Ringing in 2012

Once we were through with the birthday celebrations for Ephram, we moved straight into New Years Eve. Ephram is a complete night owl like his mom.  I think that his internal clock would have him go to sleep around 1am.  So he made it to midnight without problem.  While I realize that most 2 year olds would not be able to do this or would be super-cranky-pants the next day... for Ephram it was not as surprising.  He marched, sang and yelled when the ball dropped and had a grand time wearing his lei and shaking his tambourine.

What did surprise me is that Charlie made it to midnight too.  This is the first year, and the first time that I can remember, him staying up so late.  He typically goes to bed at 7:30, and if we let him stay up for a special occasion he will usually crash somewhere around 9.  But he was there, right with Ephram.  Maybe not quite as energy-filled, but just as excited, and very proud to have made it.  (Although he was a lot cranky in the morning, and took a nice long nap on New Years Day.)

Charlie has been in a mood lately where he either wants me to take nonstop pictures of him, or practically melts down if I attempt to take one.  This was a night that he was not in a picture taking mood.  Although, he proudly smiled for me about 5 minutes before the ball started to drop.  And yes, those are Superman Underoos.  The boy loves superheroes.

I love that we have extra occasion to celebrate New Years Eve every year.  But I also hope to keep the two celebrations somewhat separate.  I want Ephram to know that his birthday is special in its own right, and I want my other kids to feel that New Years Eve belongs as much to them as to Ephram.

We had so much fun on the last day of 2011!