New Year's Eve Karaoke

For Christmas, Nana and Gramps gave us a digital piano. It is absolutely fabulous. The touch is just like an acoustic piano, the sound is of a concert grand, and the extras are awesome (instrument voices, ability to record, etc). One of the extras is Karaoke! A new New Year's Eve tradition is born:

All bundled up in Colorado

I can't resist posting this video. Alex is all bundled up and ready for the snow! The only problem is that he can't walk. "uh oh!"

What a Christmas!

We are home from a wonderful week in Colorado. The boys loved spending time with Will's side of the family: Nana, Gramps, and Megan (aka Aunt Cucka). Upon our arrival, we hit the snow to build a snowman, have a snowball fight, and do lots of exploring. Georgia kids don't see much of the white stuff and they loved it! We also had large family dinners with the Jordans and the Browns on Christmas Eve and Christmas, respectively. It was great to see so many family members, and the boys loved playing with their 2nd cousins, some of whom are close in age to Evan.

Santa was good to the boys, bringing "Thomas" engines, Bill & Ben, and Donald & Douglas. Evan quickly scooped up all the trains (both his and Alex's), while Alex horded the Thomas people and ate the rest of Santa's cookie! It was fun to watch. We have oodles of pictures, but I've narrowed them down from 500+ to the best of the best. Click here to see the highlights.

Both boys were super-sick during our time in Colorado. Most pictures feature runny noses, flush cheeks, or pale skin. We even made a trip to the ER on Christmas Eve morning for Alex (a first for either kid). His fever was through the roof but they weren't sure why. Evan is now sick with the same thing. I fear we've infected 40 relatives with kiddie germs; sorry everyone!

Before leaving for Denver, we celebrated an early Christmas in Macon with gifts from Ani's family. Here are some pictures from that celebration, as well.

We were all spoiled. It was a wonderful Christmas full of family togetherness (in person or via phone), great food, fun, and too many presents. :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

(We will be away from high-speed Internet for a few days, so postings will be limited. )

Visit with Santa

Two visits to Santa in two days! The kids (ok, Ani) can't get enough.

For more December pics, including family portraits, click here.

Jingle Bells

Here is Evan singing Jingle Bells like you've never heard before. This version includes Alex panting, a fake sneeze, dramatic pauses, and muddled words! Enjoy!

The Russian Navy

These shirts came to us from our good friends in Moscow, Alex and Marina Belkin. Alex bought them at the Russian Navy Store. Thanks, Alex and Marina!

Nice Catch!

Alex loves baseball and football. He calls them both "eyeball." At times he even plays them together.

Evan's Bike Riding

The weather has been in the upper 70's in Macon this week and tomorrow we might set a record at 82. Why not learn to ride a bike in the middle of December? (Did you say there were ice storms up north?)

The Bumble Bee Song

Alex loves to hear us sing "Bringing home a baby bumble bee." He clasps his hands together and says, "bumble, bumble!" Prior to this video being shot over Thanksgiving weekend, he never participated in the song....

Take a look. We were all caught by surprise!

Holiday Open House

Usually we never have plans, but today was nuts! Evan went to the first 30 minutes of a birthday party for his friend Maddie (see school picture). Next, we hurried to Church for our directory pictures. Later, we prepared for Will's Ancient Political Thought class to visit. (We were expecting 11, I baked enough food for 25, and 5 made it. It is finals week, so folks are swamped.) These are some of Will's best students and we had a nice time visiting with those who did come. I sent everyone home with goodie-plates and reindeer.

Evan and Alex were great entertainment the whole time!

Students from Will's upper-level Ancient Political Thought class

Snacks

Lately, Alex insists on eating snacks at the little white table. I love it. I'm encouraging Evan to sit when he eats, too! (If he isn't strapped into his booster seat, he wanders.) This is a picture of the first time the boys ate together in their "big boy chairs."

Evan's Class Picture

Evan's first-ever class picture was taken last month, but we received our copy today. Not one kid is smiling, but it is cute nonetheless. (click on the picture for a larger view) For those keeping up with his friends, here are the names:

Back: Will, Michael, Lawson, Nate, Evan

Front: Jorja Ann, Shelby, Riya, Maddie, Livia (Kaitlyn missing)

Ms. Blackwood (teacher aid - on left), Ms. Gibson (right)

Smocked-boy-outfits are totally popular down here. (!?) Evan wore the basic sweater vest, polo, and khaki pants. Sorry, kid -- no smocked stuff for you -- especially at 3 years old!

Engine Jail

We have explained to Evan that if he fails to take direction after two requests, there will be consequences. After the second request, we take away an engine. He usually gets a "time out" at that point, too. The engines to go jail on the mantel and he can earn them back by behaving.

This picture gives you an idea of our day today:

11/30 note: My friend Jean suggested that the engine lineup might also be an Ani-Mood-Meter. Will can quickly reference it upon his return from work each night! As for the meter today, let's just say that we have 12 engines incarcerated now, an increase of 1 from the picture.

12/3 note: 5 engines remain in jail: Emily, Lady, Thomas, Scarlouie, and Mavis have yet to see the light of day. Ugh what a week! Strange he leaves the girl-engines up there...

All good things...

As predicted, this was a wonderful weekend full of family, food, and fun. Everyone is back home in either Tarrytown, Evanston, or Waterloo and the kids are bored to tears. Alex hasnt napped in a few days due to the excitement. When I put him in his bed today, he cried and yelled, "Nee Nee! Down! Down!" He knows who spoils him.

Here is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

LINKS:

Zillions of Pictures.

Thanksgiving 2007

Thankful

This morning, I asked Evan for what he was thankful. He replied, "Roads... and signs... and people that come to our house. And naps!" Then, I asked him what Alex was thankful for. There was a pause, so I began a long list with "He is thankful for his big brother Evan, for his Daddy, for his Mommy..." Evan interrupted with, "He is thankful for movies!" At that moment, Alex was pointing to the car DVD player and saying "Dee! Dee!" (Alex-speak for DVD). To each his own.

I'm thankful that I will have a houseful of family this week. My folks, my sister and brother-in-law, and my Grampa will all be here for Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad are currently en route to Macon from the Atlanta airport and everyone else arrives tomorrow. It is going to be a great holiday.

"Let me check my watch"

The last two days have been bonkers. We are having a new roof installed, so no naps have been had. Yesterday, Alex was awake for most of 12 hours (5 am to 5 pm). Once the roofers left, he slept through dinner -- right on to 4:40 am. Today's schedule has been similar. Is it any wonder that everyone is going a little batty? Here's a taste of what I'm talking about:

Alex rediscovered his love of the kick-and-play. He and Evan lived in this chair for the first 6 months of their respective lives. We loaned it to friends and now that it is back, Alex can't get enough.

Evan's face will be in the December 25Th Macon Telegraph. Official picture day was today. On the way into the studio, he was asked to speak on camera. He didn't stop talking for at least 5 minutes. I don't know what they will do with all that footage! At one point, they asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He replied, "Let me check my watch. Hey! It's THANKSGIVING!"

One, Two...

Three! Alex can count to "tree!" Last night as Will called Evan for his bath, I held Alex:

Will: Evan, right now! ONE...
Alex (whispering, as if afraid he might say the wrong word): two
Will: TWO...
Alex (still whispering, this time in a super high-pitched voice): tree!

Will didn't hear it, but I swear it happened.

Evidently, we count to three a lot in this house. I guess that goes along with having a three year old!

Veterans Day, observed