CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

Well, Christmas Eve day started off with a trip to Urgent Care. The day before, it looked to me like Grey might be getting Pink Eye, and since we had people coming over, I wanted to be sure he wasn't contagious. Well he didn't have pink eye, but he did have an ear infection and a chest infection. When I asked the doctor if we could still have people over, he said as long as they are in general good health - yes, but if they have any respiratory problems, like Emphysema - then no. Wouldn't you know it, our friend Linda has Emphysema, so they wouldn't be able to come over.

The day before Christmas Eve, was Petey's last day with us. He enjoyed this spot from which he could watch the boys, to be sure he didn't have to send any last minute Naughty reports back to Santa.

Even though Keith and Linda couldn't make it, Mark Wood did come over. He's always our annual visitor, and we so love having him join us. While we were waiting for him to arrive, I captured this Rare "Quiet" moment of the boys playing together.

After Mark's little visit, we told the boys they could open their One Christmas Eve gift. They were VERY excited. Especially since I waited until the last possible minute to put the gifts under the tree. I just knew if I put them under the tree a few days ahead, they would all have been opened. So I waited. Well, while Grey and I were at the doctor, Marc had taken Luke over to the Myers'. While there, Luke asked Taylor why they had presents under their tree. Taylor and Linda didn't know what to say, so they didn't say anything, but Linda sent me a text giving me a heads up about Luke's concern - Taylor had presents under his tree, but we didn't.

When I got the text, Luke wasn't back home yet, and Grey was napping, so I got busy and put the presents under the tree. Needless to say, when Grey woke up and Luke got home they were quite surprised.

Can you tell they are trying to wait patiently?

The funny thing about opening presents this year, is that Grey would start, but then he would just sit and watch Luke open his. I don't know if he was looking for pointers on how to rip paper, or if he just wanted to see what Luke was getting.

Their first gift was the traditional Christmas Pajamas. This year, I got both boys TWO pairs so that if Grey happened to wake up Christmas morning and would need to be changed, I was prepared. If Grey would have to put on a clean pair, then Luke would have to change. I wanted them to have on matching Pajamas Christmas Morning.

In addition to the "One" Christmas Eve gift, we did let them open their gifts from the Heidel's and the Myers'.

They were happy to have received some new toys.

After they put on their new Christmas pajamas, they had some business to attend to. At school, Luke had received some "Magic Food". The directions said that the food needed to be sprinkled on the lawn. The Magic Glitter sparkling in the moonlight and the smell of the oats would guide Rudolph to the house.

Now we don't really have a lawn, so they boys sprinkled it on the deck.

Rudolph was sure to find our house.

Then it was time for bed, but before getting tucked in so sugarplums could dance in their head, we sat out a little snack for Santa and the reindeer.

Grey is holding a little deer in his hand and feeding it a carrot.

Also before going to bed, I got some pics of them in their new PJs.

Once they were asleep, Santa's Elves arrived...

Christmas Morning was going to be pretty exciting.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2011

Luke's Christmas Program actually happened this year "before" Christmas... weather was good, so it occurred when originally scheduled.

I got the boys all dressed up in their Christmas outfits - from last year. They actually did pretty good at "posing" for me together in front of the tree. But our lighting in the house at night, SUCKS, so all of them turned out fuzzy, so I tried to do a little editing to distract from that fact.

Here they are...

They did the program a little different this year by performing in the Fellowship Hall rather than in the Sanctuary. The lighting for pictures was WAY better, but we didn't realize that in order to get a good seat, we probably should have arrived an hour early rather than right on time. This means, our seats were way in the back, and off to one side.

When the Four Year Old performance started, I moved to the middle to try to get a better view for taking pics. This is the traditional, "Wave at your Family".

After this, I decided I needed to get closer, so I went up the center aisle and sat on the floor.

I'm so glad Luke was in the front row. His teacher, Miss Sarah, is in the purple sweater.

He didn't sing all that much, but he did do some of the hand motions.

This was the view from our seats... way in the back.

After the program, Santa was due to arrive to hand out gifts that the school was giving to all the children. We stuck around for a little while, but it was taking forever for Santa to arrive.... so I put my camera away, and we got ready to leave. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I closed my camera bag, Santa came out from the kitchen. Since we were in the back (by the kitchen), Luke and Grey were the first kids that Santa saw. They were so excited, and yelled "it's Santa". He came right up to them and gave them both hugs.

So sad I don't have a photo of this, but I will cherish that memory forever. That really is what is SO wonderful about this blog... journaling all these Special Little Moments.

BLUE "CHEESE"

Grey just enjoyed a blue colored Icee... can you tell?

