Some Christmas Pictures

 

Such a sweet picture of Xander on Christmas Eve

 Is Xander placing the cookies for Santa, or taking one?

 

After Santa came

 

Xander's stocking is hung with care, and pretty full too

 

A note from Santa! (his reindeer chowed down on celery)

 

Stocking time

Xander's excited about his

 

Ooh! Good job, Santa!

 

Nick enjoying the first thing he pulled out of his stocking

 

Grandma Bonnie and Dad(dy) got their stockings filled too

 

Xander passed out presents - the first one was for Nick

 

Nick wasn't sure about opening presents, so big brother willingly helped

 

At this point, Nick was ready to take over

 

Now Nick will play with this one present for days in a row

Tons and tons of thanks to Grandma Lucy, who captured all these photos. There are many more pictures which I will either post or leave for Erik to make his post-Christmas family video/slideshow. Christmas Day video footage has yet to be uploaded and shared, but it exists!

They Be-leeb In Science

"I did this rocket before in this book with Dad, when I was calling him Daddy," said Xander today. He was cutting pictures out of his new cutting book.

His comment showed me that he remembered consciously changing over to calling us Mom and Dad instead of Mommy and Daddy. It happened a couple of months ago. I was curious why he decided to do it at that time, and I had a suspicion.

"Why did you decide to start calling us Mom and Dad?" I asked him.

"Because it was on TV," he said.

Yep. That was my suspicion, though he couldn't remember who on TV called their parents Mom and Dad.

Right now Erik is teaching Xander some science using his new science experiment kit. Xander just (VERY excitedly) learned about solids, liquids, and gases. Erik gave him examples of solids and then asked him for examples. I had to laugh from the other room when Xander was still going a couple of minutes later. ("And toys! And wood! And chairs! And video games! And story videos!") Then he said water and mud for liquids and the sky for gases. I'm impressed. I don't think he knew much about solids, liquids, and gases before tonight.

Meanwhile Nick was saying "Ga-go" when I handed him the Diego bath toy, and conducting his own bathtime science experiments with various stacking cups.

Some Christmas Reporting

The kids had a lovely Christmas with plenty of presents, but most of all, the attention of two grandmas along with their parents.

Nick has played with his new Little People airplane for two or three days straight. Xander has been playing hours every day with his Lego Kingdoms sets.

Even the adults got plenty of stocking stuffers and gifts and ohmygoshthecookies. I guess I made and then saved aside way too many. Mom is doing her best to help me with the prayer bars and I am making good headway on the chocolates. The children are happy to help, too. ;)

Possibly my favorite gift this year was Xander's reaction to the unicorn I knitted for him (by request). Now keep in mind he requested this and has seen me knitting on it throughout the last few months. He pulled it out of its wrapping, said, "Oh I love it! I even wanted one!" and sprinted off to his room to put it on his bed. That made me feel really great. Thanks, Xander.

I am sure I'll remember lots more to say about Christmas and have pictures to post, too, later.

Mommy-Son Date

Xander and I went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader today at the theater. We had both been looking forward to it. This is just before we left:

On the way there, he was excited to see two cement mixer trucks and many, many American flags. He said it was the drive to count American flags. At the theater, I let him choose where we sat and he plopped down next to a twelve-year-old (or thereabouts) boy. The boy was eating Twizzlers and offered one to Xander. Xander enjoyed the movie very much. I enjoyed being able to hold his hand or have him on my lap because I won't get to do that much longer, I'm sure.

On the way home I told him I had a good time watching a movie with him. He said, "You did?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Thanks!"

And this is Nick drawing with Grandma Lucy on the sidewalk.

Things I Have Wanted to Tell You

Dear Xander and Nick,

What I have really wanted to tell you boys is this:

I haven't regretted anything, really, in my life. I have always gone after the things that were important to me. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and children. There are a few things I am so embarrassed about that I wish they had never happened...sort of. One of those bad mistakes helped me get to know your father, so I can't regret that.

I have been full of fear. It holds me back and it is a bad way to live life. I hope that you can escape from the bonds of fear in your lives.

I believe you are both good-looking, smart, talented, sweet, determined, loving, and funny. I'm your mom so you may roll your eyes but I want you to know beyond a doubt that's what I think. I will love you forever no matter what happens in our lives. Even if we make mistakes. We will make mistakes, but we will get through them okay.

I hope that you go after what you want in life and that you don't stop until you get it...but only for the really, truly important things. I hope you stay open to people. We are all humans and so very similar to each other. I hope you have joy in your lives and I really want you to be happy most of the time. Most people don't get to be happy as much as their parents wish they could be, but that's okay. We make it anyway.

I just love you. Thank you for bringing real meaning and love and joy and contentment into my life. I thank your father for the same things.

Christmas Holidays

Wednesday Xander had a Christmas party at school. Nick and I stayed the whole time, although Nick got very, very, very tired. The kids exchanged gifts (they didn't understand about the gifts they brought being for another kid, but they finally exchanged), ate a yummy Christmas snack, sat on Santa's lap and got pictures with him, and had a holiday lunch. (Xander couldn't stay for lunch because it was late and we really had to get Nick home.) Xander gave a pack of paintbrush markers, which his friend Lance (or was it Russell?) loved, and received a Memory game that he and I played that afternoon.

Today was his last day of school until after Christmas. A whole week at home! The teachers even compiled some fun worksheets for us to do at home if we wanted to. We want to! Xander made three ornaments at school which now grace our tree and wrote a marvelous Christmas card to us that said "Happy Holidays" (all in his own writing!!!!!!!!). Ms. Heather made everyone a cute snowman decoration which Xander intends to use to decorate his room.

Ms. Valerie took pictures of the kids with Santa, even including siblings. Here is me holding them up to the laptop camera:

 

Xander gave gifts to his teachers. They each got a Jiffy popcorn that I decorated with a gift label and bows. I have to admit it was last-minute. Maybe next year they will look a little nicer. ;)

Erik may get a little more time at home for the holidays than he expected, or at least he will feel more relaxed about work. We'll have to take advantage of that with popcorn, Christmas movies, eggnog, hot cocoa, wine, the zoo, and of course our Christmas celebration. Mom arrives Tuesday. Bonnie will probably come on Friday if not sooner. I just cleaned the bathroom, Moms!

First Powers Gingerbread House

Erik gets pretty much 99.9% of the credit for this: