Merry Memories

We had a fun Christmas with our friends David and Judy here to celebrate with us. Ben wanted balloons for Christmas, so mom was up early Christmas morning to make sure his wish came true. He walked out of his room and stood in awe of his balloon bounty. Ben looked up at Leah and asked, "Mommy can Baby Clara have a balloon? A pink one?" That moment was the best present we received.

Christmas Cuties

Clara at Ben's Preschool Christmas Play.
Note: Never give hand bells to forty kids under four.

Ready for cold day cuddles.

Celebrating her first tooth. Yeah Clara!

Notice his button with "Santa Clara." Ben's constant accessory these days.

Clara's first big kid bath with Ben.

Advent

Advent is a special tradition at Casa Watson. It's wonderful to begin to share the meaning of this special season with the kids. We read scripture, said a prayer and sang carols. Clara tried to eat the advent wreath and Ben was excited about the matches and candle flames. O, holy night indeed.

Merry Little Christmas

Christmas time has arrived at Casa Watson.

This is the first year that Ben is really "getting it" and he is full of holiday spirit. Anytime he sees a Christmas tree he stops and has to sing "O, Christmas Tree." He loves opening a door each morning on our advent calendar. We read Merry Christmas, Curious George at least three times a day.

Ben knows that Santa Claus is coming to town and that it is baby Jesus' birthday...it really makes you realize how convoluted Christmas and all of its traditions are when you try to explain it to a two year old.

Clara loves the hustle and bustle around the house. She gazes at the tree in delight. She thinks the envelopes from Christmas cards are fun to play with... and eat. Clara is now performing a backwards belly crawl and has had to be plucked out from under the tree a few times.

We took the kids to see Santa and had our first "Festivus Miracle"...no tears! The holiday season can be a lot of work, but it easy to see why we do it every year. The wonder and thrill in a child's eyes make all the decorating, baking and such worth it.

We are full of cookies, love and Christmas cheer. Merry, merry indeed.

Eight Months

Ben's List for Santa:

1. Candy
2. Balloons
3. Another Baby Sister

Ben tells this list to all who ask him what he wants for Christmas. We can assure you that wish #3 will not be waiting for Ben under the tree. However, his wish shows you how much fun Ben is having with Clara around...we are too.

Thankful Hearts

We enjoyed a hometown Thanksgiving in Newton. It started off with the politically incorrect Thanksgiving Feast at Ben's preschool. The kids sang, "The Indians are coming, they don't make a sound. Shh. Shh." Ben loved his feather headband so much he wore it all day.

Thanksgiving day was spent out "on the farm" with our dear friends the Clarks. Ben helped feed Blackjack (the horse) apples, we took a hayride (which Clara loved), the boys helped with a bonfire and we all left full, tired and happy. Ben didn't get enough, so on Friday Leah and Ben took a special trip back out to feed Blackjack carrots and throw rocks in the pond. We are lucky to have friends that feel like family, our southern family.

It has been great to have a nice long weekend together. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the moments we are blessed to share with those we love. This year, more than ever, we don't take any of it for granted. Happy Thanksgiving with love from Mark, Leah, Ben and Clara.

Blessed Respite

We returned on Wednesday from a wonderful, low-key holiday to Santa Barbara. Our only agenda was time together as a family in the city we love so much. Both kids were excellent travelers, in the air and on the ground.

Staying with our friends the Rice Family, at their gorgeous Montecito home was a treat. We rarely left the property- just spent the days playing, napping, swimming, chatting, drinking good wine and eating great food- it was just what we needed after a rough year. Ben & Clara loved being outside, barefoot and exploring with Ava & Lily. We did take a trip to the zoo and took Clara to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Good memories with good friends.

Our big trip to California this summer will include many more visits with dear friends and family. This visit was just for us, a time to reflect on all that has transpired this past year and remember our blessings.

It is hard to believe that less than 48 hours after we returned home that our beloved Santa Barbara was ablaze. Our hearts are saddened by all the loss known to us and all that we still have yet to learn.

Seven Months

Our little wiggle worm is filled to the brim with joy and giggles. Clara is becoming a rolling machine and is starting to sit up on her own too. Her chubby cheeks are a testament to her hearty appetite (pears and sweet potatoes are the new favorites). We are finally getting her on a good sleep/nap schedule, which is making everyone happier campers.

She loves hanging out with the family, delights in her big brother's every move, is mommy's cuddle bug and buddy. It is apparent to all that she is a Daddy's Girl- Clara lights up, coos and flaps her arms whenever Mark enters a room or she hears his voice.

Miss Clara Elizabeth Grace, thank you for being pure sunshine and an unending source of joy. We are still in awe that you are really here and that we get to call you our own.

Lucy! Lucy!

Last week Ben watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" for the first time and a fervent love affair began. All we have heard since that fateful day is "Lucy! Lucy!" We play Lucy! Soccer, Lucy! Dance & Jump, we draw pictures of Lucy!, we read the Lucy! Book, we listen to Lucy! Music (the Peanuts soundtrack)...in the morning Ben picks out a hat and it is his Lucy! hat and at night, as he says his prayers and is rocked to sleep Lucy! is whispered like a secret to be held close to his heart.

Mark thinks that maybe Lucy's take charge attitude (a nice way of saying bossy) reminds Ben of his mommy. However this love affair started for Ben, it holds a tender place for Mark and Leah. Back during the first Christmas they were dating, it was at the moment Leah was explaining to Mark (a nice way of saying bossy) the right way to string lights on the tree, with the Peanuts soundtrack playing in the background, that Mark knew Leah would be his wife and his Lucy forever.