Fresh Start

Alright, so technically that isn't true. New Year's is just a day or so away, but that hardly counts when  you are the parents of small children. We'll spend New Year's Eve at home and that's just fine with us. There's the Sugar Bowl on January 4th, but all that entails in preparation is ordering pizza. So as far as I'm concerned, the holidays are over.

We even took the tree and other Christmas decorations down last night. Wesley was a big help. He took things off the tree and packed them in their boxes. Ryan was not a help. He sang "Jingle Bells" most of the time we were "undecorating" the tree. When all the ornaments were packed away he said, "We decorate tree now?"  Wesley assured him that they could decorate the tree again next year, but that it would be "a long long time from now."

Until then, I'll just have to enjoy the clean uncluttered living room - at least for the five minutes it stays clean and uncluttered.

Just Ask Grandma

This morning Wesley was eyeballing the bowl of Christmas candy that was sitting on the counter. 

"You can't have a piece now," I told him in what I thought was a preemptive strike.

"That's okay, I'll have some at Grandma's. I can have anything I want there."

Unfortunately, there was no way I could respond to that because he's absolutely right!

Back to Reality

I guess ten days of vacation had to come to end sooner or later. I can't believe it went by so quickly though! What's even more amazing is the fact that I had a really wonderful time just hanging out with the kids. Yes, there were moments of insanity, but overall it was really nice.

Too bad this morning was not so nice.  I can't really blame the kids for not wanting to get up after over a week of sleeping in as late as they wanted, but did they really have to have to make it such a nightmare for me?  Ryan was especially awful and screamed most of the time I got him dressed and continued to scream at Grandma and Grandpa's.

At least we're back in a routine, right?

Not Me Monday

I did not encourage Wesley to hang a pretend ornament for his imaginary friend on our Christmas tree.  That would have just been weird.

There is no way that I kind of enjoyed hearing Ryan call "Mommy!" in the wee hours of morning. And if I did, it certainly wasn't because he's normally such a Daddy's boy that I'll take whatever I can get.

I was not super klassy and used the back porch as a temporary refridgerator one day because I ran out of room in our fridge. Didn't happen.

Christmas Recap

I hardly know where to start telling everyone about our holiday. I guess I'll start on Christmas Eve day. Duane had the day off this year - YAY!!!! He helped the boys assemble the annual gingerbread house while I made a variety of casseroles to be consumed throughout the holiday.

I'm pretty sure Ryan would have decorated that thing all day.
 As it was, he decorated it until the icing dried and nothing else would stick.

We celebrate Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa H. and that side of the family on Christmas Eve. I have to get more pictures from Aunt Susan of our celebration there, but here are a few.

Snuggle time with Daddy

Ryan and Aunt Sus snack on some Chex Mix

Wesley and Sho play with the Christmas gifts.

Kicking back with Uncle Kirk.



From Grandma and Grandpa H's, we headed to church. It was an experience this year. It started before we even left Grandma and Grandpa's. I pulled an old holiday outfit of Wesley's out of the closet for Ryan to wear to church. Unfortunately, I neglected to try it on him first. It was so small - the poor child looked horribly uncomfortable, but I didn't have anything else to put on him. 

We made it to church though. For some reason I got it into my head that it would be a good idea for Wesley to go up to the children's sermon. Bad idea. He got through the sermon part OK, but before the pastor sent the kids back to their seats, we heard a little voice say, "You wanna hear something funny?"  Of course it was Wesley and of course the entire church got very quiet and waited to hear what Wesley would say next. We were seated in the back of the sanctuary, or else I probably would have been making frantic "BE QUIET!" motions at Wesley. "My friend Fluffy called Kei caca poopoo head."  ACK! I'm pretty sure my face turned a million shades of red. We got through the rest of the service pretty well - unless you count the part during the candlelight singing of Silent Night when a bit of hot wax dripped on Ryan's fingers. No real damage though.

It was snowing as we left the church and drove home. When I exclaimed how excited I was that it was snowing, Wesley said, "Of course it's snowing! It's Christmas Eve! It HAS to snow!"

