After some significant intrusion for a couple days from a handful of people, we have blinds. No longer living in a fishbowl, on display for the viewing pleasure of every passerby. Pretty amazing the difference they make in our lives already. Worth every penny, but Gemma may not be able to go to college.
december 29th - burger/jordy/astbury day
We had a bit of a first cousin reunion with all of Daddy's family tonight at our house. Mommy did a great job with all of the food and everyone had a great time. Nothing broken and everyone still on speaking terms at the end of the night (mostly).
december 28th - simplification
Mommy has been prepping all day for our gathering so we stepped out for a quick dinner at Nomad with Beeps and Grandpa. We were able to sit outside under the heaters and the kids loved it.
december 27th - divide and conquer
Alex and Daddy went out shopping in Cherry Hill to get Alex a new winter jacket while Mommy, Gemma, and Beeps shopped in Princeton. Both highly effective operations. Alex even had his very first "fast food" burger from Wendy's while in transit. When he got home he told Mommy that he "drank soda."
december 26th - unexpected cheer
We had a last minute, unplanned (mostly) gathering at our house with our friends this afternoon. The Boyce, Stewart, and Angelucci clans came over for mid-day snacks, pizza, and beer. Alex and Gemma systematically hid the toys they were unwilling to share before the other kids showed up:)
december 25th - eeeeeee, it's christmas!
Alex wanted to go downstairs so badly this morning that he was in physical pain. Both he and Gemma were very pleased that Santa visited and brought their requested items....an aircraft carrier for Alex and a PINK stroller for Gemma.
Gemma got a black stroller, a new bike helmet, a princess umbrella, a big girl baby doll, and a ballerina outfit from Mommy and Daddy. She also got a new North Face jacket because she informed us that she is the only on in the family without a North Face jacket.
Alex got a big boy tool box (with REAL tools), a hess truck with a racecar, lots of cool legos, magniformers, a samsung tablet, and his very own safe. He also showed us how big he is getting when he opened his bathroom dixie cups from his stocking and put on his false face of appreciation. "Oh bathroom cups, just what I always wanted....thanks...I think."
Alex got Daddy a "D" ornament for the Christmas tree. Apparently, when he was shopping he was asking the woman at the store for a "D" ornament because he has an "A" ornament. The lady said, "well, what is your dad's name"...and Alex says, "his name is Daddy." He got mommy a very nice hand-blown glass heart ornament. What else from Mr. Christmas? Gemma got Mommy a nig oair of earring and necklace. She got Daddy a new set of tupperware because all he does is complain about our stuff:)
Brunch at Beeps and Grandpa's, which Beeps actually made, was delicious. Lots of presents, smiles, and laughs. The kids LOVED everything, but the winner for Gemma was her new "work" desk so she can "do work" in the office...sleeping bag is a close second. For Alex, legos, toy bow-and-arrow, and annual antique car from grandpa...he can't decide.
Christmas with the Burger cousins at Uncle Ryan's was much more relaxing this year due to quality control measures being enacted. Lots of fun with the kids and enjoying the nightcap of holiday cheer. Much fortune, much love.
december 24th - visions of sugar plums
Our first Christmas Eve in our new home getting prepared for a visit from the big guy. Gemma helped Daddy make some homemade pizzas for dinner...she mostly just ate cheese. We read Christmas stories, put our stockings up on the fireplace, and started a new tradition for Alex and Gemma to exchange their presents to each other. They were very excited to give each other the gifts they picked out.
Alex gave Gemma a Peppa Pig car that came with a Peppa and Mommy Pig. Gemma gave Alex a cargo plane lego kit, which we had to immediately assemble. The kids put out cookies and beer for Santa...and milk and pizza crust for the reindeer before heading off to bed...barely containing their excitement.
december 23rd - celebrations officially begin
Gramps and Grandmum are in town for a pre-Christmas celebration...and some time in Alex and Gemma's newly constructed fort in the living room. We have been reading lots of Christmas books this week and Gemma made her grandparents read through the list.
