Art Projects

So, we have this day room off the kitchen that has been turned into a toy room. It is a great room. Nice and bright, the girls can play in there while I cook and I can keep an eye on them. The idea is that their toys on the first floor will be in there and not take over the the other rooms but that is not always the case. We have been trying to figure out what to put on the wall in there for a while. Simon feels strongly that all artwork in our house should have a story. Great idea but you can only have so many heirloom picutres and apparently, "I went to the store and liked this picture" isn't a story that is a approved. Our friend Bridget (who is totally crafty and used to be our interior decorator when we lived in Columbus) gave us the idea of having the girls paint canvases and then hang them in the the room.

We finally took the time to go to the store with the girls and let them pick out some colors of paint. Ruthie picked pink and Lulu picked purple (shocker I know) and I picked an avacado green since the walls are a slate/green/blue color with white trim. We let them paint one color at a time. Lulu's pictures were exactly what we had envisioned for the room. And Ruthie being completely type A began to freak out at any white space. So, she turned her 2 canvases into solid colors. Simon's idea was to put their andprints and ours on her sli canvas to give it a little something more than just solid pink or purple. It was such a great family activity and I know the girls really enjoyed themselves and now we have a cool story to tell about the artwork on our walls.

Groundhogs Day

Seriously, what is up with the date on this blog. I am not really that tech savy and I am starting to get annoyed that i can't change the date. For example my Christmas post says it was on December 19th.

Make it stop!

Team Bisson Christmas Pajamas

Oh yes, as if all the craziness of Team Bisson and the Christmas cards and address labels wasn't excitement enough, I may have forgot to mention that we also have to have Team Bisson Christmas pajamas every year. The girls have matching and Simon and I have matching. I know totally hot right?!

Also, thought I would highlight some of the best parts of our Christmas vacation.

* The girls had a great time with their Gammy. We had a great time with Gammy taking great care of the girls.

* Seeing Katie & Tim and Marty & Elizabeth is always great. I just wish we lived closer or got to see them more often but when we do get to see eachother it is like no time went by at all. Also, seeing Katie's impression of the dance from Little Miss Sunshine on Christmas night was certainly a big highlight. A couple of years ago she did this leg jump and landed flat on her face and usually she brings out the Rockette High kicks but we made it out of this year's charade night with only the Little Miss Sunshine dance. Lucky us!

* Great to see Grandpa, Mary Jo, Regan and Kevin. Uncle Kevin who is 12 spent alot of time on the computer with Ruthie as she is obsessed with playing computer games. She really has taken the computer world by storm at the ripe old age of 2. Aunt Regan just found out a week before Christmas that she got into Georgetown early action so that made her Christmas.

* Hanging out with great friends for the night while my mom babysat was super awesome. Too bad I paid for it for the whole next day, but I never really get to do that so when you get the chance you have to live it up.

* We had a very loud Christmas. All the presents seem to make noise and loud music. Thank goodness for off buttons. Although, Barney doesn't have an off button. Lulu loves that he sings the I Love you song. Barney rocks!

* Ruthie and Lulu got lots of Baby dolls. Thank goodness as that was the only thing that Ruthie said she wanted everytime she went to see Santa.

* Lulu's godmother Bridget got the girls a 5 piece music set. It has a harmonica, a flute, a tamborine, a keyboard with a microphone and a 6 piece drum set. OH MY GOODNESS! We are so excited. This was such a generous gift and the girls are completely in love with it. I could not be happier since they love to rock it out with their dance parties. Bridget is way to good to the girls. I know that people may think that we have lost our mind but it is not like they will be playing it while I am trying to sleep (sleep what is that?) As long as we are up the noise level in our house it out of control regardless!

* Lulu spent most of the vacation sick. Hence the Paci in every picture. When you don't feel well and you are not in your own home, you need to do whatever it takes to make you happy. We really are going to take 2008 to be the year of no Paci. A big thank you to Lulu who infected all of us with her sickness and now we are all miserable.

* Simon is off work until January 3rd and we are looking forward to having some quality Team Bisson family time.

Christmas 2007

We had an amazing time in Cleveland. It was so great to see family and friends. Brief Rundown of events.

Friday: Went shopping at Nordie's and Whole Foods (Again, I have to always hit my favorite spots while in a big city) Also took Grammy Ruthie out to dinner. Pretty cool to have 4 generations of Women at the table. Grammy Ruthie, Gammy (Molly's Mom), Molly, and then the girls.

