Zoo Friends

We spent New Year's Eve {day} at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC 

with Alekzander's best bud and his family.  

The little ones thought the animals were cool, 

but enjoyed the other attractions just a little more!

We rode trains, carousel hopped, climbed animal statues,

and checked out the zoo's outdoor classroom.

Let's Pretend

We got to pretend to our hearts' content 

with nearly 1,000 other pretenders, big and small, 

at Discovery Place Kids on Tuesday.

We were excited to share this field trip with Andrew ... 

who may have enjoyed the day even more than Alekzander did!

A special meal with Daddy

 

 A sponsored driver

On top of the world

 Dr. Alekzander prescribing some hard love pats

Hanging out with a hero

 Captain of the sea

Cruising with Daddy

More Snow

After being snowed in at the cabin, we came home to our own winter wonderland.

Alekzander is clearly unimpressed with the snowfall in Charlotte!

Babushka

Some words from my childhood, like hallupkes (ha-loop-keys) and babushka (ba-boosh-kah). sound like they were made up.  And my parents were just silly enough to make things up, like crocodiles living under the restaurant tables (to keep us from getting up) and feeding my friends chicken lips (just regular chicken tenders with ketchup...although I thought chickens had lips for the longest time).  However, hallupkes and babushka are real words and reflective of our Polish/Ukrainian ancestry.  And both words were represented and celebrated this Christmas.  

Hallupkes (stuffed cabbage rolls) are a Markovitch staple especially at Christmas time.  While ATB requests homemade pizza (also a Markovitch celebratory/holiday staple), my request is always hallupkes even when I was supposedly a vegetarian!  Gruffalo didn't disappoint this year.  He had his biggest stock pot filled with hallupkes simmering on the stove when we arrived on Saturday afternoon.

We were often called babushka babies whenever we had a blanket on our head...which I guess was a lot.  This year for Christmas, Mia made her version of knit babushkas/head-neck warmers.  Gruffalo modeled his and Alekzander and I joined in on the fun.  

Little Man

{{Taking a break from opening presents for a little snack.}}

Snow Bowl

 For lack of a cone, Alekzander enjoyed a fresh snow bowl.

He loved to play in the snow, 

watch it fall, 

and immensely loved to eat it.

Sledding

 Big Smiles

 Dada, I want to go down that big hill!

Sledding solo

White Christmas fun

Present-ing in West Jefferson

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve.

We love you THIS much!

The Night Before Christmas

A little visit to some of our favorites. 

Do you think these girls love Alekzander?

 

Heartfelt Wishes

Since Vistaprint is still holding your Christmas cards hostage

{and I was too cheap to expedite shipping}, 

Merry Christmas {Blog Style}. 

Eat some cake for Baby Jesus and enjoy the magic of Christmas. 

Love to you all.

Take a Break

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays 

and enjoy a hot drink with someone you love!

Remember to spread some holiday cheer and tip your barista!

{{Especially if they're half as cute as Alekzander.}}

Big Kid Play

While the biggest boys watched football in the living room during the Woodman Baby Celebration last night, the little boys found a hiding spot under the table and built towers with the party favors.  Alekzander was in good company with some sweet friends, Preston (4.5) and Colin (2).

And true to Swistak nature, Alekzander tore himself away from the boys to chat with a little girlfriend, Abby (2.5).

Rockin' Aunts

 Around here, 

Alekzander is pretty serious ...

...about music and loving his aunties :: ATB & Tiffi.

Do your aunts rock as much as Alekzander's?

Cheesy Christmas

 The "Kodak" Family

Skip VI, Alekzander the Great, and Colby

For the past six years, we have attended the Woodman's annual Cheesy Christmas Sweater Party.  Our "cheesy factor" is increased each year as we wear the exact same outfit.  This year, though, we switched outfits.  I donned the classic "Kodak" vest and green checked tie, and Andrew (aka "Skip")  squeezed into my cheesy sweater.  In lieu of the tree skirt I used to wear, Skip wore the Mrs. Claus apron in case he needed to prepare a cheesecake for all of the cheesy guests.  

 Its hard to be cheesy when you're this cute!

 

Cheesy Friends ::  Libbie Grace & Alekzander's first Cheesy Sweater Party

Alekzander the Great with "Colby Kodak"

Baby Firefighter

A baby's guide to fighting a fire:

1.  Put on your hat

2.  Survey the scene

3.  Extinguish with water

Business

Committing a party faux pas :: mixing business with pleasure

 

Sleep through the night

Breakfast with Mama and Dada

Baby Dedication

Birthday Party

Nap - Delayed

Church - Later

Cheesy Sweater Party - Can't wait!

Santa comes - One week!

What You Love

Sweet Little Zoo,

We pray for you that throughout your life you will always follow your heart and do what you love and love what you do.  At one year old, you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE animals.  You still flap your arms in excitement when you hear a dog bark.  You have a slight obsession over our fat cat, Rye-lee {who currently outweighs you by three pounds}}.  You give him tough love pats, but comb him gently with your plastic saw.  Your favorite books have pictures of cats in them and you can open directly to the 't' (cat) pages.  It wouldn't surprise us in the least if you desire to be a veterinarian one day.  If that is the thing you love, we will support you 100%.  Until then, play hard and enjoy discovering those things that make your heart happy.

We love you!

Walking Wonder

We're about to enter a whole new world with our little walking wonder.  Alekzander took his first step/shuffle over two months ago (10/10/10), and has been slowly and steadily putting together more and more steps.  He was stuck at three steps for the last few weeks, but today, after playing with his older neighbor friends for two afternoons in a row, took six steps ...several times unassisted!  He has a sturdy little base and can squat down to pick up a toy (and stand back up) without losing his balance.  He flies when he's behind his walking/push toys and has even started moving backwards dragging the toy (or full-sized chairs) behind/in front of him.  Crawling is still the surest and quickest way to travel, but Alekzander has found his legs and some confidence, too!  He has also developed an adorable passion for books. Animal books are his favorite; he can identify lions, tigers, ducks, cats, dogs, and fish with their respective noises.  He loves playing peek-a-boo, throwing a ball, and dancing to music. We are so proud of our sweet, handsome little man!

Walking a book to Mama

 Reading

Looks like trouble!

Playing peek-a-boo with Dada