Gemma got a new mailbox with her very own key, Alex got a remote control batman transformer that refuses to be quiet, and they both got some animals donated in their names to provide food for "the people"....alex got a quarter of a goat...hopefully the good end. Gramps and Grandmum also got us some trees for our yard when the spring rolls around. Although, we will be making them come back to dig some holes!
Mommy and Daddy's new closet install was also finished today. Like a Christmas miracle. We celebrated the affair with too much food and tooooooo much wine, followed by Mommy's amazing cookies.
december 22nd - before and after
Mommy had wine night and daddy had a special project to complete. While all the girls sat inside, drank wine, and gossiped; daddy was outside until 1am in the 30° garage.
december 21st - little bakers
Alex and Gemma pitched in on Beeps' Christmas cookie baking today. They made soecial pizzelles and butter spritz cookies that were very delicious.
december 20th - alex the scholar
Alex is loving school and has really started to get comfortable with his teachers and all his new buds. He really loves the construction center, but also enjoys art. Every day he comes home with multiple pictures that he has drawn. All of them say "Alex" and "Daddy" on themπ...amazing to see how much he thinks about us while he is away at school. He is always very thoughtful to use everyone's favorite color when he draws us something. He is an amazing little boy and makes us proud every day.
december 19th - some decisions are permanent
Alex inspected mommy's belly button hole today. He was very curious as to why mommy has a hole in her tummy. He even found a surprise.
december 18th - jiggle the handle next time
Well, we went outside to take pictures this morning and locked oursekves out of the house. Had to wait for a locksmith to come let us in...Gemma was not happy. We were just lucky we had not started baking Christmas cookies yet. Woukd have royally sucked is we had a batch in the oven.
december 17th - SANTA!!!!!!!!!!
Third annual breakfast with the big guy at Sister Cities park in Philadelphia. We have been every year since it started so we are now getting special treatment. We had the best table right next to Saint Nick. The kids got dressed in their holiday gear to differentiate themselves so Santa remembers their requests. Alex asked for an aircraft carrier. Gemma asked for a pink stroller for her baby doll. We ran into Lucy, Remy, Benjamin, and Gustav at the breakfast, so the kids were really excited to see their old buddies.
Lots of fun. Magical morning watching the kids' faces. Even more magical because we were within earshot of Santa and heard what every kid asked for...this country may be in trouble. Mommy and Daddy were just glad to survive the trip down 95 in an ice storm.
december 16th - good intentions
Gemma dressed up in a very special holiday outfit for her Christmas party at school. Apparently, she had a little accident because when mommy and daddy arrived she was wearing the school spare jeans and sneakers...she looked like forest gump in a santa hat...perfect for holiday festivities. She got to do crafts with her friends and Miss Victoria was very liberal with the cupcakes. Gemma had lots of fun...especially when the sugar crossed the blood brain barrier.
december 15th - π lights π
Tonight, we went to hang with the Dreby clan in Newtown and had a special treat...the Shady Brook light show!!!!! When we told Alex that we were all going to sit in the same car and he didn't need a seat belt he almost blew a gasket. "This is gonna be so, so, so, so, so aweSOME!!!!!" Todd had a giant SUV rental so we all piled in, blasted some christmas tunes (basically Lila's 4 favorites on a continuous loop), and idled through the light show. We were driving so slow that we probably slowed down every driver for the rest of the week.
Alex was so excited for every single light, but we had a few proud moments. He was calling out the eiffel tower, the statue of liberty, and mount rushmore by name. Gave us all a geography lesson.
december 14th - daddy day
Mommy is in NYC today so it is party time at home. Daddy picked up the kids from school and we went out for pizza (and wine) at Nomad. Popcorn, 'Toy Story 3', and cuddling on the couch by the fire this evening. We will see if we can finish the whole movie...as long as they are in bed before Mommy opens the door...π
december 13th - getting crafty
Alex had his classroom christmas party today so Mommy and Daddy got to do some arts and crafts with him to celebrate the holiday season. Since we did not get our fill on christmas soirit, we cam home and made gingerbread houses. Gemma's was structurally compromised. She even said "oh, sh!t" when her roof started sliding off. Alex and Daddy's could withstand a category 5 hurricane.