Saturday: More shopping, hung out with Grandpa (Molly's Dad) and just took it easy

Sunday: Met Kristen for Brunch, more shopping, and then went to the Cavs game and out partying with Nicole and Trav.

Monday: Seriously paid for the night of partying for most of the day. Then went to the Children's Mass at the Church at my gradeschool. Ordered in dinner and relaxed while waiting for Santa to arrive.

Tuesday: Went to Grandpa's in the morning after opening presents at Gammy's. Hung out at Gammy's for the day waiting for the festivites to begin at Gammy's house. Uncle Marty and Elizabeth and Katie and Tim all spoiled the girls beyond belief and then we were honored with the the DeJohn Family and the Hall family for dinner and family game night. Family game night is a long standing tradition. Where we literally play charades for hours. This year we added a new element with a cool left, right and center dice game!

Wednesday: More shopping and lunch with just Team Bisson. Shopping with Katie and Gammy in the afternoon and dinner and drinks with the McGann side of the family.

Thursday: WE were ready to go home and relax.

There was seriously not a moment of down time in the entire trip. But we really had a fabulous time and would not miss Cleveland for anything.

Rock and Roll Dance Party

Simon was actually the one to come up with this Family Party. I think it was on a Snowy Sunday last year when we were stuck inside and we needed to tire Ruthie out. What else do you do when there is nothing to do? DANCE PARTY. (Remember we met as counselors at Summer Camp. )

Needless to say, we have a dance party just about every day at our house. It is something we have started to have to ration as who can really dance all day every day? We have a bad 80's CD and the girls love to dance to: Ice Ice Baby, Jesse's Girl, What I like about you, Tainted Love, etc. I think it is cool that they both know the words to these classics. Since we have been taking music class they have added a new element to the dance parties with their Wiggles guitars and makeshift drums. I have asked for real drums for the girls for Christmas and everyone thinks I am totally crazy. I say BRING IT ON!

We are headed to Cleveland tomorrow for the Holiday's and we are so excited. The girls can't wait to see their Gammy and their Grandpa. Also, I am looking forward to seeing family and friends and sleeping in and not changing diapers.

KEEP ON ROCKIN!

More Snow

It is confirmed that Lulu does in fact like the snow. She just doesn't like it when Simon is around as she insists on being held by Daddy ALL THE TIME.

Pink Coat Mafia


Lulu

Ruthie

SNOW!!!!

Talking a walk behind our house

This morning we woke up to tons of snow! Ruthie could hardly wait to get outside and play in it. Lulu was a little hesitant and it took some convincing to get her ready for the great outdoors. We compromised and let her take her Paci outside, of course she kept dropping it and couldn't figure out why it was freezing and covered with white stuff. Ruthie wanted to walk all over the neighborhood and Lulu insisted on being carried the entire time. After many frozen tears, Simon took Lulu inside and Ruthie and I went and got our babysitter that lives a few houses away and played outside for about an hour. She had so much fun. We built a hill in the front from where the plow piled the snow and finally got to use her new red sled. After a while she started to walk to the front door when I asked her where she was going she said.... "I am going inside to see Daddy, I am freezing."

Lulu and Daddy sledding

Ruthie and Mommy

Ruthie and Andrea making snow angels

Chocolate Covered Treats

Every year I like to make chocolate covered treats for the people that Simon works with. It gets me in the Christmas spirit and I know that the treats are well received at his work. I usually stick with pretzels, who doesn't love them, but this year Simon wanted to also do Oreo's. He is a bit of a chocolate addict. Saturday night I put Ruthie and Simon in charge of the Oreo's, I must admit I get to be a little crazy in the kitchen with this project. Simon doesn't realize that presentation is half of it and he tends to just throw things around with chocolate all over the place. Anyway, the oreo's turned out great and they were a little rough around the perfection edges so I melted some white chocolate and drizzled over the milk chocolate and they looked great! I got beautiful bags, ribbon and tags for the gifts and I hope they are a hit.

Here are some pics of my little helpers. Lulu refused to help as she just got a new Wiggles video from the library and she couldn't tear herself away. Maybe next year.

Lulu's First Haircut

We took Lulu to get her first haircut last night. Even though she is a year and 8 months, her hair is taking it's time coming in. This is not something Simon and I are remotely concerned about. I never had hair and I am a proud member of the big hair club so she is fine.

