Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We made family photos and had such great luck with the tripod, we couldn't even agree on which pose to go with. So, we went with four different ones for our cards this year... Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday with safe travels. We made it to see both of our families this year, despite the snow! The kid has had a BIG Christmas!!!

Christmas Happenings...

There's been some cookie making going on around these parts... not just any ole cookies either. the good stuff. the non natural peanut butter, the buttery townhouse crackers, and the god only knows whats in it almond bark melting chocolate. Yep. The peanut butter sandwich cookie. An ole favorite of mine for sure! and as you'll see - now a favorite of my favorite little guy too:)

He often begs to help me cook. Dinner. Snack. Lunch. Smoothies. Anything. He likes to chop, stir, pour, and push buttons on any machine we may be using. He's a great little helper and I love having him with me in the kitchen! I hope he grows up to adore cooking!

We not only made cookies but we even ventured into putting together a few little gingerbread homes with our good friends avery and kelly! The boys had such fun with the icing and decorations! i could barely get abram to stop eating the m&m's!! somehow his little house has many more gumdrops and skittles than m&m's - because those ended up in his mouth!

As you can see above, someone, not naming any names of course, was very busy trying to sneak m&m's when mom wasn't looking. ahem. We did make it home this day and he barely ate lunch so i'm guessing he overdid it on the snacks. But his little gingerbreads homes turned out just adorable:) I have them displayed in the dining room. 

We venture out on our travels later this week to visit with family and friends, something we do each year. Getting to see both of our families during such a special time of year is truly a blessing and we are so grateful to have them time off from work to do so!

Santa's Reindeer

Our latest Christmas predicament...

Kid: How Santa come here?

Mom: Well, he has a great big sleigh pulled by his reindeer!

Kid: Oh No. (big sigh)

Me: What's wrong?

Kid: I don't like Reindeer.

Me: How come?

Kid: They'll eat my pants!!

Christmas Decor

Beautiful Lighting at our township tree lighting... 

Yes, we finally decorated that beautiful tree. Just after attending our township tree lighting. We've gone the past several years and speak of making it a 'tradition' but it is always so so bone chillingly cold, that every year, I leave swearing I won't go the next time. Then, we do.  Honestly though, next year, I am not going. well see.

Husband and kid put white lights on our two little pines outside, one on either side of our front door. and I, yes ME, I even put a wreath on the door with a xmas bow! The little guy loved putting decorations up and only broke a couple. Not bad for a two year old.

I must admit, though i do not like seasonal decorations, (because if i'm being honest they seem like a waste of time) and though it cost a small fortune - I do love our tree. It is such a lovely shape, height, and color. Thankfully, my mother held out hope, for years I suppose, that I would someday come around to putting up a tree. When I unloaded all the decorations she's given me over the years, well they are so adorable and just my style!! Thanks Mom!

A final picture of the finished tree is to come...

Elizabeth Farms trip

We headed to Elizabeth Farms in Lancaster County today to chop down our very own live Christmas Tree!  We've passed this xmas tree farm along the PA turnpike for many years during this time of year. We would see the horses pulling wagons out to the fields and kids and families piled on. This year, we joined the fun:)

The kid loved the wagon ride and seeing the horses plug along. we even rode through a creek at one point, with the kid exclaiming, "We go thru a river!!"

The trails back to the trees were windy, muddy, and went through some beautiful scenery. We looked for a perfect tree, and of course, there was no perfect tree. So we settled for a good one. The highest we wanted was a 7 footer, especially after checking out the prices at this joint. Ouch. 

Thankfully there were complimentary saws for our use. I hadn't thought for a second to cart my own saw and hatchet! We chose our tree, cut it down, and tagged the top with our name & number. Wagons came by, picked up the trees and took them to the loading area.

 Taking his turn on the hand saw... he was dying to get in there and help Daddy!

Arriving back at the barn, we visited Santa's workshop in the barn and the gift shop 'round back. The kid sipped on free hot cocoa while I browsed over priced tree stands. We had to buy one since we've never had a live tree before. This tree stand better last forever is all i'm saying!

