Feliz Navidad

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! The kids woke up in usual holiday fashion, the boys before the birds and Sara hours later. Iain and Sean were told not to get up before 6:30am, they did listen but they were awake WAY before. We heard them a little after 5:30am. At 6:29am they were at their door counting down and the second the clock changed they were in our room/bed full force. The four of us went downstairs. The boys opened stockings and played with their Santa gifts. Santa usually leaves them each one gift, unwrapped, and their stockings so they were able to play right away! Iain got Guitar Hero 3 and Sean received Pixos. They played until right before 8:00am when Sara woke up. We all went to her room and Sean blurted out "Sara, Santa brought you a dollhouse!", so much for surprises!!

Her face as she was being told. Like the camera strap? I'm quite the photographer!

After all the presents were opened, we ate breakfast, and headed to my sisters. The kids played and opened more presents, yikes! We were able to slip a little quiet time in before heading to Iain's parent's house for dinner, where my mom joined us, and opened yet more gifts! The kids were beyond spoiled! I'm still trying to find room for everything! Not sure what I'm going to do next week when Sara gets even more for her birthday!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve Eve

Every year on December 23rd, we have a s'mores night with the neighbors. It's the night we exchange gifts with them and have a small Christmas of our own. We are a close group of friends and seldom a day goes by when we don't see each other for one reason or another. We had a great time again this year. About half way through the evening the rain started to fall. It didn't damper anything though. The kids still played football (in the dark), ate s'mores and opened presents. Ironically Sara was given an umbrella!

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a nice quiet evening at home. We let the kids choose the menu for dinner (Daddy's bbq'd burgers and fries) and just hung out. After dinner we put some cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer. Then in order to help guide Santa's friends, we sprinkled Reindeer food out front. In case anyone is unfamiliar with it, it is oats and glitter mixed together. The reindeer like to eat oats and the glitter glistens in the moonlight so Santa will be sure to see our house and stop! Thought it was very nice of Sean to sprinkle it all around the dead spot in the grass!

The last event of the evening was the opening of one present, of our choosing, before bed. This year they each got a cozy blanket, each in a different color as not to cause any confusion of course! They cuddled up to watch a Christmas cartoon and then it was off to bed!

Enjoying the blankets...

Festivities

The past week has been filled with many fun get togethers with family and friends. It started last Saturday with a family cookie exchange and ended last night with Boxing Day.

We had an amazing Christmas. The kids were of course spoiled beyond belief but I'll get to that in another post!

I'll start with last weekend and work through the week.

Sunday at the cookie exchange...

Playing with cousin Terra

On Monday we decided to go visit Santa, along with the rest of the world. We waited one hour and fifteen minutes in line! While waiting, Sara was beyond excited. She was telling us what she was planning on telling Santa. He would get up occasionally (we figured it was because his bum was going numb from sitting all day) and walk through the line waving at the kids. Her face would light up as she watched him. Then it was our turn! She made a B-line for the nearest exit. I have to tell you after standing in line for over an hour, leaving was not at the top of my list. WE-WERE-GETTING-A-PICTURE-WITH-SANTA!!! Iain had decided he was a bit too old for the Santa picture so we respected that. Sean on the other hand was on his lap as soon as it was our turn. As Sara was trying to get out of Dodge, Santa sweet talked Iain into getting in the picture "for his sister's sake". Sweet boy that he is, he agreed. It did help Sara get in the vicinity but before I knew it, I was also in the mix. In the picture they got, Sara and I are holding hands! Guess this was one for the photo album!

Side note: as we were walking away she shrieked and said she forgot to tell Santa something. She ran to the fence and yelled "I want a Baby Alive too please!" Silly girl!

Busy ramblings and bragging

My oh my the past few days have been a whirlwind! Literally from the moment I drop Iain off at school until I pick him back up (or until my wonderful neighbors pick him up) I'm going non-stop. I know it is just this time of year, you'd think I'd be semi prepared for it!

We have a few things going on that I want to update about. The first is Sean. On Tuesday at school, Sean was given an award. They give out a few awards at three different assemblies throughout the year. Sean was very proud to hear he was chosen to receive one and even more proud to stand up to get it! He's a pretty low-key little guy, but he wasn't shy about this at all. He told me on the way to school he'd like me to be loud when they called his name! :-) No problem here!! Iain was able to get off work and slip in to watch the moment! His award was for Overall Effort. (After school his teacher pulled me aside and told me it was actually for the highest achiever! I just love hearing that stuff!)

Another Sean tidbit, as you all know he has been in speech for a few years now. He finished the actual speech part of it awhile back. His teacher asked if we would do let Sean participate in a research project for her, which would allow him to continue getting one-on-one practice with her. We of course agreed. It was a project that focused on memory and re-telling stories. He has since finished that, and she offered to work with him on his 'th' and 's' sounds for free! We of course agreed to that also! Anyway, here we are, 4 years after we started with her. He finished speech, caught up beautifully, mastered re-telling stories (actually finished highest in the group) and today she told me his 'th' and 's' sounds are caught up. Next Tuesday will be his last day! It's crazy to even imagine not seeing her each week. She has seen him every week since he just turned two! It's a bit sad, but at the same time we are so proud of our little guy!
Iain also had a proud moment at school this week. His teacher gives out a student of the day award at the end of each day. She doesn't give them to everyone, it isn't the happy "we're all winners" that so many of us are use to. Once they hit 3rd grade, it's all kids for themselves!!! ;-) Alright, just kidding, but they don't balance those things out anymore. Anyway, he came home with another one yesterday, which makes a total of 4. Apparently, he has been helping others lately to the extent that he has been piling these awards on. Way to go Iain!

