Christmas 2013

This year's Christmas was simple and wonderful. The boys' wish lists were taped to the fireplace weeks in advance and among the top items were skateboards, Beyblades, Nerf guns, and a BB gun. Thankfully, Santa was selective with his gifts.

The long-awaited "long board."

This kid can chew some gum. Oh, and don't mind the blood splatter on his face -- bloody nose during the night. 

Santa thought a Nerf bow and arrow set was much more cool. 

Coolest Christmas present - "Raspberry" the turtle. (Evan named him)

It was a happy morning. 

We had to wake Vivian up so she could come out at the same time as the boys. She caught on really quickly. 

The aftermath shot. Pretty pleased at just the right amount of gifts. 

A wonderful surprise from Grandma Soon & Papa -- their very own computer.  

Grant's handmade present. So sweet (it was a calendar). I believe the picture is of a bear?

A Christmas morning tradition - monkey bread!

This kid was ready for her nap!

A formal set Christmas dinner table - a first for our family of 5!

Evan's new favorite game, which made me smile as I have awesome memories of playing this with my cousin Josh when I was little. 

Christmas was exhausting for Dad & Pip, too. 

Cozy

Yogurt baby

This little girl loves some yogurt. And sometimes, she loves to fight with me on where she will eat it. It's a battle of wills with this sweet little face.

Buddies

Now that they both have iPods, they like to sit really close and compare notes.

What she's saying

At 17 months old, Vivian understands almost everything we tell her. Using her own words, however, has been a slow process. Since she was 12 months, she's been saying "mo, mo, mo" for "more." Her "more" means everything from "I want" to "pick me up." She's now saying more words -- shoes, dog, meow, moo, yay, nose, mouth, daddy -- but she still uses "mo mo mo" for something she wants. And when I request that she says "up" to be picked up, she stares at me and opens her mouth (with no sound). It's hilariously cute, but totally missing the boat. Ah well, I'm sure we'll be miles along in a few more months.

Passed down

It's a neat thing to see, in the span of 6 short years, traditions being carried out. This is the third child who has used our wooden high chair, gifted to us before Evan was born from my Great-Aunt Nellie & Uncle Rich. 

This is also the third child who has used the toddler table that I purchased from a thrift store back when Evan was around 2. I brought it home, gave it a new coat of paint and recovered the chair cushions. All of the kids have loved it and Vivian is no different. She loves to get on and off of the chairs and take snacks and toys to "her" table. 

A big achievement

Today was a great day in the 6.5 years of Evan's life. He was recently retested for the Enrichment program at school (he missed the first test by 1 point on one section of the test) and today he received the letter that he had been accepted. When I told him this afternoon about the letter, he literally danced around the kitchen. Jason & I made very little emphasis (beforehand) on getting accepted -- we told him it would be a neat program, but if he didn't get in, it would be ok and that he could try again later if he wanted. But apparently, he thought it was important. He kept saying, "I can't believe I'm in Enrichment!" He said to Grant, "Grant, I passed my test for Enrichment -- you should tell me congratulations!" He also told me, "Mom, I tried my best and I passed!" It was so sweet. I delighted in his pride and told him, "That's all you can ever do -- try your best."

Silly dress day

That time of year again! Silly dress day at preschool. Grant follows in the footsteps of some pretty kooky outfits worn by Evan. Grant tried this morning to convince me that it was also silly dress for the moms -- that his teacher "said so." That kid is always trying to trick me. Oh, what am I in for in the years to come?

Favorite spot

Pip loves being half in, half out.

Evan, full of confidence

Not that I don't want to raise confident kids, but....

Evan came home from school earlier this week and said, "Mom, pretty much all the girls like me. I'm kind of like the 'main kid'."

Tales from Grant

As told by his father, while hiking during a camping trip:

G: [whining about being tired] Daddy, will you hold my arm?
J: Hold you arm? Why?
G: So I can suck my thumb while you hold onto me!


In the car:

G: Mom, I can buckle all by myself now.
C: Really, let me see!
G: See!
C: Wow, in one whole week you learned how to buckle yourself!
G: Yeah. I'm still 4.

Absence makes the heart grow

Upon arriving home from just a week away from the boys, I found them to have grown up more and grown closer. Not too long ago was a scene where Evan would cry and cry about Grant "touching my toys!" Now they're scheming together on "how to set traps to trick Dad." Of course, there are still plenty of tears -- from both -- and screams of "he hit me!" on a regular basis. But the two have a definite bond and as they are growing older, and are developing their own unique, brotherly relationship.

Happy New Years!

Here's to the start of another year... may it be wonderful!

Teenager already?

When did this happen? He's only 6 and yet he looks like Justin Bieber. Or, "Justin Beaver," as Grant says.

An angel in the choir

My angel, that is. Grant's second year in the preschool angel choir. Next year... Kindergarten!

What she's up to now

Vivian is 15 months and certainly has a personality! She's smiley, feisty, and independent. She entertains herself easily, but also loves to stand at your feet and beg to be held when she needs a cuddle. She's starting to talk, and her favorite word is "mo, mo, mo," which means everything from "more" to "I want, now, give me, please & pick me up." She also says "dah" for dog and "whoo" for bark. She loves to toddle around the house, opening drawers, playing with old electronics, putting things in bags, wearing things over her shoulder like a purse... she pays little attention to toys.

She still takes her paci for naps and bedtime and likes to grab it from her crib and walk around -- and then throw it so no one can find it. We own about 6 pacifiers, but can only find 2 at any given time! She's a good eater -- with some things. She could eat Cheerios, watermelon, and cheese all day long if it was her choice. I can tell that she understands many of the things I tell her -- when I ask if she wants Cheerios, she smiles and sways back and forth for her happy food wiggle. Her newest thing is to take a tissue or cloth and blow her nose. I am amazed because neither of the boys could blow their nose on command until they were 3!

Vivian loves her brothers -- laughs at their antics (in spite of my frustrations), loves playing in their room with their toys, and smiles whenever she sees them. Her brothers do not quite share the same adoration as they are often caught closing the door just before she can get to their room, yelling "Moooom" when she's in their room and saying "No, Vivian!" when she touches their iPod. And at the same time, I witnessed Grant fiercely protecting her safety while at the park the other day -- he said, "Don't do that -- she's my sister!" Grant also is very concerned about her safety around the house regarding what she can/can't touch and put in her mouth. Evan loves to make her laugh, and does so frequently.

I find that both Jason & I watch her endlessly -- she is so curious, funny, and just darn cute! She doesn't have to do much to make me smile. I remember how much I love this stage of discovery -- I did with all of our kids.

Super Bowl party!

We introduced the boys to the concept of the Super Bowl party. Which means that mostly, they pigged out on snacks. 

A baby in tights

Has to be about the cutest thing. I am loving the cold weather accessories for a baby girl. 

Crazy dress, take 2

Evan's turn. This was one of my favorite wacky outfits we've put together over the years. 

 Aaaand and photo bomb by Grant.

Crazy dress day

And Grant does it up right. He really got into his role.