On our way out, the boys had a chance to visit the farm animals - sheep, goats, and chickens! They were more than thrilled when they got a few Cockadoodle-do's out of those chickens! Clearly we aren't normally hangin' round chickens in these parts...

The tree is in the stand, trimmed, watered and white lights are on. Decorations will come tomorrow evening hopefully. When the kid came down after nap, he grinned from ear to ear when he spotted it - and the lights weren't even on!

It's That time of Year!

Yep. December. I'm slightly overwhelmed at all that needs to happen in the next month. The shopping. The tree. The decorations. The parties. The cookies. The travels. Thank heavens I already took the kid to visit Santa - before thanksgiving, i might add, there were no lines. Not one little soul in front of us.

The Santa in the King of Prussia mall? well, he is The Santa. You know, the real deal. Not one of those helper Santa's. See for yourself. Not only did I practically get goosebumps as he waved at me, the kid was so giddy with excitement, he could barely stand it!

Before he hopped on the ole guys lap, he ran through the ropes, and stood in front of him, jumping up and down, grinning and reaching for him.  Once Saint Nick reached for him too, the kid was up on his lap, all grins and giggles. and this was the year I thought he'd cry. Boy was I wrong. 


And wow, looking back at his other Santa pics, he's grown up and finally realized just who he's sitting with!

On another note, Miss Emma, his favorite teacher on the planet, her last day was Nov 19. We were ALL sad. we ALL loved her. She moved on to a better position. Miss Julia is still in the room (as she has always been) thank goodness, but he's still having a very hard time adjusting to the loss of Emma. One example - today, on the note sent home, it reads:

"Abram was crying a lot for Mommy and Daddy today. He kept saying "I want my Julia" if I left the room and then crying. Have a great night!"

Have a great night. Really? Really. It just breaks my heart to pieces. He is getting old enough now to really say what he wants and feels. And it can be heartbreaking and sad at times:(

The past two nights he's said: "I want DADDY to read my books! G'night Mommy!"

Did I mention heartbreaking? Ahem...  I'm trying to... adjust?

2 1/2 Years Old!

These conversations with a 2 1/2 year old. I smile just thinking about them. I can't keep track of them anymore. I was trying to write every single one down. But now. Well there's just too many.

One recent Friday, with Dad at work, and me home with the kid, I opted to make some cinnamon rolls. After his protests of really wanting pancakes or waffles, I finally convinced him cinnamon rolls were fantastic and he agreed to eat them (he didn't). I'm cooking while he is rolling across our tiny kitchen floor, over and over, then spots a rip in our linoleum.

"What HAPPENED right there?" he says, pointing to the spot.

"Oh it got ripped somehow."

"You better Tell DAD!" he exclaimed, standing up, as if Dad will be upset and shocked over the news of a 4 year old linoleum rip.

"Oh I better huh?"

"Yeah. And you better FIX it!" He began to run circles around the spot.

"Wheres Dad?"

"He's at work."

"Oh. You better Tell him Mommy! It Ripped!"

"I will Abram. I'll tell him."

"Mommy!!!!! Mommy!!!"

"Yes Abram"

"I have ear wax!" he declares, cramming his finger in his ear, grinning.

Thats just one little cute sample of this 2 1/2 year olds thought process. I'm in love.

Yep. The Kid. He's officially 2 1/2 today. Once he turned two, I quit counting it by the month. So this 1/2 way mark, its a big deal. 2 years and 6 months. Only 6 months more until age 3. 3?!? 3. wow. I won't go there. I'll just focus on the here and now. The 2 1/2 mark.

What is going on with the kid at this age? well,  mostly lots of singing, dancing, and laughter. some hilarious conversations and interesting chit chat. plenty of deep sleep, potty breaks, and choosy meals. and occasionally a time out, tantrum, and bedtime tears.

When Dads away...

Me and my little guy. We have the weekend together. Just the two of us. Hanging out. I wouldn't describe it as relaxing per say, but it is nice. Mommy Son Time. But we miss Daddy too...

"Where's Daddy?" he asked last night.

