Season's Greetings from the Avramov's

The stockings are hung, the trees are up, the lights are lit, let the festivites begin! I love this time of year, the only thing we are missing is SNOW. Believe it or not! I'm sure we won't have to wait for long considering we've have three good snowstorms already, the first being the week of Halloween! We've even gotten to enjoy some beautiful hikes in the snow. AAAAAH, life in Central New York.


We had a lovely November! As you can imagine, I was and still am, on cloud nine in regard to the election. I am looking very forward to Inaguration Day and I so wish could be there! Surprisingly I have not had election withdrawal. President-elect Obama's news conferences and Meet the Press keeps me going. And now I have that crazy Rod Blagojevich scandal to follow. I thought Govenor Spitzer was an idiot! Well at least I don't live in the most corrupt state (Mandi!). On Scarborough Country, yesterday, Mike Barnacle compared Chicago and Illinois politics to politics in the Balkans. Teddy and I had quite a chuckle! Oh, and by the way, how about that new moderator for Meet the Press?! I have been hoping since this summer that they would give it to David Gregory. I think he'll be great. (Is it weird that I am sooo excited about this?!) While I look forward to Sunday mornings with David Gregory, I am so sorry to see Tom Brokaw leave again (I 'm beginning to have abandonment issues).


Anyway I digress . . .


November and December have brought a flurry of activity, with Isabella's activites and school, kindergarten illnesses, book fair, open house and Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations (packages, packages, packages! I sent 8 this year, that's just crazy!). In November, Isabella formally started Karate at the Dojo. She took an afterschool class and loved it and her Sensei so much she wanted more, so we signed her up. It is the best money we ever spent on an activity. She absolutely loves it. She goes twice a week and cannot wait to go each time. She has already earned two tips (strips on her belt) and is one away from earning a new belt (they have extra levels for the little ones to build their confidence and move up quicker). She is so proud. They are teaching her the most useful things, like how to protect herself from a stranger and how to get out of hold if someone were to grab her. Every week they have a new lesson about being positive or being a good citizen and being respectful. I love the Senseis as much as she does. She actually told me on Thanksgiving that she was thankful for her Grandma, her whole family and her Sensei.


We also had our first Parent/teacher conference and Bella is doing great. She still loves school and has learned some sign language, to count by tens and has begun reading. She has the most amazing teacher, so its no wonder she loves it some much. Isabella also got to vote in the Presidential Election in her class and she proudly informed me that "Arack" Obama won and she voted for him. She then asked me if she could be President some day, and I told her "absolutely, of course!" She asked if I would vote for her and I told her it would depend on her party and her platform. She asked me what the party was and I reminded her about some discussions we had explaining the parties and that John McCain was a Republican and Barack Obama was a Democract. After some thought she responded, " Well, then I am definately a Democrat!" She keeps asking me if "Arack" Obama is President yet, and how much longer do we have to wait?! I can certainly understand her impatience.

Isabella also got to do her own Xmas shopping at school last week. Her school has the cutest program call "holiday magic". The PTG bought small cheap items and craft kits, that the moms assembled, and sold everything to the kids for .25 up to $1. She got everyone, including some of her friends and Seamus, Daisy and Picasso gifts all for $5. She picked them all out herself and then wrapped them herself too. I can wait to see what mine is.


Our other girl, Daisy, is growing like a weed. At the vet this week she weighed almost 40lbs, and she not yet 6 months old. She does not like it that Bella leaves her everyday and waits on pins and needles for her to get home. Her training is coming along pretty good, she has learned to sit and stay (for about 15 seconds) and she is working on lay, come and heel. She is very eager to please and loves any and all attention. She is the most energetic dog I've ever had, I don't think she ever stops moving. The past two days I have been trying to contain her as she was spayed on Tuesday and we were given strict restrictions for her. I don't think they explained them to her though. You would not know she had surgery. She is not supposed to jump, or run (she is an Aussie for god's sake) and no roughhouse play (she's a puppy and we have a 5 year old and Seamus!) for a week. So needless to say she is spending a lot of time in her crate and I can't wait until next Monday. As you can see in the photo, Isabella has taught Daisy all about Daddy's weekend pancakes and they both have a permanent spot in the kitchen to supervise when he's whippping them up.


We spent Thanksgiving with our good friends Gabriella, Nick, Nadia and Stoycho and the kids. I prepared the dinner again this year. Isabella told me while I was preparing the turkey that it was gross and "thisgusting" and she was never going to make a turkey when she grows up, she would just let me make it. Hmmmm, I seem to recall saying the same thing to my mom!



I want to say a big thank you to Mom Vittoe for her awesome gift of homemade caramel poprcorn (we love the picture). It is so addicitve that I may have to lock it up if Bella and Teddy are to get any. And also thank you to Mandi for the sweet surprise package of chocolate amaretto balls (mmmm, our favorite!). We love you guys! I guess I better break in my new running shoes and start getting some mileage in!



As we enjoy this holiday season we think of all of you and hope you are all well and enjoying the season. Even though we can't be with so many of our family and friends you all are in our thoughts and hearts. We send lots of love and best wishes for very happy holidays and a fantastic 2009! See you next year!!


40 days left with Bush and then competence makes a comeback!!!


Just a funny story to leave you with: This is not a joke, I saw it with my own eyes. At a ceremony to hang his portrait President Bush actually welcomed everyone to "his hanging" . Well, at least he's good for a laugh!


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