A Christmas Concert

 There is nothing like your firstborn's very first public performance.  It is one of those things that I dreamed about when I was pregnant.  And it did not diappoint.  Watching 'The Boy' sing his little heart out warmed mine like I cannot even describe.

Last year, 'The Boy' didn't start preschool until January so, we missed out on the only show they do all year.  This year,  I marked it on my calendar in September. 

He was so excitied at home when we were getting ready.  He eagerly begged us to leave the house an hour early.  He talked about it the whole 5 minute drive to school.  When we got there he ran to his teacher and told her how excited he was to line up.  He was the line leader, a very important job to have.

We were so lucky to get front row seats right in front of his spot. 

 Here comes the line leader.

Ready to sing and try to stand still for the next 10 minutes.

 Before, durning and after the songs he would point and wink at us.  Where did he learn that?

 Some of his classmates.  I love the little ones covering their ears whenever we clapped.  'The Boy' soaked the applause up.

 Singing.  The little guy next to him didn't open his mouth once.

 'Munchkin' wanted so badly to get up on stage with him.  Mimi did a great job containing her.  I think she enjoyed the performance.

 'The Boy' was even more excited when the show was over and he got to eat this awesome lollipop cookie.

 Well done, little man!  We are so very proud of you!

Like A Fish

'The Boy' has been taking swimming lessons since the beginning of the summer but, being the awful memory keeper that I've been these last 7 months, this was the first time I remembered my camera and to use it.  Never mind that I frantically searched for the camera moments before we had to leave for lessons because this was his last of the year and we don't start back up again until May. 

Eh, better late than never.

Over the last six months, 'The Boy' has gone from petrified of the the water and screaming every time he got close to the edge of the pool to jumping in and swimming small distances on his own.  His favorite, he tells me, is the back float because he gets to use his body to make a letter 'T'. 

I am so beyond proud of his growth and accomplishments (moving up two levels) in the pool.  Miss Amanda has been a wonderful teacher and we hope she has an available class come spring. 

Never thought our little guy would be such a little fish.  Just keep swimming...

November to Remember

Aside from spending date night in the Emergency Room, November had us busy...

...'The Hubs' started work on a Laundry Room makeover for me...

...'The Boy' fell in love with his train table all over again when we moved it into the playroom...

...This one just got even cuter...

...these guys treated me and washed the dishes one night...

...'The Boy' let us know what he is thankful for...

...'Munchkin' got a park play date with Mommy all to herself...

...we took the kids to the pet shop on a rainy afternoon and got lucky to leave without and animal...

...spent the morning coloring in our jammies...

...and she worked on making a grocery list...

...got a little tangled up...yes, I took his picture before I helped him...

...got the stomach flu...first her...

...then him four days later...

...and pranced around in some new shoes.

November...you were an eventful one.

Thanksgiving

We had a small Thanksgiving this year.  Just us four with Gigi and Pop.  I was kind of bummed at first because I love putting together a huge feast but when it came down to it, small was just what we needed.  This Mommy has been getting tired and all that preparation would have been way too much.

The night before, I started a brine for the turkey and lined up apples to make a gala apple pie.  About an hour later, I put the apples back in the fruit bowl and called my mom to ask her to bring dessert.

I had good intentions.

We set the turkey in one of the kids plastic toy bins to brine overnight.  It was cleaned very well beforehand.  I give myself a gold star for being so resourceful.

My new centerpiece for the dining room table.

The table all set and ready.  I need to get pretty Thanksgiving dinnerware for next year.  Our wedding china just doesn't go as well as I had planned.

I went through all of the pictures on my camera and cannot believe that this is all that I had taken.  There aren't even any people in them! 

All that matters, I guess, is that we had a great dinner.  The turkey was so good, and Paula Deen's sausage stuffing did not disappoint.  And, I had plenty of time to prepare for my Black Friday shopping trip while the boys did the dishes.  Not a bad holiday if I do say so myself.