New Years Eve + Day

 

We had a fantastic New Years Eve. Sterling and I thought about inviting people--but most of our friends are students and even if they had been around for Christmas, they had headed home right after. I have to say--I am so glad it was just us! We had such a great time with the kids! We played games, some Sleeping Queens (the kids are so in love with this game right now it makes it so fun! Molly asks every single morning to play!) and Peek-a-Doodle. Then we did a dance party and let the kids run around with these little party blowers. (Our neighbors gave us a Christmas gift with the hats, the blowers, the glow sticks, and some outside toys like bubbles and things. It worked out so great!) It was LOUD. I figured the neighbors wouldn't mind too much, because it was only about 7pm. Oh and at dinner we had 7 layer dip and ribs(which turned out amazing thanks to Sterling) and Sparkling Cider. It was fancy and fun and delicious. Okay---the kids pretty much only ate the tortilla chips plain, but Sterling and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Then I sprayed the kids with Silly String. They were NOT impressed. All of them cried and told me how angry they were. It was hilarious--I caught some of it on video and Grandma Rasmussen called the next day to say they were laughing so hard. Then we got out the glow sticks and turned off all the lights and did a whole lotta glow stick dancing, with more kazoo blowing. More loud, exciting fun. The kids had such a great time and it was great to enjoy all the dancing and excitement with them. Once they were in bed, Sterling and I played a few games by ourselves and then headed into bed. We watched the ball drop while falling asleep (that's actually never been a tradition in my family, or for us, so it was kind of fun to watch it this year). All in all, it was a stupendous family night.

More check-ups from Doc McStuffins.

 New Years Day was a studying day for Sterling, so the kids and I headed to Wellington (a super small town about twenty five minutes away. Small as in...big for rural places but small for South Florida. It is the Winter Equestrian Capital of the entire world!!!!! There were big billboards all around for all the horse events they have. Super cool.) to try out the Shark Cove Park. It was definitely cool. And the day started out chilly but ended up being absolutely beautiful. Definitely a fun morning!

The kid thought this was the greatest teeter-totter in the world! At dinner they described it to Sterling a million times, and how they had SIX people on it at one time!

Little Russell's first time in a swing!!!!!! He was a little concerned at first, but he warmed up a little bit by the end.

Oh he is such sweet perfection it makes my heart ache!