Jamestowne

 We spent the last day of 2011 at Jamestown with my dad and Uncle Jeff.  The weather was beautiful.  We couldn't ask for a better day.  It was a lot of fun.  The last time I had been was 9 years ago when Brent and I were dating.  I took him there since he had never been and if I remember right that weekend is the weekend Brent claims he knew he wanted to marry me.  It was the first time he came home with me to meet the whole family so it must've been a good visit (although I think thats also the weekend Mary got the flu for the first time and was throwing up everywhere...somehow my charm must've overcome that memory! haha)

 The cannon was a big hit.

Brent got into the cannon too.  While Jeff and Dad were looking at all the historical parts we were near the cannon.

  The kids had fun running around and both were asleep five minutes into our drive home.  Colin wanted to watch the historical video so we stayed and did that and while he wanted to go see the glass blowing again, he was asleep before we got there so we kept driving. 

A fun day. A great way to end the year.

Legos

 Brent and Colin have been doing this a lot this week.  Colin's big Lego set has taken several days and he's done most of it himself. We have several more boxes of legos they got for Christmas we have yet to open.  It'll be fun all winter to get them out to play with. 

 While Brent and Colin are working on one part, Joel is slowly dismantling another part.

 We have to watch Joel so its not totally destroyed.  Colin doesn't get too upset yet.  He'll just put it back together. 

Colin is a very patient older brother.

Rides

 Sometimes a ride on a motorcycle can be really fun

 You might get going fast. So fast you are mostly a blur in most of mommys pictures. 

You might race around the front yard for a long time (since mommy wont let you in the street and go "wheely fast")

And sometimes when you take a pit stop you might see something disturbing...the tail off a beloved squirrel. "Squished Squirrel tail mommy!!!!!!" 

(I wish that picture wasn't blurry.  He was so cute I was trying not to laugh at the horrified,disgusted faces he was making)

Christmas

 Merry Christmas.  We had a fun filled day yesterday and today are enjoying our gifts and relaxing.  The boys slept until 7:30 and I think Colin would've slept longer but Joel woke him up saying "bubba christmas presents" and that got Colin out of bed.  (and the kids didn't really sleep late.  Brent ended up in bed with Joel that night and I brought Colin in bed with me after having him wheezing most of the night so I could keep an eye on him)  

 They both helped the other open their stockings and had fun seeing what was in them.  Then we started opening presents.  

This was brents favorite gift we gave Colin. 

 I dont think he realized how long it would take to put together :)  And I must add that Brent didn't think we should get it at first but I talked him into it and I think Brents played with it more than the boys! 

 Even my grandpa checked it out - I think Colin is telling him how it works. 

 I dont think Batman or Captain Rex have been any cuter. 

Then we went over to my parents to open more presents and then after that went to my grandparents for more Christmas.  It was fun enjoying family, grandparents, cousins, sisters, uncles, aunts.  James used to be Davy Crockett for YEARS!  It brings back many memories of my brother.  Colin loves it. I didn't do very well taking pictures in the afternoon. But I just love this video I took of Colin yesterday.

 This video is priceless.  Since we left right after to go see family he didn't get a chance to open it.  This morning at 6am I heard Colin say "Daddy its Lego time"

 Growing up I always loved looking at all the presents and trying to guess what was in each of them.  Didn't matter if they were mine or not.  It was just fun to guess. Colin may look just like his daddy but he is a lot like me.  He likes to sit under the tree and "inspect" the gifts that have been appearing this week.  The other day he excitedly told Joel to come into the front room with him and he was going to tell him how he knew one of their gifts was a book.

 Joel just likes to lay on the gifts and look up at the lights. Or the toys he's stashed in there.  So far we've had to take out a musket, little people, lego men, a light sabre and probably other toys that Joel has thrown into the tree.  His new "game" to play with Colin is to take the heads and helmets off Bubba's Lego men and then go throw them into the tree. He thinks its great.  Colin not so much....

 Colin talked me into letting him give me his gift today since Christmas is tomorrow. He said he was going to burst and tell me if I didn't open it today. So I did.  And the look on his face while I was opening it was worth it.  Its a heart shaped necklace with the word mom in the middle.  I love it.  And I love this boy.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Busy Week

We have had a busy but fun week.  I think we have had something planned every day and night this week.  I didnt do very well taking pictures and I wish I had at some moments.  Laura and I took the kids to the Winter Wonderland Museum in Portsmouth and Joel was in awe.  Joel would say "wow" when he walked into the room.  I loved watching him look at everything. I think he was the perfect age to take.

