Several nights ago, Carey was reading Aidan a nighttime story, Cian was asleep and I was with Alina.  I asked her what book she would like, and said, " daddy, lets just talk".  So we did.  We chatted a bit about school, her new bed and our plans for the next day.  Just the thought of Alina's smile and her request to just chat with me brings a sense of joy that is hard to explain.  "Let's just talk"

Alina & Mommy conversation

Driving today, Alina and I had a conversation about the future!

Alina: Mommy, Piggy's tired, he's going to take a nap on the way.

Me: Ok Alina.  You're such a good mommy to Piggy.

Alina:  I'm a good BIG SISTER, I'm only 4 Mom!  I'm to young to be a mommy!


A few minutes later the conversation started up again.

Alina: Mommy, when I'm older, I'm going to have 5 babies!

Me: Wow, that's a lot of responsibility Alina, are you sure you can handle that many babies?

Alina:  You can hold one at a time to help me but you have to be careful, you can break them if you drop them.

Me:  I'm very much looking forward to helping you with your babies Alina!  And I know you'll be an excellent Mommy!

Cian loves Alina!

Cian's been sick all week and instead of calling for Mommy or Daddy, he's calling for Alina!  "Where Lina? Where Lina?" 

Cian cooking for Alina

Gingerbread House Party

Thanks Mika Haggarty!  One of my favorite holiday traditions (to come)!!

Santa 2012

Stanford Shopping Mall...  BEST Santa ever!

Snow On the Farm

Alina loved her 15 minutes!!

Christmas Eve - Union Square

Aidan was pretending to be cold...   it was chilly outside!
Alina was following him of course!

On December 31, we told Alina that today (actually Aidan and Cian as well) that today was the last day of the year.  In Alina;s normal chipper, happy voice she then asked - "what's next"?  A perfectly reasonable question when told that we were at the end of the year.  The totally happy, open minded way she asked the question just caused me to pause.