When we got home it was time to get milk and cookies out for Santa. I walked into the living room with the goodies to find Wesley hiding behind the couch cushions. I asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Thinking."

"Thinking about what?" I asked.

"About what I should have done. About what I should have said at church and how I should have acted."

So we talked about it a little bit, then Wesley asked me if I thought Santa would still come to our house. I borrowed a line from Phineas and Ferb (tv show) and told Wesley that everyone does naughty things sometimes, but that's different from being a naughty person and that I was sure Santa would still come to our house.  That seemed to satisfy him.

Christmas morning came in the blink of an eye. I think we had practically the only kids in the USA who had to be woken up for Christmas morning! Because we visit so many people on Christmas, we have to keep to a bit of a schedule, but the kids did great. They were thrilled by all the candy in their stockings and really seemed to like their gifts. Aunt Susan and Uncle Kirk joined us for breakfast and AM presents, which was an extra special treat.

Candy for breakfast - hey, it's Christmas!

"I want this one!"



Our next stop was lunch and celebrating with Duane's family. Wesley spent most of the time we were there working on a sticker book his great aunt had gotten him. It was a book of 1000 stickers and Wesley was bound and determined to get them all on one paper for Grandma W.

sticker marathon

Ryan watched his cousin Mark play on the DS

Nothing says Christmas like a toddler shooting some pool.

Ryan's new race track

From Grandma W.'s we headed to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s to end the day. Once again, we were treated to good food, our wonderful family and lots of love.

So sweet

Grandpa and Santa Wesley



Wesley got run over by a reindeer?

 We have spent today putting gifts away and generally trying to relax. Poor Ryan has been going through Christmas withdrawal though. He keeps asking to open presents, or open his stocking. After a couple of busy days, Wesley wishes "we could go someplace fun." I'm half tempted to try a kid-friendly restaurant for dinner, but there are tons of wonderful leftovers in the fridge, so that doesn't make a lot of sense. Guess I'll have to force the kids to enjoy the rest of a quiet day at home.

Christmas Carols - Ryan Style

C is for Chex Mix

Duane brought home some Chex mix from one of his co-workers today. I adore Chex mix and Ryan does too. I opened the container and held it out to Ryan, "Would you like a bite?"

Ryan took a piece, popped it in his mouth and said, "I have three bites."

Another piece went into his mouth and he said, "I don't want three bites. I want four bites."

A bite or two later, Ryan reached for the container and said, "I eat whole thing!"

So much for sharing with Mommy.

Simon Says

The boys and I passed a little bit of time yesterday playing "Red Light Green Light" and Simon Says.  I thought this little video was too cute not to share.

If It Fits It Ships, Right?

Christmas at the Conservatory

Yesterday Grandma H. and I went to the conservatory with the boys to see the gingerbread houses. It wasn't very crowded and the boys seemed to have a really good time going through the different areas. Wesley's favorite gingerbread house was a Whoville house, complete with the Grinch on a mountain. Go figure.

Remembering to look with your eyes and not your hands is a challenge when everything looks so good.

Getting a closer look.

Checking out the fairy tale train

In the desert

Look out below!

The koi pond is always a hit

Double Trouble

Welcome to Whoville

Maybe we are watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas a few too many times this holiday season.  What was the tip off? Well, Wesley has been arranging his animals around a toy pine tree and singing the Who-song from the cartoon.

Hey Baby, What's Your Sign?

It kind of amazes me that Ryan recognizes so many signs on buildings and along the road. We know that he loves stop signs and red lights, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Like many children, Ryan knows what those golden arches stand for. We pass a couple of McDonald's on the freeway every day. Occasionally Ryan will point to the sign and say, "That McDonalds! I want McDonalds!"

He knows the Target sign as well (Wesley also learned this one very early.) One day Grandma and Grandpa P. took the boys to Target to pick up something. When they pulled into the parking lot, Ryan took one look at the bulls eye sign and cried, "I no want Target!"

We went to COSI yesterday and Ryan very happily pointed out every instance of the word "COSI" on the building, in the parking lot, and anyplace else.

