Nightly Talks with Savannah

I've probably put Savannah to bed at least 1900 times and every time it's a little bit different of an experience.  The first 365 times consisted of nursing and rocking.  Then we added books.  Then we moved from reading in the rocker to reading in her big girl bed.  About two years ago, before we would say goodnight, we started talking about our favorite parts of our day.  This talk has turned into quite lengthy conversations that trail off into random discussions and last way longer than I ever intended them to.

Most conversations I quickly forget but every now and then we have one that I hope to never forget.  Here's a recent one that still makes me giggle:

Savannah: Mommy how did you know to marry Daddy?
Me: Well, we got to know each other really well and after a long time we decided we wanted live together and get married and have you and Walker.
S: but how did you know you wanted to live with him?
M: we had a lot of fun together and we wanted to do the same things
S: but how will I know who to marry?
M: when you get older and meet more more people, you'll find someone who you really like
S: but how do I know which one?  There's soooooooo many to choose from?
M: (trying really hard to not laugh) yes, there are a lot but you'll find someone that you like to be around and that you have fun with
S: but how do I know???  What if I like lots?
M: (still holding in laughter) yes, you will probably like lots but after a while most of them will get on your nerves and you won't like them anymore so you'll be left with one who doesn't bother you as much as the others (i'm trying to wrap up this conversation)
S: oh ok then.  goodnight mommy

Phew, we made it through our first girl-boy relationship conversation.  I only hope they stay this easy.  Wishful thinking, I know.

Happy Heart Day!

Savannah started getting ready for Valentine's Day as soon as the Christmas decorations came down.  She made a list of about 30 children who she wanted to make valentines for this year and she had each and every one made the week before her party at school.  She even started callingValentine's Day "her day" because it's all about everything being pink and red.  She couldn't wait till the 13th when her class would have their party and exchange cards.  

all ready for "her day"

my two little Valentines

they're either hitting or kissing---glad a got a picture of the latter

Daddy gave his girl a dozen roses

V-day dessert

The actual Valentine's Day was on Saturday and I gave both Savannah and Walker a special bag with chocolates and a few goodies.  Then I taught a special PopUp class in the morning while Oscar went for a bike ride.  For dinner we had a family date at CPK followed by dessert at Menchies.  I loved spending this special day with my three favorite people!  And now Savannah's ready to start celebrating Easter.

Overnight Visit to Boone

We took a quite trip to Boone, North Carolina over the MLK holiday.  It's only a three hour drive from home so we left early Sunday morning on the 18th and went straight to Sugar Mountain.  We planned to just check out the area so we would know for future ski trips.  Savannah just wanted to see snow and unfortunately it was too warm to see snow fall.  Of course the mountain had their own man-made snow so people were skill able to enjoy the slopes.  We tried to tube while there but the line was too long and we didn't have enough time to wait for the next opening.  Instead Savannah and Oscar went ice skating while Walker and I watched from the side.  

trying to change clothes in the car

shuttle ride from the parking lot to the ski slopes

no snow except on the ski slopes and tubbing hill

he's not a fan of the cold, the snow, or being bundled up

The next day we went to Hawksnest for some family tubing.  Both kiddos were able to ride down the hills sitting in mine and Oscar's laps and they had soooo much fun!!  Walker loved being pulled around in the tube and he was such a trooper despite the cold and being bundled up.

it was easier to pull him than to carry him

After a couple of hours tubing it was time to head home.  We stopped for Chick-fil-A drive through, watched a movie and before we knew it, we were pulling into the driveway.  We were even home in plenty of time to unpack, relax, and hit up Jason's Deli for dinner.  We're so lucky to live within a short drive of the mountains in one direction and the beach in another.  That makes these little overnight trips so easy to have every now and again.

2014 Family Photo Session

I can't believe that I forgot to post these pictures!  It's become a yearly thing that we have Amber Byrd take some family pictures of us during the month of November.  It started as a maternity photo shoot and has become our yearly Christmas card/kiddos birthday portrait session.  Here are a few of my favorites:

I LOVE these all soooo much!!  Definitely one of my favorite sessions yet!  Thanks so much to ABP--she's the best!!

Savannah Update

Just a quick little update on our sassy Savannah Grace.

5 Year Doctor's Appointment:
Date: January 8 (5 years and 2 months)
Weight: 46 lbs
Height: 43 inches
Vision: 20/20
Hearing: perfect in both ears (shocking, I know!)
She received 3 shots in her thighs and the flu mist.  This was Savannah's best doctor's visit to date!!  Normally she freaks out and starts screaming/crying when the nurse tries to get her weight and height.  This takes place in the first 2 minutes.  However, this time she was totally composed and very pleasant throughout the entire visit.  She chatted with both the nurse and Dr. Johnson and answered all their questions.  Even Dr. Johnson commented on what a change this visit was compared to all previous visits when he could hear her screams from the moment she entered the office.  She was even prepared for the shots.  I explained that she had to get them in order to go to kindergarten so she put on a brave face and lied down quietly.  Unfortunately after the first shot went in, she broke down.  It's been a while since her last rounds of shots and I guess she had forgotten how much they hurt.  She managed to pull herself together and still easily get the flu mist.  I was beyond proud of our little lady!  Her legs were a little sore the rest of the day and she immediately told her teachers the next morning that she couldn't run very fast due to the shots.  But by the afternoon she was back to normal and she told everyone that she's now all ready to go to kindergarten.  Too bad I'm not quite ready for her to go.  Thankfully I still have eight more months to prepare myself before sending her off.

sweet girl

oh the things she gets into

our daily tea party

after our own personal PopUp session at home

I really am amazed at how big/old she is getting.  I blinked and she went from a chunky, babbling toddler to a slim, chatty almost kindergartener.  Where have these five years gone??!!  I am soooo not ready for what lies ahead!

Hello 2015

Wow, I am so behind on blogging.  January has flown by and I haven't done a single entry since New Years Eve.  I think I spend so much time documenting everything during the busy holiday season that come January 1st, I tend to sit back and just let time roll by.  So now it's time to play catch up.  First up......our typical New Years Day.  As always, Oscar orders in stone crab claws so he and Savannah get busy cracking.  It's always the most random meal because he has to have snow crab while watching the Rose Bowl and my southern roots has to have black-eyed peas, greens, and corn bread.

this is what W and I did most of the day 

Here's hoping for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015.  Happy New Year to all!!!

Goodbye 2014

Another New Year's Eve and another "fancy" party at the Alvarez house.  Just like last year we opted to stay home and bring in the new year with the kiddos and all go to bed early.  Around 5:30 we all got dressed up and had an hors d'oeuvre type dinner.  Just a little before 7:00 we lit sparklers and threw little poppers outside.  Then right at 7:00pm we watched the fireworks go off in London and yelled "Happy New Year!".  The kiddos were both in bed at their normal times and Oscar and I were sound asleep by 10:30.  Not a bad way to ring in the new year :)   

this year S was't at all afraid of the sparklers

W thought it was a candle and kept wanting to blow it out

Can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead in 2015!  Happy New Year to all!!