Our community group went caroling wednesday night and Colin LOVED it.  He would stand right in front with his song sheet out and "read" it.  He tried to follow along and was so proud to get his own song sheet.  He just started learning to read and we knew he couldn't read the words but he was so cute I wish I had gotten a picture of him singing with his song sheet.

But I did get lots of pictures yesterday.  We had our annual gingerbread house party (its now the second year so I think we can start calling it annual)  This year I read on a few blogs that you can build the houses out of graham crackers the night before and they will be sturdy enough to decorate.  I had forgotten to get milk cartons so I tried it this way. 

Not too bad.  They were all a little different because I could only get 1 roof to stay perfectly.  But it was sturdy by the time the kids were ready to decorate. 

 All 5 kids stuffed their faces with candy.  (Next year we are adding 2 more girls to the group.  Laura is due 3 weeks before me with a little girl.  Works out perfectly!)

The older ones got creative with their houses.  Noah had gum drops for lights all around.  They made snowmen out of gum drops and toothpicks.

 I don't even want to know how much sugar Joel ate yesterday :) 

It was fun but I will definitely go back to using milk cartons to support the structure.  20 minutes after they were done the houses mainly looked like this:

They caved in.  And then Joel took a spoon to his because he thought it made it easier to eat.  I felt bad since the big kids had some neat designs on theirs.  Nathan's is the only one that didn't fall apart.  Probably because there are only a few pieces of candy on it. I guess the weight of all the candy and frosting was too much for the graham cracker.  

The kids exchanged gifts and these glasses came in Colin's gift.  He loves them.  Joel does too and we had to tape them together after Joel broke them. 

 Colin walks around holding the glasses and squinting.  (probably since mommy needs new glasses)

I love it. 

Brent took today off and Colin is off for Christmas Break.  Its nice having both of them home. Brent has worked a half day on Christmas eve the past few years so I'm enjoying having him home today.   It was nice having everyone home this morning.  The boys slept until 8.  A wonderful Christmas present to me :) Brent took the boys outside and I'm off to take a nap.

Gingerbread Men

 Trader Joes had these giant gingerbread men on sale for $0.99 today.  So I bought 3 of them. 

 It was really fun and all the boys had fun doing it.  Brent got into it a lot more than I thought :) 

 They took their time and it actually entertained them longer than I thought.  And a lot of candy ended up on the men - a lot also ended up in their mouths too :) 

 This is for Uncle Opie and Aunt Angela :) 

The finished product. These men are giant but I'm thinking they'll be eaten by tomorrow :) 

Early Christmas

 Brents dad - "Pops" - came in town and we had an early Christmas.  The kids are even more excited for Christmas now. 

Kitchen

 When we bought our house we knew the kitchen needed work.  We have finally gotten tired of gluing cabinets back together and broken down appliances (all our appliances except the micorwave are broken in some way)  Starting sometime in January (hopefully) we are going to use the money we've been saving and demo our kitchen and by the time the baby is here have a brand new kitchen.  (In theory really - my goal is to get it done before then but we'll see)

My mom made a model for us - to scale - so we could choose different layouts and really see what it will look like.  Its been fun playing with it and I think we've finally picked one layout that will work for us.  We originally wanted to knock down the wall between the dinning and kitchen but I think we'll just open up the doorway since what we really need is more storage in the kitchen. 

None of these pictures is the final layout.  You'll have to be surprised :) 

Joel

Joel

I think every family needs a boy like Joel.  He is extremely affectionate - loves to smother us with hugs, and kisses.  Loves to rub our ears (still weird but cute that he does that)  Will lovingly give Bubba a hug after school on the walk home and say "i wuv you bubba.  have good day at skool?"  He is the sweetest boy who loves to help my around the house, always wants to be doing the same thing.  Loves to say thank you and your welcome.  Will sit and eat salad all day if I let him.  Is so mischievous that its sometimes hard to believe its the same boy.  He laughs at discipline.  Spankings don't bother him - in fact after he got a spanking the other day he laughed and told me "i do it again mommy"  We've tried every method and are still figuring out how to discipline our sweet boy. You have to keep an eye on him.  When its quiet he is either in his room reading his books or having a splash fest in the toilet or sink  :)   He is very insistent on what clothes he wants to wear in the morning. Down to his socks.

Its been fun for me to have my mornings with just Joel. To be able to really focus on him and spend time with my boy.  I'm really treasuring this time I have with just him before our little girl gets here.  He is hilarious and loves to say things that he knows makes you laugh.  He's definitely our clown around here.  His favorite thing right now is just saying "poopie pie" at random times and then will die laughing.  He loves to bring toys and put them on my stomach for "mommys baby"  to play with.  He's a daddy's boy - will call for daddy at night and only want daddy to get up with him early in the morning.  As much as Brent hates getting up before dawn I think he loves the snuggle time with Joel every morning.  He always ends up in our bed each night. Most nights I don't notice until I feel a little hand rubbing my ear and little feet pushed up against my back. 

