Christmas Vacation

Nothing like getting out of our ho-hum routine over Christmas vacation. We brought along Caden to our gym playdate with Ruby and Sophia. A double date playdate, if you will. I was the boy mom chaperone while Miss Leslie enjoyed an alone morning with newborn baby Mason. It was fun for Miller to have a friend passenger in the car to chat with. Check out their identical car seats...too cute!.

One of the joys of Christmas break was special one on one time with my little man and his friends. We loved having Landon home for family time and Miller and I enjoyed a few mornings together meeting friends and mommies out. We loved our time at Champion Kids.

The kiddos worked the cabin fever blues out of their systems. Nothing like moving and shaking to beat off the winter woes of being stuck inside all day. Between Tarzan style moves on the rope swing, inflatables and foam pit, all were quite entertained.

Our second big adventure was attending Rudolph together at the Puppetry Arts Center with friends. After purchasing the DVD at the beginning of December, Miller has been hooked on spotting his furry friend with the light up nose everywhere we go.

Miller was drawn in and entertained by the puppets for the first 30 minutes or so on my lap. Then it was up and down and squirmy wormy from there on out. I enjoyed myself though. Each time the abominable snow man appeared, Miller was at full on attention. What is it about that scary creature that commands such attention?

Big bird was a friendly puppet that greeted us in the museum. It was fun to walk around and see all the exhibits. Little did this mom know that taking pictures of the puppets is not allowed. I was kindly reprimanded after this shot...oops!
Sometimes I get too camera snappy to notice any signs.

Another highlight after the show was making our very own marionette Rudolph for memory sake. This was mostly a mommy craft with two many steps for a three year old to follow. Miller did enjoy hunting for that special nose to glue on his puppet friend. Loving our time together!

New Wheels

"Look ma! No hands!" We've got a driver in training around here. Once the snow melted, we were able to give our new wheels a quick spin around the block. I learned a very important lesson with our little man...he needs a driving school intervention. Swerved steering, scraped rims on the curb, no hands on the steering wheel, and standing up sent this momma into safety mode. All jokes aside, all Miller needed was some coaching on steering. A few tips on how to keep his eyes on the road was encouraged as well. He sure does keep a look out for cars though. This momma hawk appreciates that. Fortunately, he's eager to learn and listens to Landon's coaching while he is driving.

This wee one is along for the ride in her new push along buggy. She loved the view and all the sights and sounds from her new ride. The best part about it is that I'm in control of where she goes!

We even caught glimpses of a grin on our afternoon stroll. She keeps her eyes on big brother most of the time. Oh how he entertains her!

Remember that keep your eyes on the road tip...yeah, that went out the window in this picture. Once Miller passes his driving test, we'll allow little sister to be his first passenger. We've got a lot of work to do before that!

First Snow

What a gift to experience Eliza Kate's first snow on Christmas Day. It wasn't until the following afternoon that we were able to brave the icy cold weather and get out to touch the snow. Our snow princess had three warm layers on in addition to her fatty blubber to protect her from the elements. One day she's going to really resent all the references to her girlish figure.
The only thing we weren't prepared for was footwear. I usually don't squeeze her marshmallow feet into shoes. Luckily, I found some hand me down keds to squeeze into. These worked out perfectly. Afterall, we were just in and out to take a picture. Southern Belles aren't usually prepared for such an occasion as snow. Eliza Kate finally reached out and touched the white blanket around her. She wasn't quite prepared for the sting on her little fingers.

Little man was all geared up and ready for his adventures with the neighbors. Snowball fights, chasing, and sledding with boogy boards were all on the agenda. Too bad his fleece mits did a sorry job of protecting his hands.

Muah! Loving all of our firsts with baby girl. She sure does make life a lot of fun!

Holly Jolly Christmas

These images complete our wonderful feeling of a Holly Jolly Christmas. It was a memorable, fun filled Christmas season at our house. A special first Christmas for the little miss, and a magical holiday for our little man as he finally experienced the wonder of anticipating Santa Claus.

Omi and Papa joined us a few days before Christmas to ring in the festivities in Atlanta. We were fortunate to have the whole family with us at the traditional Johnson Ferry's Christmas Eve candlelight service. After a party in BridgeMill with friends that feel like family, we headed home to get the kids all snug in their beds. It was a team effort after bedtime to assemble all the toys. Santa's workshop is hard work!

The joy on the kiddos faces is sure worth all the planning, wrapping and assembling. Miller was awe struck by Santa fulfilling his request for a motorized Publix truck. It's amazing how that happens.The little darlin was content with her pink push al0ng buggy and musical table. Big brother lived in his until he was 2 1/2. Sweet EK bounced up and down in the seat and wouldn't take her hands off the wheel. Papa carted her around the house for a Christmas Day Parade.

