{frequent flyer miles}

All of the kids except Emma were sick the week of Christmas.  One week later, I thought we had made it--she had made it--and we were safe.  Oh man, were we wrong.

The day before New Year's Eve, she suddenly got sick. Like literally out of now where. But it was different than the other kids, who had high fevers and respiratory issues.  She was throwing up like a madman--at least 20 times over the next 24 hours.  The next morning she looked terrible. She was clearly very dehydrated--sunken eyes and dry mouth were the two most noticeable signs.  I called her doctor, and they suggested we take her to the ER, where she could get IV fluids.

Once again, we were on the road the to the children's hospital in Buffalo, but this time I was hoping we wouldn't have to stay longer than a few hours.  When the admitting nurse saw her, she told the other nurses to get the IV started immediately--she was looking even worse.  After two bags of fluid, blood tests, and an x-ray, they decided to keep her overnight---she just wasn't responding how they wanted her to.  

We ended up staying two nights and several days--her little tiny body had just such a hard time catching up from all the fluid loss from that first day. The whole floor was filled with kids in the same boat---it's a wicked bug that has swept through many states, and hit this area pretty hard.

One major bright spot was being serenaded a guy from The University of Buffalo.  He was with a program through The Center of the Arts, and they sponsor musicians to come into the hospital and perform for the patients in their rooms.  He played his guitar and sang, and even brought instruments for us.  We played the tambourine, sticks, egg shaker, bells, and more.  We heard The Beatles, Bob Marley, Christmas songs, and so many other fun songs. What a treat!  We were so lucky!

Even though it's never fun to be in the hospital, and it's definitely not the holiday break we would have wanted or planned, it was wonderful to have so much one-on-one time with Emma.  We spent New Year's Eve together, looking out over the Buffalo skyline (perfect view of the fireworks), then the next couple of days watching movies, and talking.  The timing was also good---she was out of school, and Rick was off of work, so he could be home with the kids.  It's those small blessings that make such a difference, and I'm so grateful for them.  

It was also so sweet to see how much her siblings missed her. They sent her the pajamas that they were all wearing one night to bed, so that she could match the too.  Kate sent her her favorite books from Christmas, and they packed her her favorite stuffies.  

We finally made it home last night, and we were all SO happy about it! 

{a new favorite place}

The week after Christmas, and after everyone was feeling better, we finally were able to get out of the house and do something together as a family. We were really disappointed that there was no snow, because we had been looking forward to sledding, tubing, cross-country skiing, and even downhill skiing over the break. We have been keeping a running list of all the other fun things there are to do here in the winer, so we headed to  the Children's Museum in Rochester--we had heard really wonderful things about it, and thought it would be perfect for a wintry day.

It didn't disappoint.  In fact, it's our new favorite!  The only downside was that could only go in the afternoon--in the middle of Caroline's nap time--and I ended up pacing one of the only quiet spots I could find about a million times until she fell asleep. 

It is ENORMOUS. We only visited one part of one floor, and the kids were eating it up.  One of their most favorite areas was the miniature replica of Wegman's grocery store.  Now, I've been to other grocery stores inside of children's museums, but hands down, this one was the best.  Every tiny detail was attended to, and it was so like the actual grocery store it was amazing.  They even had a gluten-free section.  :)  The best part?  Miniature cashier lines, with a moving belt, food that was actually scanned, a working cash register, and a printed receipt!  SO adorable.  Oh my goodness, they were so enthralled with the whole process, and I have to say, I was too.  

In the end, we walked away with a year's membership, and can't wait to go back!!!  

