Tis' the Season

Caleb had his first holiday program this week.  His class spent weeks preparing two songs and it was the best performance.  I literally had tears streaming, both from pride and laughter.  Caleb is front and center in these photos.  He said it himself "I had a lot of fun on stage!"  I think we've got a performer on our hands.

Caleb has also been enjoying his first soccer lessons.  He's been practicing his kicking, dribbling, and maybe most importantly, his listening skills.  Soccer practice is a great way to spend Saturday mornings during the winter and is the perfect lead to a nice afternoon nap.

Alice can't wait until it's her turn!

Alice - Version 1.0

 Happy Birthday Alice!!!

We celebrated a fun birthday weekend with Alice.  This little one year old is full steam ahead.  She had a great birthday party, although poor thing was sick with an ear infection.  She was a trooper though, eating cupcakes, opening gifts, and surviving her newly acquired fear of mylar balloons.  We had wonderful guests over to the new house and it was just a great time.

 At first Alice was very wary of the large cupcake.  She did not really want anything to do with it, even though it was decorated beautifully by a dear friend.

 A smaller cupcake was more Alice's speed - she devoured it.  No worries on the large cupcake, August, Caleb and I finished that one up.

 YUM!  YUM!

 Hmm, opening gifts is very fun!  Yes that is Caleb, right up there in the action, helping every step of the way.  What would Alice have done without him?

Here is a kid who is not afraid of balloons.

Holiday Sherlock Holmes

Oh boy - Caleb is crafty.  We knew he was smart, but after this morning, we will be giving him more credit.

Caleb has been enjoying the daily ritual of looking in the advent calendar to see what Santa's elves have left for him the night before.  A new holiday tradition.

 

Well yesterday we went to buy Alice a birthday gift at the toy store and Caleb saw a tiny little train in the check out isle that he really wanted.  We told him he would need to add it to his list for Santa and that was that.  I then snuck it into the cart thinking it would be perfect for the advent calendar.  We got home, August put it in day 25 and threw the packaging away.  Well this morning when Caleb opened up the trash to throw something away, he saw the package. "There is train trash in there!"  "Where is the train?"

Oh dear - we have a problem.  August and I played ignorant - "What train trash?" "What train?"  That did not work.  I finally had to explain that Santa's elves may have brought the train and hid it.  "Where did they hide it?  Can I talk to Santa?"  So this Christmas Caleb will be learning a lesson in patience and Mom and Dad will be learning a lesson in not only hiding gifts, but hiding any evidence that gifts even exist.

The Holiday Season

My goodness!  We are in full swing holiday season mode.  I haven't blogged in over a month, but with good reason!  I am relieved to say that we have officially moved.  We said goodbye to Russell Street and hello to Rosewood over the Thanksgiving break.  What a whirlwind.  We've unpacked quite a bit, but are still living amongst those last few boxes full of random things that you aren't sure what to do with.  Good Will?  We're looking forward to celebrating a couple BIG events this December in the new house.  One of these being Alice's FIRST birthday!  We are so excited that this little stinker is turning one.  I can't believe it was only a year ago that she came early (not wanting her birthday to be too overshadowed by Christmas) and brought so much joy into our lives.  She is one of those babies that just makes you laugh - super inquisitive, extremely funny, always has awesome bed head, and isn't afraid to tell you how she feels.  Enjoy the pictures!

Alice and Caleb in their matching track suits (aka jammie suits)

Alice's overdue 11 month photos.  She's continuing to talk up a storm and walking a few steps on her own here and there.  These are pictures of her gracefully manuvering herself around.

And a picture of Santa and his little reindeer.