Nothing like little sister testing out your new big wheel. She's our little biker chick in training.A big highlight of the morning was watching Miller discover Santa's secret hiding place in the garage. His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he discovered his own set of wheels, a Cadillac Escalade.
He now has transportation for his first date on the block! Miller needs his learning permit to conquer the rules on our street.

Miller continued his tradition of being Santa's helper and opening everyone's gift. He's so cute when he marvels at what you open sharing in your joy.

The second unwrapping celebration was at Grandmama and Poppy's mid morning with Uncle Clay. More presents awaited for Miller and Eliza Kate's enjoyment.

What a gift this girly has already been to us this year. She's our Christmas gift that keeps on giving complete with a bow on top.

EK would have been content with tissue and wrapping paper as her gift on Christmas morning.

The men loved playing with Uncle Clay's gift, Criss Cross Crash. It was entertaining to see who could keep adding cars to the motorized track without crashing them.

The icing on the cake was a white Christmas! What a gift from God to see the falling flakes outside the window on Christmas afternoon. It definitely added to the coziness of our Christmas Day dinner. It was a view to behold that looked just like a Christmas card. It's been over 100 years in Atlanta since we've experienced snow of December 25th. It was perfect timing for our sweet thing's first Christmas. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Oh Christmas Tree

Ode to Oh Christmas Tree

(based on actual events)

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Thy lights are so not blinking!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Why are thy lights not blinking?

On the box they blink real clear and bright,

But on the tree no blink in sight,

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Thy lights are STILL not blinking!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Mommy matched our jammies look and see

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

These gifts beneath will fill with glee

A big wheel for one who can be a stink

The other looks so pretty in pink

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Thy Chinese craftmanship impress me

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Our children's gifts spread under thee

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

The hours spent assembling these!

Who puts instructions solely in French?

I studied Spanish so I felt like a Grinch

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

At least my babies smiles assuaged me!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree
Our kitty thinks it's just for he
O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree
Your like cat nip that's all for me
I paw and bat your ornaments
'Cause that's a feline sacrament
O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree
How lovely my master has decked thee

Composed by: Daddy

Gingerbread House 2010

Presenting the Fokens' family gingerbread house established December 2010. We've learned a lot since our first construction together last year. Our big Ah-ha was constructing the house several hours before decoration time. The frosting needs time to set. We needed a firmer foundation to hang our candies on. This year, I was master builder during naptime.


What a difference a year makes. Our exterior designer had big plans for his house. It was all business putting just the right touches on his house. Miller had specific ideas about candy placement and just where I should squeeze the frosting. There were sprinkles, gumballs, M&M's, peppermint rounds, gumdrops and candy canes. Miller was like a kid in a candy store giddy with excitement.

I did give Miller my unsolicited opinion about the front of the house. After all, we wanted curb appeal for all our onlookers swinging by for Christmas. I ,of course, ran this by our master designer to get his OK. He liked my ideas!

When Landon had an idea about alternating colors of the gumballs on the roof, he was quickly shut down by Miller saying, "This is my creation, daddy." Who can argue with that?

I handled most of the glue like frosting. It didn't taste that good, but wow did it ever hold like glue. I was really impressed with our Target kit. I'll be purchasing this one again in future years.

Decorating takes intense concentration.

The little miss got in on all the action too after her late evening nap. Landon was too busy giving her his own sugar to have time for pictures. He is quite smitten with our littlest one. It won't be long before we'll have a his and hers gingerbread house. Sweet thing will be begging us for candy next year!

I had to laugh when Eliza Kate started reaching for the bowls of candy. Miller promptly removed her hand and said, "Na Na Na Na No!" Where has he heard this alliterative string of No's before? It sounded like an echo of me in the room.

Such a fun filled family night! We're loving our Christmas traditions.

Seven Months

Sweet, sweet Eliza Kate has reached the seven month mark. (I'm posting a little late...tis' the season) This month brought lots of cha-cha-cha-changes for our wee one. The little miss is now completely weaned and loving her Dr. Brown bottles. This has brought about more independence for Eliza Kate and mommy (sniff, sniff)
Our nicknames include: Lizzy Cat, princi pesa, and The Cake which originated from cousin Annalisa thinking her name was Eliza Cake.

