parents what goes on behind closed doors. This particular dance center does not have an open door policy, nor can parents watch class through a windowed waiting room with TVs. Ms,.Mary, the teacher, is all business and keeps them in line in her studio. Of course, as it is with 4 year-olds, when asked "what did you learn"...."I don't know" is always the answer. So it was fun to see the fruits of our labor of weekly classes. Enjoy!

Schuyler likes to wander about the house, looking for trouble. She likes it even more when she gets to carry a phone around. She is slowly figuring out how to work things. Here she does a little IT work and finally figures out the music player.

What life is like with Schuyler when we work from home.  

Nothing like a little Christmas music, courtesy of the doll house Christmas tree, to get these gals in the spirit. Schuyler is even sporting her Santa belly.

We hosted Thanksgiving. It was a fond farewell to our kitchen that is about to be bulldozed. It was one day where I could say "I hate this stove. I hate this dishwasher. I hate this fridge. I hate this cabinet" and Brian let me off easy since, although we didn't really try and burn down the kitchen, we wouldn't have been upset if it had happened. Besides saying farewell to our dollhouse-sized cooking center, we had a bunch of turkeys come visit. Our Cape Cod cousins and my big brother, who annoyingly is ten years older than me and looks younger. Must be that salty ocean air. Another reason for a beach house (a-hem). Or a beach vacation. Dave, Paula, Alex and Annalisa came to visit and helped us cook a giant Thanksgiving feast for Nana and Grandpa. The day started with a 5-mile turkey chase (I sat this one out and felt horribly guilty). Alex got third place and quietly took home a cash prize! Brian, Dave and Paula also ran while Annalisa, Jules and Schuy and I chee...