It's a New Day...

Those were the first words Izzy said to me this morning, "Mommy, it's a new day!" Pretty sure she meant a new year, but I suppose it's all the same. A new day, a new year, a fresh start.

My mom has been in town since Wednesday and the girls have been having so much fun with their Grand Roo.

Last night we all headed over to our favorite neighbors' house for dinner; mom and the girls stayed for a few hours then walked home while the rest of us played poker and continued the ever-evolving who's-in-your-hot-tub discussion. Never a dull moment, I tell you, when you put a lawyer, a writer, a banker and a planner together in the same room!

Mike wanted to pretend we were at Prom...

While I wanted to pretend we were at our wedding. We're so mature, I know.

When the clock struck midnight we smooched, drank (more) champagne and set off fireworks that Matt has been wanting to set off for months. Loud fireworks. Ones that I didn't care if they woke up our girls across the street. Everyone played with sparklers while Jill and I tried to master our cameras in capturing the moment with a very slow shutter speed. Was fun experimenting!

Above is Eva and below is Mike (take note of his 8 year old excited face)

Matt trying his hand at it

Mom and the girls baked cookies, finger jello and mini pizzas while she was here. The girls love being in the kitchen with their Roo. They are wearing the smocks my sister and I wore when we were their age!

This loooong break we've been on has given me a lot of time with the littles, time needed especially to monitor some of Laney's behavior that we are concerned about. It's a long story, and I promise to blog about it soon, but until then we are seeing a specialist (pediatric neurologist) in the upcoming week and can't wait to find some answers to our questions.

Yesterday morning, NYE, I was able to join my most favorite girls, the Perfect Strangers for our final run of 2011. You can read Meggie's recap of it here. I'm going to go ahead and say meeting these women and training with them this year has been one of the most special things that has happened to me in 2011. To run with women that truly understand my passion and share in my crazy obsession in running long miles has been an amazing experience. To think, last summer (2010) I was running with Meggie on the trail, just the two of us. And here were are wrapping up 2011 with 13 of us tearing it up out there. I mean, we're not the fastest. But I know we're having the most fun out there. What other running group will dress up in their 80's apparel for a long run (in public)?! I donned a leotard for said run and these girls didn't even bat an eye (although many passerbyers did, trust me). I just love that I have formed a new group of friends that cheer each other on, lift each other up, listen to stories that last for miles, and love each other so much. So special.

The past year has been up, down and all around. I've found love (again), I've suffered loss, I've discovered a new group of friends, I've witnessed my two girls grow up into 4 and 2 year olds and I've learned a handful of life lessons along the way. I'm not perfect, far from it, but I've been doing a lot of self reflection this year and realize I'm just embarking on my journey through life. Lots to learn. Miles to go. Life to live.

Here's to a happy & healthy year ahead! Bring it on, 2012, bring it.

Christmas Adventures 2011

I don't even know where to start with this blog entry, as the past week has been such a whirlwind of travel, family, eating and being merry.The festivities were kick-started early last week when Nanny Natalie picked the girls up from school for a Christmas Tea Party:

 The girls made cookies,

 Drank real tea and a special meal,

 And even shared the tea party with their baby dolls. Apparently this is a family tradition with Natty to have a fancy tea party for the littles every year. So special that they wanted to pass that on to our girls.

 Miss Kay (and also Mr. Dave) have a special bond with the girls, which I talk about fondly often. They are almost like another set of grandparents. I simply adore how close all of them are. In fact, I shared the end-of-the-summer DVD Natalie made the girls with my mom and sister yesterday and everyone was in tears. The pictures and videos are evidence that they have such a special bond.

 We packed up the car last Friday for a few days in Ft. Wayne with Mike's dad. As soon as we enter their doors we sigh a breath of relief, as it's just so relaxing to be there and so at home. It's hard to explain, but we just all love being there. Every year Bob & Laura have all the family over for dinner, drinks and games. You never know who will pop in that night. And there are lots of us coming and going, as we all go to different church services. Just fun to have the constant ebb and flow of friends and family.

Speaking of church, every time the minister said the word "Jesus" during service, Laney would blurt out rather loudly, "JESUS!" Not really sure why, but none the less, it was comical. She and I had to leave the service near the end so we ran through the hallways back and forth. Until Laney discovered the life-sized nativity scene and wanted nothing more than to touch baby Jesus (I can't blame her, I mean, she is into babies this year). So that was fun trying to play baby Jesus' defensive line so as to not dismantle the entire scene. Talk about sweaty armpits!

Laney has taken a strong liking to being in the kitchen whenever anyone is cooking (Mike is happy that one of the ladies in the house has an interest!). Here she is helping Grandma Laura with some appetizers:

 A sister picture before church (yes, the girls wore these dresses last year, but we had another size up and they were just too cute not to wear again).

