A Minnie Mouse & Robot Christmas

Is it just me or is December an extremely busy month?! It's practically a blur - so thankfully I remember to catch a lot of it on camera so that I could go back and reminisce! This year our Christmas season started out with and Christmas parade in downtown. The kids loved it. Afterwards we drove out to a nearby town of Spring Valley to see the Wright's Christmas lights. All of the "Oooohhh's and Ahhhh's" coming from the backseat were very worth the drive! We even drove through twice ;)

We also enjoyed Landon's Christmas program at school. He did sooo good! We had worked on his songs at home and he didn't miss a word or a hand gesture. I forgot to get an up close picture of his outfit, but he was very excited to wear his Christmas sweater this year. We found a green sweater with a red pick-up truck carrying a Christmas tree in the bed. It had Landon written all over it. He was sure to point it out to every one we ran in to that night.

Though this isn't a typical Christmas tradition, we let Landon get a gift early. A BIG gift, and not one that Josh and I bought. Landon actually bought this oversized tricycle and wagon with his OWN money - I'm talking over $100! I needed a new part for my sewing machine so one afternoon we ran a quick errand to the sewing center in town. As we pulled up we spotted the tricycle sitting by the door and Landon goes, "Oh, I like this store! Let's go in!" ha  He begged for it that day, but so close to Christmas I knew I needed to talk to Daddy & Santa Clause - and I also wanted to make sure it was something he really wanted and not just an impulse buy. So for the next week he reminded me about it daily, so when Saturday rolled around we got in the car and without Landon knowing where we were going, we pulled up outside the sewing center. He was thrilled, and we put it together the minute we got home. The wagon is perfect for Landon's cargo, too ;)

Christmas Eve we spend with Josh's side of the family. They always have a big get-together and the kids exchange gifts. Then afterwards we headed over to Josh's parents house so that the kids could open their gifts from them. Landon got a full size basketball goal and Corinne got a kitchen for their big gifts from Nana & Papa.

Corinne sure does love her Papa!

Landon & Corinne with Nana & Papa.
**I made their matching reindeer shirts this year!

Christmas Eve at Nana&Papa's

Minnie Mouse!

Transformers

On Christmas morning my children did something they very rarely do. They slept in! The did this last year, too. I truly expected them to be up at 7am - running as quickly as they could down the stairs, but no! We had to wake them up at 9:00! But their faces were priceless as they finally made their way in to the den. Santa came, oh boy did he ever! :) We enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls while we opened gifts. Landon got everything he asked for - a huge firetruck, remote control monster trucks, transformers and robots. Corinne got lots and lots of Minnie Mouse, baby dolls, bathtub toys, and a Fur-Real kitty cat.

Landon's loot

Corinne's loot

Christmas day around 2pm my family came over to our house and we celebrated together. The kids had a great time playing with silly string in the playroom, and the adults congregated in the dinning room. We only did finger foods, but I was so glad that my Mom was able to make it!! She enjoyed being able to see all of her kids, grands, and great-grands!

18 months

Corinne,

Oh my! My baby is officially a year and a half old! Which means we're that much closer to age 2!!! I just can't believe it. You have grown in to such a sweet and sassy little girl, knowing exactly what you want and how to get it! You are stubborn, hard headed, persistent, silly, sweet, loving, and oh so caring - especially when it comes to your brother. The two of you fight over the littlest things, but you are always his #1 fan and whenever he is sitting in time-out, you are usually there comforting him. You give the best hugs and the very best kisses. You use the words "Bite-Bite," "More," and "No-No" frequently...usually accompanied with the point of a finger to ensure I know exactly what you want! You know about 50+ words and know when you use them, yet you can repeat just about anything we ask you to.

Your current favorite song is "Boom-Boom," also known as "Drunk on you, high on summertime" by Luke Bryan. You request it every time we get in the car. And you love it when Landon sings it to you. You love to take a bath and brush your teeth. You are such a girlie girl - and I love it! You have the biggest obsession with shoes - and your Daddy is always buying you more! Speaking of, you are a big Daddy's girl! I think that is because you know that he is wrapped around your finger! You have become quiet the little sneak. I found you sipping on my sweet tea just the other day and just as quickly as I caught you - you went "Yuuuuummmmmyyyy!!" and then ran with my cup in hand.

You are currently 27lbs and 32 inches tall - around the 75% on the charts. You are just perfect! You are still in a size 4 diaper, size 5 shoe, and 18-24 month clothes (depending on the brand). You are obsessed with Minnie Mouse. You think she is the greatest and you start asking to watch "Me-Mows Hoowwwws" (Mickey Mouse ClubHouse) before we can finish breakfast each morning.

You are growing so fast but we are loving every minute of it. There is never a day that you dont make me laugh and smile. That sweet smile of yours is contagious. We love you so very much, baby girl!!

Fall Field Trip Fun

The best part of Pre-K 4? Field trips!

This semester Landon's class has gone of several field trips, and I have been lucky enough to tag along :) The first one was to McGee farm (in an earlier post). It was lots of fun and Landon felt right at home on all of that open land...and tractors! :)

The second field trip was to the Indian Mound. We had never been before, so it was a new experience for us both! Landon enjoyed looking at all of the "Indian weapons" as he called them, and he was one of two out of his entire class that knew what a buffalo was. (There was a stuffed buffalo head on the wall!) Everyone climbed to the top of the mound, 73 steps to be exact...we counted them, twice! And as we got to the top of the mound what does my sweet boy spot? A tractor across the street in a gravel yard. Ha! Overall this was a good experience and the kiddos really enjoyed themselves.

Just a few pictures of Landon being his super cute self.

The third field trip was to Godfather's Pizza! Landon and his classmates got to learn how to make a personal pan pizza from scratch! It was so much fun seeing their eyes light up when they learned that they were going to get make their own pizza - like roll the dough, pour the sauce, sprinkle the cheese, and place each pepperoni! Landon stared in to the oven watching his pizza bake! You'd have thought he had never eaten pizza before - he raved on how his was the BEST EVER! haha

Last but certainly not least, Landon's class put on a Thanksgiving feast. Landon's group, the 4 year olds, dressed up as Indians and the 5 year olds were our Pilgrims. They looked absolutely adorable! After they sang a few songs and said an adorable prayer, we feasted on your typical Thanksgiving grub - Chicken and Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Mac & Cheese, Sweet Corn, Loaded Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and cornbread (there were other offerings..this is just what we ate). Everything was delicious and Landon was thrilled to have both his Mommy & his Daddy join him for lunch.

Landon & one of his teachers, Ms. Linda

There are still two more field trips to go before Christmas! One to see the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and then a surprise field trip to germ city Chuck E. Cheese. Should be lots of fun :)