Christmas Eve

Past midnight, where else would I be??

cousin's weekend

We had our dear nephew with us for the weekend while his mommy and daddy took a little getaway to San Francisco.  I learned quite a few things from the weekend with three kids...

Lesson #1:  This is a series of terrible cell phone photos.  When there are three kids to keep track of and grandparents visiting for the weekend, who has time to use a real camera and worry about lenses and flash.

Lesson #2:  When caring for three boys, it is very helpful to have grandparents visiting for the weekend. Very.

Lesson #3:  Triplets would be totally insane.  At least in most situations they aren't all mobile and not listening at the same time.

Lesson #4:  Littles always follow big kids.  This is usually a good thing.

Lesson #5: The only child in this photo is smiling here, but two minutes later was terrified.  Shared bathing is a learned joy.  

Lesson #6: It is possible to fit three across in my car.  And you can pass snack back and forth, which is handy.

Lesson #7:  Cousin Ryan is the worlds easiest going baby (not sure when to stop calling him a baby!).  If we have a #3 of our own someday, the kid better be as incredibly sweet and mellow as this guy!  

spanish church

Out of the blue this afternoon coming down from playing upstairs....
Wally: "Mommy, we are pretending to go to Spanish church."
Fritz: "Do you know the name of my teacher?  It is Charlie." (Charlie is a friend of ours who works at the activities desk at Club 96 in Cabo.  He lives the life of a surfer we all kinda dream about.)
Me: "That makes sense Fritz, Charlie does speak Spanish.  What happens at Spanish church?"
Wally: "We sing and play and eat graham crackers in Spanish."

sweetest friends

This morning we had the good fortune of a really fun play date with our friends Renn, David, and their son Turner.  We love these friends so much and wish we lived closer for more frequent visits!  

Turner looks an awful lot like his daddy, but I'm noticing in this photo how much of his mommy he has in the hair and especially the eyes.  So sweet.  

gingerbread men and don't forget the girls.

preschool Christmas concert

Yikes, this doesn't bode well for the concert!  Huge yawns before even getting started...

Wally did really well, sang all of the songs, and only occasionally bopped his friends with all of the cute props they had made.  He was flanked on either side by little girls who love to perform, so most of the video Wally is shrinking back behind these two show stoppers.  Fritz basically refused to participate in the concert.  I'd say he was in my lap for 80% of the concert.  The other 20% he refused to wear his costume and couldn't sing because his fingers were shoved in his mouth as usual.  He did briefly ring the jingle bells.  It's a start!  

Fritzi's favorite part of the event?  Hands down, the reception with cake following the performance.  He was willing to participate in that part of the festivities.  

nativity scene

My parents graciously sent us the nativity set that my dad bought for us as kids.  I have been on the hunt for a "realistic" nativity set that the boys could play with but not break.  This turned out to be hard to accomplish as they seem to all be either plastic cartoon like dolls or fragile porceline sets.  Here is the boys very nativity scene with a few interesting additions.  "Gifts" for the Baby Jesus.

trimming the tree

tree farm fun

This post brought to you by CBGPJ.  

(Cute Boys in Green Puffer Jackets)  

dr. joe

We had our first trip to the dentist last week with Dr. Joe.  The boys were amazingly good and all the hygienists were astounded that they did so well.  Dr. Joe, his brother Dr. Pete, and Matt are friends from Westmont days so it is a fun new Vancouver connection for us.  Dr. Joe said his own 2 1/2 year old son won't even get in the chair, let alone have his teeth cleaned!

sidewalks

Busy and creative builders in the play room.  

Robbie the Robot

I'm told there is a photo of Grandpa Bob as a little boy dressed in a robot costume.  I'll have to see if we can get a hold of said photo.  He was called "Robbie the Robot".  He is still pretty skilled at this robot game and was great fun playing along with our little robot boys.

ringle bells

Wally- "Ringle bells, ringle bells, ringle all the way.  Oh what fun for a horse to ride in a one...um...open sleigh.  Hey!"

Fritz- "Ring this bell, ring this bell, ring it all the way."

humor

Wally and Fritz' knock knock joke:
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Me!!!"
hahahahahaha!
Wild laughter.
Repeat 100 times at the dinner table.

breakfast conversation

Fritz: "Where is the baby Jesus, Wally?"
Wally: "Right now he is in the bible, but when it is Christmas he is coming here to save us."

Giving thanks for family and pumpkin pie.

The only huge bummer at Thanksgiving this year was that I forgot my camera bag on the way out the door.  Everything else was absolutely perfect.  All we had to do was get our family up to Gig Harbor.  We came completely empty handed, not a baked good or side dish to be found.  It was bliss!  My sister is playing the new role of housewife a little too well.  She was totally organized and there was no moment of stress or last minute anything.  Pretty amazing!  Hipstamatic shots off the iphone of the boys making rolls with Auntie Bridget and eating Gramma's divine pumpkin pie, but no photographic proof of grandparents, our new Uncle Michael, or extended in-law family.  Sad!  But a wonderful celebration none the less.  We are so blessed.  There is much to be thankful for in this life.

60th birthday celebration for grandmere

Surprise!!!

Dinner for 12 at the delish Irving Street Kitchen.  6 surprise guests, 4 flew in from CA!

Birthday wishes from family and dear friends.

Featured cocktails; "Lowcountry" and "Old Curmudgeon".  

Guest of Honor and all of her girls.

House cured charcuterie and artisan cheeses.

Guest of Honor and (most of) her boys.

The Original Leatarts.

Sisters love their Mommy. 

Gifts from the grandsons.  Budding artists in the tradition of their grandmere.  

Walter-age 3, Fritz-age 2, Ryan-age 1.

I think she loves it!

A beautiful evening to celebrate a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend.  We love you, Mary Alison.  Happy Birthday!