Christmas

Christmas was nice this year (I don't really remember one that wasn't). On Christmas Day we all stayed home, took naps, and played with our new stuff.

The day before, we had a family Christmas party with Andy's side. Look at these cute wise men and shepherd! They were all so solemn and sweet.

We gave Spencer a volcano kit, so we tried it out that night. It was a little boring, so Andy jazzed it up by pouring large amounts of vinegar and baking soda in. The kids thought it was great.

Look at that cute face!

Practicing the water flutes Grandma gave them....

This is one to show the girlfriends in a few years. Carson HATES sweaters!! He was quite unhappy about wearing one to church the day after Christmas, but I told him he had to.

A quick story: Spencer occasionally says he doesn't want to go back to school, he'd rather stay home all the time. So I tease him by saying he would turn into a "dumb kid" and not know how to read or add. So on the Sunday mentioned above, Carson came out of the bathroom with his pants around his ankles. Andy told him to pull up his pants. He said, "I can't--I'm a dumb kid!" Someone's been eavesdropping! He has all kinds of excuses for not doing things. Also in his repertoire are "I don't know how," "It will take forever!" and a good standby "I don't want to." People get sudden tummyaches when they don't want to finish their dinner, too. Too bad kids have been using the same excuses for generations and parents know better!

Santa brought Andy a snowblower! There was no snow on Christmas, but we got plenty the next day. He plowed four driveways and the sidewalks. The neighbors all think he is so thoughtful and kind, but he is just having a good time with his new toy!

Birthdays

I have a bit of catching up to do! Last week I had a lovely birthday, even though I was sick with a cold (it's not the first time, and probably not the last). I told the boys I wasn't going to do any chores, I didn't even do my hair. We just played and relaxed all day. Andy brought home dinner, so it was a pleasant, quiet day. He gave me a hardback copy of my whole blog! It has been so fun to have it in book form and browse through memory lane. There are so many things I thought I'd never forget, but I'm surprised at how much I did!

Thanks, dear, for a great birthday gift!

The boys all made my favorite strawberry cake. I think this is a first! Andy is showing off his baking skills (he made several Jello pies this year and thinks he is quite the chef)!

The next day was Dakota's birthday! She is now two years old. People keep assuring me she will "settle down" sometime in the next year. I sure hope they're right. She is lots of fun though. The boys are SOOOO in love with her! We gave her a couple of toys and treats for her birthday. We would have taken her out for a romp in the park, but it was wet all day.

"Look at my new trick!" The little boys think she is hilarious.

The grooming place was booked all that week, so we had to wait until after Christmas to get her spa treatment. She had a nice bath and even got her nails painted! Isn't she a pretty princess?? She sure smells better!

Sad Story

I just had Spencer do his daily reading. I found a story at the library about a family and their cat, who gets old and dies. I've been trying to prepare him for a similar situation in our family. Slippers is now 14 1/2 years old, over 100 in people years! He got a little teary as he read, but would never admit to it. He tries to be so stoic.

On a happier note, the boys are very excited about Christmas. One night I was peppered with questions from both sides. "How old is Santa Claus?" "What happens if he dies?" "Where does he get all his magic?" "Why does Santa have to be fat?" I did my best, but to their discouragement, I mostly had to say "I don't know."

Christmas Elves

Have you heard of "The Elf on the Shelf?" We have two of them! They are watching to make sure Andy is behaving nicely so he gets a present from Santa. So far so good....

My silly guys falling onto the couch together. I can't begin to imagine how it will be with three of them!

One day Spencer was feeling disappointed that he couldn't do something (I don't remember what). So he took this picture of himself to show me how sad he was. Though I had to chuckle and admire his (dramatic) creativity, it didn't change the outcome!

Carson is really warming up to Dakota! Since the weather turned cold, she is mostly inside. (She may be big, but she is not brave!) As a result, they have spent some good bonding time when she is calmly lying around.

She is a great dog for little kids. She doesn't mind them leaning on her, pretending to give her haircuts with their fingers, or lining up rose petals along her back.

