Christmas 2007

The Slovacek Family knows how to do Christmas. Take, for instance, Christmas 2006. The Slovacek "children" ranged in ages from 21-30 years old. Do we casually make our way over to the parents' house to eventually get around to opening a few sensible gifts? No. We congregated excitedly at 5:30 am in one bedroom until our parents "let" us run out to find the stockings and gifts that Santa had left us. We have to leave the bedroom in age order, of course. If the Slovacek Family does anything right (and they do), its Christmas.

Therefore, I had a lot of pressure on me to do things right this year. Our first Christmas at our own home. If I do say so myself, I nailed it!

Our Christmas Eve program was so fun. It was geared toward Zoie. We re-told the Christmas Story out of her Illustrated New Testament books, we sang, "Once There Was A Snowman". Lance read some of his favorite Christmas-themed books from when he was Zoie's age. And of course, Heidi re-told the "Christmas Miracle" story that is a Slovacek family tradition.

This year, Zoie seems to grasp the concept of the birth of Jesus and I know she gets the whole Santa Claus thing.

We were sure to leave Santa some cookies, some carrots for the reindeer, and a nice note.

For months now, Zoie has been asking for a horse. Every time she asked for a horse, she would say "Yee-haw!" and mime taking off her cowboy hat. The horse was no problem, but we had the hardest time finding a little girl cowboy hat. I, at last, ordered one off Ebay this weekend and by some miracle, it arrived at my door on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning, Lance, Heidi, and I were so excited, we woke the kids up to open presents at 7 am (after plugging in lights and putting on Andy WIlliams, of course). Zoie was so excited to see the horse that Santa brought. I think she was even more excited to see that Santa ate the cookies. She talked about it all day.

I love Christmas Day! After presents, we ate a big breakfast and relaxed and played with our new toys. (After a little clean-up)

The highlight of the day was connecting with my parents with a webcam. It was just like old times to see Mom, Dad, Steve, and Matt (my brothers) fight for the coveted center position in front of the camera. There were several minutes when all you could see was hair being pulled and eyes being gouged and all you could hear was "ouch" and "my turn". It was awesome.


We spent the evening with our good friends, the Filettis and Garcias. We ate amazing deep fried turkey again and played Apples to Apples all night.

Thanks to all of our families and friends for helping make this Christmas amazing! (particular thanks to Grandma and Kelly who gave Zoie a laptop and Baby Shrek dolls-- neither of which she has put down in over 24 hours!)

Christmas Eve in the Dark Continent

One of our favorite things about living in Tampa is Busch Gardens. We got passes last year and now it is our favorite "free" activity. I take Zoie and Tobin during the week to see the animals and ride the kiddie rides. When Lance and I get a chance to go alone, we hit all the roller coasters.

This year we spent Christmas Eve day there. It was kinda surreal. If it weren't for the Christmas music being pumped through the park, it would not have felt like Christmas Eve at all. But we had the best time.

We were able to spend more time than usual in the kiddie land and Zoie "bravely" rode many rides. She also sat on Santa's lap and asked him for a horse (of course he obliged-- see Christmas post). Tobin loves being around people. He spent the day staring at the animals and the crowds.

Highlights:

Lance looking bored on the lamest kiddie ride ever

Zoie talking Santa's ear off

Lance talking Zoie into "tweaking" the gorilla statue's nipple

Zoie waving to bystanders as she rode the carousel alone-- as if they were all there to see her

It was such a fun day. The weather was perfect. As long as we are in Tampa, I'd like to make Christmas Eve at Busch Gardens a tradition.

The Love of My Life

The love of my life makes me smile, makes me sigh with happiness, and oftentimes takes my breath away. Yes, that's right-- my beloved Diet Coke.



I have had a love affair with this delicious beverage since my childhood trips to the beach every summer. It was the only time we were allowed to drink pop. Then when I moved out to college, I went crazy. Ask any of my old roommates-- cans of diet coke in the trash, on the couch, under my bed, in my backpack, etc.

Fast- forward ten years (man, I'm old!), it is a full-blown addiction. Sadly (and probably wisely), Lance has organized an intervention. I am drastically cutting back on my diet coke consumption-- one 24 pack per month. That's less than one a day! (For those of you who can't do basic arithmetic). I have never been very good at the "moderation" thing. I have already been through 16 cans in the last week.