But my favorite sign recognition came last night as we were on our way home for dinner. We stopped at a red light that happened to be in front of a Tim Horton's.  Ryan looked out the window, saw the sign and announced, "I want get donut!"

Guess those advertising departments are earning their bucks!

On the Second Day of Vacation

Yesterday was Day 2 of Mommy's Christmas Vacation and in true Mommy fashion, we crammed a whole bunch into it!

Church was first. I don't know if I have told you, but the W. family has found a new church. I loved our former church (I literally grew up there), but it is a pretty grey church and there were only a handful of kids. Everyone tried very hard to accommodate us and the boys, but it didn't feel like a good fit anymore. We are now going to a large church with tons of families and Wesley loves Sunday School.

Immediately after church Wesley and I headed to a birthday party for one of his classmates. The party was at an indoor trampoline park and the kids had a blast! I think pretty much the entire class was there - which is downright impressive the week before Christmas! 

Testing the trampolines with his friend, C.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Wesley!

Wesley and C. again

Some air time with J.

Bounce!

 

Wesley and J. again. J. threw her arms around Wesley and planted several kisses on his cheek during pizza and cake time.

Wesley says that C. is his "best" at school.  I'm happy he has such good taste!


After the party we went home for about an hour. We had received a couple of packages from my friend in California, so there was plenty to entertain the boys before we had to leave again. Cheryl sent them a Mr. Potato Head with all this really wonderful Disneyland stuff to go on it. I've never seen Mickey Mouse ears and cast member name tags for a Mr. Potato Head. We pretty much just camped out in the kitchen and played for awhile.

But the fun wasn't over yet! We loaded the boys in the van and headed to Grandpa and Grandma P.'s for a pre-Christmas family dinner. I was a little skeptical about doing a big dinner the week before Christmas, but it was so nice and relaxing. No one was rushing around and we actually got to enjoy each other's company - what a novel idea! I hope it becomes a tradition.

Wesley sat between his aunts at dinner. This is a picture of him "holding court"



There is a whole lot I didn't get done yesterday. I have no idea when the Christmas presents are going to get wrapped and who knows if the laundry will ever get put away, but I'm pretty sure it was worth it!

Not Me Monday

There is no way I made a new recipe for dinner that was so bad we threw it out and ordered take out instead. Nope, not me.

On the First Day of Vacation

We spent this evening playing Kinect with Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan. What a great time! Susan and I danced quite a bit. Turns out I actually enjoyed it - even though I wasn't drinking anything stronger than a diet coke (it usually takes a couple of drinks to get me to dance). I could see myself dancing at our house - if we had the right gaming system for the Kinect. 

We also played some rafting and obstacle type games. And now my legs are killing me. Seriously, I can hardly walk! I have a feeling I'll really regret it in the morning!

Pre-K Christmas

Today was the Christmas program at Wesley's school. What a difference in the boy from last year! Last year, Wesley informed us that he wasn't going to sing (although he did). This year he was really looking forward to it - and so was I!

Heading into the program

 

During the "picture taking" part of the program

Wesley did such a good job - although he J. (the boys next to him) spent some of the time whispering together.  Wesley sang and danced and flashed the "thumbs up" a couple of times.

On the way out - doesn't he look like a boy who had fun?

Ryan was really good during the program too - although that might have something to do with the sucker I brought to keep him occupied. Once he saw Wesley in the front he was very interested. Ryan kept saying that Wesley had red and black diamonds on his shirt and asked when they would sing the next song.

After the concert, we all went back to the classroom to have cookies and wait for Santa.

Ryan enjoyed the cookie and really liked playing with all the toys in the classroom, but he did NOT like sharing them. There was another 2 year old boy in the room and they kept fighting over the cars and ramps. Ryan threw a pretty good fit at one point, but at least he didn't throw any punches.

Wesley did such a nice job when Santa came into the room. He waited so patiently for his turn to talk to Santa and get a present. Last year Wesley wouldn't talk to Santa, this year - well, take a look.

