One more thing...

Peter actually got his two front teeth for Christmas! One of them poked through yesterday, and one of them today. How funny is that?!?!?

Merry Christmas!

Fortunately, we celebrated Baby Jesus this year, and didn't throw, maim, attack, shoot, or otherwise assault him.

Patrick says, "It was THIS BIG!"

Peter got a set of PVC pipe and connectors. And a blueprint. It kept him busy for a long time!

But he finally made a little tent.

While everyone else was sleeping, we made it a little bigger and had a snack. Notice my awesome socks!

Zoolights

Merriment

Just a few pictures from the last week or so...

Handsome boys in their Christmas ties. Patrick got to light all four candles on the advent wreath this week.

The boys dressed up like kings with their favorite babysitter (while we went shopping for their gifts).

Our church's Christmas program was also on Sunday. The little kids all dress up as angels to sing.

Mat and Peter figured out how to do a neat trick balancing knives. Just because.

Are the cookies done yet?

Buffer Boys

Peter wanted to help clean the floors yesterday, so I let him! By the way, this isn't your 1SG's buffer.

Of course, Mathew wanted a turn (Patrick was sleeping through all of this).

Then Peter taught his little brother the fine art of mopping... What joy!

Pie Crust

I had to laugh at my pie crust recipe, which says, "working quickly, roll the dough into a circle 2 inches larger than your pan. Remember, the more you work your dough, the tougher the crust will be." Whoever wrote that OBVIOUSLY doesn't have two little boys who think that "resting" dough should be made into snowmen, who are then flattened by cannon balls, only to be resurrected so they can assault a dough fort. HA!!

Away in the Manger

This is incredibly cute!

Sniffles and Snow

Just a little news...

Mathew said "Mama" for the first time yesterday. And while I'm very pleased, it was nice to hear him yelling for "PAPA!!!" whenever he wanted something.

Peter and Patrick spent an hour this morning "fishing from Pop's pontoon boat" (the couch), hauling in fish with their scarves, and stuffing them into their hats. Mathew climbed on everything with reckless abandon, as usual. Then Peter got himself dressed and went outside to play in the "snow" (a very light icy dusting). I looked out the window to see him trying to chase the hummingbirds. Believe me, they were fleeing in terror!

Mat hobbled back to work this morning, taking crutches and a cold with him.

We got the tree up and decorated, but all of the ornaments hung on the bottom half of the tree have since disappeared. It looks pretty pitiful, but I'll keep the curious kids and forego the pretty tree.

We've been lighting an advent wreath every and singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" after dinner every night. Patrick loves singing, Peter likes fire, and Mathew is fascinated with playing in the smoke after the candles have been blown out.

Peter is still doing well with his violin. After learning six variations of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," we've moved on to "Baa Baa Black Sheep" (same notes, different rhythm) and the next song in his book. He doesn't have lessons this month, but I'm trying hard to keep him going.

The boys have been great at being Daddy's legs - running errands for him while he's on crutches. They've also enjoyed lots of time on his lap reading and doing "school." Mat ordered a Primer first published in 1677. It's a little blue book, about 3"x4", and Patrick calls it his "school book" and carries it all around the house. I considered taking a couple weeks off from school, but the boys enjoy it so much that I don't think they'll let me get away with it. I guess that's a good thing! Peter is reading really well, and loves to read books to Mathew and anyone who will listen on the phone. So if you call, beware...

If you made it this far, I hope you enjoyed my little update. I'll try to keep up better!

Emily's Visit

I haven't got around to posting pictures from Emily's visit yet, but she has some great ones on her blog. Click here for Emily's blog!

In Search of a Christmas Tree

We went to the tree farm to get our Christmas tree yesterday - what an adventure! It was about 28 degrees and windy. Mat and I had to trade roles due to his crutches - he became the photographer, and I became the cutter and tree/kid hauler. I appreciate my husband more every day!

Patrick had a try at the saw, then Peter.

Mathew found an interesting mushroom, and was intent on giving it a taste.

We had to haul the tree a long way back to the parking lot, and Mathew didn't want to walk. He was so bundled up that he could only waddle, and couldn't stand up if he fell down. Think "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

The boys, especially Mathew, were fascinated with the screws in the tree stand. But I had to help them eventually. Apparently, laying on the floor is an invitation to tackle. But we got it up and reasonably straight, and it hasn't fallen down yet. Decorations to come later!

Thanksgiving