I will pay for it later. Wish me luck.

DONE!

There is a point every year where you can sit back and enjoy the season with no incomplete tasks hanging over your head. Generally, this happens for me around the 24th of December. This year, it is today! The gifts are purchased, the cards are out, the packages sent, the presents under the tree. Yay! Over the last few weeks, I have done the following:

1. Made 20 pound cakes for the Relief Society sisters
2. Made 75 bookmarks for the new Relief Society manual
3. Made pasta salad for 50 hungry sisters
   
4. Sent out 60 Christmas cards (a first for this lazy family)
5. Impatiently stood by my mailbox each day waiting for my online purchases to arrive
6. Sent a package to Alpine, Utah
   
7. Sent a package to Prague
   
8. Waited in line for 45 minutes at the post office to achieve #'s 4,6, and 7
9. Thought it would be best to shop at night after the kids were asleep, as to avoid the crowds
10. Fought the mall (and by "mall" I mean Wal-Mart) crowds at night after the kids were asleep-- seems everyone had the same brilliant idea to shop at night
    

Yesterday morning, an old beat-up black Nissan Sentra pulled up to my house and a big, dread-locked, face-tatooed man knocked on my door.

I answered timidly, "yes?"

"Package for you," he says gruffly.

I look down and see the most dilapidated package you have ever seen. It was like the Seinfeld episode where Jerry refuses to sign for his package-- only to have his Uncle Leo do it. I wouldn't even touch it. I was contemplating how much my refusal of this package would anger the scary man at my door, when I saw that it was sent from the Czech Republic. I happily signed for it.
Mom and Dad, I am not sure what kind of postal service you employed to get the package here, but it was a far cry from the friendly UPS men who have frequented the house these past few weeks. Either way, we are excited to see the presents from the Prague Christmas markets.

So, it is done! Here is a picture of our tree and all the presents underneath. (Go ahead and make fun of our pathetic, sparse, fake tree-- everyone else does.) Only one week to go!

The Kids

I don't want to be one of those people who blog only about their perfect children. I have no such children. However, I am so happy with Zoie and Tobin today that I have to have one "brag post. " After this I will go back to poking fun at my kids--like every good mom should. Promise.

Zoie and Tobin have so much fun together- they make my job easy (sometimes). I hesitate to write this, as I am sure to jinx the whole operation, but they really are best friends. Zoie has yet to show any jealousy whatsoever toward Tobin. In fact, whenever I try to have "Mom and Zoie" time, she wants to go wake Tobin up and play with him. Its an ego-buster to be sure-- but I love it. Tobin saves his biggest grins for her. He is a good sport and puts up with her wrestling him to the ground on an hourly basis.

Now, I am sure that some of you more experienced moms are laughing at my naivete. The fighting will no doubt come soon. And I am already preparing myself for the day when they will gang up against me. For now, I couldn't be happier with these little monsters.

Day at the Park

I had to document that on December 12th, my daughter played at the park in a tank top. I am a Florida girl through and through, but come on! Its ridiculous, right? I'm not crazy enough to wish for snow, but I'd love to be wearing jeans and a hoodie right about now.

Tobin has moved on to an umbrella stroller. Zoie took this as a sign that he is now her "responsibility". She pushes her dolls around in an umbrella stroller, and she is only too happy that Tobin now falls into that category.








We meet friends at the park every Wednesday morning. Zoie looks forward to it all week. She is usually extremely social, but since the new stroller development, she ignores all of her friends and spends the entire time with Tobin. She even found a way to get him up onto the playground equipment.

Tobin loves the excitement of all the crazy kids. When I put him in the swings, he laughs so loud. I wonder where he gets such a loud laugh from...

The Rasmussens...Simpson Style

We've been "Simpson-ized"! I saw this on a friend of a friend's blog. I thought it was appropriate for our family-- being the Simpson fans that we are. The website for those interested is www.simpsonizeme.com You upload a picture of yourself and it makes you a Simpson's character. Its like a dream come true!

Lance

Kira

Zoie



Tobin