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My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

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Breakfast with Santa

12.19.15

A very special little boy for Christmas calls for some some very special fun. I have been seeking out some things we could do together, and this one had me all excited (it may have had something to do with the endless french toast with carmelized banana). Today, we joined a bunch of other families and a lot of Christmas sweaters for Maggiano’s Breakfast With Santa where little sugarplums could eat crispy bacon, eggs, and said french toast until their little hearts and stomachs were content while enjoying hot cocoa from a special North Pole cocoa station and Elf-movie-like decorated cookies (think chocolate sauce, caramel, and marshmallows).

Breakfast with Santa Maggianos King of Prussia collage

Please note Lydia’s raised pinky. She is so red carpet. And, clearly, Drew has followed in his father’s footsteps with his experience of enjoying his bacon.

Breakfast with santa maggiano

As for this little one? He’s all about all-you-can-eat buffets (Exhibit A: the cheeks). What we weren’t sure of was if he’d be all about Santa. We managed to get the quintessential Christmas Santa picture, and I’m very happy to report that all 5 children humored me for it.

Breakfast with Santa maggiano's

Ashlyn’s favorite spot was the cookie decorating station. Merry and bright Lydia went onto the craft area and drew a picture of Santa that she proudly displayed for all to see. Drew made this picture on a star and presented it to NJ, telling him it was Santa on his throne of lies (too much Will Ferrell for us?).

My favorite part of all wasn’t even part of the package deal. All that Santa, sugar-loaded cookies, candy canes in cocoa, and all you can eat french toast put everybody in the Christmas spirit. Jolly old Saint Lydia managed to get all three big kids to sit on her teeny lap and tell her all sorts of silly things they may or may not want for Christmas.

breakfast with santa brunch maggianos

Oh, how I love these kids and those sweet little feet that are sticking out from under the big kids.

Guess the endless french toast and multiple cups of coffee brought out my Christmas spirit too.

NJ at Santa Day with kids in lobby

 

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: why can't they just stay little forever

Therapeutic mistletoe

12.18.15

She used to not like babies at all. She would say it was because they put everything in their mouths—I think her words were literally, “because they bite everything.” There was no ooo-s and ahh-s at teeny bundles of cuteness from her. She was perfectly content to let other people take care of all that, as long as those other people didn’t include me. On the rare occasion I would be holding someone’s baby, Lydia would freeze and stare then say something like, “Mama, when you gonna give dat baby back?” I learned to ask her permission before opening my lap or arms to another baby even when she was long past babyhood herself. Most of the time permission was granted; sometimes, it wasn’t. And, I respected that.

At the ripe old age of 6 (and a half), she’s moved past all that. But, as we opened our home up to host a little one over Christmas this year—at our children’s urging, mind you—we wondered if we might see a little bit of her insecurities rise up again.

There’s a conversation we’ve had nearly daily around here over the last two weeks that has been some variation of the following:


[While I’m holding NJ or admiring his preciousness from afar]

Lydia: Mama, who is cuter, me or NJ?

Mama: Definitely you, Lydia. No question. You are so so cute. Definitely the cutest.

[Mama tickles her. Lydia eats it up then walks away content and ready to conquer the world.]


She’s one smart girl, you know. She may not be able to articulate all that’s going on in her heart, but she manages to ask for exactly what the needs. And, I’m happy to give it to her in abundance. When she isn’t asking but feels a bit needy of some reassurance, I can usually find her right here with her Ren Ren in hand and up close to her face like so.

Lydia under mistletoe - 1 (1)


 

Lydia: Mama….Mama….Mama….ummm….hi…do you notice anything?

Mama: Why yes I do…

[kissing fest ensues followed by voracious giggles and the filling of two heart tanks.]


 

Lydia under mistletoe - 1 (2)

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright. But, our family knows that same mistletoe helps to make our hearts right too. Maybe we’ll just make it a permanent fixture.

mistletoe - 1

 

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: attachment

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I overthink everything. This blog is a prime example. Make yourself a cup of coffee and sit down for a read. Actually, make that a pot of coffee. There’s a lot of overthinking here.

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