enjoying the week with my little guy

What a cutie he is! Jack and I are spending this week together at home while jie jie spends the week with the grandparents in Rangeley (she's on vacation this week, but I'm not). Jack and I are reading lots of books together, and we've watched Madagascar (or, as Jack calls it, Alex) at least a dozen times in the last few days. Elizabeth called on Sunday night to tell me that she was having so much fun that she didn't want to come home--Elizabeth and my parents truly adore one another and have formed a mutual admiration society. I must say, though, that it's really quiet here without her--all of us (Jack, the dogs, cat, and I) really miss our jie jie!

the end of a great day

Everyone simply crashed.

Christmas concert 2009

Elizabeth is in the front row, wearing red. Her kindergarten class (yes, that's the entire kindergarten class--all 11 of them) sang The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy--I'd never heard it before, but I came to know it well (very well) this year. She loved to sing it loudly, off-key, and often (and adorably, I might add!) in the bathtub and on the way to and from school/work and home...



The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy (a West Indian carol)
*
The virgin Mary had a baby boy,
the virgin Mary had a baby boy,
the virgin Mary had a baby boy,
and they say that his name is Jesus.
*
Refrain:
He come from the glory,
he come from the glorious kingdom.
He come from the glory,
he come from the glorious kingdom.
Oh, yes! believer! Oh, yes! believer!
He come from the glory,
he come from the glorious kingdom.
*
The angels sang when the baby was born,
the angels sang when the baby was born,
the angels sang when the baby was born,
and they say that his name is Jesus.
*
(Refrain)
*
The shepherds came where the baby was born,
the shepherds came where the baby was born,
the shepherds came where the baby was born,
and they say that his name is Jesus.
*
(Refrain)
*
The Wise Men saw where the baby was born,
the Wise Men saw where the baby was born,
the Wise Men sawwhere the baby was born,
and they say that his name is Jesus.
*
(Refrain)

beautiful girl

Elizabeth and her Blankie

Miss Kelly's daycare Christmas party

What a sweetheart my son is! Everyone gathered 'round Santa in a big circle to receive presents. Before they could be handed out, Jack hopped off my lap, walked up to Santa, and gave him a big high-five (which elicited many "awwww"s from the grown-ups). He walked back to me and climbed up into my lap. As we waited, I whispered into his ear, "Look at all of the presents!" At that, he again slid off my lap, walked over to the tree, grabbed one of the presents, turned and handed it to Santa, and then walked back to me. He really wanted Santa to get a present, too.

He's really "into" Christmas this year--I love how he says Santa's name and that he excitedly says the words "Christmas tree!" whenever he sees an actual Christmas tree or Chistmas light display. Best of all, when he sees snow, he says, "Snowman--cold!" with a great big smile and an exaggerated little shiver. He's talking so much now (two- and three-word sentences), and he understands EVERYTHING. I can't believe how much he's changed and grown in just one year.

our gingerbread house

Elizabeth and I made a gingerbread house again this year--I think we started a family tradition when we made our first one last year. Even Jack "helped." This is just the sort of thing that I looked forward to doing with my children before they came home--hard to say who enjoyed it more--me or them!

*note: Elizabeth is wearing jeans!

carousel pictures

jumping on the couch

My parents would have a fit.

my Christmas blessings

Santa Jack

gingerbread house

Elizabeth's kindergarten class made gingerbread houses at school yesterday-I love it! I had to take a picture of it before the Christmas mice (aka Elizabeth and Jack) ate it all up...

gymnastics is FUN!

"Balance beam is my favorite, Mom!"

waiting patiently for jie jiecrawling like a bear
clap! clap!

"I did it!"

Coach Drew, Elizabeth, and Coach Jamie

first snow day!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009: Elizabeth's first snow day--no school--woo hoo!

we saw Santa!

Jack was not very excited to meet Santa Claus this year. Elizabeth, on the other hand, gave him a big hug and told him that she wants the game, Twister, for Christmas. Santa was super-nice! And to put us all in the Christmas spirit, it was snowing as we left the mall. This morning, we awoke to about 5 inches of new snow. The dogs were especially pleased!

being silly last night

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We celebrated quietly with Nanny and Papa. It rained a lot this weekend, but that didn't stop the dogs from going in and out (they are Labs, after all). After one such trip outside, Baxter stretched out on the floor in the living room, snoring away (he is an old man at 13 years old). Unbeknownst to Baxter, Jack decided to belly-flop on his stomach. Baxter barely flinched (what a GOOD boy!), but Jack leapt to his feet and exclaimed, "Ewwww! Wet!" Not what he'd expected at all! The look on his face--too funny!

Merry Christmas!