Chillaxin'

Boys, Boys, Boys

We found out today that we are having ANOTHER boy in our family! Spencer is excited for another little brother, Andy is relieved that we won't be buying a lot of new clothes, and Carson is downright mad because he has been counting on a "baby sitser" for months now. As for me, I'm a little disappointed I won't get to buy pink. I was hoping for lace and ribbons, but I know they will all have a blast together. Boys are funny in ways that girls would never dream of. I just hope they marry nice girls who will like me. Who is going to take care of me in my old age??

Winner!

Remember that picture Spencer took for the contest at school? (see October post "Church Guys.") He won!! There were a couple of winners from his age group (grades K-2). I was proud of him!

Here is our happy winner with his trophy!

His friend up the street won for a video he made.

Carson has gotten super gabby lately!! He's talking to Grandma on the phone here. They had at least a 20-minute conversation. Nice hair, too, don't you think?

This is what church does to my poor little fella--wears him right out!

Bonding with Slippy. Last night Spencer and I were discussing what a school for cats would be like. He says, "Slippy would be a bully." Yes, she would. She is crabby and self-centered enough. We love her anyway!

Dakota is still her happy, rambunctious self. The dog house is finally finished, but she refuses to use it. I started feeding her in it, but she doesn't stay long. We'll keep trying to entice her. She needs a shelter if it's bad weather and no one's home!!

Puppy dog eyes--she has mastered the art of looking pathetic, especially when she stands at the door waiting to come in and the wind is blowing her ears around. I can't help but laugh! (Of course I let her in and shower her with affection, lest you think I have a heart of stone.)

This was our first real snow of the season, just the other day. Dakota hates to be out in the wind and precipitation of any kind, so I didn't know if she'd like the snow. She LOVED it!! She ran all over the yard and got snow on her nose. Spencer would throw big snowballs at her and she jumped up in the air and caught them in her mouth. What a show!

Halloween

My kids are finally getting old enough to have their own ideas about what they want to be for Halloween (darn). Spencer's pretty easy-going, but Carson insisted on being Batman. He LOVES Batman, I don't know why! I had this cape with the hood that I was saving for Christmas, but I decided to give it to him early. He giggled while I put it on, then kept running to the bathroom to look in the mirror "to see if I look goooood!" He goes around with a fierce scowl when he's in character and says, "I'm not Carson, I'm Batman!"

So he was Batman for the community Pumpkin Walk and the school carnival. Spencer was an army guy and some kind of crocodile.

Then on Halloween night, I got my way. I've been planning since last year for them to be Thing One and Thing Two from Dr. Seuss. Unfortunately, Thing Two wasn't feeling well that night and said he'd rather stay home (yes, he was sick)! So Andy had to fill in. I sprayed their hair blue--Spencer took it like a man and Andy screamed like a girl. It was pretty rainy that night, so they didn't get as much loot as usual, but it was enough.

Carson is auditioning for the Chippendales!! Just kidding--his jammies were still in the dryer after his bath, so I put his robe on, but he didn't like wearing it. He came out of his room looking like this!

Spencer came out to get a drink one night. I was still getting Carson into bed, so I couldn't help him. I heard some noises, including an "Oof!" and then a "Help!" I have no idea what happened, but I found him like this! Have you ever fallen into the sink while getting a drink of water?? Only Spencer....

Church Guys

While we may not be perfect, the boys keep us on track. Spencer is practicing reading a verse of scripture each night, and he does remarkably well. He is getting ready for the children's presentation in church this Sunday. He has a small speaking part (which Carson has also memorized--now we have an understudy!) and he is also the shortest member of a group of 4 or 5 kids to sing part of a song. In a Primary of about 200 kids, it is an honor to be chosen! It should be interesting and entertaining, as always.

I know it's tiny, but these are the boys in front of a stand-up temple facade that was used during the Pioneer trek.

Spencer is teaching a lesson about Jesus for family night. He did a good job! Carson listens with rapt attention when Spencer is talking!