{a very merry christmas}

It hit three days before Christmas.  Henry was the first to fall, and he fell hard.  Poor kid--you know he's sick when he doesn't want to eat anything.  Jack wasn't far behind, then Caroline and Ryan.  They were all very sick--listless, not eating, and totally miserable.  We were SO sad to miss a few parties and activities--Christmas Caroling, and a Live Nativity, both with good friends.  It's HARD being sick anytime, but especially right before Christmas.  Christmas Eve I took Kate and Emma to the movie, because the boys and baby were all sick. We couldn't do anything as a family, and I wanted to get them out of the house for a little while. It was also the CRAZIEST weather.  It hit over 60 degrees that week, and it was 56 on Christmas Eve.  These temps haven't been seen in this area in over 125 years, which means we must have brought Texas with us.  All I wanted was a white Christmas, but it wasn't in the cards this year.  

Unfortunately, that turned out to not be the greatest idea.  With about twenty minutes left in the movie, Kate turned to me and told me she didn't feel well.  The theater has seats that completely recline (it's fabulous!), so I had her just lie down until it was time to go.  Thirty seconds later, she told me she felt like she needed to throw up.  About two seconds after that, she did.  

It was ugly. 

I'm trying to get Emma's attention, get my purse, and hold something out for Kate.  She was throwing up over and and over, and continued to down the aisle, and out into the hall all the way to the bathroom.  Poor thing.  It was all over her, and she was so embarrassed. It's miserable anyway, but in front of other people? Even more so.  I had to tell the manager, and he didn't look so happy--which I can't blame him for.  We went home, gave her a bath, and tucked her in bed.  We were now down five kids, and only Emma was left standing.  

We usually go out to eat, but that was definitely not happening. So, we ordered pizza, and had a cozy picnic with the few of us that could eat.  We opened our Christmas pajamas from Gramme, then snuggled up on the couch to watch a Christmas movie.  We couldn't do our Nativity, which was so sad, but with everyone sick, it just wasn't going to happen.  So, we read the Christmas story, tracked Santa to see where he was, then tucked them into bed. 

I did have a hilarious conversation with Kate about cookies for Santa Claus.  She asked me if he gets tired of eating all the cookies kids leave for him, and I told her that she shouldn't be offended if he only takes a bite or two.  She suggested that we leave a peeled orange--something healthy--which I agreed would be a great idea.  Then she asked me if she could eat whatever was left of Santa's cookie, to which I asked her in return if she would eat it after he had already bitten into it.  Her reply?  "Well, he does brush his teeth before he leaves!"  I guess that settles it.

Then...the work began. Rick brought up from the basement all the boxes we had hidden that were full of gifts I had purchased.  I ordered almost every single thing online this year, and it was the best thing I've ever done.  I got all my shopping done very quickly, at great prices, and free shipping.  It was fabulous.  I love to shop, but at the holidays, with SO many crowds, and SO much traffic, it just takes so much more time and I have so many other things I want and need to do.  However...because our apartment is so small, it was a challenge to keep them hidden, and I couldn't really take anything out to wrap it. So, it all needed to be done Christmas Eve.  Actually, we traditionally save it all until that night anyway--and do it together, which we've always enjoyed.  However, with six kids, it's started adding up, and we thought this year we might try starting a few nights early.  I guess we ended up keeping the tradition!

The stack of boxes seemed daunting, but I set to work wrapping, and Rick started building, and we were actually done by 10pm.  Probably the earliest Christmas Eve yet!

Christmas morning dawned bright and early, and they were all dying to come downstairs.  After quick pictures on the stairs, stockings were opened, and the excitement began! We totally hit the mark this year.  They love every single thing we got them, and they are things that will be played with for a long time. I thought long and hard about it, because we're in a small apartment, but won't always be.  I'm so glad, and it was SO fun to see them enjoy everything so much.  By 9am, I had everything cleaned up, vacuumed, and new toys in bins that I had purchased ahead of time.  I love Christmas, but I hate the mess and chaos.  This helps me stay sane.  :)  

And pictures on Christmas morning make me crazy. I love them, but trying to balance my phone, watch kids open, answer questions, and get crawled all over by a baby--I can never get very good ones.  But at least there are pictures, right?

