First Christmas

A rundown of John's Christmas morning...

Breakfast!

Picking out a present.

Asking for some help.

Receiving some help.

Open faster, Big Sis!

The jackpot.

Something a little more exciting than wrapping paper.

Taking a break from presents to visit Keillor.

Presents

After a leisurely breakfast on Christmas morning we got down to the fun stuff: Presents. Lots of new art supplies and coloring books this year!

3 years, 2 months & 11 months

Keillor wins this month's award for best behaved picture subject. Johnny and I couldn't really sit still!

John has made some big strides this past month. No official crawling yet, but the kid can really move by scooting on his butt. We're all convinced that he's going to skip the crawling and go straight to walking. He loves being on his feet and can occasionally pull himself up to a standing position if there's something solid for him to grab.

His two new tricks from the last month: Clapping and waving. We'll try to get a video posted of his waving because it's very much in the style of a princess riding on a parade float. He's an expert at sitting up, but not so much at lying down yet. A couple weeks ago Dad heard him crying in his bedroom and went in to find John sitting in the middle of his crib surrounded by dirty clothes that he was able to pull from the hamper next to his bed. He just needed a bit of help to lay back down. He also needed the hamper to be moved away from his bed!

John will eat anything. And if there's food in front of him he'll just keep eating. More than once Mom has wondered about him having a tape worm. His favorite foods from the past few weeks: Sauteed zucchini, egg casserole, peanut butter, and fruit smoothies. He's done using bottles at school - only regular cups now (that's how it works in a Montessori school). At home we use bottles, sippy cups and regular cups. The only downside to using regular cups is the number of outfits he goes through in a single day!

As for myself, I continue to love running around the house. Brother John loves to follow me and it won't be long until we're both doing laps around the kitchen and dining room.

Numbers have fascinated me the last few weeks. I can comfortably count to 20, but I've enjoyed asking grownups to count even higher for me. I've started to write letters, as well, but you'll probably need me to interpret them for you.

Of course I've always enjoyed Dad and Mom singing for me, but this month I've started to sing a few complete songs on my own. It's hard to share a recording, though, because I clam up every time the camera comes out. John likes clapping when I'm done!

And I've discovered a new level of focus when it comes to movies and TV shows. My attention limit used to be right around the 10 or 15-minute mark, but now I like to sit for a full 25-minute episode of Daniel Tiger, Dora or a long chunk of Frozen.

We forgot to do this last month, so let's get back on track. My monthly questions from Dad:

Favorite color: Blue

Best friend: Ryan

John's best friend according to me: Tess

Favorite food: Hot dogs

John's favorite food according to me: Baby food

Favorite animal: Lion

Favorite place to go in the car: School

Favorite game: Count the Chickens

Best Christmas present: Boots (the stuffed monkey version from Dora)

Favorite movie: Frozen!

Favorite sports team: The White Ones

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

We got home from church last night and Mom wanted a quick family photo while we were all still in our nice clothes. Dad had already started cooking and forgot that he was wearing an apron! At least it matched the rest of us.

And just like at Thanksgiving, Cousin Kristy brought a craft project for the kids! 

Angel

Last Sunday was the Christmas pageant at church. Unlike last year, I agreed to put a costume on! However, that was about the end of my cooperation.

Rehearsal on Saturday.

Standing behind everyone else during rehearsal.

Looking apprehensive the day of the performance.

Where you see me in this photo is where I remained the entire time. 

Even the peer pressure of my fellow angels did not sway me!

Snooze

Colder than 20 degrees during our evening walks requires a neck warmer. John really enjoys his!

Selfie

Taking a picture of Dad taking a picture.

Suppertime

This kid loves to feed himself.

Both cheeks are 100% stuffed!

Overflow!

Quiet time

Snow day

Snow day today! Both John and I slept late and then enjoyed a pancake breakfast. Then it was time to get to work: Out the door to help Dad shovel!

The snow was blowing in my face and it was nearly impossible to keep my eyes open for a picture!

Food treats

Eggnog samples at the grocery store last week! Dad wasn't sure if I'd even try it. I quickly proved him wrong by guzzling the whole cup in one go. And of course I asked for more.

I received a different treat on Tuesday of last week, too. I had been struggling with some attitude problems at swim lessons recently so Dad offered a treat on the way home if I was a good class participant. It was also convenient that he had a coupon for a free Frosty!

We need to write these things down

On the way home from school last night:

Tess from the back seat: "I just farted!"
Dad: "Ok, so now what?"
Tess: "Excuse me."

[a few minutes go by...]

Tess: "There's cheese in your butt is a bathroom word."

[Thank you big kids at school!]

 _____________


A few nights ago we stayed late at school for a meeting. Dad had a package of mini Oreos in his hand when he came to get me from my classroom. I asked to try one. And then ended up splitting the package with him.

On the way home in the car:

Tess: "Can I have more Oreos when we get home?"
Dad: "Unfortunately, no. First of all, we're all out of them. Second of all, it's almost time for bed."
[Whining is heard from the back seat]
Dad: "Hey, how many did you have while we were at school?"
Tess: "Two."
Dad: "Umm...nice try! You had two plus two!" [While holding fingers up to show the math] "How many is that?"
Tess: "Four."

[a few minutes go by...]

Dad: "Hey, do you know what I'm going to do after you go to bed tonight? I'm going to bake Christmas cookies!"
Tess: "Can I sample some?"
Dad: "How about I save you a small one to try in the morning?"
Tess: "No, I want two plus two!"

 _____________

Dad and I were driving up to Boulder for the basketball game a while back. Heading west we had a clear view of the white mountain tops.
Dad: "Look at all that snow!"
Tess: "Whoa! If we went there it would be chilly! And then I would puke."

[This comes from a fond memory of car sickness on the way to camping in the mountains back in July!]

 _____________

On the same trip to Boulder, we were listening to the Treme soundtrack. It's all New Orleans jazz music. I love shouting out the different instruments as they're playing. I often get them right, but I made an incorrect guess on one:
Tess: "That's a trumpet!"
Dad: "Good try, honey, but that's actually a saxophone."

[Quiet for a moment while thinking in the backseat]

Tess: "Like Bill Clinton!"

[Brainwashing at its finest]

Dog food

Oh, hi Dad. Just hanging out with Keillor. Minding my own business.

You can go back to doing the dishes, Dad. Nothing to see here.

 He probably wants to share.

Let's just try a little sample.

Jumping

Starting the morning off with a little light exercise: Jumping on the bed!

Grandparents

Two posts today to finish up the Thanksgiving photos!

Keillor was exhausted the day everyone left!

Brian and Allison

Still catching up on Thanksgiving photos today!

Brian and Allison helping John find the camera.

Brian, Ben and John.