Twas the 10 Days Before Christmas

I'm behind on blogging, but we have been having some pre-Christmas fun as well as all four of us being sick. It is Christmas Eve night and I'm wiped out from a head cold, so this will be more pictures than words for this post. We all just seem to share the same winter yuck over and over again. It's fine though. :)

December 14th - The kids wrote letters to Santa.

December 20th - Allison's School Winter Party

Mad Scientist Entertainment

Aidan and Allison enjoying cookies and juice.

There was A LOT of this. By the time we left Aidan was a favorite among the boys in her class.

I mean, this first picture just says it all. Poor Allison!

The biggest troublemaker in 2nd grade whispering in Aidan's ear.

December 21st - The Nutcracker

December 23rd - Christmas cards arrive at 2 pm and were at the post office at 3:35 pm.

December 24th  - Christmas Eve

Making cookies for Santa

Allison had another sewing lesson today courtesy of Omie. She bought her two for her birthday and two more for Christmas. She loves it! Here she is working on her "big bag".

This guy was next to us on the way home from sewing, and Allison caught a great pic! That is a stuffed snowman riding behind him. We cracked up. Allison said, "Now, that's the Christmas spirit!"

6:00 candlelight service was in the plans until Aidan woke up with a miserable cough. It was just awful. I told him Allison and I would go and come right back, but when it resulted in tears I decided it was more important for us to be together. The same thing happened last Christmas Eve. Poor little guy.

Lilly eating reindeer food. It was always an Austin favorite as well. Then, I would scoop glittery poop for a week afterwards. How's that for a fond Christmas memory?

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. We have had another year full of blessings and are grateful for all of our family and friends that enrich our lives each and every day.

I will leave you with a spirited carol.

Little Shepherd

This past Wednesday Aidan was a shepherd in his school's Christmas pageant. I am so glad he was finally able to participate. Two years ago he was sick, and last year we were in Disney World. He did a great job!

Walking in with his sheep, Cole.

This is the closest thing I would see to a smile. He suffered from some major stage fright, but he held it together through the entire show. As soon as I went up  to him afterwards to take a picture, the tears just started to flow.

Singing "Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star"

His Lines

Omie, Aidan, and Papa Fred back in the classroom for cookies and lemonade.

Aidan and Mommy

Aidan and Jude

Aidan did a great job, and once he was off the stage he recovered. I even gave him the choice of leaving with us or staying to play with his friends, and he quickly chose staying at school for the remainder of the day. Way to be go Aidan! You were a spectacular shepherd!

Aidan is Five!

Yes, another difficult birthday for Mommy to swallow. Our little guy is now five. His birthday fell on a Saturday this year, so he had his party on the actual big day. A few facts first:

Aidan is 43" tall and weighs 45 lbs. He falls in the average range for both. He's such an energetic, happy, affectionate, and hilarious little boy. His favorite phrase right now is, "Mommy, I like you." He says it at least 20 times a day, and I could hear it 20 more. So sweet! This morning he said, "Mommy, you are an awesome mom!"

He has been sick lately. He had a virus that resulted in a respiratory reaction before his birthday, and now he seems to be suffering from something similar again. He's on the inhaler. He just can't seem to shake it. Fortunately, he was healthy the day of his party and had a blast!

Aidan woke up to a new bike on his birthday!

At 1:00 we had his monster party. This is definitely the most prep work I have ever done for a party, but it was completely worth it.

I had many helpers. Grandparents and a Godparent. This party would not have been a success without all of their help in set-up, organizing, and running the game stations. Thank you!

Christina making the "monster slime". She helped the kids add color create a gooey mess.

Monster Bean Bag Toss

How Many Monster Eyes Can You Find?

Make Your Own Monster Hat

Monster Can Toss

Monster Coloring Wall

Pin the Eyes on the Monster

We had monster punch, monster toes (pigs in the blanket), monster sticks (pretzel sticks with icing), monster eyes (grapes), and monster M&Ms.

The kids also each took their pictures in the monster cut-outs for their thank you cards.

After all the games we headed outside for the pinata. 

Daddy had to finish it off. That thing was sturdy!

Time for cupcakes!

Omie, Papa Fred, Papa Jerry, and Nai Nai all dressed as monsters for the party. Talk about devoted grandparents! It was awesome.

Finally, as the party-goers left they could each adopt a monster.

I'm so glad Aidan had such a great party and day. He said it was the best day ever, and such an amazing little boy deserved such an amazing day!

Thanksgiving 2013

We headed down to Portland for Thanksgiving this year. It was a really nice visit, and we came home stuffed from all of the great meals.

Aidan loved using Papa Fred's binoculars

Allison and Lilly ran back and forth in my parents' huge back yard. The kids always head straight back there and go crazy.

Taking a break.

Papa Fred and Lilly

Aidan, Memere, and Allison

Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

Daddy looking at pictures from Omie and Papa Fred's recent trip to Turkey

Lilly helped do the dishes after dinner.

On Friday morning the kids helped make pancakes.

Afterwards it was back outside for some tree climbing and swinging.

Later on, we helped put up the tree, and Aidan was very excited to help set up the train.

On Saturday I dropped Allison off at Gigi's for an art lesson. She learned how to sketch faces. She seriously loved this! I see many more art lessons in the future.