"New York" I replied.

"Oh. Daddy in New York?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes! New York," I said, as we curled up under blankets to watch a Kipper movie.

"Ohhhhh," he said, leaning in to me.

Kipper. The little British dog. We've gotten into these Netflix movies. Movie night is a special treat when either mom or dad is away. We cozy up and have movie night. Kippers movies are about 40 minutes each. Just right.

Today, we ventured out on a few errands and mostly - shopping. I had some things to return, some birthday shopping to do, some ornament shopping to do, and also a quick stop at Trader Joes. In the midst of trying to birthday shop, I found myself running after him on occasion, darting my eyes to and fro to keep him in sight, and hastily trying to make purchase decisions. He wasn't being bad. He was just being TWO. Being Him. As we exited, I realized I was sweating!! Mama was wore out.

Clearly, this running after, this scramble that we do - its frequent. We even have pictures;)

The kid. So far gone you can't see him. But you can imagine I'm sure... his laughter. his little feet.

Me - in action, on the chase. Abram - laughing, running, grinning, and loving it.

OOh right  - Back to our weekend.

Throughout the day he asked again - "Where's Daddy?"

"New York."

"AGAIN?!?!?" he exclaimed... and shook his head. As if Dad had come home in the night, leaving for New York yet again before the kid woke up.

The sweet man who checked me out at Trader Joes gave me lots of great tips on how to prepare my very first tofurkey, with lots of details on how to get it 'just right'. I did lots of nodding and tried to listen. I really did. But the Kid. I cannot recall one thing that sweet man said. Which really is a shame. My tofurkey is probably going to be all screwed up now.

"Where's Daddy?" yep. he kept on asking.

"New York."

"Again!" he sighed.

Yep. I smiled. Again.

He loves his Daddy.

Our evening was spent with lots of playtime including golf, puzzles, books,  Mr. Potato head, and his little people farm.

"Where's his Mommy?" he asked, bringing the pig over to me.

"I'm not sure. Maybe his mommy could be the Cow. or the horse?" I suggested, knowing his farm only had one piggie.

"No No. NO. cow not his mommy. not horse. he needs his mommy," and he walked back to farm, as if searching for her.

"Here's his mommy!! Here. Look!" and he raced over to me holding the Pig and The Farmer.

He placed them both on his little table, facing one another, close as they could be, like they were hugging.

"There. There's his Mommy. Now Pig Happy! He HAPPY!" He grinned from ear to ear.

It just melted my heart. Right there on the spot.
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*Photos featured in this post are from our first attempt at end of year family photos. Yes 'first'. Ahem. We went twice, due to 'cooperation issues' on behalf of those below the age of 3, as well as 'not happy with the options' issues on behalf of those below the age of 31. Between our first and second attempt combined - well, i'm happy;) 

Twinkle Twinkle Solo...

You'll need your volume turned up pretty high to hear the kid but he's a singin' Twinkle Twinkle as best he can:)

Bedtime Blues

We follow the same bedtime ritual every single night. We've read the books, you know, the books that tell you how to be a parent, the ones we check out of the library in hopes of some Ah-Ha moments and some "OHHH thats what to do!" advice. Well the books tell us to have a bedtime ritual that you follow. always. every night. and that it will be so routine, the kids knows what to expect. and will go to bed willingly, without a fuss.

Jam Jams put on by Mom at 7:15.

Brush Teeth with Dad at 7:25.

Watch a 22 minute show from 7:30 - 7:52. seriously, exactly 22 minutes.

The kid hits the tv off button at 7:53.

Kisses & Hugs to Dad (once in awhile to mom if dad puts him to sleep) at 7:55.

Walk upstairs to read three books in the rocker.

Get into bed.

Mom sings 4-5 songs And gives night night kisses.

About 3 more requests for Baa Baa Black Sheep.

"Baa Baa Black Sheep one more time, please. one more time," he says, holding up his little index finger and looking up at me with those eyes.

"Okay. One more time." I sing it.

"Night Night Sweetheart," and I lean in to give one last kiss.

