Turtle power!

Andrew has always had a love for turtles.  You may remember that almost 2 years ago before we moved, he was constantly talking about the turtle who lived outside his window.  Then the turtle moved in under his bed.  Turtle even became invasive and was in AJ's belly while I was pregnant!  Sometimes at 8pm (lights out) Turtle was suddenly hungry or thirsty....you get the picture.

While "Turtle" eventually moved to Nashville, AJ continued to learn about and develop a love for turtles.  Loogerhead, Snapper, Painted, you name it. If it was a turtle, AJ wanted to know about it.  Then he hit 4 and well, four year olds tend to really love superheros and ninja's.  A few months ago (in a moment of weakness or potential ignorance), I introduced my AJ to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I wouldn't say a monster emerged because my son is generally a very sweet child, but he has become interested in obsessed with all things TMNT!

So the 'birthday' theme emerged (bye-bye hope of a Lego party).  He as almost all the TMNT figures now (He does have the 4 turtles, but still needs Splinter).  McDonald's toys are actually TMNT right now, so it made a great venue for a playdate on his birthday with one of his best friends.  TMNT cupcakes, handcut fleece mask for his classmates, a "Thank you for making my birthday 'shell-tastic'" printable designed by Truly Your Events (Her Pinterest boards are pretty awesome if you are into that), and a few 'green' accessories and a small celebration at school was complete.  It was a great birthday weekend.  We had one happy 5 year old in the house!

We love our turtle lover!

 

Because you have to write it down or else....

Samantha, "why do you moms talk so much?"
Me, "Are you asking way Ms. Layla and I were talking to each other over lunch?"
Samantha, "Yes, I mean is it because you have had so much life."
Me, "We do have really full lives."
Samantha, "No, I mean,is it because you've lived so long?"

Matthew is like both kids in someways.  Sunday he demonstrated another way he is like Samantha.  This is not a good one. He bites only when he is tired.  At church he bit my cheek so hard I had to pry him off my face...yowzher!

AJ, "Why do I keep cleaning my room up?  Everyone else comes in here and messes it up! UGH!"

Christmas memories

As I was taking the ornaments off the tree today, I was thinking about what a great Advent and Christmas we had this year.

Some of the highlights:
-  New ornaments.  Especially, the salt dough dinosaurs AJ made with Grandmommy and cousin, Nic, in Jackson!  He brought home one for each of us. Oh, and the wreath made with old puzzle pieces with Samantha's smiling face in the middle.  And, the set of 3 ornaments my Aunt Sally sent to put each of the kids faces in. AND, the "First Christmas 2011" ornament for Matthew.  We never got one last year, so it was perfect for him!
- Mommy getting all the kids Christmas shopping done BEFORE St. Nicholas Day AND Grandmommy helping wrap up all the gifts.
- Having David's parents here to help out for several days. I cannot thank them enough for giving their time to us!! We also made a trip to the Opry Hotel while they were here to see the lights...great tradition.

-The Nutcracker with AJ and Samantha (hired a sitter for Matthew so we could all see the performance).
-The St. Nicholas play and pot-luck is ALWAYS a highlight.  This year was extra special because one of my lab friends came with us (and to help me out since David was in Sweden).
-A video of a live St. Lucia celebration at David's company in Sweden!  The kids must have watched it a dozen times.
-AJ telling me about how he tried to tell his friends about the real meaning of Christmas (Jesus' birth), but they were interrupting him.
-David's annual Christmas party downtown.

-Caroling with Samantha's class at the new nursing home (and the old man that asked AJ if he was going to jail).  Samantha taught AJ so many of the songs before we went because 'he cannot read yet'.
-The Liturgy of the Nativity. What a special night. Preparing, the kids were in the car ready to go before I was even fully dressed.  They were so excited to let the celebration begin! Seeing my kids all dressed up, yet sacked out. Knowing they are so comfortable in the temple.

-Samantha's wish list for St. Nicholas:

• Pixie dust
• A real bunny
• A ride on your sleigh
• Real wings
• Samantha's excitement when she remembered that a month ago she wanted a talking baby, Legos, and a brain teaser (Kanoodle) and she got it all.

- AJ's "You've got to be kidding me" with every ninja turtle he opened.
- Matthew napping through present opening...that was a good thing, trust me!
- David getting the fire going in the house.

 Ohio. Ohio. Ohio. OHIO! Its been a long time since my family was all there together.  We had snow and lots of it.  We sled. We had a huge snow ball fight. We built a 7 ft snowman. We went ice skating.

 Matthew's happy-go-lucky mood in Ohio.  He slept better than he even does at home. He stayed on schedule. He gave hugs and let everyone hold him.

-AJ yelling screaming at the top of his lungs, "get me off of this ice rink". I thought it was funny, but I think everyone else there thought I was torturing the poor boy.  He didn't get comfortable, but 30 minutes later he told me, "Everyone here is bigger than me and faster than me.  I just need more practice.  Like 50 times."
-Rough housing with Uncle Joey.
-Games and more games.  LRC, 'scratch', hearts...
-8 adults, 8 kids, 2 full baths...'nough said?
-Hugs from Pop-pop; Snuggles while watching Christmas videos with Grandma.
-Fun with cousins! Honestly the kids were so good and entertained themselves so much, I am not even sure what they were doing most of the time.

I am sure I forgot something. I am surprised we enjoyed so much this season with so many cancelled or postponed plans because of illnesses, but we sure did pack it in.  I really liked having an 'extra week' between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Happy New Year Everyone.  We love you!