Christmas 2007

Hailey and Joey must have been very good children this year because Santa Claus brought them many toys. Among them was a junior quad for Joey and a princess lap top for Hailey. The kids spent the morning opening their gifts and than playing with them.
At about 12:00 we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for what seemed to be endless hours of opening even more presents. 1st, Hailey opened a roller skates set from Aunt Kristine and Uncle Abel. Needless to say she wanted me to open it right away and spent the majority of the day wearing them and rolling all around the house. Joey received trucks and an animal train set which he loves to play with. The big present came at the end where Hailey and Andrew both received big kid bikes with training wheels. They were both so excited! We took them outside so that they could ride up and down the sidewalk on them and Hailey picked it up right away. We were later joined by Great Grandma Molly who brought even more presents and than The Woolfson's of Soifer Avenue. The food was great and so was the company. The kids had a great Christmas and I can't believe its over already. Till next year!

A Very Baccaray Christmas Eve

Our Christmas holiday began in New Jersey at Lolo & Lola's for Christmas Eve. We started with a nice lunch and than mass at 6:00. Both Hailey and Joey did great in Church. No screaming or crying which is really all a parent can ask for. Following mass we headed back to the house for a great feast and the opening of presents.
Among the many gifts she received, Hailey got a "my twin" doll from Lolo & Lola. The doll was specially ordered for her using pictures of Hailey and as you can see the doll "baby Hailey" looks a lot like her. They even have a matching outfit. Hailey spent the rest of the night playing with "baby Hailey" and now the doll even has a place in Hailey's bed at night.
Joey received many toys too. We were excited because Lolo & Lola bought Joey his first official tricycle. We can't wait to get him outside and teach him how to ride it. Of course we took the opportunity to capture the "new" Baccaray Boys jamming on the piano. I think the next generation is going to have the music gene just like their Dads.

Is this a day care?

With the holidays just a few days away it's a time for out of town relatives to come home for a visit. Cousins Tommy and Danielle along with twins Jacob & Sophia came home to NY from Virginia and we planned to get together with all the babies. By all I mean 8 babies in total..Thats right, 8 of them all under the age of 3. Eric and Stephanie also joined us with Baby Brooke. So if you are keeping tabs here is the baby count:
Hailey and Andrew age 3
Joey, Adelina, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Sophia and Brooke all age 1
It was quit a day taking turns holding all the children and playing with them. It was like we had our very own day care going on. All the kids were great until we decided to try and get them to all sit still on the couch for a group photo. Needless to say it was not a successful task but we were able to get some pictures.

We tried our best!

This should be fun!

Every year we do our best to try and get the kids to pose together for our family Christmas card. Well, this year the kids had their own idea! Who could blame them really? At almost 3 and 1 years old, did I honestly think they were going to seat still and not only that but give me a great big smile. Oh Well! So after several minutes of torturing them and trying to make this an enjoyable event we opted to not get a good picture of the two of them together. I guess plan B will have to do, you'll have to wait to receive your card to see what plan B is. Maybe next year and a year older we will be able to get these two to pose for a picture together. At least they look really cute in their Christmas outfits!

One Crazy Weekend!

Like most weekends for us things are a little crazy. However this past weekend took the cake. We had not 1, not 2, not even 3 but 4 parties to attend. 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Here is how it played out:

Brayden's 1st Birthday - We first attended Brayden's party with Grandma along with us. Joey slept for the first 2 hours which gave me time to eat some food and catch up with some old friends. Hailey had a lot of fun and was very excited that John was there to play with. The entertainment was great. First there were 2 girls dressed up as clowns and they sang songs and danced with the kids. They even did face painting and tatoos which Hailey loved and showed off her butterfly tatoo all day. Joey finally woke up and just in time to see Mickey Mouse. Hailey was so excited! She went right over to him and gave him a high five. Then Mickey sat in a chair and each kid took turns sitting on his lap for a picture. Hailey was first and waited patiently while I threw Joey on Mickey's lap. Joey flipped out and the picture is so funny! He'll hate it and me when he gets older but it still makes me giggle. We waved goodbye and Hailey told Mickey we would see him very soon. (Joey's picture to follow once it is scanned)

Erica's Birthday - Next we went over to Uncle Mark and Aunt Tracy's for Erica's birthday cake. The theme was tinker bell and Erica and Dana came outside to help the kids into the house the second I pulled up. The kids had a great time playing and we ended the night not too late to rest for another busy day tomorrow.

Aidan's 4th Birthday - Sunday started with a trip to the Science Museum in Queens to celebrate Aidan Jack's 4th Birthday. I can't believe he is 4 already which only makes me think about the fact that Hailey is going to be 3 in a month. Hailey was greeted immediately by Aidan who walked her all around while holding her hand. The kids had fun playing with the trains and constructing buildings with big soft blocks. Joey & Nathaniel had a great time too playing with the big train table. Hailey had the best time playing in the rocket ship and eating the chocolate covered oreos that Tito Florante & Tita Cheryl had for everyone.

Brooke's 1st Birthday - Our last party was to celebrate Baby Brooke's 1st Birthday. That is how Hailey refers to her, "Baby Brooke". The party was at an American Legion Hall in Lindenhurst with DJ entertainment. And what kids birthday party would not be complete without a puppet show and of course Elmo. (Elmo was a nice switch from all the Mickey and Minnie Mouse citings we have been having lately!) Everyone had a great time especially the kids. Hailey enjoyed getting yet another tatoo and all the goodies the DJ was handing out (ie: hats, whistles, beaded necklaces and sun glasses.) Joey loved the fact that he could run around in this huge room without anyone yelling at him. Although, I did have to refrain him from running up to the puppet show and grabbing the puppet off the performers hand. What a sight that would have been! Happy Birthday Brooke!

Who's the Boss?

So as we all have come to know at the early age of 3, Hailey definitly has a mind of her own. Yes, I know she's not 3 yet but give or take a few weeks she's basically there. For example, last Sunday we were in the car heading to my parents house for dinner when Hailey told Ron and I that she didn't want to go to Grandma's house for dinner and wanted to go to a Diner. Now, what 3 year old knows that you can go to a Diner for dinner? Granted that all throughout the summer while I was doing the summer series runs we ate at a dinner 2x's a week and on Sunday's after I run we go to a diner for breakfast, but still. So that gave us a little chuckle! Last night was no different.

In anticipcation of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer being on TV, Ron and I had dinner with the kids early and got everything cleaned up so that we could settle into bed with the kids and watch the show. At about 7:15 we were all finished and had some time to kill before the show began. Ron was laying in bed with H&J watching The Wiggles in the meantime when Hailey turned around and said:

Hailey: Wait Daddy I have to get my puzzle, Pause it!
Ron: What?
Hailey: Pause it!
Ron: (looking at me) Ok
Me: I didn't even know she knew, "pause it"
Ron: Me neither!
Hailey: (yelling from downstairs) Dad, you didn't turn off the TV
Me: Well she told you
Me & Ron: (laughing)
Hailey: Okay, i'm back!

Now, as Hailey was climbing back into bed Ron hit play on the TV, Wellllll

Hailey: (very sternly and yelling) Daddy, I'm not ready yet!

Remember she's only 3. Wonder what she's going to be like at 15. I'm scared!

Decorating Sunday!

For the last few years I have begun my own little tradition of decorating the house and tree for Christmas the day after Tree Cutting. Today was perfect! With snow on the ground outside and the Sound of Music DVD playing on the TV, Hailey and I decorated away. With the help of Grandma who put up all my christmas china and Aunt Annemarie who cooked a great Sunday dinner we were able to get the entire inside of the house decorated. Joey tried to help too but his help was more of taking the balls off the tree after we had just put them on. Surprisingly, I only had to tell him "no" 3 times and he hasn't touched the tree since. We'll see how long that lasts.

BTW, anyone who is keeping tabs on Joey's teething process he has been doing well for the last week or so. Not sure if he has cut anymore teeth cause the boy won't let me look but he isn't grumpy and whiny anymore and he has been sleeping through the night for over a week now. Hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Its not big enough!

Today we took our annual trip up to Abel's Farm to cut down our christmas tree. We all got bundled up in our winter clothes since the weather was just about freezing. The kids got to wear their new snow suites on top of several layers of shirts, turtle necks and sweat shirts. Hailey was so excited! This was the first year she was actually able to walk up and down the mountain on her own even in all those bundles of clothes. Joey was bundled and put into Dad's "marathon back pack" as we refer to it and up the mountain we went. I found a tree right away that I liked and when I asked Hailey for her approval she told me "its not big enough". After pointing out several smaller trees she finally agreed to go with the one I had originally picked. Down the mountain we went with our tree for our hot chocolate was waiting. Tree cutting was followed by some good eating at the Daily Planet Diner. Joey slept the entire time we were there which meant that I was able to sit and enjoy my meal. Hailey had a great time sitting at the "kids table" and eating her hot dog and french fries. Home we went to put our tree in the stand and welcome it to our family, at least for the short time it will be with us.