 One of the biggest tradition at Bob & Laura's house at Christmas is making pizzas. Bob makes the dough from scratch then we all make our own personal pizzas. The kids love it (and have their very own personalized chef's hats).

 The adults always do a white elephant exchange on xmas eve and we just laugh so hard at what we open. I'm sorry to say I didn't get a picture of the twins tee-peeing the house with the 5 rolls of register tape Mike gifted from his bank days. Too funny.

The girls made some reindeer food and put it outside, all while Mike made up some hilariously ridiculous chant about how the reindeer will find the food and Santa will deliver his presents. We all laughed so hard and the girls were in heaven doing their little reindeer food dance.

I also taught Izzy the art of present snooping & guessing. My Aunt Gail and I did this every year since I could remember: shaking, squeezing, guessing every present under the tree, even if it wasn't ours. Laura finds it funny that I do this and even has an ornament on the lower part of the tree that senses motion and goes off every time I get near the presents. Love it. Izzy and I both got a few of the presents correct...and Iz even got a little carried away and started opening one of her presents. Oops! And Kim reminded me of the year when we were kids that when our mom was gone we opened each others' presents then re-wrapped them. Guess the impatience in me has always been in my nature!

Another tradition (can you tell I LOVE traditions?!?!) we have during this holiday is Santa waking up everyone in the house on Christmas morning. I grew up with this same tradition: every family member sleeping at my grandparents' house in Michigan and Santa waking every one of us up with his jingle bells, sitting on his lap and getting a gift, snapping a few pictures then off he went to the other houses. My mom told me Grandpa Bruhn started this when Kim was a baby and continued it through my college years, even dressing up on the off years my sister and I spent xmas morning at my dad's house. The best memories of my childhood were these and I am elated that I can pass this tradition on to my girls.

This year I wizened up and took video of the wake-up call, as I never want to lose the magical memories. Anyways, as soon as Santa came into our room I turned to Laney said, "Santa's here, do you know what that means?" Thinking she'd reply with PRESENTS! But her response was, "I NICE!" Guess we've been drilling that into her all month with the Elf and all. Ha! Laney also kept asking where Bobo (Bob) was...so I had to keep diverting her to the mayhem that was ensuing in the living room with Santa.

 Izzy got exactly what she wanted from Santa, the entire set of Princess B.arbies!

 And Laney got a very special, restored antique bunk bed for her babies:

 With 15 people in the house it takes quite some time to get through presents. We take our time, taking breaks for breakfast and then open gifts one at a time in order of age. Love that it is drawn out and takes up half the day. Just special family time. Laney got tuckered out and had to watch a movie mid-way through to have some quiet time of her own:

 Another of the girls' favorite presents was a large doll house. They play with Natalie's and Bobo's doll houses so we knew this would be a hit!

 Some of my favorite gifts this year were a Ni.ke running hat (below), running mittens, new running tops and jackets, and several other marathon accessories. Like I said on FB, it's been a very marathon xmas for me and I LOVE it.

 Monday we drove up to Michigan to spend with my family (the Keels). One of Izzy's favorite presents was a "Merry-oke" that you sing into and it changes your voice into an elf's voice. So funny, even the adults have been using it!

 Think we like stripes?

 Tuesday evening my Grandfather, Aunt & Uncle joined us for dinner and we sat for hours reminiscing and chatting up a storm. My grandfather's long term memory is impeccable and I love asking him questions, having him recount his young adult life, young married life, new parent life and much more. Since his short term memory often fails him, I take advantage of the long term that I love hearing about. We found ourselves choked up at times and laughing at others. I simply love him so much and cherish our time together.

 Reading a book with Grandpa Tom

 Making cookies with Grandma Anna

 We drove back home to Indy on Wednesday in time to pick up my mom from the airport. Was a day of unpacking 6 days' worth of laundry and presents...I loathe that day, as I can't sit down until it's all washed and organized. Phew, glad that's behind me! Anyway, my sister and her kids also joined us and we have been baking (another 150 cake balls), playing games, going to the movies and creating obstacle courses in the living room for the girls. It's been a fun visit and I'm fairly certain the girls are having fun:

 Izzy & Taylor sporting their double french braids. These cousins are so close!

 And these sisters have taken to hugging and holding hands. But don't get me wrong, they still can wrestle with the best of them. We witnesses several of these matches over the last few days and I'm not kidding when I say that Laney wins. Every. Time. Hilarious.

That's all I have for now. Which was a lot. But I simply have to document the mundane details, as I have a horrible memory, and I want to remember everything. Every. Single. Thing. Still have off until Tuesday, and boy am I ready for more of this quality time. Next up? A long run with my running sisters and NYE with good friends. I'm loving this long vaca!

ps-Don't worry, I have already cleared it with Santa and he will definitely be coming to Florida with us next year. And so will all the pizza fixin's. Hear that? That's me sighing in relief :)

A trip to the dentist & Running in beards...

