"Where Daddy Go?"

Earlier in the week, Boomer had a overnight conference in Raleigh. He was gone from Monday to Wednesday, which meant two full days of morning and evening duty as Super Mommy. It has been a while since I have had to take a solo shift. Luckily the kiddos are becoming more independent, and their needs aren't so constant. While I enjoyed the time together in the car for morning drop-off and our dinners just the three of us, we were all glad for his return. Eli has especially developed a strong attachment to Daddy, and a common question was "Where Daddy Go?" We Facetimed Boomer on Monday evening, and Eli was not happy when it was time to say 'goodbye,' as you can see below.  However, the rest of the time was pretty smooth and relatively tear-free.

This weekend brought a multitude of events. With each new event that was added to the calendar, it took careful planning to make sure we could do it all. On Saturday, the day kicked off with Disney on Ice at the Greensboro Coliseum. After our recent trip to Disney World, we had to explain to Emmy, Eli, Zander, and Maddox that there would be no rides and no long trip in a van (haha!) The show was pretty amazing, with impressive performances, aerial tricks, lights, bubbles, snow, and even pyrotechnics. Grammy did some shopping at the Dollar Tree beforehand for glow bracelets and necklaces, which luckily saved us from making any expensive purchases from the many vendors in the concourse. Along with the family, our friends Stephanie and Lyla joined too. Both Lyla and Emmy loved the princesses and enjoyed guessing which one would appear next on the ice.

Our trip to Disney last month and seeing Disney on Ice this weekend has made us all nostalgic. Mom and Dad found these old treasures from a past trip to Disney in 1995 and to Disney on Ice in West Palm Beach in 1988. 

After leaving Disney on Ice, we headed to Winston-Salem to see Santa. It was the same event (and the same Santa!) that we have gone to the last three years. This year, Emmy was very brave by sitting on Santa's lap and even sharing her list with him. She also got a special crown from the balloon artist there. Eli wasn't as enthused about seeing Santa. (Probably because he was awoken from a nap in the car!) He wanted to stay in Daddy's arm, so we did our best to all squeeze into the picture. 

We've come so far from this reaction in 2017!

Saturday ended with Boomer heading to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game Wake Forest vs. Pitt, while I took the kids to a weenie roast at the Williamses'. Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack were extra helpful as we all watched the kiddos around the open fire! It was much later in the evening before Boomer came home (2AM!) Sadly the Deacs lost 45-21, which made for the only downside to the whole day. We otherwise had a wonderful weekend doing all the Christmas things!

Thanksgiving Break

We started our Thanksgiving Break with the kids' annual check-ups. I did not have to work on Wednesday, and Boomer took the day off to spend with us. Little did he know what fun he was in for! Luckily we have not had to go to the doctor recently, and both kids were generally happy throughout the appointment. Emmy weighed 40 lbs 12 oz (57%) and measured 3 ft 8 in (78%), and Eli was 26 lbs 1 oz (26%) and 2 ft 10 in (43%). They were so tough when it came to the shots: Eli got two, and Emmy got three! I did not realize that the appointment would also include the hearing and vision screenings for kindergarten. Emmy did great on the vision screening when she had to tell which direction the "E" was pointing. She was a little confused by the directions for the hearing test. Perhaps I should have prepped her better on what she would be doing. I told the nurse that I did not have any concerns with her hearing. Although it is selective at times, she can hear pretty well! I was so thankful that Boomer came along; he makes everything more fun.

After leaving the doctor, we headed to the Science Center. We spent a little under two hours going through the aquarium, the reptile section, and then for the first time, we caught one of the shows in the Omnisphere. Both kids were very attentive through the 30-minute show. Emmy happily posed for photos and even touched one of the lizards called Tazo, a uromastyx.  

On Thursday morning, we hit the road around 9AM to head to Virginia. It had been three years since we last made the trip to Woodstock for Thanksgiving, and we were looking forward to seeing all the Kennedy family. Despite our limited travels over the last two years, we seem to have made up for it lately, and the kids have become very good travelers. Both took naps along the drive and entertained themselves throughout the four hours. When it was time for lunch, we stopped at the same truck stop that we have stopped in the past, and we recreated a photo in front of the sign. We arrived in Woodstock around 2:30PM. Since the temperatures were in the 60s, we met Granny and Paw Paw at the park so that the kids could get some energy out while there was still sunlight. We checked into the hotel and then had dinner over at Aunt KK's and Uncle Doug's with Kayten, Shawn, Kolter and Ashlee and their kids Annabelle and Knox. It was not your typical Thanksgiving menu; instead we had hot dogs and ham- (and deer) burgers. We returned to the hotel around 9PM and feel asleep quickly. 