She was so good, the woman brought her a Zebra cape which she loved. She sat all stoic and was taking it all in. She was just focusing on Daddy, who of course was holding back the tears. Just before everything was over, she started saying "OK, all done, OK... all done, all done" and kept trying to get up. We put the pacifier in but we figred it was best to just let it be over. She did so great.

Buying product

Being patient

Ruthie may have a future as a hairdresser.

Lunch with Santa

They really do like Santa

This was the closest Lulu would get to him

Every year Starr has a lunch for all the students, and staff. There are a few hundred people at this lunch. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves last year and especially liked seeing Santa so we could hardly wait for this year's lunch. It is a great time to be at Starr. The excitement in the room, the choir singing just really gets you ready for Christmas. We were super excited about seeing Santa again. A selected staff member reads the the traditional Christmas story and then the youngest student gets to light the fire. (It is a really old Gymnasium with a Fireplace at one end) Floyd Starr the founder of Starr started this tradition and said that it will only take 1 match because there should be enough love in the room to keep the fire burning. The fire was huge which means the lunch was a big success. Starr is such a great place!

2006 Christmas Lunch

Birthday

Making cupcakes
















Don't get between Lulu and a cupcake. She wants one NOW!!!




















Life is good.





















Ruthie on a sugar high from dough and cupcakes



I had a great Birthday. We had a babysitter last night and Simon and I went out to dinner. We were home by 9:15 and in bed by 10pm (I really know how to party). I got to sleep in until 7:45am which is a huge treat. Then we all went to target this morning. I had the afternoon to go out and shop by myself! I was able to finish up our Christmas shopping, now all I have to do is wrap them. Ruthie and I made cupcakes my favorite, Funfetti. Lulu refused to help since she could not be taken away from her precious Barney for even a minute. Simon and the girls got me a fabulous day at the spa which I plan to use next weekend.

Also, my friend Debi posted a great story on her blog with some pictures that brought tears to my eyes! What a great trip down memory lane. Check it out, her link is on the right of this page called, Debi in Jersey.

I am blessed with 2 great girls and a wonderful husband.

Grandpa's - Red Plastic Sled

Lulu hasn't quite figured out that it isn't a surfboard

I saw this sled at Target and I had to get it. It was like I was having a flashback of my childhood and I could picture myself all bundled up and my dad taking me for a ride in this long red plastic sled. So there I am walking through Target with a big red boat and Simon shaking his head because he made me swear we were only getting cleaning supplies and nothing else. (Target sucks you in, I swear). So we get home and Ruthie insists on bringing the sled in the house. Even better, now we can play with the sled and not freeze our butts off! Perfect!

Although, the wierd thing about the sled is that all day long she was putting blankets and toys in the sled and out of the sled, and pushing Lulu around, all the while saying she was going to Grandpa's house. Wierd. If I said anything about the sled it was that I remember my dad pulling me around and this was only to Simon, nothing about Grandpa. So, here is to the red sled, I hope that Grandpa pulls them around in it while we are in Cleveland, then I can stay inside and drink hot chocolate.

Girls Day Out

To get into the Christmas spirit I really needed to hit a mall where there is some civilization. So, the girls and I went on a girls adventure. We drove 1 1/2 hours away to the Rivertown Crossings Mall. It was so great to be out with all the holiday music and the decorated stores and tons of moms and the stroller brigades at the mall. We played at the play area in the mall for a while. We hit the Carousel, we saw Santa, I got tons of shopping in. The girls were perfect all day. Ruthie saw Santa and gave him a huge hug. She confirmed with Santa that she wants a Baby Doll. Not a baby as previously expressed. Few! Didn't know how I was going to explain that one to her. Lulu ate a foot long hot dog and then wanted more from the food court. Did I mention her absolute love of hot dogs? I think she was introduced in the summer at all the cook-outs and she has been hooked. I know that there are better foods to eat but I buy the beef healthy ones and I am hoping this is a phase. But man can that girl put down the dogs. She loves her fruit, vegetables (especially broccoli), salmon, chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes, but the past 3 days all she will eat is milk by the gallon and hotdogs. Oh well.

I love days like our girls adventure days. It breaks up the boring and it makes me happy. I think when you imagine what being a mom is like it is always a girls adventure day.

