Whew, I am really behind! It seems like we went straight from the holidays to birthday planning. Blogging and computer time have been pushed way down the list of important things to do. I hope to catch up with a few things and get back into a routine soon.
New Year’s Eve. Stephen and I had planned a day with the kids. We were going to hang out around the house and party with the kids. I went to the store and bought some decorations, party tiaras and torture devices party horns for Emily. We planned up a menu of appetizer food for dinner and had sparkling grape juice and bubbly on hand for toasting. It was going to be a fun time!
That morning, we got a call that changed our plans. And I am not complaining at all! Grandma and Papa called and wanted to know if they could party with the kids for a few hours that night while Stephen and I went out and had some alone time. I don’t know any person in their right mind that would turn that down! We still had our appetizer dinner and Emily had her sparkling juicy. The main change was that we didn’t have to put Emily to bed that night. And that was a treat in itself! Of course, she wasn’t actually asleep when we got home and we had to tuck her in again but that’s ok. She got to play with Grandma and Papa for a little bit before she was supposed to go to sleep.
A few hours of child-free time? We didn’t have much time to plan so we were basically flying by the seat of our pants! We were on the hunt for ice cream! After trying a few place, to no avail, we found our way to Cold Stone Creamery. That place is so good. I sometimes wonder what they lace the ice cream with to keep you coming back. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it was unseasonably warm on New Year’s Eve. So much so that there were tornadoes in the neighboring county. We spent a bit of our afternoon in the basement when the sirens went off. So ice cream on December 31 wasn’t too far-fetched.
After we got our sugar high, we still weren’t sure what we wanted to do with our remaining hour or so. We were just driving around and ended up on Main Street. We saw an open carriage and decided that we were going to take a carriage ride. We have always wanted to take one and I am not sure why we haven’t. It was a lot of fun. The only downside, if you can call it that, was that the cold front had moved in and it was pretty darn cold by the time we loaded into the carriage. They were prepared though with blankets. Stephen and I snuggled in and enjoyed the ride.
It was time to head home and relieve Grandma and Papa so they could beat the crazies home. We had a really great time and are really grateful for the last-minute plan change. We weren’t watching a movie, snuggled on our bed, but we were having an even better time. At last, we toasted at midnight to a wonderful new year.
2010 was crazy and wonderful. We had an addition to our family, Stephen started a new job, I broke my foot, Emily started preschool. A lot of big things happened while life went on its mundane way. I loved every minute of it. I hope 2011 is even better! In its own way….
Happy New Year!
I am a woman who wears many hats. Wife, mother, maid, cook, boo boo kisser and friend to name a few. I stay at home with my children. That doesn't mean I don't work! Believe me, I do. I love my life, despite the challenges I face. Every day is a gift and I try to live each day to the fullest. 
Love Overflowing 