Christmas Day

I slept with Andrew on Christmas Eve, so I could see his face when he woke up Christmas morning. Mike was already waiting in the living room, because Andrew slept until 8:00 (!). It was a little funny, because he woke up at 4:00 AM and I heard him mumble, "Santa" and then go back to sleep. When he came out, he just stood staring for about 15 seconds (I even got it on video), and then he starts twirling around in circles. He wasn't sure what to do with himself.

After some bike riding and trampoline jumping, I told him he could open his stocking before we ate breakfast. 

Jez got her stocking, too...

After some cinnamon rolls, we started in on the presents. Andrew also couldn't wait to give Mike the "cow" that he painted.

Throwing some snowballs that his elf left him on his way back to the North Pole...

The trampoline quickly turned into a fort and a feeding ground for his "babies".

His babies mean a lot to him...

After a major melt down, (what can you expect from an over-stimulated toddler?), we arrived at Mike's parents' house 45 minutes late.

I couldn't help it...totally my doing.

A few night later, we celebrated Marcia's 60th birthday at one of the clubs Mike's parents belong to. Andrew got help to blow out the candles (spoiled!). We also made some time building a snowman in the front yard. After rolling the first part and soaking my pants all the way through, I knew it was going to be a long, wet, and cold experience if I didn't just finish this snowman off with s small head in that moment.

After that, we came in and Andrew had his first hot chocolate, which consisted of slightly warm chocolate in a mug with a straw.


Happy Holidays! :)

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, my dad, Myrna, and Myrna's daughter, Rachel, came over to our house for dinner and gifts. Andrew now has the present opening skill down, and he was opening the presents faster than I could keep track of what was going on! Christmas will always be different without mom here, but things have gotten easier, and we are lucky that Myrna and her family are just such wonderful people.

Andrew's elf left him some reindeer food to give the reindeer on Christmas Eve, so he was excited to get out there and sprinkle it on the snow.

He also put his cookies out there for Santa...

This is the first year that he had a true understanding of what was going on, and he was SO excited. He had two advent calendars that we did each day in December, and he knew that Santa was coming on the last square. Each day we would count down how many days lefts until he would come to our house. He was so excited that it took him an hour to fall asleep. He jumped up and down on the bed and continually checked out the window and said he didn't hear sleigh bells. When I told him Santa doesn't come come until kids are sleeping, he said, "Aww, man! You gotta be kidding me!" He did fall asleep and Santa got to work. :) Since he had become such a fast present opener, I removed all the gifts for family and only left gifts for him under the tree. He's like a bulldozer! I wrapped as many small things as I could to make it look like Santa was a very generous fellow.

Christmas Cookies

Andrew absolutely loves to make cookies! The more sprinkles the better! However, when it came down to eating them, he said he didn't want any with sprinkles. He enjoyed some plain sugar cookies.

He has also been involved in some very serious fort building lately. He takes everything he can find in the house, including the dog's blankets and bed, and creates a room that you cannot even walk through. :)

 Jez isn't sure what to make of the forts, so she just goes where ever her bed may be....

I have been enjoying not working a little too much. This is much easier than I thought it would be. :) I look at jobs here and there, but have not actually applied to anything yet. Now that the chaos of the holidays is over, I have been reading and getting things done around the house that I have been wanting to do for years. I even signed up for tumbling during the week, which feels kind of nice. None of the rushing around on the weekends to get him to an activity. I know it won't last forever, so I am enjoying ever second of it that I can, despite the horrible weather!