December 2012

-Alex, Mama & Will-

December was full of fun from day one. We started the month off visiting Santa and managed to attend holiday parties and a charity event for a local pet store. There were rides on a tram and the train at the zoo...

 -Alex-

We savored the opportunities to gather with family and celebrate with hugs, food and wine spilling play sessions (sorry Douglas & Jen) with the cousins...

 -Cousin 'Princess Ilse'-

 -Cousin 'Brave Knight Kellen'-

During the slower days and colder mornings, you liked to scribble, sculpt and play. You both still love trains, helicopters and school buses.  When you are not playing, you prefer to watch something with trains, the Cars Mater Special or Yo Gabba Gabba.  All of this activity is punctuated with the random opening of the freezer or frig every ten minutes or so.

-Will- 

-Alex-

You have become big boys these days.  Climbing into your car seats by yourself is an absolutely necessary action every time we load up to leave for somewhere. If you could have it your way, you would eat noodles, noodles and more noodles for every meal.  Everything else you eat must be 'big'.  Whole fruit, veggies, pancakes, you name it.  If we attempt to slice it or dice it the allure of 'big' is off and the food becomes inconsumable.

-Alex-

-Will-

The cats are becoming more like buddies and less like bullies receiving their justice.  In other words, there are snuggles and efforts to pet nicely mixed in with with the tail dragging and body slams.

William...

Every morning at 4:30 am you start rattling the gate and crying 'Mama and Daddy'.  We wish you would hurry up and grow out of this early morning routine. After the 4:30 am wake up call, you proceed to cry predictably every 15 minutes or so until we give up.  Please oh please, sleep in or learn to take a LONG nap soon.

You love to play by yourself and often wander off when you are finished with a movie or the current conversation.  Lining up cars to crash or planes to fly currently seems to make you the most happy.

If you don't want something or have an opinion about something else, you always find a way to let us know.  The words 'no', 'stop', 'go away' and 'mine' are frequently used.  On the contrary, you are willing to hold my hand when we are wandering the store and always look out for your brother.

When I come home, you always come running and give me a big hug.  You have the most persuasive smile and always duck your head whenever a pretty girl attempts to talk to you.

Alexander...

You have asked for your owl snuggle blanket every night for the last week or so. This is the first sign of attachment beyond the dinosaur quilt that Gramma Kat made for you.  You still need my hand in yours before you fall asleep.  I am smitten and willing to lay on the floor to make you happy every night.

Saying 'sorry' and 'thank you' are so completely programmed into your mind that it has become an impulse in your daily life.  Every day you are saying 'sorry' for no apparent reason and thanking us so the smallest of gestures.  Your gratitude and compassion for others makes me proud.

You love swimming in the tubby after brother has left.  If their is a fight over toys, you are the first one to resolve the battle by moving on with a second choice.  When brother wakes up crying every single morning, you always stay in bed and wait quietly until someone comes to your room.

Thank you for making our holidays memorable and bright. We promise to keep your naughty behavior a secret so that Santa will return to visit you next year...

                                                                                             xoxo,
                                                                                                Mama & Daddy

December 31

 -Alex-

-Will-

Today...

You ate Daddy's pancakes and celebrated every bite.
You made a new batch of play dough with a hint of vanilla.
You made a train with eight cars all by yourself. (Alex)
You took a THREE hour nap. (Will)
You celebrated New Year's Eve with noodles and a huge bubble bath.

December 30

Today...

You helped feed the cats and refresh their water first thing in the morning.
You hugged brother and said 'sorry' for no apparent reason. (Alex)
You refused to ride in the cart because you wanted to 'walk' in the store. (Will)
You ate half a blueberry scone at Starbuck's and thanked us for the experience.

December 29

-Cousin Ilse & Cousin Kellen-

Today...

You spilled the water from the humidifier all over your rug and reported the mess with great concern first thing in the morning.
You took off your pants three times and refused to put them back on. (Will)
You played with your Cousins, Auntie Jen and Uncle Douglas.
You insisted on using my forearm as a pillow at bedtime. (Alex)

December 28

Today...

You played with Nana and Papa.
You helped Mama sort the dirty laundry. (Alex)
You sang 'Yo Gabba Gabba' after lights out.
You pushed our new felt coasters through the slats on the floor vent. (Will)

December 27

-Will-

-Daddy & Alex-

Today...

You visited Mommy at work.
You played catch with a local legendary softball coach.
You shared your dinosaur roar with Mommy's co-workers. (Alex)
You ate noodles at a restaurant.
You played peek-a-boo with a stranger in the booth next to us. (Will)

December 26

Today...

You had tomatoes and toast for breakfast.

You let Nana give you your first haircut (trim in the back).

You chewed a perfect hole in your quesadilla. (Will)
You had a deep discussion with Daddy about John Muir.
You snuggled with me on the floor at bedtime and then crawled into bed once you realized it was more comfortable. (Alex)

Christmas 2012

Boy oh boy did we have visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads late Christmas Eve night...

Presents were wrapped, a train was chugging laps around the tree, two little boys were slumbering peacefully and Santa was assuredly coming at any moment to stuff stockings and leave presents.  We were ready for the magic of Christmas morning...

Except, the boys woke up early (like usual) and Aaron was still sleeping off the Christmas Eve excitement. So, I distracted the boys for an hour an a half in their room with puzzles, stories, puppet shows and a tumbling routine.  Finally I woke poor Aaron up because I couldn't contain the herd any longer and I didn't want him to miss their reaction to the wonder of Christmas morning. 

We turned them loose and they dashed madly past the Christmas glory and headed straight to the refrigerator...

-Alex-

Apparently food ALWAYS comes first with these two. Once their tummies were full, they were able to proceed with purpose, focus and fascination...

Presents were torn open and fun was had by all...

 -Will-

-Alex-

 -Alex & Will-

The boys loved watching Puss In Boots...

-Will & Alex-

I loved puttering around the kitchen getting brunch ready while the boys signed Christmas cards...

-Alex, Aaron & Will-

Nana and Papa brought more Christmas cheer and presents for everyone...

-Will- 

-Alex- 

It truly doesn't get any better than this...

Merry Christmas!

December 25

Today...

You ran right past the presents, stuffed stockings and train under the tree and asked for milk.
You LOVED unwrapping presents. (Alex)
You insisted on 'no tracks' for the train. (Will)
You were fascinated with the movie Puss & Boots.
You unwrapped MORE presents with Nana and Papa after brunch.
You made our Christmas very merry.

December 24

Today...

You took turns snuggling with Goose.
You spent the day celebrating Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's.
You took Great Grandma Gloria's hand and asked her to 'come play'. (Will)
You tried to help everyone unwrap their presents. (Alex)

December 23

Today...

You woke up and yelled for us at your usual time, 4:00 a.m. (Will)
You played with a toy in bed while your brother cried. (Alex)
You used your new 101 cookie cutters to make play dough shapes.
You peed in the living room. (Will)
You spilled Daddy's beer all over him and the couch. (Alex)

December 22

-Will-

Today...

Your Mommy bundled you up and marched you to the park.
You said 'School bus where are you?' during our trip to the store. (Will)
You said 'hello' to the neighborhood goats.
You said 'thank you Mommy' after I brought your Daddy a beer. (Alex)

December 21

Today...

You enjoyed a Christmas party at school.
You smell like sugar cookies and icing.
You watched a documentary about flamingos with Daddy.
You rearranged the Christmas decorations.
You said 'Mama stay' after lights out. (Will)
You said 'Mama lay down' and brought me a blanket after lights out. (Alex)