Wesley had a great big hug for the jolly ol' elf and hopped right up in his lap. He told Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas (and yes, it was the toy I had Duane go exchange the other one for) and said thank you when he received his Christmas book.  Even better, after Wesley visited Santa, he ran over to the writing station and made a thank you card for Santa! I love that little boy.

To top off the whole "totally sweet kid" thing, Wesley took my hand and walked me to the coat rack in the hall where my coat was hanging. On the way there he told me, "While I was singing I was imagining things. Like when I sang about the elves and their hammers, I imagined a REAL hammer. And when we sang that song about the angel band, I imagined I could see real angels flying all round."  Let me tell you, my heart just swelled with love when I heard him talk like that. Of course, it could just mean he'll be into method acting.

On our way out of the preschool I discovered that Ryan had decided to add grand theft auto to his growing toddler rap sheet. He had his little hands full of cars from Wesley's classroom. I returned the stolen property quickly!  Little thief! Luckily we made a clean escape after that.

The Taste of Christmas??

Wesley opened his Advent calender this morning and looked at the picture stamped on the chocolate.

Wesley: What is it?

Mommy: I think it's one of Santa's boots.

Wesley: Yep. Sure looks like it to me (pops the chocolate in his mouth) Tastes like it too!

EWWWWWW!!!!

Putting the World in Order

On the way to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s this morning.....

Ryan: I a baby.

Mommy: You’re a baby?

Ryan: Yes. Wesley is big guy. I little guy.

Mommy: Ok. You're a little guy.

Ryan: Wesley is big brother. I not brother.

Mommy: Well, you’re a little brother.

Ryan: No. I not brother. Wesley is brother.

Guess that sums things up in his world. Some things you just can't explain to a two year old!

Not Me Monday

I did not base an entire outfit on the Christmas socks I wanted to wear. Nope. Not me.

I know I didn't tell Wesley that I didn't want to hear about every time his little brother hit him and that as long as he wasn't bleeding and nothing was broken he shouldn't tell me about it.

There is no way I spent almost 12 hours baking cookies on Friday, only to turn around and make MORE cookies on Sunday. And even if I did, I know they were not rather labor intensive cookies for the preschool party. I certainly wouldn't do that, especially since last year the kids all ignored the homemade cookies and went straight for the Oreos.

Catching Up

I feel like a blog slacker because I haven't posted for a couple of days. Here's a wrap up of what's been going on in the W. household.

I had Thursday afternoon off work, so the boys and I made gingerbread cookies. It was messy and the boys were a little wild with the cookie cutters, but it was fun.

Ryan did a good job rolling out the dough, but his favorite thing to do was sprinkle flour on the counter and the dough.

Wesley got a chance to roll out the dough too.

Friday was our annual cookie day with Grandma H. Duane, Ryan and I dropped Wesley off at school, then stopped to pick up some bagels for breakfast. Ryan looked at the pastries in the case and said, "One muffin to go!" Very cute.

Cookie day is always a marathon day of baking, but it went pretty smoothly. Duane kept the boys busy so Grandma and I were able to work uninterrupted for the most part.

Grandma will say she doesn't like this picture, but I do and it's my blog!

Daddy and Ryan did some reading

Ryan doing his Freddy Kreuger imitation with Daddy's icing tips.

Mommy takes a quick break

Playtime

The boys favorite part of the day is the cookie sampling. Wesley especially loved all things peppermint this year. I had some leftover white chocolate and candy cane pieces from one recipe, so I stirred them together to make a little bit of bark.  Wesley ate a piece, smiled and said, "This tastes like the North Pole!"

I also made some chocolate peppermint fudge.  Wesley watched carefully as I trimmed the edges so the pieces would look neat and tidy. I gave him a little taste and he announced it was the best candy he had ever eaten.  "I bet I could eat the whole thing!" he told me.

I worked yesterday, but Duane and I had a shopping date in the evening. Aunt Cathy watched the boys so Duane and I could pick up everything we needed to. Yes, it was crowded, but it was so nice to just do something with Duane.

We overslept this morning and skipped church. We are planning to just hang out at home today. The rain has changed over to snow, I have Christmas cards to sign and we have tons of Christmas movies recorded. I'm looking forward to a cozy day.