I'm GETTNG MARRIED!

Marc and I are getting married in 2010! We couldn't be happier to have found each other and both believe all of our lives (us and our FIVE kids) will be more fun, more fulfilling, and happier together. We don't have a date and we do have a lot of work in front of us, but we are excited to get the ball rolling -sooner rather than later as Marc says. Willow adores Marc. Adores him. Here they are toasting - Willow has no idea that any of this is happening, but she was thrilled to have an opportunity to drink a limitless supply of bubbly grape juice in a fancy glass:

I told Lily in a sweet, quiet moment in the early morning in front of the Christmas tree: "Marc and I decided to get married." Long pause. "How do you feel about that, Lily?" "Good, but there's only one problem: our house is not big enough for 5 kids."

After I explained that we'll sell both our houses and get a bigger house, she said that she'll miss Marc when he goes to Hawaii. When I asked why she thinks he'll go to Hawaii, she said "Every man goes to Hawaii after they get married, don't they??"

Since I told her about our plan, she is more affectionate and connected to him than ever. About 2 hours later, she wanted to call him. When he answered she said "I'm glad you and my mom are getting married, Marc."

Here is the toast between Lily and Marc:

At 39 years old (and previously married), I wouldn't consider changing my name... if it weren't for the girls. They already have to deal with "Is that your real mom?" and "Is that your real sister?" constantly. We are all going to be a family, and I don't want to add on a life time of "How come your dad has a different last name than you?" and "Who is your real dad?" etc. It's so much more grounding for them if we are all Hansons. Here is the newest part of the Hanson clan-to-be:

December

These girls are so excited for Christmas! Lily has been asking me how many more days since Thanksgiving. She asked Santa for a Nintendo DS, a Cookin' Mama game, candy, and a white bunny with a blue bow tie. I have NO idea where she got the bunny idea, but Santa hasn't had much luck finding one yet. Dang.


We went to Eastman Nature Center for a walk in the woods, crafts and snacks with Santa. Willow did end up sitting with Santa (when he gave out candy), but Grammy had technical difficulties at that point, so there are no photos. Grammy was going to arrive during the class and take them home with her so I'd have the afternoon to do Christmas shopping. She showed up right as the class was starting! I had no problem leaving early and got a bunch of errands done. All these pictures are thanks to Grammy. Thanks, Gram!

The bear was part of a school assignment: each Kindergartener takes the bear home for one weekend and then writes a journal entry about their time together with photos included. He made it to the Holidazzle parade, the Nature Center, and to the over-night at Grammy and Papa's house that weekend.

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas shots:

Lily bundled up at the Holidazzle parade:

It's hard to believe this is the same child who had 30+ fits a day when I first met her. She is happy and silly and bright almost all the time. When she's mad, she's REALLY really mad, but when she's happy - she's joyful:

Willow has named her American Girl doll (from grammy) Fan. That's right: Fan. I asked her one day what the doll's name was. She blinked in thought, looked at the doll, looked back at me and said "Fan".

One night when I got to her room (after bed time stories and prayers on the couch) she had her PAPER gingerbread man in bed with her. I said "You're not going to sleep with a stuffed animal or a doll tonight?" She patted her little craft from Di's house (daycare) and said "no". I said "You're going to sleep with a piece of paper?" She said "Yes". So I kissed her good night and she said "Night night, mom. Night night ginger man." His little head was on her pillow and he was under the covers just like her. WEIRD!!!

That same "ginger man" had an incident on our couch recently: As I was reading bedtime stories, Willow (as usual) got up off the couch and went into her room. I kept reading to Lily, ignoring Willow's inabililty to sit still as long. She came out of her room with "gingerman" and climbed up on the couch with him. She bent his little legs like he was sitting on the couch between her knees, patted my arm, and said "Boo boo biaper, mom". That's how she tells me her diaper is in need of a change. So, this gingerman was going to the bathroom on my couch! Lily and I laughed 'til her eyes were watering. Willow was all business. She just kept saying "boo boo biaper", I kept telling her to get his stinky butt off my couch, and Lily kept cracking up.

We always have our Santa pictures taken at Portraits of the Heart in Andover. I love that we get an appointment (instead of waiting in a line), Santa sneaks in the photo while the camera ladies make the girls smile (instead of terrified kids forced to sit on the stranger's lap). Plus - it's not much more expensive that the mall shots. I love how Lily is her typical poised self and Willow is bursting out of her skin with JOY:

Before we left they asked the girls if they wanted to visit with Santa. Lily did; Willow didn't. Lily sat on his lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas. I have to admit that I put Willow on his lap for ONE SECOND in case I could get a cute photo (which I did NOT), and she screamed for about 5 seconds. As we got in our car leaving the studio, Lily and I waved saying "Bye, Santa. We love you!" Willow said "Willow no love you, Santa. Only Lily."!

Wrapping up November

Beam bought the girls matching outfits recently - they love matching each other!
We shared part of our Thanksgiving with Marc, Ben, Sam and Megan at Grandma King's house. At one point Willow fell and got a little goose egg on her forehead (between her eyes). She reached out of my arms for SAM! He cuddled up with her and read a book for about 1/2 an hour - 'til she forgot about her sorrows. No wonder she adores him.

They just play and play constantly - they are seriously kindred spirits!

Willow shared her myPod with Papa.

One night after dinner at Marc's house, Ben and Megan each put a little girl on their back and ran around the house. Lily would holler "SWITCH" after a while and they'd switch backs and start all over again. By the time it was done, they were all 4 hot, sweaty, and giggly.

Here are some new dance moves: