More pictures!

Chasing after the goats on my friend's property...(from Dec. 27)
Two boys, hard at work, in a sandbox.

What's better than 3 boys atop a hay bale? The other 2 are my friend's adorable grandsons.

I think BC prefers city life...he wasn't too sure about the scratchy hay....

Giving some hugs to this poor baby goat ;)

More goat holding fun! He was so sweet with it!

Latte, anyone? Here he is, drinking out of his new Starbucks cup. Just milk, though!

Helping Zoe get into her Christmas present from Mimi!

"Deep Thoughts" by Daddy and Bear Cub

The problem with wearing "Big Kid" underpants...no diapers to hold your pants up! :)

The Aftermath...

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Wow...it sure does come and go quickly, doesn't it?!?! We had a fantastic holiday. Bear Cub was so into Christmas this year -- the decorations, the lights, counting down on our chain, cookies, presents, Santa...the list goes on and on! It made it so much fun for us this year to see the magic of Christmas through our son's eyes.

And what a Christmas it was! Bear Cub got EVERYTHING he wished for and more...lots of cars, trucks, airplanes, a sand table, and even a tent to play in! Now the question is...where do we put all of this new stuff?!? He's been having a blast with it all and it is great to have so much new to play with.

So, I'll back track a little in our Christmas story...

We shared a fun couple of days with Mimi leading up to Christmas...going to the park and attending Christmas Eve church services. Bear Cub was a bit squirmy for this, but it was TOO cute as he yelled out "A-MEN!" at the end of each prayer. That made all the squirms worth while! We came home from church and continued our yearly tradition of opening one gift -- always new pajamas for the big night! BC was wound up tighter than a top that night, so he got to bed a bit later. Of course, we had to get cookies and carrots out to leave for Santa, too!

And then...the BIG morning! Santa had definitely stopped by our house, eaten our cookies and had left BC a note, telling him what a good boy he was and reminding him to continue going potty on the toilet, as Santa LOVES boys and girls that do that. ;) BC excitedly came out of his room and dug into his gifts that Santa had left out for him. Compared to last year...what a difference! He knew EXACTLY what was happening this year and was all about tearing into his presents, eating some treats that Santa left him, and playing with all of his new toys. What a fun morning!

We hung around until about 11 and then got loaded up to head to Grandma and Grandpa's house for MORE Christmas excitement! As soon as we walked into their house, BC was at their tree, digging into presents that weren't even his. I'd say he got the hang of that this year...

We spent a great day opening presents with them and BC's aunts and uncles. We munched around on good food all day and had lots of fun playing with more toys and the newest technological wonder in the house...the Wii! This is a new addiction for us all. Oh boy! Ok, not for us all -- just the adults in the families! :)

So, as always, I think this was our best Christmas yet. We are so thankful for our families and of course, all the wonderful gifts that were received. But, like I wrote in an earlier post, I'm just forever grateful for the people that we love, our good health, and all of the blessings we have in our lives. It's not about the stuff, as fun as it all is...it's about family. And thank God for them...

Enjoy our pictures! I have lots to post, so you might get these in waves over the next few days...

Christmas Eve day at the park...

Mama and BC in their new jammies! BC's say, "If Mommy says no, ask Santa!"

Getting everything ready for Santa and his reindeer...

Getting into his Santa stuff...Santa doesn't wrap presents at our house...

Whoa! Look at those cars!

Zoe wanted to help BC open his sand table present!

Oh my! Look at the car transport truck that Aunt S and Uncle T gave Bear Cub! Just so you know...the other side of the car carrier came FILLED with more little cars. BC was in heaven!

Helping Grandpa open a present....BC was great at helping EVERYONE with their gifts!

Studying a new toy very seriously... this is an adorable music box that you wind. Once wound up, a train moves in a circle and "Jingle Bells" plays. He loves it!

Playing with Aunt S Christmas night...meanwhile, you'll see what the rest of the adults were up to in the picture below...

The Wii! Look at the intensity here...

From our family to yours...

Merry Christmas with much love!

We are in countdown mode around here...

It's not real pretty, but it works!

Hi there and Merry Almost Christmas! It's hard to believe we're just 3 days away from the big event. All of that shopping, planning, wrapping and general WORK, to be opened, ripped, and finished within a matter of hours. Amazing, isn't it ?!?!?!

Bear Cub is definitely ready. We made a Christmas countdown chain at around 10 days left. So each morning, he runs into the family room, points to our tree and says, "There's our bu-i-ful Trissmas tree!" and goes straight for the day's link to be removed. It's been a hit! I'd thought about buying a countdown "box" or Advent calendar, but if we can make our own for free, and it's just as entertaining, why bother?!? :)

He understands the concept of Santa and knows that he will leave him some toys and treats on Christmas morning. I will not lie...I've had to phone Santa a couple of times (in front of BC, of course) to see if the big guy in the North Pole was witnessing certain "undesirable" behavior. These phone calls have gotten Bear Cub's attention...and FAST...and he usually stops whatever naughtiness is going on. Believe it or not, he is not a complete angel at all times, despite his sweet looks.

We had a first this weekend...Bear Cub and I went to Sunday church! Daddy had to work, that is why he didn't go with us. This is actually one of my New Year's resolutions...to try to go on a regular basis, so I made my mind up on Saturday night that I was going to start before the New Year. So BC and I got all dressed, headed to the church where he hopefully will attend preschool next year, and got all settled in. I was SO proud of him as he was happy to go to the nursery room and even helped his teacher unstack the little chairs for the table. He kissed me good-bye...no tears or anxiety...and as I left, I saw him sitting patiently in his chair, waiting for the painting activity to begin...just like a big boy. I tell you what....I had to go into the bathroom after seeing him like that to keep my tears under control. I will be a real mess on the first day of preschool. I won't let him see, but wow, if I want to cry just dropping him off for an hour....

I really enjoyed the service and was surprised that I was truly interested in the sermon and was able to get the "daily life" meaning out of it. I guess I haven't really been to church much as adult...so all I remember beyond Sunday School was sitting next to my own Mama Bear, searching her purse for a pen and a deposit ticket from her checkbook so I could doodle. So from that, you know it's been a long time. Bear Cub was happy and smiling when I picked him up and I was given a good report from his teacher. BC was proud to show me his cross ornament that he painted in class and he told me about the TWO cookies that he got to eat. Funny thing...the teacher said that as soon as the paint came out, he automatically started painting his hands. Oops! Didn't I blog that future teachers would get me for my hand print painting antics at home?!!? I KNEW he'd do that!! :) It was a great day and really made me happy. It's definitely something I want to continue.

So, we are anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival and spending time with our families. My mom will be with us for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and we'll be with the other side for the afternoon and Christmas night.

In the midst of all the wrappings, deal huntings, and shopping frenzies, it really is important to reflect on the fact that this is a holiday not about stuff, but about the people that we love. I am truly grateful for my family and friends and all the goodness in my life. It's something I need to remember ALL year long, and not just at the holidays.

Have a wonderful day and happy counting down to you all!

A Christmas Party...Toddler Style!

As usual, he loved the swings!
Little Miss and Aunt Julie...reading her new book!

Friend Emmy taking a look at her gift...

Bear Cub opening his "pick."

The fellas...enjoying some yummy snacks!

Yesterday we enjoyed a fun day at a local park with some of Bear Cub's good friends. It was a little Christmas party and we all brought one wrapped book for a gift exchange. There was lots of fun play time, good snacks, and of course, Christmas cheer. Bear Cub was a bit clingy at first, even though these are the "usual" kids he plays with. But he soon opened up and had fun on the swings and following one of the "big boys" around. The big boy is three, mind you....hey, that year makes a big difference! ;)

Today was our last day of story time at the library until January and I was so proud of Bear Cub when he sat on his chair and participated with some of the songs. He really got into "The Wheels on the Bus" and had fun marching in a circle with some jingle bells to shake along the way.

So here we are, the weekend before Christmas, already! We don't have any big plans for the weekend - probably go to the park and do some of the usual outings. It's been so warm here lately, so I'm looking forward to a cold front that is supposed to come through. Of course, "cold" meaning it will be in the high 60s, but that sure seems better than this week's 80s that we've had. You need a little chill in the air to make it feel like Christmas!! Santa might have to ditch his sleigh this year for a surfboard, instead! ;)

Enjoy the pictures from our party and have a fabulous weekend!

Ho, ho, ho!

9 days till Christmas and look who we saw!!!

Bear Cub loved the greyhound dressed as Santa's "reindeer."


He was happy to get his candy cane, but kept a watchful eye on Santa...

There's Santa!

This was about as close as BC would get to Santa. He did stand right in front of him and say, "Want cars and airplane!" and he also said a polite "Thank you!" for the candy cane. No tears, no real Santa anxiety...just a general air of "Mmmmm...strangely dressed man with a New York accent...how close should I get to this guy??"

I'm telling you...the dog was the biggest thrill for Bear Cub!

Enjoying some Christmas snacks after Santa's arrival

Me...smiling...Bear Cub...whistling maybe?? Interesting photo...

The Big Boy

Bear Cub saying, "Cheese!" at our local Snow Day.

He likes to look at any "toy magazines" as he calls them, while we read the paper at the table. He looks like a little man when he does this...I swear he can secretly read! He furrows his brow, turns the paper pages just like we do, and completely studies each page. He is serious!

Getting ready to begin...he even wore his art smock for me this time! This is the "before" picture for sure...he's still clean and paint-free! :)

After doing some Christmas paintings, he decided it would be fun to paint Thomas. He is still talking about how he made Thomas turn brown. He loved it!

We did some handprints, so now he knows how to paint his own hand. Won't his future teachers love me for that one?? Ha, ha! :) And I haven't even broken out the glitter yet for our art projects...look out then!

An artist hard at work...One of his beautiful finished pieces! :)

Well, it's happened...our "baby" is turning into a big boy right before our eyes! Bear Cub will be two and a half on January 9. It is amazing to look back on pictures from last Christmas and see how small and baby-like he still was. He changes daily...it's amazing.

So, here are some of the "big boy" things that Bear Cub likes to do these days:

• The latest: Drinking out of a cup - no lid!! He's been pretty good about holding a cup with two hands and taking careful drinks. Even at night, with his sippy cup of milk, we've found that he is much more interested when the lid is off. We're proud of him and he's proud of himself! After a sip sometimes, he'll say things like, "Dramma and Drampa be SO proud!" or "Want Mimi see drink out of cup." It is very cute.
• Napping on the "big boy" twin bed in his room. I still have to rock him (not a bad thing...this Mama likes to snuggle with her usually squirmy boy!) and once he's asleep I can lay him down on the bed and he'll sleep there just fine. We still haven't made the big nighttime switch. He hasn't shown any interest in that yet and that is A-OK with us. But the napping on the bed is a great start!
• Helping - this boy loves it! Granted, a lot of times what he does isn't very helpful, but we praise him big time and he continues to want to help! He loves to help put dishes in the dishwasher, "mop," and put things in the shopping cart at the store. I love it because during all of this helpfulness, he always says happily (and proudly), "Helping Mommy!" or "Helping Daddy!"
• "Do dat by myself (or yourself - depending if he gets mixed up with the pronoun stuff)!" This is something we hear a lot of lately. He wants to try to buckle himself in, pull up his pants (sometimes), or help put his shoes on. He's gaining independence and is desperate to give everything a try on his own. And as long as we've got the time, we let him go for it!
  
• No more tears in the playroom at the gym! This has been easy now for a long time, but I still am so happy when I pick him up and he's busily playing with the cars and trucks. Today he saw me through the window and I did a little peek-a-boo game with him before I opened the door. It made me feel SO good when he was pointing and smiling, saying, "Der's Mommy! Mommy!!" No tears, no look of anxiety...just happiness to see his Mama and tell me about what he'd been playing with. It made me begin to think of how fun it will be to pick him up from preschool next year -- hopefully all full of excitement and ready to share ALL the details of his day with me. I love this boy...can you tell?!?!?

Enjoy the pictures from our nice, relaxing weekend at home. We did some fun Christmas painting (he's quite an artist) and went to our local "Snow Day" festival in town. Have a great week! We've got a busy one -- tomorrow is a visit with Santa at our library and on Thursday is our Christmas book exchange party with Bear Cub's favorite little group of friends at the park. Should be fun! Oh yes! And Christmas cookies...we'll start those this afternoon!

I hope my helper is ready!! :)

Yummy!!

You gotta love peanut butter frosting!! Bear Cub helped me make some for the brownies that we brought up to our friends' house this past week. He likes to help hold the hand mixer and then, of course, I had to give him one of the mixers to lick! The boy has a sweet tooth! :)