december 11th - christmas spirit
Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast...one guess on who just picked out the chocolate. Gemma has had her heart set on getting her very own "small" christmas tree. She and Mommy went and found one today and she dragged it out all by herself. Daddy and Alex went shopping in town for Alex's gifts to Mommy and Gemma. Had some hot chocolate at Halo to plot out our strategy...then he picked everything out on his own.
december 10th - NYC
Alex and Gemma finally made it on their first trip to New York City. Alex has been to Europe four times but it has somehow taken us 4+ years to get the kid to the Big Apple. He has been telling everyone at school that he is going to New York City this weekend so saying he is excited would be an understatement. He was pumped for the train ride and kept telling Gemma to put her shoes on so we don't "miss our train."
Gemma sits down in the station and says "daddy, can I have my train ticket." It took a second to explain that we had them electronically. The conductor gave them their very own tickets...big smiles. We even got to ride the subway to the first stop of the day, Rockefeller Center. Alex's 4-yr old bucket list of seeing the christmas tree has been checked off. Gemma preferred the angels with twinkly lights.
We made at pitstop at 'Bibble & Sip' for the most amazing hot chocolate and cookies to warm up...absolutely freezing outside. Gemma's little hands were ice cubes. Walked through Times Square and did some shopping at the Christmas Village in Bryant Park. Alex was pleased with seeing "another very giant Christmas tree." Had a quick brunch before heading back to Princeton...Alex snoozed on Daddy and Gemma rambled on for an hour.
Alex's favorite part - the christmas tree, all the big buildings, and 3 train rides
Gemma's favorite part - riding in a warm taxi...but it didn't have a fan or a tv.
december 9th - rehab
We visited Uncle Gary tonight to keep him company after his knee surgery. He has been locked up inside for the last week and needed to see some adults...and drink a twelve pack. The kids had a great time watching movies in their pj's.
december 8th - sugar
Grandmom Burger came over tonight for some dinner, crafts, and baking. Gemma made a Santa and Alex made a reindeer...both very proud of their creation. We all ate an entire batch of christmas tree cookies.
december 7th - getting comfy
Gemma is warming up to the house and has found her favorite places to watch daniel tiger and read her eBooks to herself. May not be quite reading, but she does make up the words to the story and never. shuts. up.
december 6th - safety measures
Our move out of the city is now complete with our very own white picket fence...albeit only around our front porch. We are inching toward the finish line and a time when we aren't having morning coffee in our kitchen with construction workers.
december 5th - fire
At long last, the fireplace is in and churning out flames. The hole in the ceiling below is closed in and ready for paint. Surreal that we no longer have a hole. Kind of miss the piece of plywood...it has been with us for important moments. Gemma went pigtail. Alex completed his first homework assignment...with some help from Mommy.
december 4th - making sure santa can see us
Holiday decorating was a team effort at the Burger household. We had two santa claus/reindeer hybrid little elves to help us with the task. Gemma did a great job reading directions and an even better job making sure her single branch within her reach was well decorated. Alex (aka Mr. Christmas) was the best. He is so meticulous in decorating the tree and was reminiscing about every ornament. Who gave it to him, when, and where it came from...pure magic. Mommy managed to blow out 7 fuses since you can see our tree from outer space.
december 3rd - it's beginning to look a little like christmas
Alex and Gemma went with daddy to the hardware store to be big helpers...and to get toys. We went out to a farm in Plainsboro to pick out our Christmas tree. Mommy picked out a giant one that we actually had to shorten to get into the house...only about a half-inch to spare. We had lots of friends over for dinner tonight and the kids had a blast running around the house.
december 2nd - officially official
Hillary couldn't bust through the glass ceiling. Mommy prevailed.
december 1st - he's baaaack
Ralph the Elf is officially back and the month-long window of bribery and guilting the kids into good behavior has begun. This year, we have a countdown to Christmas that the kids are loving every morning.
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