Trimming the Deller Tree

Matt's family has a yearly tradition. They get together and they trim the tree. This may not seem like a big deal-tons of families do it every year but I always fine great joy is being part of it. And now with Leah here, its even more fun.

But the best part of the whole thing is watching the entertainment. Matt and Lindsay. Quite a competitive pair of siblings. Compete over who has the most ornaments (Lindsay does), who has the best ornaments (Lindsay does), who is going to be placing them where on the tree (Matt tends to move Lindsay ornaments more than Lindsay moves his), who broke whose ornament (I suspect no one broke them, they break over time but its fun watching them blame one another), which ornament belongs to who, who won the Santa game the year before (I've lost track)...you get the point.

For the upcoming week Matt moves Lindsay's ornaments when she isn't around. Silly man.

This was my fifth year there, I missed last year because I was working at Qdoba at the time. But still its nuts, 5 Christmases with Matt. He of course denies it but I can count. I have five wonderful ornaments Matt's parents bought me to hang on the tree :)

Coolest thing about this year though was the fact Leah is big enough to help with the tree. And help she did.

Holiday Ramblings

It seems that Leah has at least found two things she enjoys about the holidays. One is snowmen, she likes snowmen, loves Frosty. The other is jingle bells. She loves the song and loves jingling bells.

Ask her about Santa and she will tell you- "I don't like Santa. I like snowmen."

She is too much, too funny. She is the light in our lives and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Leah's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,
I do not like you. I don't want anything for Christmas.

Thanks for the offer. But no thanks, I do not want to sit on your lap.

Leah

And if you don't believe it, here is proof she cannot stand the man.

modeling for mom

Every so often Leah just likes to have pictures taken of her. This was one of those times. My mom gets her some of the best outfits.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Leah says "Gobble Gobble". We had a busy Thanksgiving this year. Once again we had a wonderful, delicious dinner with all the trimmings at Grandma and Grandpa's. Ruth puts together a huge dinner flawlessly and perfectly every year. We are definitely grateful for that!

Leah played with her cousins Karen and David, hung out with her Great-Grandmother Bernice (AKA Nana), had some cuddling time with Lindsay and tons of kisses from Michelle (who I owe some empanadas), Helene (who's name Leah says so eloquently) and Gary (who from some reason she kept calling Marc). I guess she realized Marc wasn't there so she was making up for it.

Then it was time to eat and Leah was cranky so I took her downstairs to play and relax for a while, changed her diaper as well. Useless thing to do! I went upstairs to try and get some yummy food and Matt was with Leah...when Leah went and exploded all over herself. *sigh* Gotta love being a mom! Lindsay assisted me in getting Leah all cleaned, she got a bath and everything. Quite an eventful evening.

Afterwards we left in the pouring rain for the Bronx to visit with my family. We got to spend some time with Leilani, Keith and Kain. Kain is such a lovable and sweet boy. He gave us tons of hugs and kisses. He played very nicely with Leah. Together they danced the night away. Jenny and her boyfriend Edwin was also there. Jenny is Leilani's sister-in-law and one of our closest family friends. It was great to have everyone together. After we ate some more! We hung out and then headed back to Long Island.

I should've brought my camera but didn't so no pics of all of us together. Just means we have to get together again soon.

Leah's blog

For a bunch of reasons I am not going to list I am considering changing Leah's blog to a "friends only" blog. So if you received an invite, thats cause I want you reading this.

I may be moving the whole website to one of my domains, not sure yet. I will keep everyone posted.

Trick or Treat

Some pics of Leah & Matt from Halloween. Oh and one of us as a family-with a cameo from Delilah.

Birthday Brunch

Today we went to Four for brunch to celebrate Ruth's birthday.

The place is awesome. If you haven't been there-go! Great food, good drinks-lots of fun. Leah could have done without the weird bald guy on stilts but other than it was really nice.

Mom & Dad Party

Our family friend Amanda and her fiance Dave had their engagement party the weekend before Halloween. It was a costume theme/halloween theme and everyone dressed up, danced and had a great time.

It also marked the first night EVER that Leah spent the night away from Matt and me. I was sad. Really sad. Yes I know I go out after 11 and come home at 4am so I don't always spend the night with her but she is always with Matt if not with me, if not both of us. It was her first sleepover.

Ruth made it extra special by getting Leah her very own Elmo pjs and her very own Disney Princesses sheet set for Matt's old bed. Lindsay came over and they had an awesome night. It was a great night had by all. And Leah couldn't have been in better hands.

Here are pics of Matt and me, and some friends from the night. Matt is dancing!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

:) Today is Ruth's birthday. Unfortunately we were unable to wish her a happy birthday in person but we are all going out to a brunch at Four on Sunday :) And Leah is having her first official sleepover on Saturday.