NO LAP SITTING THIS YEAR

This is why Luke and Grey didn't get to go visit and sit on Santa's lap this year.

Last weekend it was Grey. He had diarrhea and was vomiting, so we took him to the doctor on Saturday morning to have him checked for dehydration. At that time, he seemed to be fine. But as the day wore on, and he didn't go to the bathroom at all after lunch, we decided it was probably best that he be taken to the Emergency Room. So around 11:00pm Marc took him and I stayed home with Luke. After an IV of fluids, and some Jello and Icees, he was released. He seemed to be getting better on Sunday, but then vomited again on Monday. A neighbor was kind enough to come over and watch the boys so I could run out and get him his anti-nausea meds. After a few doses of that, and another day of rest, he was back to his old self.

Then this weekend it was Luke. He had been coughing a lot since Friday and had a low-grade fever. Then yesterday afternoon, his fever spiked up to 104.6. After contacting the pediatrician on call, we gave him a bath, administered some fever reducer, and waited an hour to see if we would be making yet another trip to the Emergency Room. Luckily, we were able to get his fever down and keep it down. I decided to take him this morning to see the doctor, to get him checked out before I sent him to school tomorrow. Good thing... he has an ear infection. We're keeping him home from school tomorrow, but hopefully he'll be able to go on Wednesday so he doesn't miss his little class Holiday Party and the Holiday Program that night.

Maybe, if they're both feeling good by the end of the week, and we want to fight the crowds, we'll still be able to take them to see Santa... Maybe?

DECORATING THE TREE

Just realized that I never posted these pics about the night we decorated the Christmas tree. As you read in a previous post, the boys and I put the tree together and put the lights on it on a Friday. The picture below was taken later that same day. I also started pulling out some of the decorations, and this little Advent Calendar was my babysitter. All those little doors kept them preoccupied and out of my hair. Amazingly, no fighting ensued. Not sure why Luke has no pants on.

One of the decorations I immediately put together was the little tree for the boys room. They really enjoyed putting the (4) little ornaments on their tree. I guess Grey felt he needed to be up close and personal, so he got a little leverage by climbing up on the dresser.

Why only (4) ornaments you ask? That was all that was left after the tree's little stay in their room last year. Note, today is the 19th, and there are now Zero ornaments on the little tree.

Saturday night, while watching the LSU Tigers, we decorated the tree. We did it in two stages. First, I pulled out about 10 ornaments for the boys to hang themselves.

Most all of them were hung on the bottom 1/8th of the tree, but Grey did get a little assistance from Daddy to hang one a little higher.

Before they went to bed, I tried to get a pic of them in front of the tree. This is what I got...

Then we asked them to point to what they had hung. I guess Grey misunderstood the question since he seems to be pointing in the other direction.

Then he got it, and pointed to the tree... Luke's proud of his work with a Thumbs Up!

After they went to bed, then Marc and I finished hanging the rest of the ornaments. This year however, only the Sentimental ornaments made the tree. I didn't hang any of the decorative bulbs... and I think it looks just fine.

Another note... see all those Candy Canes? Yeah... none of those are any longer on the tree.

Love this pic, but still a White Light fan. Will need to buy new lights for next year.

Then on Sunday, I whipped up this new Christmas Wreath.

It's coffee filters hot glued to a wreath form I made out of plumbing pipe insulation.

MAKING CHRISTMAS

Today, we started decorating for the Holidays... or as Luke called it, we're "Making Christmas".

This year, we decided to save a little money and put up our artificial one. So this morning, after getting everything out of the shed, I put the boys to work bringing in the tree... one branch at a time.

I have to say, it was nice not having to do it all by myself.

Before "making" the tree, we stopped for a "Cheese" break... meaning, Grey wanted his picture taken.

He is definitely a "Cheeseball".

The boys had their own way of "making" the tree.

I had to show them the correct way.

I don't know if you can see it, but Grey is holding up a stray piece of tinsel. We were having a lot of fun with the tinsel that had been left on the tree.

The static electricity from the tree was so strong, that when we held a piece of tinsel about two feet away from it, when we let go, the tinsel would "fly" sideways back to the tree.

Luke told me he Loved the tree and gave it a Big Hug...

and a Kiss.

To get this shot, I had to throw out a couple of bribes. One, the TV had to be turned off, and would not come back on until they cooperated. And two, they would be rewarded with candy.

Grey also Loved the tree.

I propped the camera up on the arm of the couch, and got a few shots of me with my little helpers.

The tree is up and now has lights on it. We plan on decorating it tomorrow.