Christmas

I just realized that I never posted anything about Christmas. I think that everyone in our family had a good Christmas and got most of what they wanted.

On the Saturday before Christmas, Bruce and I hosted his parents and two siblings (with spouses and children) for their family Christmas. The boys got International Harvestor (a tractor) t-shirts from Grandpa & Grandma and then some farm machinery that they can pull behind their tractors. Santa made a surprise appearence also. None of my boys were scared to sit on his lap. Santa gave the boys each a book and asked them what they wanted. Nathan's list: a DS, a DSi, a Wii, a bike, and a tall ladder. When Santa asked why he wanted a ladder he told him it was so that he can climb things. Duh! Darren's list was basically a repeat of everything that Nathan asked for; including the ladder. Justin wasn't to sure of Santa when he sat on his lap. He kept looking at his beard/face and then looking at Bruce and I. He wasn't sure what to think.

The next day, on Sunday, we had my Dad's siblings extended Christmas. The kids didn't get any gifts there, but Santa also put in an appearence. When they sat on Santa's lap, they did each get a gift from Santa.

We were at my parents on Christmas Eve. Mom had decided years ago that she wanted to treat all her grandkids fairly, and she didn't know how many she would have with five kids, that she would just give a small gift at Christmas and birthdays and then put money in their savings account. Nathan and Darren got Loramie shrits and Justin got a pair of pj's. They each got some gifts from their godparents also. They had a lot of fun playing with their new toys and playing with their cousins.

On Christmas morning, the boys opened gifts from Santa at our house. They got some clothes (boring I know), tractors and acessories, semi's with a trailer, and bikes. Although Justin actually got a 6 volt battery operated four-wheeler. Nathan got a Loramie coat and Darren and Justin got some type of Leap Frog learning games. The family got a new computer and Bruce and I got a deep fryer. (Guess who wanted that?)

Later on Christmas Day, some friends/neighbors from down the street had a party and we went down to their house with the kids for a while. Once they got tired, I stayed home with the kids and Bruce went back to the party.

Overall, it was a good Christmas and it was very enjoyable seeing everyone.

Infamous movie line

"I hate your stinkin guts." That was the phrase that came out of Darren's mouth directed to me. Immediately I get angry. I said,"You don't say that to your Mom. Go stand in the corner and the next time you say it, you will get in big trouble." He looks at me with a hurt and upset look and walks over to the corner. Nathan saved the day for Darren. He told me that was a phrase they say in the movie "Little Rascals." I apologized to Darren and told him that he could get out of the corner.

The movie "Little Rascals" plays quite a bit on the Family channel and the boys have to watch it every time it is on. Darren walks around the house quite a bit uttering, "I hate your stinkin guts." and thinks it is funny. I think Darren found a new favorite movie!

Co-conspiritor

On Christmas Ever we were at my parents house opening gifts with the family. We were done opening gifts and we were just sitting around visiting when Darren and Jenna (my niece who is the same age as Darren) got out my Mom's doll babies and clothes. They played with them for a while, much to Bruce's chagrin, before they moved onto something else. As Darren was walking thru the living room Dad called Darren over to him. He said, "Grab your housewife and pick up the dolls and clothes please." Darren immediately went and got Jenna and began picking up the toys. How funny was it that Darren knew who Dad/Grandpa was talking about right away?

Spoon

The other day, Justin was playing around with a spoon while I was in the kitchen with him. All of a sudden he started crying. I look over and determine that he got the scooped part of the spoon stuck between the gap in his two front teeth.

I "rescue" him by removing the spoon while laughing with concern. I was too shocked to think about grabbing my camera and getting a picture, but I assure you it was pretty funny!

Feeling better

A week ago, Justin came down with a cold and for the last week, you could tell that he was just not himself. He wasn't the usual happy-go-lucky kid that he usually is. By last Friday though his real personality was starting to emerge. Over the weekend, he was back to normal. His scrunched-up nose smile that melts my heart everytime I see it. How he has to give everyone in the house a hug and kiss before he goes to bed every night. Can I keep him at this age?

Good or bad influence?

Bruce's Dad had asked if we would go to Versailles on Sunday morning to visit with Santa and eat breakfast that the K of C was putting on. When I got Justin up Sunday morning I could tell that he had a fever so I told Bruce to just take the two older boys and I would stay home with Justin. I try to give Justin breakfast, but he takes two nibbles out of his cereal bar and decides that he had enough. So I grab his sippy cup, his blankie and go sit in the living room with him. I could tell that he did not feel well because he did not get off my lap for the entire two, two and a half hours he sat there. However....

Later that morning as soon as his brothers walked in the door, it was like a new kid came off my lap. He got off my lap laughing and he started running around like nothing was wrong. Apparently he just needed to recharge his batteries.

Mr. Social

I am not sure if I posted what we learned at Nathan's parent teacher conference in October, but the teacher said that Nathan is very social. He likes to visit instead of doing his work, so she has to warn him several times. We have talked to him about it and I think that he has gotten better at listening and not getting so many warnings.

It was neat to watch him interact with the other kids last night at the Christmas concert that the school put on. He was sitting in front of the 1st graders and he happened to be sitting in front of my friends' child. They have played together before, but Nathan was passing out high-fives and just talking to everyone within his area. Apparently he doesn't know a stranger!