For Christmas, Grandma Patty and Grandpa John gifted us tickets to see Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove. So, on a Saturday afternoon, following a birthday party Abby attended, we decided to make an afternoon of our trip. But, not before we jaunted down the street for a quick crepe for lunch. We detoured a few miles out of way in Newark, NJ, to spot The Statue of Liberty from a different point of view. That Lady never disappoints, and our ladies loved the little (though freezing) excursion. 

The show was so much fun. Abby sat on the edge of her seat, captivated, and totally excited the entire time. Watching her, watch the show, was enchanting. She is at the perfect age for the magic of Disney. Evalyn liked the show for three minutes, loved the popcorn for 15, and then spent the rest of the time running up and down the foyer, entertaining the ushers. 

But, really, viewing anything through your child's eyes is so much more enjoyable. Abby is still talking about Rapunzel smacking Eugene with frying pan, and Jessie waving right at her. 

Definitely a thrilling, but exhausting way to spend a Saturday in January. 

^^Abby wrapped up her career as Nursery Avoider and stepped on up to Sunbeams. Which she loves. My baby just keeps getting bigger. I hate it and I love it. Such is motherhood, I think. 

And here we are, at the end of January al-stinking-ready! How? I mean, just, how? 

Anyway, January flew past, so many changes, so many long days, and so much stress, but it's come and gone that fast! (I snapped there, "that fast" *snap* but it's not quite as effective over text, is it?) 

These girls, they keeps me on my toes, always keep me laughing (sometimes crying), and apparently taking way too many pictures. I'll over share now, shall I?

^^Evalyn is a string bean. She likes to nurse, but doesn't so much like food in any other form. Except popcorn. And popcorn with chocolate. Pile on the calories, kid. I'll make popcorn every night if it means her pediatrician will quit giving me the side eye and accuse me of being a bad mother (I know that's what he's thinking). 

^^Evie's also in that stage where she has to sit on everything. The heater, squat and sit. The stairs, can't walk by without a quick seat. That is, until she is supposed to be sitting. Like during church. Then she wants to dance, jump, and run. 

^^Abby has always had a promising career as a ballerina. One day, though her parents strongly told her to stop practicing her spinning, she was insistently spinning for an extended period of time and fell nose first into the edge of the end table. It was ugly, blood, lots of tears, a call to the pediatrician (oh, the judgement - it gets worse later this month, but that's a story for later) who assured us not to freak out. Needless to say, she got whatever she wanted for 24 hours, and then we were back to reality, and everyone thought we punched her in the face. 

She is still talking about her ballerina career with high hopes. "Sometimes ballerinas fall down, Mom," she assures me. 

^^cold mornings in an old apartment 

^^This psycho in her last month of babydom

^^all the legos all day everyday. i'm starting to hate them. 

^^we both read this book this month. and then went through our apartment like psycho people for two weeks. So many trips to Goodwill, and I still feel like I'm not done. But, I feel so much better. Read it. 

^^loved this real life post from another mom on social media

^^result of the book

^^I snapped this picture to send to my mom. Proof that I am, in fact, turning into her. I spent the evening sorting clothes to store for the girls (too small, too big), something I remember my mom doing all the time (you have to with seven kids!). Oh the appreciation I have for that woman. 

^^the monkey is out of control, and nothing is beyond her. Between her, and her sister, the side table now lives on its side (until people come over, then we put it up on its legs and pretend to be normal human beings). 

^^Abby went to a birthday party for a girl in her class. It was adorable. I couldn't pass up the opportnity to snap this picture of the three girls in their class (to seven boys). Abby talks about them constantly. Also note, the age goes from oldest to youngest (left to right). 

^^One day, I felt it a good idea to tell Dustin I wanted to go to Ikea, and that it would make me really happy if we all went together. He had the day off, and it seemed like a fun thing to do. Ha! Tears were had all around (at least the female members of the family). But, we stopped and had the best pizza on the way home (Pepe's!) and it helped. A little. 

^^she is finally, kind of, sort of, getting interested in books! Yay! 

^^One day, at preschool pickup, Evalyn watched as the kids streamed down the hall. I kid you not, she ran (in her own special way) straight to Abby, and Abby promptly dropped to the floor to scoop her up in a hug. It didn't last long, but man, my momma heart burst open right there. I died. Really. 

^^Storm Jonas paid a little bit of a visit to our neck of the woods. Just enough for things to shut down, and us to stay hunkered down inside for the weekend. We did everything from Duplo building competitions to naps (I took two! And one of them was with Evie snuggled next to me. I've never been so proud to feel so guilty in my parenting life!). By the end of the weekend we were a little stir crazy, but warm and safe. So, that counts for something!

I was so sad to say goodbye to 2015, because, like we've established, I'm a walking cliche. But, 2015 was a big year for us. We became a family of four, and Evalyn had literally been a highlight in all of our lives. She is crazy, and wild, and a baby tornado always on the move. Abby grew so much in 2015 (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Our move to Darien from Norwalk was the best decision, and I'm sure the reason we are where we are is for Abby's preschool program. Dustin's new job opportunity  opens up so many doors for him in the future and we couldn't be more grateful for his short commute (a quick walk around the corner - how many east coasters can say that?). I spend the majority of the year batting post partum depression and sky rocketing anxiety. Watching this take a toll on my family only made the situation worse, but, like with anything (and as Bob says): baby steps. Our trips home were savored, and family trips here were appreciated more than anyone will ever know. Our year was filled to the brim with emotions of happiness, sadness, excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and so much gratitude. Here's to 2016, we'll see if you stand a chance. 

We quickly  made plans last minute with a few friends to spend the last day of 2015 indulging in extra carbs and sugar, and just hanging out. With children, New Year's Eve is never the same. Around 7:30 pm we found a countdown on Netflix, had the kids make some noise (always controversial with Abby), and called it a successful party (since it's about as hard as we party these days). Of course, we had to drag Abby out, kicking and screaming (you're just too much fun, Reimann's! I blame you.) 

And, by golly, she did! Like always, she brought everything Santa forgot and probably a couple of extras too. 

The anticipation leading  up to Christmas was nearly unbearable with Abby. Many tantrums were thrown multiple times a day when she repeatedly realized that it was not Christmas Day. Consequently, many threats were made to call Santa and uninvite him to our house. But, the jolly old man decided to look past the poor behavior and spoil the child(ren) anyway. 

Rewind to Christmas Eve. This year, with crazy changes looming, anxiety, and two children going crazy after coming back from vacation in Idaho, I vetoed a big Christmas Eve dinner and implemented the new tradition of take out pizza and Diet Coke on Christmas Eve. #classy After we indulged, we piled in the car to sing carols with people of all faiths in New Canaan. We caught the tail end, but I'm chalking that up to tradition as long as we are in the area as well. 

We were up bright and early Christmas  morning (obviously). Evalyn was a little dazed, and settled on things like chapstick, empty cups, and the wrapping paper. Abby tore through everyone's gifts, and was equally grateful and surprised for everything. Her favorite: Legos. No surprise there, though. 

Santa brought his usual table full of treats, and I made traditional orange rolls for breakfast. Then, with a lazy day ahead and no plans, we hit a movie in the early afternoon with the girls. Evalyn made a game of how many times she could get us to take her into the hall, and Abby sat fascinated with the movie. 

We Skyped Uncle Kendon, played more Legos, and then took a walk (sans coats!), in the balmy 50+ degree weather, down to Dunkin' Donuts for a late night treat. We wrapped the day a little heavier, and little happier, and so, so grateful.