Boy Do I Regret Saying That!

We all do it... We say things in the moment without thinking through the repercussions. Here's my latest - A few weeks ago, in the middle of the night, I got Nicholas up to go potty. I seriously didn't let him sit down or touch anything, including, um, himself. So I let him hop right back into bed without washing his hands. Boy am I paying for that decision. Now, almost every time he goes to the bathroom, he either asks if he needs to wash his hands, or announces to us that he doesn't need to, since he didn't touch anything. Ugh. The new mantra is - Wash your hands, EVERY TIME.

Way of Lights - A Journey to Bethlehem

There is a Shrine in Belleville, IL (about 30 minutes from our house) that does a yearly light display called the Way of Lights. We've meant to do to this for the past few years, but this was our first time actually making the trek. The Shrine is run by a group of priests who minister to the poor around the world. They started the Way of Lights in the 70s as a way to provide jobs for the groundskeepers during the winter. Now it has become a St Louis tradition. The drive through display is free (donations accepted), as are most of the indoor activities.

Our first stop was the petting zoo. Charlotte has no fear of animals and would have stayed here much longer than we did.

This little guy was my favorite

We drove through the Way of Lights area twice. It is a 1.5 mile drive with signs posted like the above with bible verses, then light displays that go along with them.

Not the best example, but I didn't get very many pictures of the lights themselves. The scale was really enormous (which you don't really get from this picture).

After our first time through, we ended up eating at the restaurant on site. There was Jello on the buffet. Nicholas, who thought that Jello was something that only existed at Sweet Tomatoes, was thrilled.

Besides the restaurant, indoors there was a Christmas tree display and a Children's Village with craft tables, a puppet show and lots of play areas. Charlotte and I hung in the tent filled with puzzles and nativity scenes while Nicholas did craft projects with Daddy.

Nicholas showing off the crafts he made at the Children's Village.

It was a late night for our little lady who normally goes to bed at 7:00, but we had a fun time and plan to return next year.

A Rocking Horse Made for Two

Charlotte wants to ride this all the time (she also likes to pet him). She says "rock, rock" in a very sing-song voice. But usually she's riding solo!

What Does Santa Say?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Christmas Joy

Santa had come in the night. Nicholas loved his new pink toothpaste.

We have a tradition that baby Jesus doesn't get put in the manger of the nativity scene until Christmas morning. Which reminds me of a story... When we first put the nativity scene out a few weeks ago, I was thinking we needed some new pieces, and I asked Nicholas what he thought we might want to get. He really, really thought about it and then said..."I think we need a baby Jesus". Apparently the tradition hasn't quite sunk in with him yet!

I made a new recipe of cinnamon rolls that are prepared the night before and then rise in the refrigerator. They were way, way over the top. I think I can adjust the recipe to contain a little less fat and sugar for next year.

After some breakfast, we started in on some presents. Nicholas was determined to get into this one using his own scissors. And he did!

We went to 11:00 mass, then took a quick picture before the kids changed clothes. I'm impressed they're both smiling and looking at the camera!

Gotta love the Santa dress and velvet bow shoes.

After lunch, Daddy took Charlotte for a walk in the backpack. She LOVES the backpack.

More presents. Also note the Santa on the table which was brought over in the morning along with presents for the kids by our neighbor, Gloria. Charlotte is a big fan of Santa.

Nicholas had very sweetly picked out some animals for Charlotte. He so thoughtfully chose ones he knew she would like. If only Target had carried penguins...

Charlotte got Nicholas a motorized iguana

Another tradition we have is Christmas birthday cake. Nicholas sang a very joyful Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.

Charlotte wasn't so sure about the gingerbread at first, but ended up eating her piece completely.

Then it was off to bed for the kids and a bit of cleanup and relaxation for Tom and me. A wonderful day for our little family of four.

Merry Christmas!

A Little TOO Much Realism?

Since we were on our own this Christmas, we spent Christmas Eve at Zoomagination Station at the Zoo. It was the kids and my second trip, Tom's first. We spent our time doing completely different things than the first visit.

