Christmas Sing-Along

Owen's school held a Christmas Sing-Along and I can't put into words how big my smile was and how proud I was of Owen. It truly is the little things. I think Owen did a pretty darn good job. He sang most every part of each song, he tried to do all the hand motions (you'll see he got a little too involved in getting some perfect), he smiled (and yawned), and clapped. He was cute, his class was cute, the whole thing, yes was cute. Then Owen joined us so we all could sing together. He loved that Daddy came and gave lots of snuggles. Then we went into the gym for cookies, punch and friends. It was a great time.

Christmas Singing Owen

Aiden was happy to sit in the stroller and watch his big brother.

All the kids loved waving hi to their parents and the crowd.
Singing Five Little Bells

Singing Owen

All the Kids

All with their Rudolph Antlers

Happy Little Boy

Singing Boys and Girls

Giving Daddy Big Snuggles

Singing with Family

Aiden came to sit with me (he got antsy)

And to keep him happy he got to chew and play with paper (a favorite toy)

After the craziness of cookies, pretzels and friends we went back to his room to pick up his stuff. He quickly told me, look in my bag, pulled out the gift bag, pulled out his seat and began opening.

An ornament and magnet that Owen made, he was very proud.

Aiden crawling at school.

Owen wanted to read his favorite book at school, so as we read Aiden played at the bookcase, he pulled half of them out.

Once we got home, Owen ran to hang his ornament.

A Wreath

And put his magnet on the fridge, it is a tree.

Now for the video, it is a little long as I recorded the majority of the program. And sorry a little shaky and at points goes down and back up but while trying to hold the video camera steady I had to retrieve Aiden's drink and keep him occupied. Enjoy our little Christmas singer.

School Picture

I got back Owen's school pictures months ago but never thought to post it. But after a friend did (thanks Kim), realized I really need to as well as this blog once printed will act as a baby book of their lives. We are amazed how much older looks this year than he did in February (his last school picture). Sadly there are two kids missing from the class shot.

Family Ornaments

We have made it a family tradition for the kids to make an ornament each year which we will give them for their Christmas trees when they are no longer at home. It was fun this year because Owen had a definate opinion on what he wanted. He immediately told me a lion because they roar. He as I am sure lots of boys is very into roaring and grring animals. I found a lion but already colored so not much decorating but he enjoyed scribbling on it. Aiden obviously got a soccer ball. I let him hold the paint pen and help him color his ball. After we glued the string Owen ran over to hang them on the tree.

Making Trucks

While Aiden and I finished up lunch, Owen declared that he need to get his glue and tools to make some trucks. What?!?! I let it happen because he had this whole vision. He even got the measuring tape and measured the two truck beds and said "They are the exact same and will work." He glued the truck sections together, and after some glue dots by help of Mommy the trucks actually stuck together. Owen was quite proud of his creations, and honestly so was I. I loved the creativity and engineering that went into the work.

Working Hard

Telling me about his new trucks

Proud Smile
Playing with his new trucks

Play-Doh Nose

Pulled out new play-doh that Owen put on his cheeks. He asked me to, so I obliged and surprised that it is quite chilly. Then I thought it would be funny to mold it around my nose, which of course Owen wanted to do as well. I helped him and then we sang Rudolph. It was quite funny.

Big Boy Seat

Yes we finally got around to changing Aiden's car seat. I have planned to do this for over a month. Eek! But just got it done this weekend. He seems very happy in his new seat and looks so much bigger to me now.

Train Show

Herndon's ArtSpace hosts an annual train show, and even though I personally am not impressed by it Owen loved it last year and yes he loved it this year too. I had to pretty much hold him the whole time as the tables are too high to really see. He enjoyed watching the trains but mostly had fun making up stories for all the scenes, primarily the ones involving diggers and broken trains. There was one where the train dropped off into the water and the crane train came to the rescue. Aiden enjoyed watching the trains for maybe 15 minutes then Omer took him to the kid room to play with the trains. Much happier being free to play.

Waiting to see the Thomas and Percy trains.

Train Crossing

Train Watching

Happy Train Boy

Train Playing

Hats

I found these pictures on the camera, so I assume they from when Omer stayed with the boys while I went Christmas shopping. They looked like they were having a great time.

Camera

I am going to post this so from now on you will understand why most of the pictures posted are not up to par. The camera is really messed up and we are going to buy a new one now. The auto focus does not work at all, so we have to manually do it which takes too long when trying to get pictures of quick moving kids. As I have complained before the color is off too, not sure why but it is. Very annoyed and will be getting a new camera VERY soon, don't want ugly pictures for Aiden's first Christmas. I am just sad that so many moments will be blurry ones now.

Baller

Aiden loves balls. He crawls to the ball bin and grabs them out. It is cute when he can't reach one and dangles over to get it. He will play catch, chase the call, he has a very nice throw and bounce, and also loves to play basketball with stools. Sadly the stools are going to have to be removed because now Aiden tries to pull them and move them and one fell over on him today. Eek! But he is fine.

Holding his Ball Up

Making a Basket

Chasing the Ball (he also took the shoes out of the shoe bin)
He also enjoys pulling the basket hoop down.