We spent the day playing with toys, games, watching movies, and just relaxing.  A few kids were feeling a little better, which was good news.  I hate cooking on Christmas Day--I do not want to spend my time in the kitchen on my favorite holiday. That is NOT my idea of fun!  So, we set out a spread of pretty much every yummy thing my kids love, and told them to go for it!  We had it out all day, and they could help themselves whenever they wanted it.  That was super exciting for them, because I never let them do that.  It's Christmas, right??!!  

It was a really nice Christmas, despite the sickness that was lingering. I'm grateful that Rick and I never got it (knock on wood...), because that did happen several years ago, and it was terrible.  We also kept Caroline out of the hospital, which really was a Christmas miracle.  She woke up Christmas Eve morning so, so sick, and I thought for sure we would be going to the hospital. We prayed and prayed, and gave her lots of medicine, and we avoided a major crisis.  SO happy.  

Another wonderful holiday and Christmas season...it always goes too fast for me!  Merry Christmas!

{a little bit of christmas}

What a whirlwind this Christmas season has been!  I can't believe that we are a week out...I always seem to think that the time flies by, but this year in particular really seems like that.  I'm one of those "crazies" that starts to enjoy Christmas early--music comes on the beginning of November at least!  It's the best time of the year, it's never long enough, and I want to enjoy it for as long as I can. Fortunately I can still have a good Thanksgiving holiday while preparing and enjoying for Christmas.  :)

This was a year of old traditions made new, and new traditions formed. It's always fun to discover things about a new community, and we've added several favorite things to our list.  We still have a bunch we weren't able to get to, but they will be first up next year.  

Upstate New York is absolutely beautiful.  We live out in the country, about 15 minutes from "town", and a busy road with all of the stores that we need.  When our house is built, we'll be about 25 minutes out.  I adore it.  It's perfect for us. I love the trees, the quiet country roads, all the farms and barns--but still being fairly close to everything we need.  At Christmastime it's especially beautiful. I'm finding that I don't mind the snow one little bit.  I don't know if that will change in March or not, but I just love having the different seasons, and all the fun things that go along with it.  Our weather has been up and down this winter--warm, then cold, then warm again. We get a bunch of snow, then it melts.  So...I'm still praying for a white Christmas.  I think it should be an automatic perk if you live somewhere cold!

The kids are always thrilled when we wake up to snow!

Once again, I utilized my Christmas card assembly line to get all the cards ready to mail out.  After living so many places, we've accumulated more and more people on our card list, and I love that.  I love sending, receiving, and displaying cards...one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season!

The kids LOVE writing letters to Santa, mailing them to him, and getting a reply!  They always get the cutest letters, and it's just such a fun part of Christmas. We usually do it for FHE one week, or on a Sunday afternoon.  It's a favorite, for sure!

Just a few miles from us us a fantastic musical Christmas lights display. We went there last week, and literally stayed for over an hour, and the kids were begging to stay longer.  We will go at least twice more before Christmas arrives, it's that good! During that hour we were there, we didn't hear a repeated song even one time--it was so amazing and well done.  

One of the things we miss most about Christmas in Midland is the Santa house.  It was a tradition for many years, and it was hard when we moved to Texas and were stuck with the Santa at the mall.  But...guess what!  There is one here too!  It's called the Christmas cottage, and it's a Santa House! They even have a Santa School, and it dates back more than fifty years.  They have memorabilia displayed inside, and it was so fun to look at Santas clear back to the 1950's.  It's a tiny cottage, with just one or two families in at a time, but it's darling.  I'm so, so happy!  We took the kids last night, but Caroline would have no part of it.  She did take a candy cane from Santa, but her love of sugar overcame her fear of the man with the white beard.  :) Kate didn't want to tell Santa anything on her list, because she knows he isn't the "real" Santa.  Santa Claus is much too busy getting ready for Christmas to be anywhere else other than the North Pole, so she knows they are "helper Santas". She wrote her letter to him already, and that's good enough for her!  Love that girl. 

