Christmas!

So we did really bad with taking pictures this Christmas. Really bad. This is about the only one I have, in fact! My dad did take some, so there will be more posted after he e-mails them to me! But, on the day after Christmas, my parents got high speed internet, so this shouldn't take as long as it would have with their dial-up!



This picture is Aidan and Gresham opening their gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. Aidan got Gresham a dog that barks and moves. Gresham got Aidan some western style pistols with holsters. They were one of Aidan's favorite gifts! Aidan slept in Gresham's room on Christmas Eve so that Grandma Evonne could have Aidan's bed. On Christmas morning, I went in, and Gresham was standing in his crib holding a pistol! I told my brother about it later, and he said, "Aww, it's Mommy's Little Criminal!"



We had a great Christmas, and now we are resting up from all the festivities!

Is it Christmas yet?????

I am soooo ready for Christmas to get here, because I don't think that I can take Aidan's energy level much longer. 3 more days! Last night we tried to watch a Christmas show at my parents' house. He literally could not sit still for even three seconds!

This week he has been dressing up like a cowboy. The other day, we were riding in the car, and he told me, "Hey Mom, cowboys don't pick their nose."
"Oh really? Why not?"
"Because no grown-ups do."
"Right - so are you going to stop???"
"No..."

Some new pictures!

Here's Gresham in the Legos!


Gresham just learned how to get up on the step stool in the bathroom a few days ago! He likes to get up there and look at himself in the mirror. Thankfully he won't go in there if the light is off, so we haven't had any major falls yet..

The other day, we got a Christmas box in the mail from Grandma Dees. The boys had tons of fun with the packing peanuts!! Who needs presents???

I absolutely detest going grocery shopping!

So this morning we went grocery shopping. We have been needing to for days, but since I had a event every night for the past four nights, plus all the rehearsals leading up to those events, I haven't been able to.

Grocery shopping is not my favorite. Even with a well-planned list, it is impossible to think with a one year old chewing on the cart and trying to stand up in it, and a four year old asking for everything under the sun, touching everything, jumping, running, etc., etc...

We were hungry, since there wasn't much to eat for breakfast, so we drove through Chick fil A on the way and got some biscuits. We got to Target, and I loaded up both boys in the cart to eat their biscuits while I shopped. Ha!

Gresham loved the biscuit, and screamed every time there was a break between bites (it's hard to push a cart with 65 lb. worth of boys in it and feed bites of biscuit at the same time!) Then, he screamed when it was gone. We had to go to the pacifier aisle and get a pacifier and open it and give it to him in order to continue on. So, 30 minutes into our trip, we had all eaten biscuits and picked out one present for my brother. At that point, Aidan had the nerve to ask, "Are we done??? I want to be done. I'm tiiiiiiiiired."

So then we started getting our groceries. While I was picking out bread, I heard a crash. Gresham had pulled a jar of mayo off the shelf and dropped it on the floor. Thankfully it didn't break! Aidan chattered nonstop, as usual, which is fine, if all I needed to accomplish in a day was to sit and talk to him.

Aidan: What kind of cereal is that?
Mom: Fruit Loops
Aidan: Why does it have a bird on it? (the generic version next to it did not have one)
Mom: Because that's the character that goes with Fruit Loops
Aidan: Is he in a movie about Fruit Loops?
Mom: No
Aidan: Why not?
Mom: I don't know...

And then in the soup aisle...
Aidan: Mom can we get this soup for dad? (pointing to Lightning McQueen chicken noodle soup.)
Mom: No
Aidan: We can give it to him for Christmas!
Mom: I don't think Dad would be too happy to get soup for Christmas.
Aidan: Why???????
Mom: Well, what would you think if you unwrapped a present, and it was soup.
Aidan: I would want it to be toys.
Mom: Well, then that's why. I think Dad would not like to get soup.
Aidan: But I think that Dad would like to get this soup...
And on and on and on and on...

At least now we are done grocery shopping for a week!!!!! Next week I'll go while Jordan is home...

Too big for his britches...

Our church is getting ready to build a new children's building. We have a desperate need for classroom space, and so the church is having a special offering in a couple weeks to raise money for the building. I asked Aidan is he wanted to do some jobs and earn some money to contribute to the new building. He said (after a pause), "Well, no, I guess I'd rather help with doing the construction on the building."

Sure, I bet they'll let him!

New layout!!

I decided my blog needed a new look - and I found this great lighthouse layout! I love lighthouses!

In honor of Gresham's fever...

This week we have several important events, including two school concerts, two church concerts, and Aidan singing in the choir on Sunday. So, naturally, Gresham came down with a fever yesterday.

I wrote this lovely song in honor of the season...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
When the kids are all germy
And everyone’s warning you don’t get too near!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s the hap –happiest season of all.
We can use our flex-spending before it expires
And get lots of pills!
It’s the hap – happiest season of all!

There’ll be parties for hosting
With viruses spreading
And children coming home with a cold.
There’ll be scary flu stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago! (before we had small children!)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
With red noses glowing
From all of the blowing
With Kleenexes near!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Here comes Santa Clause...

After 4 Christmases without Santa, we are having a hard time escaping him this year! Not that Santa is all bad, but Aidan is definitely interested, and wrestling with real vs. imaginary.

Overall, we are not "doing" Santa. I think Santa is fun, but just can't bring myself to make it real for a little boy whose greatest need is to know Jesus, not Santa! So we have presented Santa as a fun story, but nothing more than that. We have emphasized that Christmas is a time to remember Jesus coming to earth as a baby so that He could become our Savior. I have also warned Aidan not to go "preaching" the truth about Santa to all the unsuspecting children he meets at the store, the park, etc. (Remember - Aidan has never met a stranger!!!)

All this had led to lots of interesting conversations! He told me tonight, "Mom! Santa Clause has elders that help him out."
"He has what that help him out?"
"elders."
"Do you mean elves?"
"Yeah, elves!"
"Who told you that?"
"The neighbors."

And another day...
"Mom, the lady at the store asked me if Santa was coming to my house, and I said no. She said she thinks he'll still come and bring me a present."

We were listening to Christmas music on KLTY, and this lady was calling in about keeping the "Christ in Christmas" - Aidan said, "Mom, I didn't know Christmas was all about God!"
I asked him, "What did you think it was about?"
"I thought it was all about presents!"

We still have some work to do, but we've got time!

Why Aidan needs to get me cleaning products for Christmas...

So when Aidan said that he would get me stuff to clean with for Christmas because that's what I mostly like to do, I was thinking that maybe I need to re-order my priorities, and spend more time enjoying my children, but this is why I have to spend so much time cleaning up!!!!!!

Gresham wouldn't eat his peanut butter toast (he hates PB & J), but when I let him eat it all by himself, he was suddenly interested!

And here is Aidan eating an oreo during the same meal...

Ack, something is boiling over on the stove! Better go!

And what shall I cook tonight?

Let's see... last night I made chicken... maybe tonight I'll try a roast...

Aidan the Hunter

Aidan has been spending a lot of time "hunting" lately. He sets off with his safety googles (thank you next door neighbors!), hat, "telescope," portable tape player, and his backpack for carrying home the turkeys, bears, and dolphins (???) that he shoots with his nerf gun.