A Lightsaber By Any Other Name

Ryan bought some new Skylanders figures yesterday and needed a bit of help opening the packages. Duane pulled out a razor bade and did a quick slice on the first package. Ryan's eyes grew large watching this nifty device, so Duane explained what it was and that Ryan shouldn't touch it without a grownup.

Ryan moved on to opening the second package but ran into the same trouble he had with the first.

"Hey Dad, can you use your laser blade again?" he asked.

Maybe Santa should have brought Duane one of these:
 

Not That Kind of Vacation

Duane and I have tried to plan a little something for the boys to do each day we are on vacation as a family. We aren't trying to break the bank or anything, but getting out of the house every day is a really good thing.  We're staycationing, but Ryan seems to have other plans.

On Monday evening Ryan walked into the dining room where Duane and I were sitting. He was holding something behind his back.

Ryan: So you guys aren't going to work at all this week, right?

Mommy: That's right. Dad and I both took the whole week off.

Ryan: Well, I was thinking we could do something special.

Mommy:  We're trying to do special stuff on vacation. What did you have in mind?

And here is where Ryan plunked down an ad for Legoland - in California or Florida!!

Ryan: I was thinking we could do this!

What followed was what we call a "reality check" where we explained to Ryan that, although Legoland looks like a whole lot of fun, it is also expensive and since it is out of state, requires actual planning rather than a spur of the moment decision. 

Parents are no fun.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not completely troll my friend's Facebook page the day she got her new puppy so I could live vicariously through her. That would have been kind of creepy.

I did not encourage my children to swipe something out of my father's gift basket on Christmas Day and replace said item with a piece of candy. Never happened.

I have not discovered that, while my 6 year old is regular Lego master, most of the instructions are well beyond my capabilities. 

I certainly didn't overwhelm some of my best friends with my over the top enthusiasm for getting together New Years Eve. 

I did not start to regret one of the stocking stuffers Santa brought the kids approximately 24 hours after they were opened.

Art is Smart - Vacay Day Two

After a super lazy start to our second day of vacation (read: none of us bothered to get dressed until at least noon) the W. family decided to get a little bit of culture and meet Aunt Susan at the art museum. It was a great idea! So good that most of the city had the same idea - well, that and the art museum is free on Sundays.  We prepped the boys for the fact that it would be very crowded and wound up having a really nice time.

One of the things I love about the art museum - other than the free Sundays - is the fact that they hvve worked hard to make it interactive and very kid friendly. Even though we had to had to wait in line for about 40 minutes to see the Lego exhibit we went for, there were a number of things for the kids to do to pass the time.

There were Legos to build with:

There were coinstruction parts to play with:

There was foil to sculpt with:

Ryan's foil airplane

Susan's foil peacock

Duane made me a foil rose

He also made a dragon

There was art on the walls to look at:

And more places to create:

There was even a movie showing about chain reactions. The boys were completely enthralled by it and are currently in the backyard coming up with their own reactions.

We did finally get to see the Lego exhibit and it was worth the wait.

Now for a repeat of last night: a little tv, some Lego building and snap circuit playing (the boys) and some jigsaw puzzles.

On Our First Day of Vacation

Yesterday may have been part of the weekend, but it was also the first day of vacation for me and Duane.  It was such a nice day. The boys each had a chance to play with a school friend in the morning and in the afternoon the whole family went to a movie. The kids surprised (and pleased) me by choosing to see "Annie." It was a cute remake of one of my favorite movies. Then we just spent the evening at home watching tv, playing with toys and doing puzzles. A perfect start to vacation.

Christmas Day Recap

What a wonderful Christmas we celebrated yesterday. OK, the weather was grey and rather warm, but the whole day just felt like Christmas is supposed to feel.

For the first time EVER my kids woke up on their own on Christmas morning. I was just getting out of the shower when I heard them jumping up and down and exclaiming that Santa had been to our house.  They examined the gifts under the tree and all the stockings, but since they knew Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan would be joining us to open gifts and have breakfast, they never once asked to start opening things. They waited patiently and worked on a Lego set from Christmas Eve for a full half hour until their aunt and uncle arrived. I was pretty impressed by that.

Waiting for the morning festivities to begin

Ryan and his new kitten, Icy.

Taryn worked with Santa to give the boys Creeper hats.

Yeti slippers for my very own Sasquatch

A super thoughtful and sweet gift from my hubby.

After celebrating our own little family Christmas in the morning, we headed to Grandma W.'s to celebrate with Duane's family.

Daddy and Ryan hanging out before lunch

Wesley told Uncle Mark all about the Warriors books

Ryan, Aunt Judy and Mark working on a project

My favorite little Santa

Kierstin treated us to Christmas carols played on her viola.

Our last stop of the day was  Grandma and Grandpa P.'s. I am always so happy to get to their house, not because the rest of my day is anything but great, but there's just something special about celebrating with them. Maybe it's because I'm still a daddy's girl.

Ryan showing Grandma Sandi his plasma ball, while Grandpa P. plays piano in the background

My handsome boys

Lego time!

And this is how they look when they've had to be good all day and it's getting late

Picture time with Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan

Ending the day at home on the soft blanket that Mommy got in the White Elephant exchange.

Hope it was a Merry Christmas for all of you!

Christmas Eve Recap

Our Christmas started off with a wonderful Christmas Eve. We went to an early church service geared towards kids, then spent the rest of the evening with family at home.

My handsome boys ready for church. I love this picture, but REALLY wish I hadn't let Ryan have bright blue Kool-Aid right before taking it. His smile is definitely tinted blue.

 

Wesley, Kei, Ryan and Sho. WOW! How these guys have grown!

Duane and Cathy

Me with the love of my life

Wesley and Aunt Cathy getting some Christmas Eve snuggles. 

Ryan and Kei just kickin' it. Of course, Ryan's face looks absolutely devilish here and you just KNOW he's about to do something ornery

Grandpa and Grandma H.  Love them so very much!

Cleaning after the present opening whirlwind.

We had a lot of wind and rain on Christmas Eve - a number of people in the area lost power, but everything stayed on in our house. Of course, on the way home from church, in the midst of a torrential downpour, Ryan said that he hoped Santa's suit was waterproof.  After our festivities at home the boys went to bed without any fuss and I fell asleep on the couch while watching "A Christmas Story" and waiting for it to be time for Santa to come.  Quite the lovely evening.