Pretty exciting stuff right there

Our lil fairy

Leah loves to play dressup and I've been collecting some fantastic dress up costumes.

This one may be her Halloween costume or it may not be but she will get many hours of play out of it.







I know I am biased being she is my daughter and all but how could anyone believe this girl is not beautiful!!!!

Apples & Ketchup

Looking for a healthy alternative to hamburgers and fries at McDonalds?

Try Leah's combo of apple slices and ketchup!




I know what you are thinking "Well just cause she did it once doesn't mean she'd do it again..."

Well you are wrong. Cause she ate all six apple slices this way. I shouldn't talk, I put salt on mine...

I'm a hat girl

Oh a rasta girl, I have't quite figured it out yet but Leah loves this hat that her Nana Bernice made for her. She will never wear it in the cold but around the house-no problem.

More fairs

Later during the evening I talked Matt into driving over to Huntington for their street fair, well fair in the park.



We ate some yummy fair food. Arepas with cheese :) Leah ate nearly all of her arepa.

Street Fairs

I love street fairs, Matt cannot stand them. But every fall and spring he gets dragged to them.

I had a good time at the Farmingdale Street Fair. And I got some nice things for Leah's room. We went with Ruth and George. I enjoy these types of things with Matt's parents, especially his mom cause she seems to enjoy it as much as I do.

Some pics of course.



We found Leahland.

Off to the pumpkin patch

Today Kitti, Guy , Delilah, Leah and me all went to Schmitts Farm to pick pumpkins. It was a gorgeous fall day. The sky blue and the clouds wonderfully white. The girls had a great time running and climbing throughout the playground. Then it was off to pick pumpkins.

We all had a wonderful time. I love being able to share days and memories like today with Kitti, Guy and Delilah. I love that Leah is able to have Delilah in her life.

Pumpkin carving

After picking pumpkins Matt and Leah carved our first Halloween pumpkin together.

Beautiful Start To Autumn

Matt took us pumpkin picking today. It was an impromptu outing and we enjoyed every bit of it. Leah thought all the pumpkins in the same place was the best thing ever. She ate up the hayride, couldn't get enough of it.

Matt & Leah on hayride


Matt showing Leah how to pick the perfect pumpkin


Leah Spots A "Big One"

Butterflies Are In The Air

This is the time of year when Monarch butterflies hatch and fly around everywhere for about 2 weeks before they die. We have a lot of them around us. So I go with Leah outside and we try to catch them. We never do but she seems to enjoy it.

We got her a purple butterfly canopy for her bed.

She loves it.



Leah singng "No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed"

Leah after Bath

Leah wanted to have her towel tied around her the same wear I was wearing mine. She has been copying more off other people lately. Playing pretend more as well.

Lil Ms. Verbal

I cannot believe how much Leah talks and how much she says clearly. I was talking to other parents of 2 year olds today and of children in general. It seems Leah does possess a vocabulary and a use of verbage that is a bit above average for her age group. She also speaks in full sentences. She comprehends concepts she isnt techically supposed to know for another year. She is a cutie pie and smart too :)

Todays sentences included "Mommy is back. She is going to work later. Can I come?" and "Boumny where are you?!" and "Barry is here. I can go to class now."

Too cute.

Celebration Dinner

Helene and Gary-Matt's Aunt and her husband, hosted a dinner party for their daughter Jacquie's recent marriage.

Aunt Michelle & Cousin Karen


The Newlyweds


The Secret Behind Leah's Good Behavior-Bribery


Leah, Ruth, George...and Lindsay


Ruth & Leah

Birthday Party Pictures

Hey everyone! If you have any pics of Leah's birthday party could you send them my way? I only took like 4 pictures or something that day so I definitely need them :D

Thanks!

Guess Who's 2?

Happy Birthday Leah!

We went to the Bronx Zoo with Matt's parents to celebrate Leah's birthday. I took tons of pictures but haven't gotten a chance to upload them. Will do it after the weekend.

We had a great time!

My Lil Rocker

Leah has some awesome clothes. One of the latest additions to her ever increasing wardrobe was a cute rocker/punkeque outfit I got super-duper cheap at Denny's Childrenswear. Ever been in that store? You are lucky if you find a pair of leggings for less than 20 bucks. It is boutique children's clothes. A lot of it is tacky and ugly but they have one clothing line called Sister Sam that I have a love affair with. But they are crazy expensive. So I got to thinking, made some connections with people at my job and around town and guess what? Now I get some of their stuff super cheap :D

Here is Leah being a snob.



And here she is rocking out with Elmo.

Ms. Qdoba