Merry Christmas!

We took the kids to see Santa at Macy's.



There was lots of cool stuff to look at.





They were in a trance.



Cyra told Santa she wanted "a puppy, but not a real one and a barbie doll." She heard about the latter at a recent play date. She did not (and will not) get one, but did get a nice grown-up Dora doll for Christmas that they thought looked just like Hediyeh and called it the Hediyeh doll. Way better than a barbie!





Lulu just stared into Santa's eyes and said hello.



Then we took the kids to McDonalds at Macy's and fed them french fries and ice cream. It was a zoo.



And this is the kids' home-made nativity. Lulu is always baby Jesus and Cyra is Mary. This box that accompanied some presents from their grandparents was one of their favorite toys by a long-shot.



We went to the Met for Christmas Eve to see their beautiful tree (that we could not take pictures of). I also didn't take pictures of Lulu pretending she was a puppy the entire time. She just crawled on her hands and knees and would go up to people and bark and try to lick them. Then, she would go up to the Rodin statues and hug them and say "My Friend!" and not let anyone look at them. It's a good thing the museum wasn't that crowded on Christmas Eve.



And this is a belly shot at 24 weeks. It's bigger than it looks in this photo.





Making wishes in the fountain.



Asking for pennies.



Cyra winding up to throw. Jared started handing out my nickles and quarters and I had to put a stop to the whole thing. I told Cyra she could buy candy with that money and she immediately pocketed it.

Christmas Morning:



Cyra was so excited to open her stocking (she woke up first). I think that would have been enough for her. I thought the girls were at such a perfect age this year. Christmas was so much fun. They were so happy and pleased with everything. Lulu was a little bit frantic with excitement. We did everything at our house and my parents came down. It was lovely.





Note Lulu's hair. She had to put on or try or open every present she got.



She was just so excited opening everything...until she got to the tights (Lulu hates having her legs covered. She is always in shorts or a dress (and shoes). Tights are her least favorite article of clothing). When she opened it, she just ran to me and said "I don't want it, tights!" and made sure I put them away quickly like it was some cruel joke to have wrapped the tights to look like all of the other presents.



She put on her dress and new fancy shoes and got on her bike and that was her day. Cyra was much more mature. She just put her presents away and picked her favorites to play with.



And we ended the day with a nice meal and some apple crisp and ice cream. The kids and I wish we could have Christmas every day.

Christmas Tree

Going to get the tree.



Picking a tree.



Nice tree guys with candy.





Walking home.



Decorating.



Admiring the tree. Lucia just sat and stared at the tree after it was lit up and every morning for several days, would come downstairs and just sit in front of the tree for a while.





Christmas tree dance.

Thanksgiving

(By the way, Hediyeh and Pete are engaged! Yay! And we love Pete! He's perfect.)

Cyra's Birthday (recap)

Cyra turned 4 on October 13th and two months later, I will document it.



Cupcakes at her school. Kian and Lulu were special guests.



Then, we went to the Camper store (on the way to FAO Schwartz) where they got to to write on the floors and walls.





Jumping on the piano.



Lulu showing Cyra some "Cool tricks" at home.



Presents...including flip flops (pictured above).



Cupcakes.



Family.

Overheard

Last night we overheard this conversation on the monitor from the kids' room:

Lulu: Cyra. Cyra. Cyra. Cyra?
Cyra: (tired) What?
Lulu: Cyra time out.
Cyra: No, Lulu time out.
Lulu: No, Cyra time out.
Cyra: No, Lulu needs a time out!
Lulu: No, Cyra time out.
Cyra: (exasperated) No, Lulu time out.
Lulu: No, Cyra time out.
silence
Cyra: (still exasperated) OK..., Cyra time out.
silence
Lulu: Sorry Cyra.
Cyra: That's OK.
Lulu: Sorry Cyra.
Cyra: (exasperated) That. Is. OK!

Fall recap

This all happened about a month or so ago when we still needed pumpkins and there were apples on the trees.





And Kian was here. Cyra was in heaven. Seriously.



It was so nice to have Kian around. I seriously wish he were my son too. (Is that weird?)





I guess the person that we asked to take the above picture didn't really think the kids needed to be in it.







Is there anything better than eating an apple cider donut with your cousin and best friend?