SofiandNatalie.com

The “holiday season,” the time between Christmas and January 2, is supposed to be a time of rest, relaxation, family and fun.  It certainly was for us this year, but all the “free time” that I thought I would have is gone and the season is now behind us.  Sadly, for someone that was considering “live blogging” their Christmas morning, Papa is finally getting around to posting in their blog to talk about the day.

Santa came to our home with a very generous set of gifts and the girls got a great big kick out of the decorated tree and cookies, water and carrots (for the reindeer) that were consumed between the time they fell asleep and woke.

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Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to get to writing about the holiday, but two children playing and carrying on can be an enormous drain and unfortunately we’ve also had a cold going around the family so everyone has been dragging a little bit.  Don’t worry, though, for those of you that are still reading, I will catch up and it’s going to keep getting better and better from here.

Christmas was a whirlwind and it started out with a fun Christmas Eve day.  We raked up some of the leaves in the back yard - I think they’re mocking me, because many are back.  Both girls got into the fun helping us do the work (raking) and playing in the leaves that we piled up.  Of course, in the midst of all that they were little princesses, too.

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After visiting Natural Bridges State Park we went a few miles North on Highway 1 to Wilder Ranch.  None of us had been before, and frankly if it hadn’t been recommended by the guide at Natural Bridges we probably wouldn’t have even tried to go.  Fortunately for us, we did, and this brief trip off the beaten path was well worth the visit - on this day more than most.

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Santa Clara’s First Baptist Church put on their annual journey to the Biblical city of Bethlehem this year from December 6 - December 10, 2007, and we were lucky enough to attend this week.  (info)  Most of you know already that I’m not an overly religious person, and I was extremely reluctant to take the kids down to this thing thinking that it would be some hokey display of religion.  Fortunately, I made the effort, because the quality of this event was beyond anything that I could have imagined.  They’ve decorated over 40,000 square feet with actual-size buildings and bridges and plan on over 5,000 visitors each night between 6:30 and 9:00PM. 

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This past Sunday we made a trip over to Cupertino to walk at one of the parks near to the resevoir.  I’m sure that it has a name, but for the life of me I can’t remember.  I do remember, however, that it’s very near to Deep Cliff Golf Course.  The girls really seemed to enjoy walking around the park and we even got to stop into the 4H gardens and goat farm to view the late harvest and goats.  Both of the girls had a lot of fun petting, calling out to, and feeding the goats.  I think the goats had a good time, too.

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The worst part about having to go to work every morning during the week is the knowledge that my children are going to be adorable during the day and I am going to miss some of it.  Fortunately, there are pictures to remind me that they are adorable and to show me what they’ve done during the day.  This week they went to Sears and had their holiday photos taken.  They’ve left me smiling and in near tears.  I’ve come to realize that they are adorable and growing up SO quickly.

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I am always thankful that we live so close to downtown Campbell, because they have managed to keep the small-town heart while existing right in the middle of the Silicon Valley.  This weekend they had their annual downtown festival that included Santa, snow and a winter wonderland for the children.  It was extra special for us, because we were joined by Kitai (the now world-famous pooch and television personality), from http://www.cutestdogever.com/and his ”manager,” newlywed Stacie Tamaki .

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Posting on Monday is always a mixed blessing.  I love reliving the weekend, but also realize that it will be five long days before I get two uninterrupted days with my children.  Sure, I see them every night, but there is something special waking up with them and getting to see their bright and shiny faces all day.  After weekends like this, I miss them all the more - what a wonderful weekend!

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I’m sure there’s some point in my life that I’ve looked at a child’s artwork on a peers desk and thought, “how strangely odd that they would put that particular piece of art on their desk.”  Now, with children of my own, I completely understand.

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I think almost everyone that knows me will agree that I can’t sing.  I can’t even clap in tune.  Most people prefer I don’t even hum.  Fact of the matter is that I can’t really dance either.  Fortunately, Sofi and Natalie are both really into singing and dancing and this Thanksgiving Natalie was really rocking out with her own rendition of Alabama (no, you haven’t heard this one before!)

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Papa