Working on his flexibility

Sympathetic. Sorta.

Mandy's always been a fan of physical comedy.  Here's an email I received from her today, in its entirety:

You know the guilt you feel when you laugh at someone falling? You don't wish them pain, but it's just so damn funny to see. Well the guilt is worse when it's your 4-year-old and he falls off the barstool onto the hard porcelain tile floor.

Still funny as hell it turns out.

Especially when it comes mid-tune to him humming and bouncing around on his knees when I am repeatedly telling him to sit on his butt. I was hugging him hiding my laughter til he finally caught on I was laughing. He joined me.

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year and not really many good pictures to show for it. Elliot (the early bird) actually "slept in" until 6:40am so we didn't have to worry about keeping him upstairs and quiet until Noah woke up. The funny thing is Noah was way before E - probably shortly after 6am. Paul had to make him stay in his room until E woke up.

The highlight for Noah was his much anticipated Criss Cross Crash Cars

Noah helping E go through his stocking

They enjoyed going through their stockings and opening presents from Santa and us and playing all morning until we went to Karen & Doran's for our annual brunch.




Delish food, great company and more presents. The boys had great fun. Especially considering little E fell asleep on the way there (his normal naptime) and got woken up for food, presents and playing. Both boys fell asleep on the way home for a late and much needed nap.


We finally decided to wake up Elliot around 5:15 so we could head to my parents house for Christmas dinner and more presents. Rick served his usual full course delicious dinner and we all had a good time visiting. The boys' late naps allowed us to stay out later and just enjoy the day.




It was a busy and fun day. We are so thankful for the gift of our health, family & friends.

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas Eve was quieter this year, as several of our family were busy with other family obligations, but still a lot of fun.  Steve and Lisa sent us a smoked turkey from Texas, and Mandy made a great dinner.  Noah proudly announced that he had set the rarely-used dining room table, and we sat down to enjoy some pleasant holiday conversation over a nice dinner.  That lasted less than a few seconds, as Noah got sick to his stomach before we even had a bite, and Elliot decided to go on a food strike and threw a fit as he tried to escape his restraints.  They quickly snapped back to good health and good cheer as the time came to open presents.     

Noah with his new shirt from Grandma

Elliot was starting to get into opening presents, but Noah was only too happy to help (take over).

Opening his gift from Grandpa - a remote control car

Looking at Elliot's gift from Aunt Laurie - a hot wheels racetrack.  Looks complicated...

Grandpa to the rescue

"Sharing" the remote control car

Reading stories on the couch.

That night, we set out milk and cookies for Santa Claus to find.  Noah wanted to give him eggnog, but we were out of it so he decided chocolate milk would be the next best thing. 

Making sure Santa's chocolate milk is ok

He wanted to put them right at the foot of the chimney so the big guy wouldn't miss them.

We finally got them dressed for bed in their new Christmas jammies, when Noah remembered he had to put out the "reindeer food" he made at school last week (cheerios, hay, glitter and little m&m's or something). We spread that out in the yard, and finally put the boys to bed.

Mandy and I stayed up until 11:30 assembling and wrapping presents (and drinking chocolate milk and eating cookies). 

To be continued....

Not quite like last winter (yet)

 

 Catching snowflakes on his tongue

 Trying to make a snow angel

Paging Dr. Thomas...

Taking after his big brother.

By his expression, I don't think his patient has much time live.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I don't hear a heartbeat..."

Early Christmas with Charlie

Charlie spent this Christmas in Albuquerque with his dad, so we had an early Charlie Christmas celebration the Wednesday prior. Good food and even better company made for a fun early celebration.

You can barely see one of my sister's beautiful trees in this picture. She is so talented at Christmas Tree Trimming -- the boys are having fun with presents!

Ells wanted to cuddle up next to Charlie on the couch. So sweet.

Great Grandma Lois & Great Grandpa Gene playing with Elliot & his puppy

E & Grandpa Rick

Noah playing with Great Grandma Lois

Elliot & Great Grandpa Gene

Good strategy, Mom...

I came home from a date with Mandy last night as our babysitter was getting Noah out of the bath. 

Me:  "Did you behave for Erin tonight?"

Noah: "Yes."

Me: "Are you still on the "Nice" list, or are you on the "Naughty" list?"

Noah:  "Mommy says I'm on the "pending" list. 

Enjoying a nice winter's day

The boys have been cooped up a lot lately because of the cold.  On the way back from the store, Noah said he wanted to go to the park, and since it was a balmy 40 degrees, and sunny, I indulged him by stopping at a newly renovated park on the way home. 

Elliot was in heaven getting to swing.

 Elliot scared me a little, insisting that he climb this big rock to get to the slide.  A fall would have hurt, but he didn't want any help. 

 Making faces at me telling him to be careful.

 Noah, our natural rock climber.

 Playing in the little snow (now ice) available, trying to smash it all up. 

 The mini-merry-go-round got away from him.