Happy New Year

After a really great Christmas for the girls, we last minute (the day before) decided to get together with some friends, two other couples with young kids, for a low-key dinner to get together, celebrate East Coast New Year's, and be in bed by 10. It worked out great, and we all had such a nice time.

Sophie ended up having so much fun and going so crazy with Penelope, Scarlett and Ethan that she was pretty inconsolable when everyone had to leave. It probably helped that one friend brought over a small bounce house for the kids, and that got them overtired, and they were screeching and running around playing hide and seek too. This has been a new development of Sophie's because she recently learned what it was, and to her, "hiding" is sometimes just throwing a blanket over her head, burying her face behind a chair, or laying down on a floor and calling out "I'm over here!" when someone misses her. It's been so cute to watch.

Just Summer being her usual very
happy self

They also decorated gingerbread men and sugar cookies, and all the parents sorta took turns supervising kids so others could sit down for a minute.

Adults toasted with champagne and the kids had noisemakers and said happy new year, and everything was cleaned up and done by about 10 or 10:30, although I had had a nap that day so AJ and I both still stayed up until midnight to welcome in the new year.

New Year's Day was also nice. We made waffles with Sophie's new mini heart-shaped waffle maker from Great Aunt Dawn and had the Rose Parade on. We didn't have any plans for the day, but last minute we had Iris, David and Landon over for a short while to help him jump himself tired on the bounce house.

Otherwise, we enjoyed staying in with Sophie and Summer, and Sophie used that bounce house until bedtime. I got Summer's daycare bag all ready, because she started at daycare today with Sophie. It was emotional for me, but Summer didn't cry, so that was very helpful. And it's why I've had a free second to write this. I go back to work next Wednesday, January 10. The last vestiges of maternity leave and adjusting to a family of four are upon us.

Welcome, 2024!