january 29th - worth the wait
Daddy had to wait one extra day but the kids arrived today in London for a belated birthday celebration. They both did great on the plane and Alex was a big helper. He pushed some luggage all the way from baggage claim to arrivals hall...where he ran and gave daddy a big birthday hug. Lizzie and Daddy had the car all ready to go and our three tired Burgers got a nice snooze on our way to Uppingham. Once we got settled in we met Elsie for the first time...an instant best friend...Gemma doesn't typically share food. Lizzie made Daddy his favorite carrot cake and had some special helpers to blow out the candles.
january 28th - birthday express
Mommy has the kids all ready for their trip over the pond to celebrate daddy's birthday. The kids are packed and ready but...is mommy ready for the emotional roller coaster? They were both pretty good in the airport and excited about the plane ride. In-seat technology was especially exciting...and Alex did a full review of the aircraft's safety features.
january 27th - two year checkup
Gemma had a successful doctor visit for her two year exam. She was very pleasant and happy not to be receiving any shots. Daddy had to be beamed in over FaceTime to participate.
Height: 34.5 inches
Weight: 25 pounds
Head: 19.125 inches
january 26th - dude looks like a lady
Daddy leaves Alex at home with mommy and Gemma for 24 hours and this is what they do to him...or maybe he did it to himself. They went to the library today and Alex got some really cool books that he is excited about. He and Gemma also did some painting on a picture they made for Daddy.
january 25th - happy birthday jackie
The kids had a playdate with Lucy and Remy today...and celebrated Jackie's 30th birthday. Alex and GemGem helped make cupcakes last night and were cery excited to show Jackie and song happy birthday.
january 24th - princeton > philly >....london
The storm is over and now we figure out how to get out of the house. The kids were pumped to go out and play in the snow...at least Alex was...GemGem had enough after about two minutes. Apparently, 22 inches of snow is not fun when you are only 26 inches tall. We played for a while until Charlie came and dug out the driveway, then we were off to Philly. Our biggest concern was figuring out how we were going to park our car, but we think Bob was watching out for us. There was a spot right next to his front door when we got back. AMAZEBALLS.
Alex and Gemma got a little time outside at our house and even built a snowman (Alex "put the carrot on"). Our backyard was buried...took daddy a long time to get it cleaned up.
Daddy had to get home in time to get on a plane to London. Miraculously the flight is still running and on schedule.
january 23rd - blizzard of '16
The snow today is relentless and by early afternoon the accumulation is already more than 12 inches. The kids were begging to go outside all morning so we finally caved. It was fun for about four minutes and then mild hypothermia set in...all giggles from the kids. A touch of cabin fever led the kids to get creative...Alex was wearing a colander on his head while watching cartoons...Gemma was playing slip and slide on the counter. Sugar-filled hot chocolate = BAD IDEA.
january 22nd - bracing for the storm
We are at Beeps and Grandpa's preparing for the arrival of the blizzard of 2016. There have been updates all night about the storm starting to touch surrounding areas. The kids did their nightly dance party, which must have summoned the snowflakes. By the time they went to bed, we had some snow on the ground.
january 21st - man of many words
Alex had a fun week at school with all of his buddies. He is really starting to grow up with his experiences outside of our house. Lately we have been noticing that his vocabulary is changing and he comes out with some words and phrases that surprise us.
The other day he was spreading a blanket out to hide under it and Gemma came over and messed it up..."oh noooo, my whole night is RUINED!!!!"
Yesterday daddy, gemma, and alex were playing "hide and sneak" and it was Alex's turn to count...he says to daddy and gemma "ok, now you folks go hide."
Today he was struggling with something in the living room..."mooommm, I have a problem and I need help please."
january 19th - girl stuff
Gemma making the most of her birthday presents. She plays dress up all day now and pretends to paint her own nails...frightening.
january 18th - officially two
Gemma's "real" birthday fell on MLK day so mommy and daddy both had off to celebrate. She got her very own pink bike and helmet. She was super excited and HAD to wear her birthday dress again. Candle in her pancakes also mandatory.
We took the kids into the city (even though it was close to 0°) to check out a new sky deck observatory in liberty place. It just opened up on the 57th floor and we had not been for a visit yet. We got there a little early so the kids figured "why not have chocolate covered strawberries at 10am"...but not before a stop at the Sofitel to take care of Gemma's birthday dump. We tried to explain to Alex that mommy and daddy got married at that hotel, but all he could say was "why?"...perplexed.
