Just the three of us, Christmas Eve morning

Santa always comes on Christmas Eve morning around here, because we have several family celebrations in the next few days. James said his final goodbye to Sneaky and went to bed quite excited, but easily. No problems getting him to bed.

At 3am I woke up to the sound of presents being ripped open! James was about 4 presents in before I stood at the top of the stairs and told him to stop. It is nighttime, for Pete's sake!

Here's his damage...

So we made him go back to bed. Jim and I were talking and quite amused by James, and we couldn't go back to sleep either. So when James came back to us half an hour later, "not tired", we decided to just go for it.

At 3:40am James excitedly told us to start a "fila" (line) behind him to get to the presents!

We discovered a few things. James had ripped open a few of his presents but he also ripped through Dad's surprise present. This was baffling since he had HELPED me wrap it and should have recognized it. Oh well.

The other discovery was that the Lego train is remote controlled! OMG!

And last, the Prep and Landing elves forgot their night vision goggles AGAIN.

I love his excited reactions to big and small gifts. Nesquik! Awesome!

Chocolate bar! Yay!

Dad's surprise gift. Another Star Wars print for his Man Cave :)

A Ninjago sweatshirt from Mom and Dad!

 

Angry Birds puzzle! Sweet!

And when we were all done, and the stockings were empty, it was the perfect time to be silly. Stockings don't belong on your feet, silly! Mom and Dad were exhausted, amused, and happy that James was so happy!

 

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Christmas Date

I have declared a new Christmas tradition- a Christmas date with my two boys, and all dressed up! This year I became a subscriber or donor to the Children's Theatre. I have a three pack of tickets to three shows!! The Grinch That Stole Christmas was PERFECT for our Christmas date.

A few weeks ago James told me that he would like to dress "like a man", like his Dad when he wears a tie. Ignoring the connotations of what it is to "be a man" I decided to go with it. I bought James his first dress shirt and tie, presenting it to him just before our big date.

He was fine with wearing it! And it darn near brought tears to my eyes to see him so handsome.

 

 

And then because I am an Instagram addict...

 

We had great seats! The Theatre is a wonderful place. We were about 4 rows from the stage, just slightly off center. Perfect! We had a great view of the stage and actors.

The play was wonderful! Lots of great singing and acting. It was very colorful, active production. James was a bit concerned that he would be scared (of the Grinch), but halfway through the play he turned to us and said, "This isn't so bad!"

 

 

It was a late dinner for us and we headed to Rye Deli in Uptown, at the recommendation of a few friends on Facebook. It was deeeelicious! (GOMV)

 

My boys are so handsome. James looks so proud :)

 

Mom doesn't look so bad either! A dress!!

 

It was a late night for James, but we got to business as soon as we got home. James put out some cookies and milk for Santa. None of those "fancy Mom" cookies, but plain old chocolate chip cookies!

 

Let's hope Santa comes!

 

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Good Times

Mom chillin' on the couch with Darth Vader slippers.

Dad trying to watch football.

James tickling Dad and attacking Dad with pillows.

 

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Sneaky Presentación

James had some serious homework, with a serious deadline. We procrastinated a little but we knew what James was going to do, I was confident that I had the craft materials we needed, and we wanted a weekend night to do it.

 

James set to work. He didn't have a clear idea of what he wanted to do right away, but as it started to take shape he then had some ideas he wanted to implement in his diorama.

His finished project! We tried not to be those parents that did everything for him. I did have to take charge of the hot glue gun. I did need to upload and order the photos. But James had a hand in picking the pictures he wanted to include, the placement, and the choosing of the little items we placed in the diorama.

The parents were invited to the class presentacións and holiday party on the last Friday before Christmas. It's a difficult time to get away from work but we were sure glad to get there. James' little face was so anxious to catch sight of us. He was THRILLED that we came. I paid special attention to his friend Henry because he was disappointed not to see his parents. He looked so letdown. It was sad. I'm sure his parents had jobs they couldn't get away from or something. It just made me determined to always make sure at least one of us can attend these kinds of events. I'm thankful for a flexible job!

The kids were seated at their tables, with their dioramas in place. The kids did not have to make their presentations in front of everyone (like I thought) but instead it was open house style. We were asked to circulate in the classroom and ask the students to recite their memorized lines.

James looked so proud and confident.

It was a busy place but I think you can hear his presentación just fine!

 

After we heard James' presentation a few times (for us and those around us) we started to drift around the room to check out the other kids' work.

Yule log on the classroom smartboard.

George's Mom stopped to listen to James.

Another girl had a diorama about her duende (elf)!

Doble!

 

The kids were asked to color and cut out gingerbread houses for a treat bag village. James quickly set to work.

His table mate, Luis, did not. He was much too busy looking at everything, talking to everyone, and just lighting up the room. I love this little kid. But he cannot focus on one thing! He didn't finish his gingerbread house and the teacher came over and grabbed it up, looking a little frustrated.

 

An obvious holiday lesson on the white board...

The gingerbread village! While the kids played Bingo the treat bags were mysteriously filled with small treats!

James got pretty anxious playing Bingo. He really wanted to win. He didn't.

But a cookie made it all better!

 

Happy Holidays to Señora Kennedy's class!

 

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Bedtime pals

With the loss of Blankie James focused his attention on his stuff pals. Mostly Curious George.

One night at bedtime I found him "reading" his book with an audience.

 

 

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Early holiday g/t

We headed to Grandma Rose's in mid December for an early holiday dinner with familia. I captured a few photos to share here.

Holiday piñata.

 

I appreciated the new scenery for Sneaky setups. We spent the night so Sneaky followed us.

 

 

I didn't like James in the kennel, though it was funny, and I trusted that EVERY part of Grandma's house is clean!

 

At bedtime James ran back to the living room to tell everyone "Get in my belly!"

I don't know why.

 

HELP!

 

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Visiting Santa

We crashed the New Horizon holiday party! No, really, I asked beforehand. They said we are still part of the family and are very welcome, anytime!

This was James' big chance to remind Santa of the list he sent through Sneaky. Just in case James wanted to show Santa the picture of the list (that Mom thoughtfully took a picture of!)

I love Santa's reaction to this high tech list.

I fooled around with the picture...

 

And with my favorite photography app, Instagram.

 

Posed pictures are fun. I really need to ask people to pose more often.

 

This picture was taken right as I was confirming with Santa that he does NOT give money. If you remember James had $100 on his Christmas list. Santa said NO. No money.

 

The New Horizon party always has a craft area and food area. James chowed down on some fruit and blueberry muffins, and then made a gingerbread ornament. The ornament is now on our tree!

 

Santa is always awesome. I'm so glad that we get this up close and personal visit with Santa.

 

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