A New Best Friend

The boys received a "TJ Bearytales" from Nana & Papa Jack for Christmas. There are story books and cartridges so that you can look at the story while he tells it to you in full motion. It is the cutest thing and the boys love him!! They listen to him during the day, before naps and at bedtime!! The hardest part is that they have to share him, but I believe this is good for them.
They have been playing with everything they received and also have to share the puppet theatre. I like the whole sharing thing because I think it helps them to learn to cooperate.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

The boys were up right before 7:30 this morning (normal time for them) and the excitement began!! After presents, I made sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast. The kids are playing with their toys and the adults are enjoying their candy cane coffee.

This afternoon we will watch "Christmas Story" and "Miracle on 34th Street". Dinner tonight will be luscious prime rib and for dessert a wonderful trifle (a recipe of my friend Julie's).

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas with their families!!

Our Christmas Eve!

Here are just two pictures from today. The one of the four of us was taken at Dan's parents as we celebrated Christmas with his family this afternoon.

After their house, we made a quick trip home and picked up my parents. We then went to our candle light service at church. Caleb got Santa's snack ready when we got home tonight with great care: sugar cookies and eggnog!! He was very specific that they had to be sugar cookies!

Then we donned our Christmas jammies, read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and left the boys listening to the "Polar Express" story in their beds. I can only imagine the dreams they will have tonight!! Elton took his new blanket, pillow and TMX Elmo (gifts from Dan's parents) to bed with him.

As I type this I believe that 2 elves are in the other room building a puppet theatre and some stockings may have been filled. Bingo and Max have been closely monitoring all activity and they too made sure they have stockings hung.

I can't wait until morning for "Candy Cane" coffee and all the excitement! Of course I will post more in the next day or two and so I say to all a good night!!

Presents The Boys Made!

Here are the presents that Elton and Caleb made for Dan and I at the child development center at Immanuel Lutheran!! Caleb made the Christmas wreath and Elton made the plaques. Wonderful gifts from our boys that we will cherish forever!!

Holiday Time!!

Nana and Papa Jack arrived on Thursday afternoon for the holidays and will be with us for about 3 1/2 weeks.

Today, Caleb, Papa Jack and myself went to theatre to see the new "Charlotte's Web". We invited along one of Caleb's friends from school. It was Lacy's first time to the movie theatre and the kids had a great time. It was cute because they sat together with a mother on each side and shared their movie treats with each other. When they walked out of the theatre, they were holding hands and Caleb announced that they were best friends. That was when Lacy's mom told me that Lacy has told her that Caleb is her boyfriend!! She told her mom that she is going to grow her hair long like Rapunzes and then let Caleb climb up it. Four years old and a first date? So cute and too funny!!

The movie was excellent and I am saying that it is definitely a buyer!! Papa Jack also really liked the movie.

Christmas School Party!!

Caleb had his Christmas party at preschool yesterday. They listened to the "Polar Express" story and then were presented with a Christmas bell that Santa sent for them t Mrs. Gallagher. They donned their reindeer hats they has made and did their little reindeer prance with thier hooves up, around the room. I was one of the helpers so I got to dish up their icecream for them to make sundaes with a great variety of toppings.

Once again, Mrs. Gallagher has outdone herself with her classroom decor. She has a lifesize nativity in the room that she used to teach them the Christmas story. I should have taken a picture, but didn't think of it.

Shopping & Wrapping Presents

The Christmas shopping is done and has been kept simple this year. Just the way I like it!! Caleb helped Dan wrap some gifts on the weekend. Then, yesterday I took Caleb shopping so he could pick out a gift for daddy and Elton. I told him that then we could wrap them. I told him that Elton was picking out a gift for him with daddy. Caleb then said he would help daddy wrap his gift from Elton!! I guess it was a good plan on his part, but I told him he couldn't see it until he opened it on Christmas. He already told Dan what he got him, so we are still working on the element of surprise.

Elton My Little Elf!

Click above to see Elton as a dancing elf!

Caleb's Elfamorphosis!

Click on the title above to check out Caleb as an elf!

Visiting Santa!

We took the boys to the mall yesterday to visit Santa. I was concerned Elton might be intimidated/afraid of Santa, but as you can see, that was not the case. He even did some babbling with him and seemed to quite enjoy his visit. A puppet theatre was requested so now we will have to see what the elves can do!