The boys had their last day of preschool yesterday, and they were lucky enough to have Santa stop by!  Two times in one day!  They absolutely love their preschool, and so do I. They have 5 teachers, and only 19 students, so the ratio is awesome. One of their teachers, "Mr. Matt", is a talented musician, and he's always playing something for the kids when we come to pick them up. Yesterday he was playing Christmas songs on his saxophone, and it was beautiful.  Lucky kiddos!!

Don't you love the height difference?  Henry isn't standing on anything. :)

This week I hosted a book exchange party, which I loved for many years, and was excited to continue the tradition here.  There was a great turnout, we laughed and laughed and laughed, and I got to know some new friends. It was a great evening!  

Only 6 more days to go! All the shopping is done, but I haven't wrapped a thing. Traditionally. Rick and I do all the wrapping together on Christmas Eve, but I think we have too many kids to do that.  We might need to start a little early this year.

I'm looking forward to Sunday--I love the Sunday before Christmas, with all the music and performances. I'm lucky enough to be doing several numbers, and I can't wait!  

Merry Christmas!!

{christmas in new york}

As soon as I found out that we would be so close to New York City once we moved, I knew that I waned to take the kids there during Christmas. It's something that I've always wanted to do, and I was excited to introduce them to such an exciting and iconic place...especially during the holidays!

We left Friday morning, and expected to get there early afternoon, but we were VERY wrong.  It took us almost as long to go the three miles into the city as it did to go the 250 miles to get to that point. I've been to a lot of big cities, and driven in a lot of bad traffic, but this was the worst I've ever seen. We didn't plan for it, and got there later than we thought, but such is life, right? The kids were only beating down the windows and doors to get out. :)  Driving down the streets of NYC was an experience.  So many crazy drivers, people walking in front of you no matter what the signals say, one-way traffic, no parking...but we made it to our hotel, checked in, and and the drove down to the parking garage. 

We didn't even unpack..we wanted to take advantage of as much time as we had that night.  We bundled the kids up, and started walking. Our hotel was in Times Square, so we were close to a lot of things on our list, which was really nice.  We headed up to Rockefeller Center, to see the huge tree, and it was incredible. There were SO many people there, and I was nervous about having so many little kids, but they did great--even Henry stayed right with us and didn't try to give me a heart attack. We loved the tree, all the lights and decorations, and the holiday windows were breathtaking.  We just soaked up the atmosphere, the people, and all that Christmas!  We passed the New York Public Library, and about 5 billion hot dog trucks, which Henry died over every single time we saw one. Finally, we had to stop and get him one.  He was so happy.  That boy kills me.  

By this time it was late, and we were al starving (even Henry, who had a hot dog), so we stopped to get something to eat.  I love seeing people's faces when we tell how many people are in our party...and how many kids' menus we need.  :) And the prices?  You really have to be prepared.  The kids' meals were over $10, and regular entrees over $20, at a chain restaurant that I've been to in other cities...with prices at about half that.  But...it is what it is, and we tried not to look at them too much. :) After dinner, it was late, and we were all tired, and it was time for bed!  I don't think any of our eyes were open very long after hitting the pillow--even the baby didn't make a peep!

The next morning we woke up bright and early, ready for a very full day.  First up...ice skating in Central Park!  It was a beautiful day--we go spoiled with weather in the low 40's.  The kids were all excited to get out on the ice, and I took them out while Rick watched with Caroline.  The girls and Ryan were off, and I stayed with Jack and Henry as we made our way around the rink. It was slow-going, and they held on to the side quite a bit, but they kept going and tried hard, and eventually it got easier.  I traded with Rick, and he went out while I was with the baby, until Ryan decided he was done, and then I went back out again.  Kate just wanted to go fast (surprise, surprise), so we took off together, and went as fast as we could, around and around. I can't explain to you how idyllic and perfect it was.  The huge buildings were in the background, the sun was shining, Christmas music was playing, all the people were happy and smiling--it was honestly one of the best moments of the whole trip.  No one wanted to leave, and still, each of the kids proclaim it as their favorite part.  

