Cookies Galore

I am having more posts without pictures because while in the moment I forget to take pictures. Saturday Mimi and my mom came over to bake cookies (and entertain Lilah). Mandi frosted sugar cookies (that's her usual job) while my mom and I baked and stirred and mixed. It was fun, and super messy, and still not done. I have some in the refrigerator now that I have to finish tomorrow. Lance even suggested that we have enough and I didn't need to do more...which is quite weird coming from a guy who really, really loves cookies. I think that means I have a lot. But, the best are to come tomorrow (chocolate decadence peppermint patty cookies....MMMMMMMMMMMM). The best part about Christmas and this season are traditions, so the Buslach girl baking will continue for years to come.

Snowflake Lane?

Lance's parents came to join us for some time with Lilah today, and we decided on the Dirty Bird (aka: Red Robin) and a visit to Snowflake Lane in downtown Bellevue. We haven't been for 2 years and thought it would be great for Lilah to experience the drummers, the music, all the people, the lights, and snow! However, we spent our visit to Snowflake Lane in Red Robin. Fortunately we got a window seat so she could still clap, giggle and stare at the drummer outside of the window, but after a 45 minute wait, we couldn't eat fast enough. We still had a great time visiting with "papa" and "ma" and Lilah did so great (although didn't eat much, but was so good coloring, talking, laughing and just watching people). Our pictures were after the crowd was completely gone and the show was totally over. Oh well - next year for sure. It was great to have a fun dinner and time with family.

Meet Little Samson Muchlinski

Lilah and I visited the Muchlinskis last Friday to see little Samson and bring over a few boy clothes (since they didn't find out until he was born if he was a girl or boy). I got to hold him probably for the longest time I've held a teeny baby since Lilah was that size! He is precious, wonderful, and so very sweet. He seems like a great baby - eating like a champ, sleeping pretty well, and his cry is very tame compared to what our princesses cry sounded like at that age. :) I think Mike loves being a daddy again and being a father just fits him. Lilah spent a few minutes to hug and kiss Samson, but she mainly just wanted to play with Mike (hence the photo with a plastic drill and safety goggles). She absolutely adores him....not a day goes by that she doesn't ask about Mike and Jiji. Julie looks and seems fantastic. I think motherhood suits her quite well. She is so upbeat, positive, and looks beautiful. Congrats to our very dear, dear friends. You are so very blessed to have that little bundle, and HE is so blessed to have the two of you as parents!

Horrible Blogger

For some reason, I can't figure it out. UGH! I've tried about 10 times, and it continues to show an error no matter what I do.

So, I will fool the system and put her website here and you will have to do a little cut and paste action to see the goods.

http://www.littlesproutcreations.com/Little_Sprout_Creations.html

Amazing PEPS Mama Award Goes To...

Jen of course. I can't even begin to explain all the planning, decorating, food preparation, and just plain cute things that go into all of our PEPS gatherings. She is always the hostess with the mostess, has cute labels for our treats, plans the parties/events, makes the invitations, and then comes up with a craft or gift bag for us to take home. AND, to top it all off, she's the one of all of us (thus far) with two kids. It's pretty spectacular (and I never use that word, only saving it for very spectacular people).
So, after all that, she won this prestigious award after once again hosting a PEPS holiday party for all the kids. We had delicious snacks (italian sodas, sugar & cinnamon covered almonds, coconut covered cupcakes). She had planned for all the mom's to exchange three small gifts (we each brought three and distributed them) and each child brought one to exchange. So much fun! I got a lot of sweet treats, and Lilah got some new sockies and a farm animal plate. The kids all made ornaments where they stamped their hand print on a piece of paper, and Jen drew on a nose and mouth, and added pipe cleaner for the antlers. Awesome.
I am hoping this works as I've never done this before, but I'm going to (hopefully) link Jen's website on here so you see all the wonderful things she does! This year her husband took our family pictures AND Jen made our Christmas cards.

What a Difference a Year Makes...

Lilah one year ago in front of our tree...


Lilah this Christmas...

Tons and Tons and TONS of Words!

I cannot believe every day how much Lilah is saying. Now, I don't think we have a genius on our hands, that's not what I am saying. I just thought I would share how very amazing it is that she is saying so many words and names and stringing words together (like "buh-bye dada" and "buh-bye di di").
Lilah right now is so interested in other people and particularly babies. I walked in to get her up this morning and started singing my "good morning" song to her. Immediately she starts saying, "Didi? Mimi? Dada?" Nope... granny's at her house, Mimi's at work and so is daddy. It's just me. You know, you're mama? Everything she says thank you, it's actually, "Thank you dada", no matter who she's thanking.
We're really working on Samson's name, but unfortunately she associates every baby with either Rory or Hank. Every single baby is Rory or Hank (my friend Jen from my PEPS group's baby girl, and Hank is my friend Kjell's sweet boy). So very sorry Samson. I have a feeling you will be Rory or Hank for quite a while.