Christmas in Colorado

We spent Christmas with Will's family in Colorado this year. The week was full of fun, food, and great company. Some of the highlights included

SLEDDING



PLAYING



and a WHITE, Western-Themed CHRISTMAS




Thanks, Nana & Gramps, for hosting a magnificent Christmas!

An Early Christmas in Macon

We celebrated an early Christmas in Macon with gifts to/from one another and from Ani's family. Later, we will fly to CO to celebrate with Will's family. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts, Mom, Dad, Grampa, Em, Chris, Sarah, Erinn, Beth, Gordie, and Lenore! xoxox

Cookies!

Silent Night

Alex's School Christmas Party

I snapped a few pictures at Alex's school Christmas Party. The slideshow above includes pictures of him with his two teachers, and a few pics of him with his friends. The kids sang Christmas songs and enjoyed exchanging little gifts.

Holiday Shop

The latest fundraiser at Evan's school is a "Holiday Shop." Kids are allowed to shop for family members during the school day, probably wasting away the cash that we send, but ideally buying something that the rest of us will love.

Evan was given $5 and instructions to buy something for his brother.

He came home with no money...
a wrapped gift for Alex...
and an even bigger wrapped gift for himself!

He said "Mommy, I just couldn't resist."

~~~~~~~~~

update: The gift was a ball attached to an elastic string and a wrist band. Alex's had already been opened at the store; I think Evan chose the floor model for his brother! Evan's was brand new, PLUS, Evan also bought himself a flashlight. Alex didn't seem to mind, though. Look at these two monkeys together. What great buds:

Christmas Outings around town

As you saw in an earlier post, I took Evan to see the Nutcracker last night. I had been anticipating this day from the minute I found out I was pregnant. With such fond memories of seeing and dancing in the Nutcracker as a kid, I couldn't wait to share it with my own children some day.

The evening was all I'd ever hoped for. The production was surprisingly excellent and Evan was on the edge of his seat the entire time. We talked about dancing, choreography, set design, music, costumes, Acts, scenes, etc. Strangers commented on how handsome he looked, how well behaved he was, and how he was a perfect little gentleman. Then, he skipped all the way to the car after the show and I scurried to keep up, holding back the tears of joy in my eyes. What a wonderful evening.

We knew two little girls in the show, so Evan brought flowers to Sydney (the daughter of one of my friends) and Anna (the daughter of Evan's teacher). He looked like such a Romeo with two bouquets of flowers, I had to snap a picture. What a guy. I'm already looking forward to the show next year!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Alex and Daddy spent time together. They went to Mercer for the Student Government Association's Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by a Mercer Bears Basketball game. As is tradition at the games, they chowed on pretzels and sprite!

Citizenship and the Culture of Freedom

Will's Summer Program for Georgia High School Teachers is coming together! A short summary of the program is included in the most recent edition of The Mercerian, Mercer's Alumni Magazine (pg 8). (Incidentally, our friends the Byrons are also featured in this magazine on page 30.)

We've updated his Center website and included an application form. Fancy brochures are in the works, and limited direct marketing efforts have begun. Exciting!

Are you a Georgia high school teacher in the areas of history, economics, or government/civics? Do you know someone who is? Please spread the word. This promises to be a fantastic opportunity.

A terrible mistake

Never. EVER. confuse your blue nail polish remover for your blue eye makeup remover.

I'm just saying...

Elfie Whispers

Meet our Elf on the Shelf, Elfie Whispers.
He joined our family on December 5th 2009
... and he has been watching us and reporting back to Santa ever since...

Each morning, the boys race downstairs to see where E.W. is hiding (a new spot each day). You see, Elfie Whispers travels to the North Pole every night to give reports to Santa!

Naming him was difficult... Evan wanted Elfie Frosty (not catchy). Evan's classroom elf in PreK is named "Sponge Bob" and I disallowed that right away. Alex briefly considered Chick-a-boo (the name of his imaginary Indian friend, a member of the "Chick-a-maw" tribe). I liked Jingle, but Will offered Whispers and it stuck. After all, that is the job of this elf: to whisper to Santa!

Lets hope E.W. remembers to hide somewhere new each morning! If he forgets, you'll hear about it here.