We had a ferry to catch at Battery Park, and we were clear uptown, so we literally ran to the nearest subway station.  It took a long time to buy separate metro cards (everyone has to have their own), and we were at the vending machine for a quite awhile. :)  Once those were purchased, we wouldn't have to do it again for the rest of the trip, which was nice.  We managed to get to the right train in time, and made it to Battery Park and onto the ferry with a few minutes to spare.  

We took the boat over to the Statue of Liberty first, and then to Ellis Island.  There was a special exhibit at Ellis Island about the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and it was really interesting--all the kids enjoyed it.  Although we had hot dogs on the boat, and that was Henry's favorite part. :)

Our next stop was the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  When Rick and I went to NYC a few years ago, our hotel was right across the street, and they were in the middle of building the museum, but we missed the memorial opening by just a week.  I was glad to be able to finally see it, along with our whole family.  

As emotional and sometimes difficult as it was to see and read about, I wish that every American had the opportunity to visit at least once.  New York streets are very busy and very loud, but interestingly enough as soon as you step foot onto the grounds of the memorial, it's almost completely silent.  The museum is even more so...not even whisperings.  The kids felt it too, although they wouldn't be able to understand why quite yet.  They calmed down too, and asked a lot of questions.  There was a section of the museum that isn't recommended for children under the age of 11, and so Rick stayed with the kids while Ryan and I went in--the plan was to trade off.  There were a lot of tears shed, and not just by me--they had Kleenex boxes posted outside of the alcoves, and they were being used. Some of it was graphic, and many people lost their lives in such a horrible way, and under horrible conditions.  As difficult as it was, I feel like we owe them to know what happened, so their lives weren't lost in vain.  The museum is built directly over where the towers stood, and they actually have sections of the floor that are open, where the columns and foundation are still existing.  It's extremely sobering, but it felt almost religious--it's most assuredly sacred and hallowed ground.  

{the fire department across the street}

We left the museum tired and hungry, but grateful.  We saw a group of policemen as we were leaving, and one of them told us that we should avoid the nearest subway station--which is where we were headed.  He told us that there was a large group of protestors there, and that it wasn't safe.  We were so glad he told us, and he also pointed us in the direction we should go.  The kids were too tired to go to a restaurant, and I was afraid of a total meltdown if we did, so we went back to the hotel. We got them bathed and in pajamas, then snuggled them up in bed to watch a Christmas movie while Rick and Ryan went out to get us food.  We went to The Shake Shack, which is a famous NYC institution, and SO SO SO good.  Burgers, fries, and frozen custard...you can't get better than that!  

The next morning we packed up, took our things to the car, then headed out for a small adventure before heading home.  We stopped at The Crumbs Bakery, which was AMAZING.  We decided it would be a good idea to have cupcakes for breakfast, and we didn't any arguments from the kids.  We did get them orange juice, so that balanced out the sugar, right? :)

Our way home was much faster--no traffic going out of the city!  It was a fairly quick trip, and we got the kids home in time to get into bed at a decent hour of school the next day. It was such a whirlwind trip, but SO fun.  We've decided we're going to make it an annual trip--there is just so much to see and do there, I think it will take us years to even scratch the surface!

Overall, it was a wonderful trip.  We did get A LOT of stares, which we're used to, but I don't think we are the typical family walking up and down the streets of NYC.  We actually didn't see many kids in general, so we really stuck out. But that's okay...I'm very glad that we're able to take them and introduce them to new places, different cultures and people, and a different way of life.

With all the busy-ness of the season, and the craziness that our family has had the past few months, I'm grateful for the few days away that we had together.  

It was a wonderful Christmas in New York experience!