He's an old two year old to us.  I think it comes with him wanting to do everything Bubba does, but Joel can name every star wars character - how he makes R2D2 noise is just so cute.  I need to record that.  He doesn't play with age appropriate toys.  Only wants what Bubba is play with and loves to have battles with Bubba and play dead.  Their death scenes are getting very dramatic.  I'm hoping this baby girl doesn't feel the need to keep up with her brothers and will stay baby for me just a little longer. 

Ah Joel - we love you kiddo. You make each day interesting and full of fun. 

Christmas secrets

Its been fun seeing the boys get excited about giving gifts this year. Last weekend we went to Colins Christmas breakfast with Santa at his school.  While I was volunteering with the craft table Colin went to their Holiday Gift Shop and picked out some presents for me, Brent and Joel.  He came home and locked himself in my room and quickly wrapped up the gifts.  He is so excited to give me my present. I hear every day "mommy can't I just give you an early Christmas present? Please?  You are going to LOVE it so much you will cry."  Its almost killing him to have to keep it a secret.  The other day I heard him tell Joel to come into the bathroom with him so he could whisper what he got mommy to Joel.  He had to tell someone or he would burst I think.  Another day he had to run into his room and tell his stuffed animals or he would ruin the surprise and tell me.  Tonight he had to tell Ant Ant on the phone because he just can't hold it any longer.  I've been impressed he's been able to keep it a secret so long.  And I feel so loved already by this gift.  I think I really will cry when I open it.  I've promised Colin it can be the first gift we open on Christmas day.


Joel on the other hand doesn't understand keeping it a secret.  After shopping with Daddy he came in and proudly told me "mommy I buy you bumblebee sock for Christmas!"  haha

But I love that Colin has almost forgotten that he will recieve gifts this christmas and instead is so excited about the gifts he will give to us. 

I remember shopping at our schools Holiday Gift Shop and carefully selecting the gifts with my money.  I couldn't wait to give them on Christmas.  One year Mary was so excited about the gift she got me - a bright neon yellow headband that was probably more for her - (I was in middle school, maybe even high school - when she was in elementary school) but I still remember that Christmas and opening that gift and the look on her face when I put it on.  

School

I had a parent teacher conference with Colin's teacher last week and she was full of praise over our sweet boy. (and I think we bonded over the fact that I told her I cried for weeks about sending Colin to school and she just sent her firstborn off to college - VT - another reason to like her!)  From someone who could barely write his name in September (not for lack of mommy trying to teach him all summer) to now writing in his journal and drawing pictures of his weekend - I was greatly impressed.  His teacher is wonderful too. You can tell she clearly adores him.  And his teachers assistant does too.  Colin has matured so much this year.  Its a little sad but also so fun to see him getting older and entering this next stage.  He is still full of hugs and kisses and loves to snuggle a lot when he comes home each day.  Joel and I went to his thanksgiving feast and got to see Colin interact with the class and his teacher and he just beamed the whole time.  He loves school and learning.  Colin still wants me to walk him into school each morning and its been good for me to get to know all the teachers in his school.  I volunteer once a week but each morning we walk down the hall and you can't miss a big pregnant woman trying to keep up with her son.   They all know me by now.  I've actually looked for reasons not to send him to this school next year but can't find any so far.  Its a wonderful school.  He's where he should be.  And I'm glad. 

 He's cute

Full of personality

And lots of mischief

This has happened twice this week. 

Its beginning to look a lot like christmas

 We put up our Christmas trees last weekend.  Colin wasn't thrilled when he saw we were going with fake this year. 

And  you can't really blame him.  It doesn't seem like Christmas when you have to fluff your branches and put them in place.  But after last year I wasn't about to take the risk of getting sick again.  Maybe next year when I'm not pregnant.  But we do have TWO trees this year.  One is an all hokie/redskins tree.  I've been wanting to do that for years.  Makes us happy.  And surprisingly its the only one the boys insist on rearranging every day. 

 

 The colored one is the hokie/redskins tree.  Somehow the exposure is a little off - it is not as bright as the picture makes it seem.  The boys have agreed even if we do go back to having a real tree next year we will keep our all hokie/redskins tree. 

I love catching the kids by the tree.  There is something magical about christmas and the lights/ornaments.