Sugar Cookies!

Both Dan and Caleb's favorite kind of cookies are sugar cookies. Caleb had been wanting to make Christmas ones for a couple of weeks so I told him we would today after his nap. Where was Elton you ask? Watching Polar Express!!!

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit!!

I have been meaning to post all week and just never seem to get around to it! Last Friday night, we took the boys to "Christmas In The Nighttime Sky". This is where one of the local radio stations plays Christmas music while fireworks are set off in the sky. I am told that they set off more fireworks on the 4th of July. We sat in our car in the field at a local park and the boys loved the show. Caleb started calling the fireworks "candy in the sky".

On Saturday, we set up the tree and Caleb helped me put the decorations on. There will be 2 challenges this year and they are called: Elton and Bingo!! Hopefully the novelty will wear off. Caleb was positive after we got the tree done that the snow needed to come now. We officially turned the Christmas lights on the house on too.

Sunday, before church, we took our Christmas picture for our Christmas cards. Dan set up the self timer on the camera and we winged it. Caleb and I went to Costco after church and picked out our card.

Monday morning Caleb was adamant that the snow was coming. It started midmorning and when I picked the boys up after work I was able to tell him that we had snow.

Wednesday night was Caleb's school Christmas concert. They had it in the church where the pastor told the Christmas story and the children sang 4 songs: Away In A Manger, In A Little Stable, Go Tell It On The Mountain and Christmas News. Caleb had been practicing in the car the last couple of weeks as one of the moms made a copy on CD for all the parents. Caleb knew all the words and lets just say we are ready to move on to other songs. The kids did a great job at the concert.

If you remember last year, "Polar Express" was Caleb's favorite movie. The picture of the boys in their chairs is of them watching it this week as it has now become Elton's favorite movie (even over Baby Einstein).

Caleb was wanting to see Santa last week, but we told him we would go on Dan's next weekend off. I told him that him and Elton needed to choose ONE thing to ask him for. After much deliberation, the decision has been made for them to request a puppet theatre.

I will try and update sooner next time!

Christmas Season Begins!!

Yesterday we had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Dan's parents. The boys then got to stay at grandpa and grandma's with other cousins for a sleepover so their parents could officially kick of the Christmas Season at 5am this morning. Since Dan had to work yesterday we decided to hit the "big" sales. I have NEVER gotten up early before for "Black Friday". We didn't have any targeted items or mission we were on, but just figured we would check out. In a semi-conscious state we did this until about 7:40 am and then got coffee. As the caffeine kicked in we gained the state of consciousness we should have had at 5, we hit our second group of stores. Keeping in mind that we really didn't havea goal and that I "sale" shop year round, we only made 1 purchase!! A bottle of antifreeze!! Now how exciting is that?

This afternoon Dan got the Christmas lights on the house going and as if Elton knew what we were kicking off, he picked "Polar Express" to watch. This was Caleb's favorite Christmas movie last year. Dan is bringing the Christmas tree up right now and we are preparing to decorate as Caleb just got up from his nap!!

My Little Indian.....And Why He Still Needs A Nap!!

Here is Caleb in his school colors and school shirt. When I picked him up today, he had his Indian headress and face paint on that his teacher created. They have been learning about Indians and pilgrims this month. They even had a teepee (not sure if I spelled that right) set up in their class room. They have made dreamcatchers, turkeys, indians and other great crafts this month and are also learning their songs for their Christmas concert.

Even though he thinks he does not need a nap anymore, he still does. Yes he is 4, but I have a hard time believing parents who say their kids don't need one younger than this because my boys need their nap. I thought he might outgrow it as he transitioned into preschool, but let me tell you that if he doesn't have one he is atrocious (or maybe I should say a little indian) to be around, or like the picture above, he passes out right before supper. The picture of him asleep on the couch was only about 5 minutes after his picture awake. We have eaten supper and he is still sleeping with Dan in their watching his show. I think he has an independent streak in him like his mom, but mom still know best!!

Sacrifice......

At the tender age of just 20 months, Elton has decided to show his understanding of sacrifice...... by giving up his daily vitamin to Bingo!! He has been told how his vitamin is to keep him healthy and thus he has decided that helping keep Bingo healthy is more important. Thus this morning he tenderly placed his vitamin in Bingo's mouth and Bingo willingly received. It couldn't be that he doesn't like vitamins right?