I'm Walking out, pulling the door up, "AHHHH Baa Baa Black SHeep!!! ONE MORE TIME. PUH-LEASE Mommy!!!! BAA BAA SHeep!!!" crying crying with sobs into the pillow. mumbling about the sheep song he so desperately needs to hear 5 times before he can sleep.

I give in. and sing it softly from the door way. All done.

"Go get my Daddy. Don't shut that Door!" he states.

Dad goes up for one more final goodnight. and he probably gets suckered into singing Baa Baa Black Sheep one more time. Not Kidding.

He requests me again, always does. and the door to stay open. as usual. I don't go up. and his door gets shut.

He cries. Yep. The same ole routine and he still cries about it... those books. liars. 

Diaper Free Days!

The kids first diaper free day at daycare was a complete Success!! No Accidents!!

After finding out the kids favorite teacher in the whole wide world is leaving, Ms. Emma, (insert a big long sad sigh here - sigh), we decided to go for it while we still had her on board!! 

He picked out Diego underoos that morning and left dad with a "i not pee on diego" at bye bye time... 

Diego & Abram both came home dry and happy:)  Mom & Dad are pretty stinkin' happy too! 

Musical Loves

Favorite songs in the car are:
1. Living for the City by Stevie Wonder (he calls it his "sippy song")
2. Veggie Tales Theme Song  (he calls this his "apple song")
3. Lady Gaga (he knows her voice the second he hears it! if only i liked her music - i dont!)

Favorite songs for us to sing to him: 

1. Baa Baa Black Sheep (he requests this constantly, even last night while we were out to dinner!) 

2. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (he really gets serious singing this one, eyebrows focused)

3. ABC song (he gets lost in the middle but still pulls it off)

Favorite songs with hand motions at home: 

1. Zacchaeus was a wee Little Man (His favorite!! favorite!) 

2. Deep & Wide (too funny watching him do this one) 

3. This Little Light of Mine (he constantly wants to blow out the light lol) 

Favorite songs at daycare: 

1. Wheels on the Bus (hand motions and all) 

2. Who Let the Dogs Out (i finally realized why he knew this song ha!) 

3. Freeze Dance (the singer yells freeze and all the two year olds stop - so so cute!) 

Favorite songs to dance to at home: 

1. Diego Theme Song (self explanatory, he loves loves diego)

2. Rockin' around the Christmas Tree (w/ his dancing xmas penguins that stay out all year round)

3. Jingle Bell Rock (with his dancing xmas bear all year round, and needs batteries constantly)

Old favorites that he doesn't care about anymore: 

1. B-I-N-G-O (thank heavens, i sang this so much to get him to sleep i hate it now)

2. Any other Christmas songs except the two above (i've tried, he says "no no mommy")

3. Old MacDonald had a Farm (good. i never liked it anyway)

What do you think - is he ready for guitar lessons yet? Perhaps he needs a proper guitar first.

Halloween!

Last year, Halloween was fun. He was an adorable monster. But it rained Halloween night. Husband was not with us. and the kid wasn't of the age to really get it. But this year. This year - he got it. And we basically celebrated Halloween all day long my friends! Those little pumpkins we picked up at the farm? We started our day over at the neighbors painting those jewels:) The boys got into it, with globs of paint, and lots of it.

We worked in a good nap and a hearty lunch of fish sticks so he'd be fully energized for tonight. Our friends came over at 5pm for some pizza, fruit salad, and apple ciders. We headed out just after 6 and the boys were full steam ahead. Strange because this year, we hadn't set the clocks back yet. So as we ventured out, it was still a bit light outside... but the darkness soon set it. The boys carried pumpkin flashlights to see the way! and their treat bags of course! 

The kid was a bat and his trick-or-treating buddy was a Robot.  We live in a good neighborhood for trick or treating - houses aren't too far apart, but plenty to get to without wearing the kids out. It was so fun and we saw lots of neighborhood friends and kids and even some pets - all dressed up. The kid still got tired though ha. Here he is waiting on his friend at one point (Avery kept stopping along the way to eat treats ha!). 