The sky deck was really cool and the kids had fun running around...at least from what Alex can remember. He ran full speed into a window divider...TWICE...has to be some level of brain damage...I know I would not have gotten up that quickly.
We went for lunch in the city, the kids had world famous gelato, gemma made her own pizza for dinner with daddy, she blew out candles again, had two desserts, alex helped, mommy almost pooped her pants...GREAT DAY!!!
january 17th - day of rest
Sunday morning, post-party hangover started with breakfast at Hawthorne's with Gramps and Grandmum. Afterward, we came home and Gemma took her time opening her birthday presents. Most of which were dress up clothes, which she had to put on immediately...most things at the same time. At one point, she had three different dresses on simultaneously. In the afternoon, we got a light snow dusting and the kids were excited to get bundled up for a walk to whole foods with daddy. Alex and daddy "did snowballs"....snow was difficult to come by but we managed.
january 16th - gemma turns two
Mommy pulled off another amazing Shrek-inspired birthday party to celebrate our GemGem's special day. We had shrek mouths, mud chocolate, true love's kisses, and three little pigs in a blanket. We had tons of friends and cousins tohelp celebrate. Gemma did a great job blowing out her candles and playing pin the tail on donkey. Her little green dress was her favorite and she insisted she wear it for multiple days.
january 15th - remembering bob
This evening our neighbor and Alex and Gemma's buddy, Bob, passed away. Come spring, we are going to have to find a way to explain his absence. He has been a fixture in our neighborhood and will be missed. Our neighbor Mickey's explanantion of Bob...
For our neighborhood friends: Today we mourn the loss of the Mayor of Hutchinson St. Long time Bella Vista neighbors know Bob as the happy face that greeted everyone on the corner of Fitz & Hutch. Bob was a big presence on our little block...my young neighbor Alex said "Bob" before "mom"... and he was the force behind getting the neighbors together for block-party potlucks. When we speak of Philadelphia as a city of neighborhoods, it is someone like Bob who makes it so. Rest in peace Bob...none of us can yet imagine your empty stoop come Spring...
january 14th - preparation
Mommy is hard at work preparing all the finishing touches for Gemma's Shrek inspired 2nd birthday party. Tonight, mommy baked dozens of Gingy cookies for the kids to be able to take home with them as party favors. Alex was on quality control to make sure the Gingy's all looked exactly like mommy's nails...which stick with the theme.
Our little bag lady is getting so big. Her first few pairs of big girls undies arrived today...which she had to put on immediately...every pair.
january 13th - buds
Alex and Gems really love each other. They have even been taking turns checking out each others ears to make sure they are healthy.
january 11th - correspondence
Alex finally found the time in his busy schedule to sit down and write his thank you notes from christmas. He was especially pleased to get them done.
january 10th - play date
After a few weeks of attempts, we finally made it to Newtown to hang with the Dreby clan. Bit of a rainy day so Gemma had to accesorize for maximum comfort...and style. The kids had lots of fun playing and having lunch with Kyle and Lila. Gemma loved baby Sienna, but she was a bit to immobile to play. Alex did a little nighttime karate...."daddy take my picture doing karate."
january 9th - practice
Gemma spent the day practicing for future events. She started the day by putting on a bra and walking around the house this morning. We went to Garrett's 16th birthday party this evening back in Jersey where she insisted she help blow out the candles...a bit of a scrimmage for her upcoming birthday. Topped it off with a stroll around in some heels.
january 8th - struttin'
Alex rockin' his new Thomas pajamas. Pure pride...not at all self conscious about his buddah belly.
january 7th - work
Alex did some serious work making an edible creation at school today. He and his classmates made some Pete the Cat Groovy Snacks, which he was very excited about. About 45 minutes north there was some progress made on getting our house ready for demolition. Not actually ready, but activity...continuing foreplay before the real thing, which may eventually happen.
january 4th - worst day of the year
Daddy and GemGem are sick so they got good germy cuddle time in tonight. We built a new shelf in the basement to expand our organization capacity...Gemma took control of her cubes to ensure she got first choice.