Almost 30 minutes of the entire 45 minute session was spent at the birdseed table. Both kids were enthralled with it.

I'm thinking of swapping out the rice box at home for a birdseed box!

Time out for a quick drawing

That little lady needs a haircut!

One area gives the kids a chance to do some zookeeper duties, including cleaning glass. Nicholas loves to squeegee.

And there it is, folks. Actual fake rabbit poop in the garden by the playhouse. Who knew there was a market out there for plastic animal poop?!?

Ornaments 2008

Every year I get the kids two ornaments each: two that are the same or a little matchy with each other, and two that really typify the past year and their interests. Granted, Charlotte's last year wasn't so much about her interests as it was just a cute, girly ornament, but Nicholas has gotten some appropriate ones the last few years: '06 - Train, '07 - Puzzle ball

Which brings us to 2008:

Nicholas

Charlotte

Charlotte - the penguin lover

Nicholas - whose absolute favorite part of Candy Land is Princess Frostine.

Is that a happy boy or what? It was quite a find! Just another picture to be blown up for his 18th birthday....

The Evolution of the Christmas Tree

Lights and tree skirt

Cheerio garland

Ornaments

Cheerio garland taste test

Kitty lounging in the ornament tissue

The star!

Complete!

Unexpected Fun at the Science Center

Due to some construction, we missed the 4:00 entrance time into the Discovery Room at the Science Center, so we just played games instead.

Charlotte threw these magnetic bears onto the board over and over. She was fascinated by them. No, the orderly bears on the board are not her work!

Nicholas fell in love with Tangrams. He did three or four of these boards.

Charlotte fell in love with glass elevators! She laughed and laughed. Glad to know I've got a daredevil daughter!

Hmmmm

It's funny how children are a magnifying glass on yourself. There are so many things that Nicholas says that crack me up, especially when I realize that I say the exact same thing. Charlotte has already started this at 14 months. I realize that I do this all the time in the kitchen: "What should we have for a snack? Hmmmm.." (with finger tapping my lips walking over to the pantry). Now whenever I say something like that ("What should we have?), she puts her finger up and says "Hmmmm". It's hilarious!

Rice Box

We had a snow day from school yesterday (it really should have been called a "cold, icy day"), and today was even worse. The three of us stayed inside and found things to do, including what we call the "rice box". It has scoops, funnels, cups, shovels...and rice. I've never let Nicholas play with it when Charlotte was awake because I figured she would just eat the rice. That should not have been my concern!

Playing together so well!

Anything can be a hat!

Greatest $2 ever spent at a garage sale was for this water wheel, I mean "rice wheel".

There's the action shot! She LOVED throwing the rice everywhere. Oh well. Nothing a little sweeping and vacuuming couldn't handle. I think that as long as I'm prepared for cleanup, the rice box is now a 2 child activity!

Christmas with Emerson

Every few years, Tom's company, Emerson, hosts a huge family party for all the corporate employees. This was our first one in Tom's 3 1/2 years with Emerson. There was amazing food, and oh so much more...

Yes, Oreo tagged along and hung out on the table while we ate. They had a whole buffet of kid friendly food, plus a pasta bar, carving station, sushi bar, cold appetizers, warm appetizers. It was a little overwhelming! Did I mention there was a chocolate fountain?? Every four year-old's dream. I must admit that I was pretty excited about it too! Pretzel rods, strawberries and marshmallows dipped in chocolate... Mmmmmm.

In the big new auditorium, they played the Grinch cartoon on a loop. Nicholas watched a bit of it with Oreo. He loves that book and movie!

They had photo booths there for family photos.

Then came a visit with Santa. That clearly went over well with Charlotte. We gave up on her, but listened as Nicholas asked Santa for a police car. This was news to Santa and would require Santa to go on a police car hunt. Or so I imagine. Santa gave them Build-a-Bears as parting gifts.

Charlotte had to be consoled after her Santa encounter with a gingerbread man.

It worked!

Tom may leave corporate Emerson in the near future to work for one of the divisions...but I guess we should try to be back at Corporate for the 2012 family party!