On Friday, we woke up to much colder temperatures and even a few flurries of snow! You can just see the flakes through the hotel window. We ventured out around 10:30AM to drive by the farm and see Tall Man. We were able to introduce him to Eli for the first time. We then went to downtown Woodstock for lunch at the Woodstock Cafe. We returned to the hotel for nap time, and then we met the rest of the Kennedy family for the large gathering that evening. Since our group has continued to grow, we are no longer able to meet on the farm. This year we had dinner at the fire station in Edinburg. The fellowship hall was perfect for our big group, and there was also an open area for the kids to run and play games without breaking anything. One of the aunts brought along craft supplies and coloring table cloths, which were a hit. It was so wonderful to be together with family again. After Eli's birth in 2019 and then COVID concerns in 2020, a lot has changed since the last Woodstock Thanksgiving. Boomer's dad gave a beautiful blessing before the meal about the branches on the family tree and how blessed we are to see the tree grow. At the same time, we are saddened by those family members that are no longer with us, like Granny Kennedy and Uncle Bubba. I wish they both could have met Eli. With all the little ones running around, it is a reminder of the passing of time and the younger generation that we are raising. 

While both kids wanted to stay at the hotel for a few more days (ha!), we headed back home to Kernersville on Saturday. We arrived to the Houstons' around 3PM for our final Thanksgiving meal. Much like in Woodstock, there was the absence of Gma and Gpa, and we miss them even more at the holidays. Megan still made Gma's broccoli casserole, while Zack made the turkey, pork chops, mashed potatoes and fixings. My mom made her sweet potato casserole - a favorite of both of my kiddos. After dinner, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation while eating dessert: apple and pumpkin pie. Heading back to work tomorrow, I am not feeling too sad. Instead, I am looking forward to the many things we have planned in the month of December. It will be a special holiday season with Emmy and Eli. 

Eli's Birthday at...school!

 While his big sister celebrated her birthday at Disney World, Eli's birthday was a little less extravagant. He went to school as usual, wearing a shirt that said 'birthday boy.' For dinner that evening, we went out to eat just the four of us at Don Juan's where we got a special dessert of churros and ice cream. Eli definitely has developed a sweet tooth, and he will often ask for 'tweets' after a meal. The birthday celebrations continued into the weekend, with dinner at the Houston's house. He got a Little Tikes basketball goal and basketballs from Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack. Luckily, Aunt Megan thought to buy two basketballs because it has proven to be a hit with Emmy, who will be starting Upward basketball soon. We had one last birthday celebration after church today at the Loop with Grammy, Grandpa, the Houstons, and the Williamses. From Grammy and Grandpa, he got a soccer goal, along with some clothes and new shoes. In addition to potty training this year, based on his gifts, Eli will also be playing a lot of sports!

In other happenings, my school's theater department held several performances of Frozen Jr. this past week, and of course my little Frozen fan absolutely loved it. The performance was amazing! Emmy loved coming to Mommy's school, and she was very attentive during the show. She even posed for photos afterwards with some of the characters. The play was a wonderful highlight to the week. My school sadly lost a student a couple of weeks ago, and it has been a very sad time. I am still sorting through my shock of the tragedy. With each day, we are finding ways to mourn and to remember the student, who was a phenomenal young lady. 

We are getting into the Christmas spirit at the Kennedy household! I'm always ready to decorate right after Halloween, but Boomer insists we hold off until closer to Thanksgiving. We will once again be traveling to Virginia for the holiday, so the compromise is decorating the weekend before. Emmy was my little helper with putting the tree together, and then Daddy put the finishing touch with the star on top. 

In the excitement of Disney, I didn't do my usual birthday posts for each of the kids with a recap from the year. I know that I will love looking back at these letters in the future, so I'll keep it short to carry on the tradition. 

Emmy - You have blossomed into a curious, vibrant, silly, contemplative little girl. Your teacher always gives a wonderful report about your behavior and your abilities. My heart fills with pride as she tells me that you were kind to a classmate and that you are moving quickly through the preschool curriculum. While you are reserved and mannerly at school, you have a wild side at home, as you make up games to play with your brother and run laps around the downstairs. You still love to narrate Eli's every move, and the two of you have started to develop a special sibling bond. You are very loving towards him, and you help retrieve his toys or reach something that is too high. I love the times we do things just the two of us, and I also love the special relationship you have with your Daddy. Your newest thing is falling asleep on your bedroom floor so that Daddy will come in to move you into your bed. (He's forgotten a time or two - oops!) The year ahead will bring kindergarten with new friends and a new school. I am excited to see how you take on this new adventure. I hope that you continue to love reading and helping others. You make your Daddy and me so proud!

Eli - This past year saw your first steps, your first words, and so many other 'firsts.' After a whole year of Grammy Daycare, you started school in August with your big sister. Sometimes there are still tears at drop-off, but your teachers say you are so sweet and very talkative. Daddy and I marvel at the way your vocabulary has expanded. Even at dinner tonight, Daddy asked who wanted some leftover cake for dessert, and you said "Eli does!" with the biggest grin. We often laugh at your ability to string together words and phrases to now make complete sentences. You often refer to yourself in third person as "E-I" and it will be bittersweet when you finally pronounce the 'L' in your name. You are showing me that boys do tend to eat more than girls. You will shovel in several bites at once so that your cheeks look like a chipmunk. Earlier in the year, I stopped nursing, and it was a sad moment as I accepted that you are no longer my little baby. You are becoming so independent with a fork and spoon, and you can even drink directly from a cup. Like your sister, there are moments that I want to squeeze you so hard because of all the love I feel for you. I hope that you will always let me. 

We love our November birthday babies! Happy birthday, Emmy and E-Guy!

Love, 
Mommy & Daddy