Alex went back to school today and was very excited to see his friends. He gave his teacher a big hug when daddy dropped him off this morning.
january 3rd - staying classy
Alex and Gemma are holding strong on their New Year's resolution of having every meal by candlelight. This morning they dined on homemade waffles and cereal by the glow of two long stemmed candles. Alex and Daddy made a pot of chili before nap time so it would be ready for dinner. He was a big helper.
january 2nd - sicky saturday
We barely left the couch today, with exception of mommy who ran errands all morning like a boss.
january 1st - 2016 can only get better
We kicked off the year with 4 of 4 Burgers sick. Gems has the worst of it and she is not pleasant. We were supposed to take naps at Beeps' on our way to Newtown to hang out with the Dreby's but we had to call it off to prevent the spread. Alex did a little deer watching out of the window and Gemma learned to operate a digger, so the day wasn't a total waste.
december 31st - another year in the books
This year is officially over and the kids got to celebrate with their cousins at Uncle Gary and Aunt Charissa's house. We spent the night eating, drinking, and watching the kids run around in circles.
We had another very fortunate year and looking forward to 2016. In 2015:
We had another very fortunate year and looking forward to 2016. In 2015:
• Gemma learned to walk and talk. She also learned how to be a diva with an attitude problem:) She took her first international trip to Mexico and her inaugural OBX experience with the Burger squad.
• Alex started his first year of pre-school and really started bonding with his little sister. He went to the circus for the first time, ice skated for the first time, went bowling for the first time, touched the bottom of the pool, and peed standing up.
We ate lots of ice cream, Alex had a birthday on a TRAIN, visited Rhode Island, spent lots of time in Princeton, Daddy changed jobs, Mommy turned down a job, Emily joined our daily fun, and we bought a house....hopefully we will get to live in it in 2016!!
Some of Daddy's favorite memories/photos from the year:
We ate lots of ice cream, Alex had a birthday on a TRAIN, visited Rhode Island, spent lots of time in Princeton, Daddy changed jobs, Mommy turned down a job, Emily joined our daily fun, and we bought a house....hopefully we will get to live in it in 2016!!
Some of Daddy's favorite memories/photos from the year:
december 30th - remember philly?
Finally got some time today to run a few errands and stick around the town that we live in...spent the morning walking on walnut street with a stopover in rittenhouse square. We went to Jackie and Fred's house tonight for dinner. Alex was very specific that as soon as he walked in, he was going to play with the trains and the kitty cat. Gemma...babies. Very nice meal prepared by Fred and Alex got his "requested" pasta and meatballs. Jackie spoils him!
december 29th - always be prepared
Grandmom Burger came down for breakfast this morning so the kids could show off some of their new toys. Alex made her do lots of puzzles and legos. Daddy and Alex made a man fort in the basement this evening so we could have a slumber party (no girls allowed). He was super pumped to use his new flashlight at the campsite. He even brought it for a walk to pick up pizza at Santucci's around the corner.
december 28th - holiday traditions
We spent the day at home getting some quality time in with the kids new toys. Alex took a spin around the house in his new skates, while Gemma did daddy's hair. We are trying to break in their new headphones before our trip to the UK so they can watch movies on the plane...Gemma had a sensory overload situation going on at breakfast.
Beeps and Grandpa came to Philly for the annual Burger-Ruddy holiday celebration. Gems and Alex were big fans of the cheese plate. Lots of drinks, lots of laughs and a nice meal created by the help (daddy).
december 27th - sibling solidarity
Back to Jersey today for Ryleigh's birthday celebration, since she was selfish enough to hatch so close to Baby Jesus' special day. Alex and Gemma braced themselves for another trip over "the big bridge" to the other side of the Delaware. They had a really good time playing with all of Ryleigh's toys and her new doctor kit. If we knew then what we know now, they would have been wearing HazMat suits instead of pajamas to prevent infection.
december 26th - christmas continues
Believe it or not, there were still some unopened gifts under Beeps and Grandpa's tree. We spent the morning drinking coffee and watching the kids play with their presents...and opened some more. Alex got a ride-on digger and his "antique" car from Grandpa. He is very excited to get it home to put on his dresser with his antique mail truck.
Getting home this evening was like Christmas all over again because the kids got to rediscover their toys from santa. We played in the ice cream truck for hours...and Gems stripped all of her princesses.
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