Happy Birthday Pop Pop!!

We love you! Happy Birthday!

Saying Goodbye

Lately Evan has been having difficulties when we leave him at school. He has been crying a lot and often will try to follow me out of his classroom. We have been working with him over these last several weeks trying to encourage him and build his confidence so that these mornings will not be so hard. We have seen great improvements and now he only cries one day a week (which happens to always be a Tuesday - I'll have to figure that one out later).

So, this morning I was hoping for a tear free morning, since it is Wednesday - show and tell day -one of his favorite days of the week. Sure enough Evan walked into the classroom and was instantly greeted by his classmates who were all excited about the new heart shaped name tags on their desks. Evan also noted that there were taped off squares on the carpet indicating new toy play areas that were going to be enforced that day. So much excitement for a 4 year old!

Instantly, Evan was off playing with his friends without much of a goodbye for me. I found myself at the doorway trying to get Evan's attention. I'm calling out his name and waving to him from across the room like some deranged fan. He waves back and happily says "Goodbye Mom! Have a good day!" and is off again playing.

I thought for sure he would run over to me and beg me to stay. I start thinking to myself why isn't he chasing after me, he should be wrapped around my ankle by now. I found myself wanting to linger. I wanted to go in back in the classroom and give him another hug and kiss. I was wanting to act just like Evan had been for the last couple of months and cry. But I didn't. Oh how quickly the roles can reverse! I finally left school happy that my son was not crying and admittedly a little sad that he could have cared less that I was leaving. Tomorrow we'll see if both of us can get on the same page :)

Fun in the Snow

The boys finally got to use their new gloves, boots and snow pants this weekend. They have been dying to put on their boots ever since I brought them home from the store. They had so much fun playing outside in the snow. It amazes me how kids don't seem to feel the cold like adults do. Evan and Zach probably could have stayed out all night. See how happy they were...

I think Evan was trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue in that last shot. Hopefully next snowfall they will get to make a snowman.

Christmas

This Christmas was so much fun. The boys were both so excited for Santa to come. Evan had asked for a Geotrax set and Zachary asked for a cupcake. Yes, you heard me right, a cupcake! We asked him over and over again and always got the same answer. He even sat on Santa's lap and told him the same thing. We gave him one last chance on Christmas Eve to change his answer but no such luck. Then we realized that we didn't have the one thing that Zach had asked for from Santa. Evan was going to get his train but Zach would have no cupcake. So Jake went to one of the only places that is open at 9:30 on Christmas Eve (the convenient store) and bought Zach a Hostess cupcake. We put it on the plate where Santa's cookies were (Santa needed a snack before he headed to the store) with a bow.

Here's the house before the night before

The cupcake

My favorite reaction of the day...Evan is so sweet!

Later in the day at Jake's parents... Zach's reaction cracks me up!

Message from Santa

Last night the boys received a message from Santa via email. I found this website that will personalize a message to your child from Santa. Their reactions were absolutely adorable.

Evan was totally awestruck. He sat in front of the computer screen with one hand on his cheek in amazement that Santa was talking to him. He kept looking at me and then back at Santa. First he couldn't believe that Santa knew his name and second he was sooo excited that Santa said that he was on the nice list.

Zachary on the other hand thought that he was on a skype call the entire time. He kept waving to Santa and talking to him. It was too cute.

I can't wait for Christmas morning!

The Cut List

Finally got my Christmas cards sent out today. This is one of many pictures that didn't make the cut.

Zachary's Birthday

Just realized that I forgot to post any pics of Zachary on his 3rd birthday so here they are...

I am not the best cake decorator, so this is my attempt at a theme cake. This is supposed to be the house and balloons from the movie "Up"