Christmas Ornaments

Growing up, my family always had a tradition of giving the children/cousins Christmas ornaments each year. As a result, when we all moved away and started our own families and Christmas traditions, we each had a complement of ornaments as a starting point.

We've kept this up for Carter and Callen. Each year, they typically get at least one ornament from us, my parents and my sister.

So, last Monday night, Big Pat and Bamma stopped by to help me with a car issue I was having {Nick was out of town for work}, and they brought Carter and Callen their ornaments. Carter got a boot {see Woody Boots, a few posts back if you are scratching your head about why} and Callen got a purse {probably because anything she can get over her arm turns into one}. Here are a few pictures of them hanging them on the tree with help from Big Pat and Bamma.

Lucky for my children, Aunt B stopped by the same evening, so they got to run through the routine twice in one night! Aunt B and Uncle Ken gave Carter a swimming Santa {since Carter learned to swim this year} and Callen a bell that was made into a crab.

Everyone hanging ornaments...

Hopefully one day they'll have as much fun going back through all of the memories and boring their spouse to death as they hang these ornaments on their own trees years down the road!

Kicking off our Christmas Season

We've been a little slower than usual this year getting our house into the Christmas spirit. I think having some sick kiddos and being in a new home where there's no "usual" place to put all the Christmas decorations has caused the slow-down.

One of our Christmas traditions arrived right on time.

If you can't tell, that's Mickio, our friendly elf from the North Pole. He came back to our house this year the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and Carter has really enjoyed finding him every morning and telling him all about his day.

We picked out our Christmas tree on Friday night, and Nick had ordered this tip-proof, no-fail, better-than-all-the-rest Christmas tree stand to use since we needed a bigger tree this year than we've had in the past.

Well, within 24 hours of putting our tree in the stand (which, in concept, is really a great stand, but, in reality, is plastic and not weighted enough to deal with our tree), it toppled over. Luckily, we were letting it fall out a little, so no lights or ornaments were on it, and no children or pets were harmed in the toppling.

So, we are now back to the $20 special that Nick bought one Christmas before we were married that has successfully kept all of our Christmas trees standing tall.

And, as I type, Nick is hard at work stringing the tree with lights so that when the children wake up from their naps, we can decorate it. He threatens every year to get an artificial tree with lights already on it, but we always end up with a real tree. I guess we are suckers for that frasier fir scent! :)

It appears that although Santa's best elves were working hard to our north, they must have dropped off just enough Christmas magic to get some magnolia wreaths crafted and on to our front doors, as well.

For the last several years, we've enjoyed the Highland Santa brunch with our precious friends the Murphys. Unfortunately, not being in Indy anymore caused a change to that tradition. So, Sunday morning, we headed over to the VCC to have a family brunch and visit with Santa. Carter took a great picture with Santa, but I had to hold Callen to prevent the inevitable screaming that occurs at her age. So, this is the better picture from the morning:

They were both exceptionally well behaved, and I have no doubt that Santa noticed. Of course, if he missed it {with all of the other children who were there}, we have Mickio to fill him in!

Woody Boots

When Nick and I were getting ready to go to Decatur for Thanksgiving, Carter and Callen were playing in our closet/bathroom. Carter says, "Look, Mom, I have on Woody boots!" and this is what I saw:

(PS: I know that I haven't been a regular blogger of late. My apologies. In addition to just plain old life, we have also had computer issues that are now resolved thanks to the App.le technicians. I promise to try to do better!)

Chest Bumps

About a week ago, Carter came up to me and said, "I want to jump up."

I said, "Ok. Jump up."

His reply? "No, Mommy, like this."

He proceeded to hold his arms over his head, his hands in fists, and jump up pushing his chest out.

Me: "You want to do a chest bump?"

C: "Yes."

Me: "Where have you seen that?"

C: "When they play football and they win."

It was so matter-of-fact, I couldn't even laugh. It continually amazes me what they pick up on.

Here are some action shots of the chest bumping.

The approach

the bump

the landing

Fun Birthday Party

Today, we went to the Mc.Wane Center to celebrate HG's birthday. HG is a precious friend from Carter's class at school. He has been excited about her birthday party all weekend. So, after church and a visit from Uncle Steve and Aunt Emily, Carter and I headed out to the party.

HG was VERY excited about her princess cake. I must say, it was very impressive and VERY yummy!

Carter was pretty excited about it too!!! He was lovin' his party hat! He kept taking it off, putting it on and then tried to make it into a unicorn horn.

After the party part was over, we got to enjoy the center at our leisure. I am sad to admit that this was the first time I have been there since we moved back. Although we used to be regulars at the Child.ren's Museum in Indy, I just haven't managed to get my act together enough to get Carter down to the Mc.Wane Center.

His favorite parts were the submarine (which he kept calling a spaceship) in the Kindergarten and under area and the trains.

This is Carter trying to get in the tank with the fish...hilarious!

Practicing being a paleontologist...
Letting a butterfly land on his shoulder!

Thanks, HG, for letting us celebrate your birthday with you! We had a great time! Carter especially loved getting to explore the Mc.Wane Center for the first time with so many of his friends!