Holiday Christmas Cards

So, I am totally behind the 8 ball this year trying to find a Christmas card icture. We had professional pictures taken in October in the leaves and they were super cute except Simon didn't like the way the girls looked in the picture. It was one of those where we all wore denim and black and were sitting in the leaves. He thought they looked like boys. I kinda think that hopefully the people we would be sending the pictures to would know we had 2 girls but back to the drawing board. So then we had a cute picture of the girls and us in front of the tree in their Christmas pajamas. Oh Yes, Every year Simon makes us get Team Bisson matching Christmas pajamas. That is another post for another day. That picture was cute until someone who shall remain nameless saw a picture of them in their PJ's and stated they look like Thing 1 and Thing 2. Which was funny but, also that put that picture on the Do Not Use list. So, we had our neighbor come over the other night for a photo session, because seriously, again, Simon with the cards wants all of Team Bisson in the picture. He prefers to see his friends in pictures instead of just a bunch of his friends kids. So yet again, we got alot of duds and I think we may have 1 decent 1.

I love Simon. He makes me laugh and he gets hung up on the cutest things such as the Christmas cards. So this year when we received our first Christmas card from Nicole and Trav he starts bugging me about our cards. Then the other day we received not only a card but a letter from Mike and Val McKenney with the updates on everyone in their family so his wheels start turning. So he has composed a letter. The letter was super cute, and all things that I guess I just take for granted and forget to mention on the blog about where they are and what they are doing right now. Which really is what this whole thing is suppoesd to be about. So, I thought I would include Simon's little notes about the girls.


Seasons Greetings from the Bisson Family! 2007 has brought us many blessings and, as usual has been a real adventure.

We enjoyed our second year living in Michigan. We deeply miss our friends and the Buckeyes we left behind in Columbus, but are settling into life as Michiganders or Michiganians (take your pick!)

Ruthie is now 2.5 and had a blast at the beach this summer, and loves her music class and gymnastics (nastics in her world). She is outgoing, fearless, loving and full of energy. She is very protective of her sister, Lulu, and can’t go to sleep at night unless our 95 lb chocolate lab, Guernsey, sleeps on her bed with her. She loves goldfish crackers and her stuffed green Froggy and cartoons, especially Dora the Explorer.

Lucy (Lulu) is 1.5 and loves eating sand at the beach, cuddling, is cautious and curious about everything. She can’t live without her stuffed elephant and cannot be away from her ‘paci’ for very long (we’re working on breaking the addiction). Lulu loves waking up really early and having special time with daddy every morning (we wish she’d learn the concept of ‘weekend’). She loves playdoh, books and must have whatever toy her sister is playing with (right now!) Lulu loves her sister and has learned that she has to fight for her rights (quite successfully) when it comes to getting her share of attention.


He then talks about us and there is no need to bore you and we must leave something for most of ou to read when you get the actual card.

Another thing that we have this year are the personalized address labels with pictures of our heads and Santa Hats. Again, did I mention that he really gets into the Christmas card.

So, since there were so many bad pictures for the Christmas card, I thought I would humor you.

Enjoy.

Rose Petal Cottage

The Girls were fortunate to receive a fabulous early Christmas present from Vicki and Tony. This has been the hit of the house for the past few weeks. This cottage has been all over the TV. Well, the kid shows anyway, and everytime Ruthie sees it she gets so excited and yells, I have that too! It is so awesome. It has a washer, a sink, an oven, a cradle and changing table for a baby and a comfy chair to sit in. They love having their own space so this is perfect. You can close it to make it private or you can leave the side open. The girls love to have the two side closed as it allows them to have their own little play area that I can't get in. At one point I looked in and they had every book in the house in the cottage along with all of there babies. They were literally sitting on books.

They are 2 lucky girls to have such wonderful people like Vicki and Tony in their lives, to love them, to spoil them, to look to them for guidance. Vicki and Tony have been wonderful friends to Simon and I over the past 11 years. Molly first became friendly with Vicki when her daughter Casey attended camp and had a little case of homesickness, and helped with bunk issues with Jodi. It is pretty cool that we were there to help with their kids and now they are here to help with ours.

Under the Mistletoe

Yea, The Junior League - Under the Mistletoe event was a huge success. The committee worked long and hard to pull off a huge party! WE had 50 more people than last year, 30 more than our official count was allowed to be at the Country Club. (Oops) And the greatest news was that with just the preliminary numbers in, we are really close to doubling our numbers from last year.

It was certainly alot of work but, something I am proud to be a part of.

Of course the camera died after just a few shots, but the club looked awesome totally decked out for the holidays and how about those beautiful centerpieces?