Do you have any Christmas Spirit?

Click on the link, http://tamaramezabenefitfund.blogspot.com/, and read a women's story who needs your help. We all can spare five or so dollars to help a mother. She is a friend of a friend of mine from High School. If you're feeling really charitable, post her link on your blog as well.

I Love my little Sugar Plum Fairies!

So it saddens me that this is my last year doing my dance classes here in University Housing. I have had the sweetest girls come through my classes. I look forward to Wednesdays when i get to spend an hour with them, they light up my day. I love to hear my name called, "Miss Celeste, Miss Celeste!" and hear all about their week. 4 year old girls have a lot to say, all I've learned about princesses--I've learned from them. It's all trucks and basketball at my house, so the change of pace is refreshing. I love my sons, boys are so much fun, but what ever will I do if I don't have a little ballerina someday? :)

Anyway, last week, my little dancers danced at our church Christmas Party and they did fantastic. And yes, that is my son Logan next to me. He has been doing the class for the last 6 weeks, so, I let him perform! Jake wasn't sure how he felt about that, but I convinced him otherwise! And don't worry, he sat out during the routine with the princess wands! :)

100th POST!!!

Hey, leave a comment and be entered in a drawing to win a little something to celebrate our 100th post! :)

Go Blue Eagles!

Tanner's soccer season came to an end and we are very sad that we won't have Coach Chryssa again next year. We've had her for two years and she has taught Tan-man so much.

All though we don't technically keep score at this age...they did have a perfect season!

Party of 13 with 4 booster seats and 2 high chairs...

Just thought this was a fun picture...I don't ever recommend going to dinner when the kids almost out number the adults! Thanks to the Lees and Youngs for playing "mom and dad" for a night!

My FAVORITE favorite thing...

Dec14:

The years that Jake (so kindly) dressed up as a certain man in a big red suit for my family or Dance Attack Parties!

(I have pictures somewhere, I'll find one and post it)

Jake: "You haven't been blogging much lately."

Celeste: "I know, I've been too busy. I've just been posting some of my 'favorite holiday things'"

Jake: "What number am I?"

Celeste: "Ummmm...just a minute I need to go add a post."

**See above post! :)

Fav thing...

Dec 13:

When the house is lit by just Christmas lights

Favorite things...

Dec 8:

Receiving christmas pictures from friends and families

Favorite things...

Dec 5:

getting coordinating holiday clothes for the boys

Do you hear what I hear?...

Yesterday, Logan's world changed. He is hearing! We went in this morning to have his cochlear implant turned on. They first, hooked the device up to a computer to activate it and he was just hearing clicks and beeps. It was a great experience to see his little eyebrows raise when that first little bit of sound entered in. Once the audiologist turned it on she told us to go ahead and speak. I was slightly emotional and motioned to Jake to go first. He called Logan's name and his head turned towards Jake. After a while he began to ignore the noise and our voices. To Logan, it was no big deal and he just continued on playing with his puzzle. What?! That was it? Just a simple turn of the head? What about jumping up & down with excitement, asking for more sound, running into my arms? Well, I guess he is only 2 1/2, and actually, all that noise is probably not as pleasant as you might think.

So, he kept the implant on until about 2:00 (only because we were consistently bribing him to do so). He was playing in his room when I went in to check on him and noticed that he was not wearing it. I gave him a look and he signed, "Where? Where? I don't know." He was obviously guilty. So after 20 minutes of searching the playroom, I found it hidden under his mattress in his bedroom! He signed that he was all done with it and didn't like his new ear. I started to cry and left the room. He didn't like it? He didn't want to hear all these wonderful sounds? It broke my heart. My husband had to remind me that this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint and that it's okay to take it slow. I want so much for him to say "Mommy" that I guess I may be pushing him too much. All in all it was a good day. This device is pretty complex for such a little guy, but I'm sure he'll adjust. He watched a movie today and started dancing when he heard the music...loved it! Sorry for all the video, it's a lot of us yelling Logan's name and his turning his head--i'ts mainly for the grandparents! :) (to view the video, you may want to pause the music by scrolling down until you get to the red music box on the right and clicking on the pause symbol)

CLICK ON PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO

Logan's activation day

Favorite things...

Dec 4th:

My kids' excitement with doing the advent calendar. (I'm running out of fun ideas to fill the little doors up...any ideas?)

Favorite things #3

Dec. 3:

Staying under our christmas budget!

More of my favorite things...

Dec. 2:

finding creative places to hide the kids' (and Jake's) gifts in this small apartment.

I love my Birthday Gifts...Wade is cuter close up!

So, I turned 29 last week (although last year I thought I celebrated my 27th, so I don't quite understand how that works), anyway, I received great gifts ever this year. First I got a -much needed- navigation system for my car from my hubby (My in-laws also contributed to this one). I don't know how many times I have called Jake to help me find a new place or check the traffic for me, I guess he has had enough! It'll be nice when we get to Florida.

And secondly, my mom and husband sent me to the Pulse Dance Convention in Las Vegas. My mom paid for the convention and Jake bought my plane ticket and (most importantly) stayed home with all three boys while I enjoyed myself for the entire weekend! It was one of the most amazing things I've done. The staff was made up of all the choreographers from the TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance". It was a dream to work with people who are the best at what they do. I hadn't danced like that since college and it made me feel 19 again! My mom and sister were there with me, so it made the weekend more fun.

Thanks to everyone who called, sent cards and gave me gifts. It feels good to have friends remember your day!

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These are a few of my favorite things...

Dec 1st:

I love Hot Chocolate in big Christmas mugs!