new year's eve

This New Year's Eve was our most low-key yet and perhaps one of the best.  We had planned to join some friends at their home for an almost as low-key evening but kiddo sickness on their end kept us away.  I had been day-dreaming about what we might do if we hadn't made plans so I sprung into action with a plan.

Ben and I had our jammies on-EARLY and I gathered EVERY pillow in the house and spread them on the family room floor. Ryan and I ordered Little India takeout and Ben had his favorite-mac and cheese and tomatoes.  We started the fun with Madagascar 3 and Ben literally jumped and danced for the first twenty minutes of the movie-he was SO excited.
We paused the movie for ice cream sundaes and put to use a very creative gift we had gotten from friends the Lineberrys.  

Ben had refused to nap that day so by 830 he was quickly heading for disaster.  We tucked him in and started Trouble With the Curve.  Now I struggle to stay awake for late movies upright on the couch so surrounded by pillows and blankets on the floor, I didn't even fight the sleep that soon overtook me.  I think Ryan woke me about 1045 as the movie ended and we headed to bed.  Hey, we rung in the New Year east coast time:).  It really was a fun family evening and jumping into productive mode by 7 the next morning was a welcome bonus.

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Ben started the New Year with a big change! We finally turned his carseat to forward facing.  I still have a little guilt as I know rear facing is exponentially safer and he has a couple pounds to go before he outgrows the rear-facing mode.   We did go past the currently recommended age of 2 by 4 and a half months though and he really loves the new view.