Making a gingerbread house at school

Another exciting bit of info, our new washing machine just arrived. I actually had to stop typing to let them in. I knew that I loved having a washer, but I never realized how much I used it until I was without for 5 days! Yikes! I've had my pile of clothes sorted all day, just waiting for it to get here. Let the washing begin!

Day o' singing

Today was the boys last day of school before Holiday Vacation. To celebrate they also had a winter concert. It was a parent's dream. Singing, costumes, the whole shebang! Sean's class sang Jingle Bells and I'm a Little Snowman (sung to the tune of 'I'm a little teapot'). It was beyond adorable! They were dressed up in top hats and scarfs with big buttons down their fronts.

Iain's class sang Let it Snow and Frosty the Snowman. He was a bit more embarrassed being up on stage. The "I'm too cool for this", phase is starting to set in. (I know, a few of you are laughing at the starting part of that last sentence. Yes, I guess it set in long ago!!)

He held a nose up for part of the song. Of course I also got the peace sign for the picture.

Decorating Tree #1

One theme that continuously runs through our house is that kids live here. We have their art on the fridge, holiday decorations they've made all over the house. We try not to live surrounded by mounds of toys but walking into our house sends an obvious message of children. Our Christmas tree is no different. It would not make it into a Pottery Barn catalog but to us, it is just as perfect! The kids decorate it, as much as they can reach that is. Iain and I put ornaments on the top, but the kids are in charge of the bottom half.

Example of ornament clumping

If you look closely you can see three ornaments on top of each other on the left and three more on the right (with the other two in the middle). :-)

I just love this picture! This was Sara's reaction when the lights went on!!

Tree #1

As you may remember from the past two years, getting our Christmas tree is usually an adventure around here. This year I have to say was lacking in the adventure department. Iain announced I was given a 5 tree allotment to go through. After picking, inspecting and getting sapped on by those trees, the decision was then transferred to him to make. (Funny isn't he, like I would really give up!?!?!) I knew the proposed agreement so I was very particular with the first tree I chose. Much to Iain's surprise I liked the first one! I was fairly certain it was the one I wanted but as I was pondering it, he took off in a fast walk (with tree in tow) to the line to pay. I think he was afraid I'd change my mind so off he went! Before I knew it, we were the new owners of Tree #1!

Here's Tree #1 and a sneaky Iain

Posing for the camera, Sean didn't want to smile.

When I showed him the picture, he wanted to take another one...with a smile!

This is what I got when I asked Sara for a "Christmas Tree Smile'

Iain helping put Tree #1 on the car

The tree is now set up and as beautiful as ever!

Things that made me smile today

The first two works of art are by Sean and the third, Sara.

Sean says it's he and I holding hands with our love around us!

Sara's masterpiece

Meet Petunia

This Thanksgiving was much different than the years past. We usually see both sides of the family, in a few different events that go on throughout the day. This year after much thought and discussion, we decided to stay home. It was a big decision for us, not to mention we had to make a turkey! (Feel free to laugh at this next part), we had no idea what we were doing. We searched online for what sounded like the best way to go and we followed that recipe...to a tee! Our wonderful bird, Petunia as I called her, turned out perfectly moist and delicious! Iain wasn't very happy that I named her. He thought naming her, then eating her seemed wrong. I would usually agree, but for some reason I wanted to name her. :-) We let the boys chose the menu for the day so we had some traditional items and some not. It was quite yummy! After lots of food, the five of us went to the movies to see BOLT. Again, the boys choice. This was Sara's first movie theater experience, she did fantastic! About half way through she got a bit restless but nothing a quick walk around couldn't cure. One funny Sara moment...the beginning of the movie was very loud. At first we were concerned she wouldn't like it. Nope, she watched intently, with her hands over her ears! Her eyes did not leave the screen! She now refers to it as the movie we saw at the fun place!

Now for some photos of the day

A confession here, I can not stick my hand in bird orifices! Just can't! Iain was nice enough to step up to the job. He was making great faces as he pulled out all sorts of good things!

Pouring butter under her skin to help "keep her moist".
Me and my girl!

Turkey Day Craziness!

On to Regionals

Last weekend Iain's soccer team won the final game to take first place, out of 13 teams! With the other seasons, when a team wins you cheer, celebrate and move on. But now that he is in U-10 (which means the kids were all Under 10 on the sign up date), they move on to play other cities. The boys are of course thrilled! Iain heard through the grapevine that the national finals are in Hawaii, so he has eye set on white sandy beaches! Sounds good to me!!

Their first tournament is this coming weekend. Instead of playing at a local school, they will be playing about 30 minute from home. All the teams play on the same day, at the same fields. We have a 9:00am game and then another one in the afternoon. The following weekend they have another tournament with two more games. They are working on a point system, not quite sure how it works but it's a certain amount of points for goals, winning etc. The teams with the most points then move on from there. Not sure how long until I can get my hula skirt out!! ;-)

Here are the champions!!

After a celebratory mud slide

The entire team, including Coach Iain on the left