Putting up the tree

Next up on the first weekend of Christmas celebration? Why decorating of course!

All little decorators need reindeer antlers with bells

The blessing of serious allergies means we have an artificial tree, and it can go up the weekend after Thanksgiving and stay up all holiday season without any fuss. Perfect!

So happy to put the angel on top

And so we set it up!

Checking out the tree up close

Our ornament selection process took time as only ornaments that could survive the boys went up this year. Also no garlands or ribbons were used. Just a simple tree this year.

The boys and their tree

With a pile of books under the tree (until just a day ago when I got some presents under it).

Reading by the light of the tree (not really...)

But the lights enthralled Levi every time we turn the tree on. Mission accomplished!

Before bed 

Christmas Tree Festival 2012

As is tradition the weekend after Christmas always includes a trip to Akron Children's Hospital Tree Festival.

I mean it is a must after Wyatt was a NICU baby there, and I spent years rocking those sick babies even before I got married. (2011 & 2010)  Oh and did I mention years of singing at the festival?  Needless to say this is a tradition that has gone back many many years!

The picture had stars that sparkled, big hit

Wyatt was totally into it this year. He loved looking at the trees, and talking about what he saw.  He also was all about getting a picture with his favorites - and there were many!

Wyatt's favorite trees!

Levi wasn't as into the walking and looking - more of the how many trees can I touch mindset in that little one. So Patrick and Levi spent time out in the hallway greeting doggies (the hospital dogs are so lovable!).

He's checking to see if anyone will notice him crawl under the chain

And one of the reasons we love the tree festival - (free pictures with) Santa!  And this year Mrs. Claus was even there.

Sitting on Santa's lap - getting ready to ask for presents

Santa and Mrs Claus

Sure Levi was not into this at all, but Wyatt was. He practiced what he was going to ask Santa for, and made sure to ask. He was very good about just climbing up in Santa's lap and getting a picture, even while his little brother squirmed and cried.

The train!

Oh and the train!  I almost forgot - every year someone donates an amazing train set (always part of the raffle). This year it was a circus train. Such a major hit - could barely get Wyatt to look away. 

Overall I'd say another successful tradition!

Thanksgiving 2012

Traditions are so wonderful. The memories they create are priceless.

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year traditionally, by going for a wonderful dinner with my family at my parents' house.

Nana and Chief

Of course the boys love going to Nana and Chief's, so add in some relatives and lots of attention, and it makes for great fun.

Playing for his biggest fan

The food was fabulous, I love that everyone brings dishes to share - as a result there are so many favorites from Aunts that the menu is fairly constant every year. But us younger adults tend to be surprise recipe bringers. And this year was full of expected food - with only one new dish I think!

Snatching fudge - the little sugar monkey

The evening was fun filled - and full of crazy laughter.

Video gaming

I am holding out that this is a tradition that the boys will pull out years from now just like I do every year as the tradition grows.

A family night

A Lesson in Building

As a mom, there is nothing more fun and exciting than watching my kids learn something new.

The look of learning

Wyatt has this great concentrated look that always tells me he is piling information away for future use. Learning, truly retaining information to be used again.

Trying hard

And to see this process happen, this information retention process, while spending time with his Opa was great.  The perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Focus

The lesson of building has to be one of those lessons that every boy learns, right?  A building legacy.

Men and their power tools - never too young!

And of course what building project is complete without power tools? Even Levi was drawn in once the power tools came out. You know that is saying something when his other option was freedom in the yard with two lovable puppy dogs.

A job well done

The look of ownership and pride over a job well done - a lesson that is worth more than gold.

A home for a bird

A quick explanation on how this project will provide a home for a bird - one that might have a family... might have been lost on this little one. But still important nonetheless.

Family 

And a moment of love over time spent, memories built. Perfect holiday. 

Cloud Dough

So we've been crazy busy with life!  

The holidays suck up all the extra time, and I'm fine with that!  Plus the weather has been amazing and we've spent quite a few afternoons outside riding bikes and getting dirty (what else do little boys do?)

But on afternoon we had fun with cloud dough - it was a great little recipe from pinterest. And I'm glad we took the time to make a mess inside!

Looking to his big brother for technique pointers

Levi loved it!  What a great way to get his hands into a new texture.

Covering his fingers in the fun

Wyatt also loved trying to build a sand castle inside.  He loves using dirt and rocks to build castles, so the chance to build them inside was a great way to spend a morning. 

Super proud of easy it is to make it snow!

And of course we all had some extra practice in cleaning up after this little activity. I must get my hands on a dirt devil, or some other small vacuum the boys can handle!

A new sport

View from seats

Enjoying his popcorn

A few weeks back, I lucked out and was given some free tickets to a Lake Erie Monsters hockey game in Cleveland.  Since it was Thanksgiving weekend, despite already having a full weekend planned, I wanted to take Wyatt to go experience his first (and my first) professional hockey game.  

Wyatt has enjoyed watching the sport on television when I find games on before his bedtime, but his track record with actually going to games and enjoying it isn't yet that great.  He was extra excited for the hockey game though and I could tell he was really looking forward to it.  

Marissa's father came along with us and the three of us ventured downtown for a guy's night out.  We parked fairly close and entered the Q not too long before the puck drop.  The Q does a great job of running these events and making sure they are entertaining for every age.  Greeting us just inside the gate were the Lake Erie Monsters Girls, basically hockey cheerleaders.  Despite Levi's recent interest in cheerleaders, Wyatt just walked right by them like they were cardboard cutouts.  He was focused on seeing a hockey game.

We found our seats, directly behind one of the nets, and only a dozen or so rows back.  Wyatt was excited and energized by the whole thing so far and I wanted to keep it going so I got him a big bag of popcorn and a drink for us to share (his first taste of Diet Coke - which he enjoyed far more than you would think a nearly-four year old would).  

He stood and listened to the national anthem just like he was supposed to and clapped at the end.  He watched rapt at the video display prior to the game as the players names, numbers, and stats are flashed on the replay screens above the ice to rock music (Skillet's Monster which is exceptionally fitting and kid-friendly being a Christian rock band).  

Then came the puck drop.  This is when Wyatt has usually checked out of the entertainment part and decided that it was time to find more interesting things to do.  Not so with hockey.  He got into it... big time.  Not long after the game started and he was yelling "GO MONSTERS!" at the top of his lungs.  

Dentists around the area rejoice - another hockey kid is being forged.