Here are the dads with the boys, and then us moms with our boys too:) 

After just over an hour of trick-or-treating, the boys were getting tired, wanting to eat their candy, and wanting to just play! So we went back home and sat our front together, handing out some treats and letting the boys play... and eat some treats too of course!

Once trick-or-treating hours had closed, we took the party inside our neighbors and stayed way past the boys bedtimes... they were amped up on chocolate, sugar, and playing their hearts out! We finally walked the 10 ft back to our own house... put on jam jams and eventually got the kid settled into his bed, despite his desperate pleas against it! 

Fall Fun...

Summer kept us busy, a fun kinda busy - but fall has kept us here more than gone and relaxed more than busy. It's been nice. I admit, I like the busy. The travel. The running to and fro. But this relaxation and go with the flow has been - peaceful. and still fun:)

we spent our day at the pumpkin patch and did some other fall-ish stuff, like go walking, play time in our pine needle covered back yard, head to the park, and head toward amish country in pursuit of some gorgeous fall colors...

The kid - he's growing. and growing. and talking more and more. He tells me he had a "good day" and what he ate for lunch at school. He loves music, movies, and snacks. Not much has changed:)

We had never taken this amazing trail near our house, near as in 3 miles away! The Struble Trail is paved so its great for biking or walk. It is mostly level with some minor hills. When we walked it today, the leaf colors were amazing... it reminded us of why we love this time of year! Those fall colors, the leaves overflowing with beauty, the stream beside us, and field in the distance and even a few barns way off - we were surrounded by the most incredible sites:)

As usual though, I was obsessed with just taking pictures of the kid. and for once I had the camera.  So I have no beautiful leaf pictures to show. Hope you all have your own leaves... :) And I can't help but post a way back when picture too. Dad and the kid hiking Feb 2009, and then today, Oct 2010. Oh how my boy is growing up. And today was the last day he will be in that backpack. Whoa! Our shoulders may never be the same again!

Hurricane Hills Farm

Last year we ended up in pumpkin patch madness at the end of October. Going on a hayride with mobs of other families, after waiting in line for 30 minutes or more, is not the most fun trip to the 'country' around here... so, after chatting up with our friends next door, we opted to go in mid-October and to a different location. Being west of the big city, we decided to head even a bit further west and arrive on a Sunday morning, the moment they opened those gates. Abram's buddy Avery and his parents met us there and the boys loved it. And I - well I loved the lack of madness and craze that we endured last year... Now, we have a new tradition that we plan to keep!

 We started with the hayride out to the pumpkin patch... the boys ran around looking for a good pumpkin and turning over dirty ones while us mom's found ones we could actually take home! And the dads - well, they made pictures... We went for one large, one medium, and one small. The small was for the boys pumpkin painting project for Halloween morning.

There was also a corn maze we wandered into, got lost briefly, and wound our way back to some face painting... we requested a spider for the kids face. I could not believe how still he sat and how careful he was to not touch his spider:) 

There were so many activities for the boys! Corn Maze, Hayride, Pumpkin Patch, Corn Tube Slide, Sheep & Goats to pet, Corn Cob Canon, the list goes on... the only thing the kid was not fond of - well, it was the Cow Ride I stuck him on.  He was so in love with rides at Tweetsie, I thought nothing of plopping him in that cow train and sending him off with a wave and a "have fun!"

Yea, not so much. He cried the whole ride. The. Whole. Time. Apparently, having Mom on the ride is a pretty critical part of him loving rides. Oops. Point Taken.  

Oh, and can I say, I ate the best, repeat BEST, pumpkin whoopie pie of my life at this place. Whoopie pies are hit and miss. Some are good. Some aren't worth eating. This one - well, it was the melt in your mouth, ooey goey, buttery, moist, kinda whoopie pie. A Whole category all its own. If only I had a picture. Sigh...  We even drove by there weeks later, out of the way, just to see if that little booth was setup. Not kidding. And it wasn't. Those miles back home were long, tasteless ones. 

Oh right. Back to the kid.

He just Loved this tractor;) More updates to come... !!