Here's our day to day:

When she rises and shines each morning at 7:30, Eliza Kate downs 8 ounces of formula. We Follow it up by oatmeal with mixed fruit. Big brother likes to feed her a couple bites during breakfast. We love having the company of little sister in her high chair. I barely make it home from carpool in time to give this girly girl her beauty sleep. She awakes at 11:00ish eagerly awaiting another 8 ounces. After picking Miller up from school, we all eat our lunch together. I typically give EK another 2 ounces of pureed fruit. She's loving frothed bananas from the Cuisinart. It's a stretch to keep her up past 1:30 when she's ready for her afternoon sleepy time.

At 3:30, sweet thing gulps down another 8 ounces. Her favorite solids at dinner are homemade sweet potatoes, pureed sweet peas, prunes with apples or carrots. She's quite the eater! Our last bottle of the day is usually around 7:00 followed by a bath and then night night time.

At seven months, she's been fickle about her early evening cat nap. It's hit or miss depending on what time she wakes up from her nap.

She has many favorites: opening and closing drawers, light up toys, tickle games, chasing Miller around the house with daddy, thumb sucking, linky toys, peek- a- boo games and clapping to name a few.

On her list of not-so-favorites is tummy time, but we're exercising and pushing through the uncomfortableness of laying on the big ole belly. She's gaining in strength each day. Her latest trick is laying on her belly from a sitting position. This usually happens when she's grasping for a toy just out of reach.

Eliza Kate's hair has really come in all over this month. Her bald patch in the back has just about grown in. I really think her dark hair is here to stay. Sweet fly away wispy wings are appearing above her ears. We just might have to trim those up a bit before they're unruly. Her rolls are to.die.for. We bury our faces in her rubber banded legs and raspberry them like crazy. Oh the goodness of sweet baby fat.
She can finally fit into some shoes now that her feet have lost weight. Those marshmallow fat pads were hard to squeeze into anything before this month. We celebrated with classic, Patton leather Mary Janes-size 3. Eliza Kate is sporting size 12 month clothes and dresses. She surely feels like a one year old when you pick her up. At 22 pounds, this momma's arm gets a workout.

She's making new jibber jabber sounds to add to her repertoire. Mostly consonant vowels like gagaga and even dadada. Landon's been practicing the dadada in hopes that dadda will be her first word. Eliza Kate's voice and laugh have a dainty ring to them. Everything about you sweet girl is just a little softer and feminine.

The countdown is on little miss for your first Christmas. You'll be our little Christmas Angel. We're just a little excited around here!

Performance Debut

We've been wrapped up in Christmas festivities around here. Miller's highly anticipated Christmas performance and party was this week. Omi came into town especially for Miller's big preschool music debut. Of course, we brought along the whole entourage. With Grandmama, Poppy, Landon, Mommy, and Eliza Kate, Miller had his own fan club. If only, we made t-shirts.

However, we did not need t-shirts to be noticed. At first peek of me in the line, Miller ran across the room to make a grand announcement "My mommy's here!" All the children greeted their mommies and daddies with waves and hellos on the risers before the first song. If that wasn't enough animated entertainment, he hopped across the stage in between songs to inform me that he had a gift waiting in the classroom for me. Miller was just slap happy and overwhelmed with Christmas merriment. Our little guy made the WHOLE show for us. We were all laughing and enjoying ourselves.



The video surely does this story justice. I learned long ago with this child, that we'll never blend into a crowd. He commands such attention. I'm not one to bask in the spotlight., so it's been a learning curve for me. His class joined with another 3's class to sing a "Happy Birthday Jesus" song and recite a candy cane poem...precious! By the third song, Miller was laying on the stage with his face in his hands kicking his legs back and forth..now that's stage presence for ya!

The recited poem was meaningful and so appropriate:

"Look at the candy cane, what do you see?"
Stripes that are red for the blood shed for me.

White is for my savior- blameless and pure
J is for Jesus, my Lord that's for sure
Jesus my shepherd is coming for me

(I think there is another line, but this is what Miller has memorized)



After the performance, it was party time back in the room. The room mom said that I could chose the craft or story this go around. I chose to make ornaments with the kiddos.We stung red and white beads on pipe cleaners to make cutesy candy cane ornaments for the tree. Choosing activities and crafts for three year olds can be tricky, but pattern bead stringing was a hit and it held their attention for longer than 5 minutes.We ate snacks, exchanged gifts, and party partied three year old style. Volunteering in Miller's classroom has been a complete joy for me this year. I'm soaking it all in, because who knows when it will be my turn to teach again. I did learn however, that you can just attend the parties without volunteering each time. They need a learner's manual for first time preschool moms:)


Nothing like a three year old Christmas. It's down in the books as the best one yet!