It’s the Holiday Season

There is something so magical and fun about the Holidays when your children are involved.  We have been having a blast with Ben getting him ready.  We got Charley too late to get her in a kennel for Thanksgiving so we stayed home this year and had a small, but wonderful day. 

The boys played when they weren’t watching (in awe) the Macy’s Parade.  Ben was so excited to see the big balloons and all the dancing.

Ben learning how to prepare a turkey.

We had a yummy dinner of which Ben only ate oranges.  Briggs, on the other hand, had some turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes.  The doctor hasn’t given us the go ahead on table food, but he’s really interested so I thought I’d try.  I think the tryptophan must have worked it’s magic on him because he slept 11 hours that night!  Say What???  I left B to put the boys down for the night and met some friends at Toys R Us for some Black Friday madness.  It was so much fun and went really well.  I love helping Santa out. 

Someone found his blocks and spent time building towers on Friday.  Yesterday I put up the Christmas tree.  I wish I could say it was all merry and bright, but Ben and I clashed all morning long.  It was so bad B had me take Charley to her puppy class so I could get out of the house.  But the tree is up and so far no ornaments have been harmed.  It’s amazing how M&M’s can help.  I do love looking at each ornament as it goes up and remembering when we got it. 

Last night we watched “The Polar Express” and it was a big hit!  Ben woke up asking for “Train Press” today.  I think we will make this a family tradition each year. 

Today it was COLD and Ben helped B mow the grass for the last time this year.  Afterwards it was Christmas lights time!  We’ve been taking the long way through the neighborhood home lately at night so Ben can oooh and ahhh at all the lights.  He gets so excited as we pass all the houses lit up.

Briggs came out for a bit, too.  Grammy sent us this super warm and comfy ‘snow suit’ awhile back.  I laughed because it was SO warm, but man it was great today.  He was toasty in there and we didn’t worry.  He even took an amazing nap afterward while he was still wearing it.

Love this little guy so much! (Today was a much better day for Mommy and Ben)

Break time.  Water time.  Up and down the ladder is tough!

Charley enjoyed the fresh air with us, too.

More break time (Daddy takes many of them).

So I know it’s a blurry picture, but I wanted to show the boys how cool their parents are.  At bath time tonight we broke open glow sticks and threw them on the boys and the tub and turned out the lights.  The camera wouldn’t just let me take the picture in the dark.  It was only after we were done that we bothered to check if what we just poured on them was non toxic (it was).  I know-parents of the year!

Elf Time!  Ben went on a scavenger hunt tonight.  He had so much fun finding his clues and running to the next spot.  We thought we’d do a scavenger hunt each year to kick off the Elf coming to visit.

This clue said “Find the Boxee remote.”

and the last clue said “Where does Daddy keep the weights to exercise?”  When he ran over he found The Elf on the Shelf book.  We read it together as a family, but he was much more interested in his clues or “papers” as he called them.  I think he could have gone many more rounds.  Then we guided him to find the elf. 

We thought we’d let him name the Elf since that’s what the book tells you to do, but he chose the name “Presents” so we are using our parental veto power and calling him “Buddy” from here on out.  To be official though his full name will be “Buddy Presents.”  Ben’s pretty hung up on presents right now since we’re talking up Santa so much.  He does tell us whenever he’s asked that Santa is bringing him a blue boat, Mater, Lightning (both from the Cars movie) and cars and trucks.

So excited to see what the next few weeks bring!  Love these boys so, so much!