Izzy has been to the dentist twice before. Both times she was too scared to sit in the "big girl" chair to have her teeth examined & cleaned. This time? She hopped right up into that chair, was lifted up, put on her sunnies, and allowed the hygienist to apply "fairy dust" to her teeth. She even got a few x-rays. All without a whine or a tear. She didn't need me. At all. I was so impressed with her bravery and I didn't even have to give her a pep-talk beforehand. She did it. All by herself. Maybe it was the help of her 6 accessories she chose that morning:

 Notice the garter belt she's donning on her wrist. Thanks to a particular Bridal Bunny she received last year when she was a flower girl in cousin Tim's wedding, she now thinks that is a bracelet. I do get some funny looks. But most moms of daughters look at me and smile. We know you cannot argue with a 4 year old who wants to accessorize. You just can't harness that creativity.

 Saturday morning (after a 7am sleep-in, which I feel is comparable to a noon o'clock wake up!) we had babysitters at our door at 7:30 while Mike and I trekked downtown for a festive Santa Hu.stle 5k with my Back on My Fe.et buddies. This wasn't any ordinary 5k. Rather, with our registration came a technical Santa shirt, a Santa hat and a Santa beard. Sounds like fun, right? You bet it was!

 Typically wearing the race shirt on race day is a bit of a runner faux pas; however, it was required at this race and made for an interesting time finding your party or your friend. Everyone looked alike. And everyone was having just as much fun as we were. The beards initially were a bit awkward, I was getting the pieces of "hair" in my mouth. Beth found that she was going to have a hard time spitting with it on. But we all quickly learned that it was keeping us warm! I had mine on until about a mile in and needed to cool off.

 We lined up along the White River and the scene was awesome...thousands of Santas ready to run!

 This was such a fun race and one I can see doing every year. Along the course were Elves manning water stations and candy stations. Cookies, candy canes and M&Ms were part of our fuel being handed out. Holiday music was piped in at the start and finish. Two reindeer were on hand. And we could get our pictures taken on Santa's sleigh. So much fun. Post race Mike and I took advantage of the sitters at home and spent a few hours at a pub to warm up. We didn't even get funny looks wearing our costumes into the bar (our sitters, on the other hand, did).

I did some holiday baking over the weekend; made a large batch of my favorite Scotcharoos and a double batch (150) of cake balls. Ready for our travels so I can stop eating these in the house and start sharing them with family!

 We left the warm cozy of our house to enjoy a few hours of swimming...

It's going to be a busy week - holiday parties, a special tea party with Natty & Granny Panties, traveling to the Fort and Michigan, and coming home with my mom and sister in tow. Let the fun begin!

Little of this, little of that...

Not too much is new in the McCulloch house these days. Busy with last minute shopping, crafting, wrapping, and baking. My body is so run down from the past 8 weeks (read: ear infection, marathon, wisdom teeth removal, and now the holidays) that I'm sick. Yet again. So that makes for a fun December.

Both girls are getting very excited for Santa's arrival next week. However. Laney has been a touch naughty. Or a lot. Let's just say it was perfect timing when my cousin sent me this to help get Bug back onto Santa's nice list. If you have small children, you must sign up for this. Izzy was on the nice list and Laney was on the naughty list. Judge away. I'm not mean. I could have checked every. Single. Reason for her to be on that list. Unfortunately they only allowed me to select one. Hmph.

On a lighter note, we saw this outside our back yard last weekend:

 Some of our close friends invited us over for breakfast and we decided it would be more fun if we were in our jammers. Turns out we had so much fun that we want to make a tradition of it. If you hadn't already caught on, I'm a freak for traditions.

 All jammed out

 Mike was at a business meeting tonight, so the girls and I did some baking followed up with some dancing by the light of the tree. Slow dancing to Dave Ma.thews' Crash with my girls on my hips was enough to make my cup run over. That is, until the girls actually touched ("She's touching me!") and then it turned into bedtime.

 A few phone pictures...this one I felt like Izzy looked so grown up:

 We did some bouncing at Mo.nkey Joe's to celebrate a classmate's birthday. I flew solo with both girls and promise I will never do that again. Izzy nearly broke her neck coming off of a bouncer. Then she peed in her pants. Thankfully there was a pair of spare undies in the diaper bag (thank you baby Minnie Mouse for coming to the rescue!). Laney kept on asking for Natty (she brought them there several times over the summer) and cried when I told her Natty was at IU. That trip wore me out and I'll be happy if I never go back. For reals.

 The daily dress-up. I could make an entire photo book out of the pictures I have like this.

And a self portrait before we started baking. Izzy insisted on wearing our aprons. I obliged. Only to realize she had worn hers several times before and mine still had creases in it from being folded up in its package. Maybe that just means I don't mind getting messy in the kitchen. Yeah, I don't buy that one either.