Santa X 2

Naomi wanted nothing to do with the Santa at our town's tree lighting ceremony. James said that Santa's wife wasn't real (she is clearly too young) and he was slightly suspicious of Santa as well. After this failed attempt at a picture with Santa, I was hoping to find a Santa with a real beard to get our annual picture.


Our mall visit with Santa was a success. James was able to sit and tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, and Wesley was able to convince Naomi to sit on his lap without crying. She refused to look at me and the camera. I think she was just putting up with Santa long enough to get a candy cane.



Maybe next year we'll get a decent picture of both kids with Santa, but I think this one really shows their personalities. A very curious James and our sweet, sensitive Naomi.

Advent Activities-Part 2

We decorated the Christmas tree. James was very excited to open up the boxes of decorations and he was especially happy to put his ornaments on the tree.


Naomi tried her best to help, but mostly took ornaments off the tree and played with the bead garland.


The kids opened the Little People Nativity. We also read the story of Jesus' birth from several kids Bibles. They had lots of fun playing with the nativity throughout the month, and I think each year it will be something special to play with before Christmas.


James helped wrap Christmas gifts. We let him choose one gift for his sister, so he was very proud that he was able to cut the paper, wrap the present, and give it to his sister on Christmas.


Later in our trip to Illinois and Indiana, we forgot to do a few of our activities, but the kids were busy and happy with all of the Christmas preparations and family time. The advent chain was a great way for James especially to visualize the number days before Christmas. It was also great to have time set aside each night to do something fun as a family.

Advent Activities-Part 1

This year we counted down the days before Christmas with an advent chain. I saw tons of advent ideas on blogs and websites this year, and I thought nightly activities was a better way to celebrate the season than chocolates. Each night after dinner, James removed a link of the chain and we read the activity for the night. We had family game nights, watched Christmas movies on TV, and read Christmas books that had been packed away.



We took them to new places, like a new mall to ride on a carousel and jump in a bouncy house.



We had a dance party one night.


Some days we made Christmas crafts and ornaments for our tree.




One of the kids favorite activities was the town's holiday parade. It was a cold morning, but I think all the candy James and Naomi received made it enjoyable. It was fun to see the marching bands, boy scout troops, and decorated floats. Seeing Santa at the end was exciting as well.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a great Thanksgiving in Albemarle with Wesley's family. It was nice to get away for a couple of days. The kids always love the attention of their aunts and Grandma.


Wesley's mom prepared a delicious meal. James' favorites were the candied yams and rolls. He said he was thankful for "cookies and pies."



Naomi loved the turkey and macaroni and cheese.


The weather was also nice enough for the kids to be able to spend time out on the trampoline.


As usual, we visited family while we were in town. James had lots of fun playing cars and football with his cousins.


The kids made these turkey cards to send to family in Chicago and Indiana.

Little Dragonfly

James played on his first soccer team this fall. The Dragonflies were a young team compared to most of the others they played. The first game was rough. James played for a minute, but he fell and thought one of the other players pushed him down, so he refused to go back in.


After a few more games and practices, he started to understand how the game worked. His coaches were great. They were so patient with the kids and had some very creative games to teach soccer skills.


The Dragonflies had a great season and celebrated with a party at Chuck-E-Cheese. James got the "Golden Shield" award for best defense.


James' soccer season was a lots of fun. He especially enjoyed the social aspect of the game.


I think that he really enjoyed being part of a team.


I'm so glad that James' introduction to sports was positive, and we're looking forward to many seasons in the future.

James' Dinosaur Party

This year James wanted to have a dinosaur party. We invited a few of his friends and had the party in the community room at our apartment complex. To start, the kids decorated bags which they would later use to hold the prizes they won in the games.




Once everyone had arrived, it was time to eat. They had dino nuggets, fruit, and other snack foods.


Next, it was time for the games. We had three games for the kids: balancing a "dinosaur egg" on a spoon and placing it in the "nest," digging for dinosaurs, and gator golf. Digging for the dinosaurs was the definite favorite.






After all the games, it was time for cupcakes and opening presents.




I made paper mache "dinosaur eggs" in place of goodie bags. They were basically mini-pinatas filled with mini dinosaurs, bouncy balls, a magnifying glass, and some candy. James had a great party, and he is already planning the theme for next year.

James is 4!

It is hard to believe our little boy was born four years ago. He has grown so much in the past year. I decided to list some of the major things that happened in his life. This year James:

- loved wrestling with and being chased by his daddy
- enjoyed helping in the kitchen
- has shown incredible will and stubbornness
- conquered his fear of costumed characters, most importantly the Demon Deacon
- loved and protected his baby sister
- attended VBS for the first time
- went on 3 big roadtrips and did surprisingly well
- loved our many trips to zoos and museums
- started preschool
- played on his first soccer team
- challenged us and taught us so much


And now, a look back on his birthdays...

Fourth birthday - an ice cream sundae at Red Robin.



Third birthday - a rice krispy "cake" at home.


Second birthday - cake squares at daycare.


First birthday- waiting on his piece of cake at his party.


One day old - hospital picture.


We love you, James. Happy Birthday!

Fun with Oobleck

James has been very interested in science projects lately, so we decided to make some oobleck to play with. Oobleck is solid when touched, but liquid when poured. I vividly remember playing with this as a child...the smell, color, and feel of it. To make it, you mix 1 1/2 cups cornstarch and 1 cup of water and add food coloring for fun. Naomi wanted nothing to do with the oobleck, especially after she tasted some. It entertained James for a long time and he learned a little bit about liquids and solids.

Applesauce

We made a batch of applesauce last week. It was very simple, but so good. We used mostly Jonagold apples, but added some Granny Smiths to make it a little more tart. James was a good helper, and it reminded me of making huge batches to freeze when I was a kid.