More Fun

Josh loved shoveling

Time for a fire

More Snow

Our house- winter style

Taken from the middle of the road right in front of our house

Backyard winter wonderland for the boys

Taken from our front door- there is supposed to be a road between us and that house across the street!

Our Snow Covered Park

Fun with Dad

They were actually racing home- just cause Josh wanted to run- not to escape the cold (that was Zach wanting to escape the cold) I think Dave and Josh were made for this kind of weather. We came home to have grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for lunch- perfect in-from-the-snow food now we just need to start up the fire and make hot chocolate.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Today was supposed to be tree day, but turned into a stay home snow day instead. It has been snowing for quite a few hours and seems to be getting even heavier. I am not sure if we will make it out for the tree tomorrow or if it will have to wait a few days or week.

Zach kept eating snow for about the first 1/2 hour. Walking through the snow he says, "the snow makes me proud, mom." (?)

Little Lex got a little rudolph nose very quickly, but didn't complain at all- actually was laughing a few times.

A Visit to See Santa

I started a little photo album book 4 years ago titled "Sittin with Santa". Each year starting when it was just a 15 mo. old Josh I put their photo with santa in (with what they asked for written next to it.) So we headed to the mall. When we had started talking about Santa about a week ago Zach had been saying he didn't want to see Santa. He had been fine with him last year so I thought that was weird that he would now have a problem with it. All these photos were taken in line before we actually saw santa. We could see the warning signs that Zach was not going to be real happy. I thought we might have a picture of an unhappy boy (and maybe Lexi) which is ok because they are funny to look back on later. When it was our turn, Josh and Lexi went to Santa fine, Zach threw a fit "getting his haircut" style and I'm pretty sure santa got kicked in the process. Zach's crying also set Lexi off crying. So santa says "take the kids" and I'm thinking- ok he wants us to leave, as it turns out they had an alternate scenario for kids like Zach. They wanted the kids to sit on santa's chair while santa hid behind the chair and then when they were happily sitting santa peeks out from behind the chair and they take the photo that way. Well, Zach never sat in the chair even with santa gone. So what we ended up with was Josh and a semi happy Lexi, santa peeking from behind, no Zachary,and an audience watching a crazy kid and almost as psycho mom trying to get all her unhappy kids to take a photo with santa. Dave just stood back and watched, maybe hoping nobody would know he was with us! So looking back on this page in the album we will have a story to tell and I can always hope that next year goes better. When we got out to the car I realized that my digital camera was gone- so I ran back in and retraced our steps asking at a couple places where we had stopped to no avail. I then checked back at the santa area- yes, thankfully, it was there. I had set it down and in the midst of all the chaos had left it. On our drive home Josh was telling us what he told santa he wanted (a sleigh, meaning sled, and a remote controlled cat) then Zach unhappily says "I'm not getting anything." He may rethink sitting on santa's lap in order to tell him what he wants.

Gingerbread Men

I had different plans for yesterday, but ended up making 63 gingerbread men. Josh's teacher had sent home a note last Friday saying they wanted to decorate gingerbread men this week and had a list of items they needed- cookies plus toppings to decorate with. When I saw the list I thought, I can pick up a bag of choc. chips or something at the store, but I am not making a bunch of gingerbread men- too many other things to do. Well apparently all the other parents thought the same thing because when I asked the teacher tues. morning what she still needed she said she hadn't recieved anything yet. I was headed to the store anyways so I picked up the list of items and spent the kids nap time making cookies- which I was thankful it worked out to do while they were sleeping- made things easier. And now we have some extras for neighbors.

Lexi Lu

Lexi just turned 10 months on Sunday and the day before that she took a step! She has been standing and balancing for a few months now and finally ventured out to take a step or two. I wouldn't say she is really walking yet, but soon. Also the other day I asked her if she could wave (with no demonstration or example) and she did! What a smart girl:) She definitely understands quite a bit. Now when I tell her "no" or even just say her name in a warning type voice she immediately starts shaking her head no.

Z-3 (Zachisms 3)

After dropping Josh off at school he says "We got Josh to school now we need to find my school". (I think he's right- I do need a school for him!)

I was sitting on the couch giving Lexi a bottle when Zach comes in waving a sword and says, "All right mom, heres the plan- we're going to charge the bad guys!"

Driving out of a McDonalds drive through I bumped into the curb to which Zach replies, "Nice brakes, mom"- (Where does he get this stuff??)

Lexi was stepping on some papers of mine- I said, "Lexi, don't step on all my stuff." then Zach says, "Dont worry mom she's just ruining them"

Zach was sitting at the table eating while I was fixing something at the counter. He says, "You won't be happy mom. You don't want to see THIS mess." then he gets down on the floor to clean it up some and I hear him say "Do you think it's a beautiful day mom?" Mr. Smooth talker. Later that evening I was retelling the incident to Dave and Zach was nearby so at the end I said, "Remember that Zach?" and he says, "yeah, I thought it was a beautiful day but it wasn't"

Go Josh Go

Joshua has this drawing board on his lap often nowadays. He is always drawing pictures and even more amazing writing letters - with no prompting from any adult. This has me amazed and excited. This is not the same boy that I wrestled with last year in preschool to get him to even hold a pencil! He has gone from making a few scribbles (supposedly tracing the dotted lines of letters) to grabbing the board and saying, "mom, I can write the word - dog" and he did! He loves going to school, and doing his homework and has shown such improvement. Boys do eventually catch on! Way to go Josh!!

Sweet Sleepers

Thanksgiving Pics

It was an afternoon of good food, good company and kids having fun in the basement. Thanks Pump family for a great Thanksgiving!!