Out Of The Mouth Of A 4 Year Old

It seems like I have been classified as a "fusspot". At dinner the other night when telling Caleb he needed to sit up and eat dinner, he looked at me and said "Mom, stop being a fusspot". I have not heard anyone using or calling me fusspot, so I had to ask where he got it from. I should have known - Percy (a little green train who is known to be a little cheeky) says that in one of his "Thomas The Train" movies. It happened again today when we were in the mall and I told him to sit up in the stroller and behave - "Mom stop being a fusspot".

He has also taken to saying "Lets not talk about that" when I ask him too may questions about his day or things he doesn't want to discuss.

Happy Halloween!

Even though Caleb would have loved to put his costume on this morning and go trick or treating then, I told him he had to wait until after naps this afternoon. He took his nap very well!! We then got costumes on and headed over to grandma and grandpa's neighborhood where they are known to give out very good and generous amounts of treats. The highlight was the jello eyeballs they received. The downfall was the temperature - 38 degrees.

We then headed home for some quick soup to warm up and head out again. When daddy got home from work we got our mittens on and headed out with a temperature of 32 degrees. This did not phase the boys except that at our second last house the urge to use the little boy's room hit Caleb and the sidewalk received the results. He was still disappointed to have to head home though and was bribed by getting to try out an eye ball and warm bath. Fun fun fun!!

Pirate Party! Argh!!

What a beautiful October day!! You wouldn't believe we had our first snow on Wednesday with a day like today. I think it was in the low 60's and we spent the majority of our time in the backyard. The kids playset we built earlier this year was a perfect pirate ship for the kids.

After cake the kids had fun with the treasure chest pinata and candy. Presents were last and then after the guests left, Bingo decided he should partake too. He managed to get into the garbage and help himself to left over birthday cake. So I guess you could say fun was had by all and it was our best birthday party yet!!

Party Prep

Here are some pictures today before Caleb's party. Can you guess the theme? Was it the costume or the cake that gave it away? Or maybe the treasure chest pinata? The plan was for the kids to get pirate bandanas and eye patches to join in the celebration. More to follow....

Halloween Decor

Caleb has been very busy at school making our Halloween decor. The pumpkin he decorated is the one he got to pick out on their field trip to the pumpkin patch.

He's Four Today!!

Caleb turned four today!! He got to celebrate at school with his friends. On their birthday they get to wear the "birthday hat", the other kids sing to them, they get to pick a treasure out of the chest and get to share a birthday snack. They really encourage something healthy for the snack so I made celery with cheese and raisins. Caleb tells me that everyone loved it.

After school it was Caleb's choice for his birthday supper to go to McDonald's with playland as you can see from the pictures. Daddy suggested something like Chili's, but the birthday boy stuck with his choice. He got his present from us (Lincoln Logs) and from my parents (a new bridge and engine, Leap Frog dominoes) when we got home. He took the bridge to bed with him. His teacher talks all to time how good Caleb is at building things which I credit to his train tracks. She says he might be her little architecht. Thus he now has the Lincoln Logs to work with. He says he either wants to be a train engineer (are we surprised by that one?) or wants to build machines when he grows up.

His teacher called me tonight to talk. She says that he is a very honest little boy and loves his friends. She talked to me for over 30 minutes. When you listen to her she can tell how much she loves all of the little ones in her classes and that each one is special to her in their own little way. I noticed this from my first couple of interactions with her. I feel very blessed to have Caleb in her class.

The birthday party and cake are on Saturday so there will be more to follow.

The Great Pantry Raid

These two have become quite proficient at raiding the pantry and are alwas looking out for each other!!

The Happiest Baby Certification

I have completed my certification!! The goal is to get the class of the ground in January. I am really excited about it! Wish me luck.

Pumpkin Patch Continued

The pumpkin patch had a maze made out of straw bales, a slide, a hidden treasure patch, a straw section, train ride and of course a pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins from. Each kid got to pick a pumpkin (no bigger than their head as intructed per teacher), and they are decorating them in class. I will post the results later. The kids had a great time!!

First Field Trip

Caleb's class took their first field trip this week. They went to the pumpkin patch. Dan and I were both off work and were able to go along and bring Elton too.