New Year's Eve, 2011

NYE 2011. Taken at 9pm, hence the tired eyes on the kiddos.

Who says you can't have fun on New Year's Eve when you have kids? Not us. Our first New Year's Eve as parents was in 2009. That year my brother- and sister-in-law Carl and Jane, as well as Ben's parents, were with us in New Jersey. We all went out to eat with Aunt Susan and almost-one-year-old Adelaide, then came back to our tiny little apartment and shared reflections of the year and resolutions for the next year. Then Carl, Jane, Ben and myself decided to do something crazy - go see a movie! Hah, okay, not too crazy. But it was fun. We went to see The Blindside with Sandra Bullock while Del and Lyndon stayed at the apartment with Adelaide.

NYE 2009. Jane, Carl, Lyndon & Delwyn Hockey

NYE 2009. Aunt Susan, Ben, Rachel.

NYE 2009. Hockey's - Ben, Rachel & Adelaide.

New Year's Eve 2010 was not too exciting. Charlie was a mere 3 weeks old and we were one night away from starting potty training with Adelaide. It's sad to say that I don't really remember what we did that night, but I think we had some friends over and a little champagne (very little for me - like, a sip). I don't remember seeing the ball drop that night; I was much too sleep-deprived.

New Year's Day, 1/1/11. Adelaide potty training. 

NYE 2011. Adelaide, (almost) 3 years old, eating her chicken, fresh fruit, green beans, french fries, and bread.
What can I say, she likes to eat!

NYE 2011. Charlie, 1 year old, playing with trucks.

This last New Year's Eve really was fun though. We had been saving up some money so we could go to Ben's work for their annual party. There were just a few other families from his work with us, so it was very cozy and intimate, while sharing an amazing meal in a private room at 2941. The dinner started at 6 and had a kid-friendly buffet before the parents sat down to order our three-course French meal. The kids then played with toys and watched a movie on a projector and we could enjoy a bit of wine and fancy things, like truffles and the like. I was a bit nervous about how long we would be able to stay, but the kids held it together pretty well and we made it through dessert at 9pm. It was nice that we could have a break from routine without any tantrums :) But what am I saying, these are angel children!! (wink, wink)

NYE 2011. Charlie boy and mama, before I changed him into his PJ's.

October Fun

I feel like October begins the busy season that goes until the new year. I am feeling quite tired from the past few weeks of going going going and my body is paying for it - Adelaide and I both have a little cough/cold. I'm sure eating the Halloween candy doesn't help my immune system much either.

Oct. 2011 Charlie the dinosaur and Adelaide Minnie Mouse at the Farmer's Market

Last week I took the kids to a little pumpkin patch in Burke. It was a lot of fun and I had debated about going but I'm glad I made the effort. The day we went was absolutely gorgeous fall weather, too. Adelaide is at an age that she enjoys doing little special things like that but I have to balance it with Charlie's need for sleep. Finding that balance brings a good amount of joy and peace in our house :)

Oct. 2011 Adelaide the bumble bee saying the pledge of allegiance at school

Last night we went over to our friends' house for some chili and trick-or-treating. It was Adelaide's first time to trick-or-treat and she had a lot of fun. We only went down one or two streets because, quite frankly,  we didn't have a need to bring home more than a couple dozen pieces of candy and it was getting a bit late and cold. Charlie was already asleep when we went out last night but I think next year he and Adelaide will have a lot of fun going door-to-door together.

10.31.11 Adelaide and Charlie

10.31.11 Adelaide and Wyatt trick-or-treating

On a side note, I haven't had to make dinner in several nights because of all the different events we have been at but I'm looking forward to making one of my favorite recipe from my sister-in-law's website, teaforsix, a Roast Vegetable and Red Lentil Soup. This is a very versatile recipe in that you can use all sorts of different vegetables and it is so hearty and delicious. I am bringing some of the soup to a family at our church that just had a baby. A perfect fall soup that tastes good and is good for you!

10.31.11 Minnie Mouse and Dash