Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was messy and fun. The family took turns opening Jade's presents, she got some amazing stuff. Her favorite was her brothers tool set and then a v-tech book that played music. Slater opened his stocking and 4 presents on Christmas morning. Once he had Buzz Lightyear, the tool set and his Geo Trax he lost all interest in opening anything else (you can see the rest of his presents under the tree). He was a big help with all of Jade's presents and enjoyed pouring tea for everyone with her new tea set. I have not enjoyed Christmas this much since I was a child. We worked on the real reason for the season, but Slater was convinced that baby Jesus was his sister... we will keep trying.

A future in construction

Sweet baby Jade has an uncle who operates heavy equipment, a grandpa who has built buildings, driven trucks and welded all his life, and numerous great grandfathers, great uncles and cousins who are carpenters. She loved Slater's tool belt, hat and especially his drill. Construction might be in her genes. She spent some time one morning giving her Dad advice on how to install drawer pulls and knobs in the kitchen. She is a great helper already.

Gym Inc

Slater loves to go to Gym Inc. There is a zipline, toddler toys to ride on, a giant mirror, scooters, and tons of different size blocks to build with and crawl through. He doesn't have a favorite and likes to run from one activity to the next for the entire playtime. They had strange hours over Christmas break and we didn't get to go, but we are looking forward to getting back to play soon.

Here comes Santa...

This is the first time that we have taken either of the kids to sit on Santa's lap. Jade was cooperative, enjoyed meeting Santa, and was adorable in her little reindeer shirt (everyone thought she was a boy except Santa - such a smart guy). Slater screamed for me, struggled to get away and acted like a two year old boy. He was not scared, just not interested in sitting still when there was so much to look at.

Judy - I put him in a little sweater from Nordstrom (just for you)!!

Diapers and smiles

My morning starts...both children wake within minutes of each other...how do they know?...grab a diaper for both and start changing...put the big diaper on the baby... don't notice my mistake immediately and attempt to put little diaper on toddler... laugh at myself and go to switch them... baby has already peed in big diaper... put little diaper on appropriate child and fetch new diaper for toddler... unwisely leave the toddler undiapered ... return to the living room to find the toddler peeing on the floor ... sigh ... go to get a towel and spray for the carpet ... again unwisely leaving the toddler undiapered ... return to find poop on the floor ... in exasperation I say, "Why won't you go on the potty?"... the toddler then runs to the bathroom, climbs up on the seat and grins at me... the baby has been cooing and giggling at the toddler the entire time ... I love them both so much ... serious potty train will begin this week :0)

Great Grandma Ethelyn

Great Grandma Ethelyn recently passed away at 90 years old. She loved her great grandchildren very much and enjoyed the visit that Slater made to Craig when he was 9 months old. He liked to attack her glasses and her necklace and she liked to hold him as much as possible. The young and the old understand each other so well. In Slater's words, "Miz you."

The youngest child...

Jade's great grandfather made this cradle for his youngest daughter's youngest child and now sweet baby Jade has out grown it. Who will use it next? Only time will tell...