Monday/Tuesday: Christmas time

Yesterday we had a Christmas party with Ben's Dad's family.  It was nice to see them too, especially since it had been a year for many of them.  It's amazing how time flies.

Ben found this air hockey like game for the boys to open and play.  They loved it and we heard giggles the whole time the adults were doing their game.

Today we opened up presents with just our little family.  The boys ended up with more presents than I had been expecting, but oh well.  :)  It was fun.

Sunday: things kids say

Isaac is working on a Lego set with Ben and Joshua.

Isaac: I need to get a drink of water.  Save my seat.

a few minutes later...

Isaac: I have a headache.  And that is why I drink.

*******

Joshua, about 20 times a day: I'll tell you this.  Tells you something.

Saturday: Christmas party

Grey Bear got a bath today.  I've been threatening to do this for a year or so, but I smelled him again yesterday and realized he really, really needed one.  He smelled much better afterwards and while I doubt he enjoyed the experience, I'm sure he's happier now...just look at that smile.

We went to a Christmas party today with one of Ben's extended families.  It was nice to see everyone; I'm pretty sure it's been a year since I've seen many of them.  One of Ben's cousin's children had grown up enough to run around with Isaac and Joshua and it was pretty cute.

The cousin: what's your name?
Joshua: Joshua
TC: What's your brother's name?
Joshua: Isaac
TC: What's your dad's name?
Joshua: Ben, but Isaac and I call him Dad.

Friday: fridge

We finally got our new fridge today.  Although I feel like I haven't been making dinner a lot lately, it'll still be really nice to have all the food in the kitchen instead of spread throughout the house.

Joshua helped me take all the stuff out today before the new one came.  Then this evening he commented on how sometimes it's a good idea to do a big clean.  He's so right...I got a ton of containers back after throwing away food that had migrated to the back of the fridge.  Next time I clean I should probably do it this way again and not just look for the stuff that needs to be removed.

Thursday: Joshua

I went to pick up Joshua from school today and he was adamant that I close my eyes while he put something in his backpack.  It's Christmas time, so I figured it was a present.  I was rather surprised when the teacher came over a minute later with his present to give to us.

Once we got home he showed me the paper (the green one).  It's our family, a table (which was going to be a cat but then was too small), our cats, and four houses.  It's super cute, but I don't know why it was such a secret.

The boys also got a little bit of Christmas money today.  Isaac thought of something very reasonable to spend his on.  Joshua, on the other hand, said that he's saving for Great Wolf Lodge, a Disney cruise, Disney, and Animal Kingdom (although he meant Epcot).  But probably not in that order...probably Disney before the cruise.  I asked him if he realized that those were all expensive things and he said he realized that, but he really wants to do MagicQuest at Great Wolf Lodge.

Wednesday: forgot to post

Today was a rather relaxing day.  The kids were at school and I didn't have to work.

I did a little bit of quilt stuff that is easier to do with no one at home.  I continued to work on wrapping presents.  I went to the Wednesday morning karate class.  (Which was quite empty and wonderful.)  I took a nap.  Picked up the kids.  Heated up leftovers for dinner.  Helped the kids get through their chores.  Watched TV with Ben.

Tuesday: with pictures

First, last night's pictures that I missed.

Joshua made about four Christmas trains (without any help):

Tornado tried to help Isaac with his homework:

This morning I finished grading and got grades in.  Yay!  Most people that were worried will be happy with their grade, but there are a few won't be happy.

I finally trashed the diaper bag.  It had been riding around in the back of the car for the last two years, barely touched.  Then it sat in the garage for a while.  Anyway, it did a good job when it was just Isaac but gave up the ghost by the end of Joshua's time.  I was not sad to see it go.  Nor am I sad that I don't have to change diapers any more.

I got my hair cut!  It's been donated.  I keep thinking I'm not going to grow it out that long again and then I do.  We'll see what happens this round.  Oh, it's a bit wet in the picture.  It poofed a bit.

Isaac brought this song home.  It promptly got stuck in my head...except I couldn't remember any of the verbs.

The amazon guy had his arms full!  It's a bit sad (in a first world problem way).  I had our house helpers wrap the other half of the gifts and after the boxes came I realized they had barely finished half.

Isaac is the star student on Friday.  When he grows up he wants to be a scientist on magnets.  (I.e., using magnets to develop new applications.)  Is there a name for this specific field?  Ben and I couldn't find one.