At school every year there is a creativity contest called "Reflections." The kids are given a theme and then they can write a story, poem, draw/paint pictures, photographs, sculptures, etc. This year's theme is "Together We Can...." Spencer decided to take a picture of Carson and his friend and call it "Together We Can Build." This was his entry. I thought it turned out cute. I got the little aprons for 77 cents!

We have been working hard on potty training Carson. He has been lackadaisical for quite a while and I'm cracking down on him! The first day was terrible. The second was marvelous. This morning I put on his training undies and he said, "I hope they get hit by lightning." That seemed like a random statement, so I asked, "What? Who?" "The underwear!" he said. Yikes! What am I in for??

Like Father, Like Son

Spencer is eerily like his father in many ways, one of which is taking candid photos of himself.


You see how they are??


That's his gum....

Our Creatures (Great and Small)

Here are some pics of what our pets have been up to.

Dakota had her first bath at the self-service dog wash. This will be a nice option in cold weather. She wasn't crazy about it, but it was easy to use and very convenient, especially since we didn't end up with suds and dog hair all over the house!

Not many days afterward, Dakota came to the door looking like this--excessively happy and covered with mud! I told her to show me what she'd done and she brought me to the muddy hole she just dug and rolled in. Uggghhh!

These pictures actually don't give you anywhere near the idea of how filthy she was. She got a bath from the hose this time!

At the end of the swimming season, one of the nearby pools has a special party just for dogs. They call it the Dog-pool-ooza. Dakota thought it was a riot! She didn't spend much time in the water (next year we'll bring toys) but she had a blast playing with her doggy friends. Some of her pals from the kennel were there and she was delighted to see them again. There were even vendors with all kinds of dog treat samples and coupons.

Let us not forget our dear Slippers, who was helping me make Carson's new curtains on this particular day. Sometimes the way she sits makes me wonder if she was a rabbit in another life. She is a good kitty. She follows me around to tuck the children in at night. She curls up with Spencer and sleeps with him for a while. She also "catches" her toy mice and takes one to each bedroom. Then when I go to bed she comes to spend the rest of the night with me.

It's not a great picture, but there was a beautiful rainbow one evening. We could see about 3/4 of it from our backyard. I love that fresh feeling in the air after a good rain.

Silly Spencer

Spencer is doing well so far in first grade. He seems to be adjusting better now. The other day he came home with two girls' phone numbers in his backpack! Apparently, they like him a lot and they chase him and his friends around the playground at recess. They want Spencer to come and visit them at their homes, so they gave him their numbers and asked for his! He's quite matter-of-fact about the whole thing. I had no idea this would start so early!! Also, I was walking the dog one night when some little girl yelled out, "Hi Spencer's mom!!" I didn't recognize her, but she knew who I was. He's quite a celebrity!


This is my son....

This is my son after the girls have been after him all day....

These are my two sons after they've been playing together!

Not Happy

Carson has a cold. This was our conversation this morning:

C: Mom, are you happy, Mom? Are you?

K: Yes, I'm happy. Are you?

C: No, I'm sick.

Poor baby!

Spencer's Birthday

Yes, I know this is delayed, but I had to put the vacation pics up first. So, Spencer had lots of parties--one with the family, one with friends, and one with Grandma and Grandpa.

He gave me very specific instructions on the cake--vanilla cake with orange frosting, and plastic frogs encircling a #7 candle.

My sister's boys came up to celebrate that night. As you can see, they always have a great time!

The next morning was the friend party. We had five guests, making seven little boys in all! They started by coloring pictures of frogs (for the frog-themed party).

We played some games, including this one where they have to pick up marbles from the bottom of the pool with their toes, then put them in a floating bowl. Spencer had a little meltdown because he couldn't do it and Carson was a pro!

These are all the buddies. They play together outside every chance they get!

The frog toss game.

Froggy story time--I'm going to be a library story time lady some day!

Next was cheeseburgers and fries for lunch, followed by more cake.

Andy hates crumbs, so he vacuumed off each child when they finished eating. They thought it was pretty funny. He is such a clean freak!