Scary Santa

Once again we've struck out with regards to the Santa photos. We have been talking about the "sitting" on Santa's lap for weeks now and Aiden has been so excited. He's even beeen carrying his wish book around with him in anticipation of the big visit.

Well needless to say Aiden is still very scared of him...and it didn't help that the guy looked like he'd just been put on work release from prison. He had NO personality and no enthusiasm. Where do they find these guys?? What happened to the jolly old guy with a big fat belly and the "fake but looked sort of real" beard. Our fine Apple Blossom Mall (BLECK) santa had a very stringy REAL beard....it was all just icky! (He actually reminded us of BBT in Bad Santa)

Is there anywhere else to take the kids to see a santa without traveling an hour away??

A Callas Christmas

Deorations, dancing, eating, presents and family...oh my!

Christmas this year has been a whirlwind, that's for sure. Luckily we were able to stay local and just do some short distance traveling to visit extended family. I love staying home for Christmas, For one, it makes all the decorating well worth it come the big day and two, it makes life so much easier with a toddler terror on the lose (I say that with all the love in the world..wink)!

Christmas eve we traveled to Waynesboro, PA to visit Luke's grandfather (the man's in his eighties and you would never know it). Luke was unable to join us, as work called again this year (one of these days he will have the holiday off). Papa, as we call him, has been working on a train masterpiece for quite some time and given that Aiden just adores anything having to do with trains, Papa became his favorite person this holiday season! We spent a great deal of time in the basement admiring his work of art.

We were also able to spend some time with Luke's cousins who we don't get to see but once a year. Aiden has a second cousin, Joshua who he just adores. He follows Josh around like a little shadow. We all had a great time hanging out, eating and catching up on each other's lives.


Christmas day had finally arrived! Luke worked over night so I kept Aiden upstairs until Luke got home and changed (poor baby..he was absolutely exhausted but kept himself awake all mroning just for us!). We decided that it would be best to bring down one big gift at a time. When Aiden woke up from sleeping all night he came downstairs to find a basketball hoop. He was more than excitded about his new toy! He played with daddy all morning while I cooked everyone breakfast. When we finally pried Aiden away for the hoop, we got him to open one gift from under the tree. Last year Aiden was NOT into opening gifts at all. This year...totlally different stroy. He ripped through the paper and to his surpirse found a 'shoo shoo' as he likes to call it. The remainder of the monring was spent playing with the two new toys Santa brought him.

Luke's side of the family came to our house this year to spend the day. Everyone arrived around 2pm and instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, we decided to go light on the food and cooked things like meatballs and pigs in a blanket. I broke down and cooked mashed potatos (I can't live without them) and then we had a plethora of desserts (of course)!

When Aiden woke up from his nap we decided to let him discover his second BIG gift from Santa, a kitchen (while the basketball somehow dissapeared for the rest of the day). Down the stairs he came and when he saw it, his eyes lit up so big! Overwhelmed he was but he sat at that kitchen and made us all a wonderful dinner :)

After we ate we dug into the sea of gifts under the tree. Aiden was certainly beside himself with all the opening. He spent the remainder of the day playing with his kitchen, his new tools, and Nana and Poppy got him a Police Cozy Coupe that he couldn't stay away from (needless to say our child got WAY TOO MANY GIFTS this year)!

It was a great day!

On a side note some of the more notable gifts received this year:

I got a beautiful new charm bracelet (I lost my other one) and my first charm says 'I love to swim'! Oh yeah..and I got a wet suit...YIPPEE!!

Luke got a gym membership that he's been asking for, for about a year now.

Robyn got a new computer and a locket from Aiden that says 'Nana'.

We are all truly blessed to be healthy and together on this Christmas!!

Here are some pics from our Christmas festivities!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

December Catch-up

Where did this month go. Here it is Christmas Eve and it felt like my birthday was yesterday. (Time, please SLOW down)!

I made a pact with myself this year that I would try to do as many seasonal things as I could with Aiden and I believe that my goal has been accomplished. Our tree went up super early this year! Aiden just loves it. Each morning he wakes up, runs out into the hall way and points down the stairs yelling 'tree' (in the cute little way that he does). When we come downstairs, he makes sure that all the lighs are on. We have a little Charlie Brown tree in the back of the house and he goes over and plugs it in along with the lights that drape the mantle. This same routine occurs in the evening as well, when he realizes that it's getting dark outside.

We have been very good about getting out around town and taking part in all the festivities of the season. Last month we took Aiden to see the parade in downtown Winchester and the lighting of the tree. And ff course we have now seen Santa about five times and each has ended in disaster (and by disaster I mean meltdown of tears which ususally lands him a 'pop' i.e. candycane)!

Last week Luke and I took Aiden to Clearbrook Park for the Winter Wonderland of lights. I was pleasantly suprised about how great it looked. We decided to go on one of the coldest nights of the year (go figure) but we still managed to have a great time. Aiden was in awe of everything (that's until we went to see Santa again in his cabin...MELTDOWN). Santa aside, I think he had a great time.

I have been doing so much baking and crafting this year. After some not so good luck in the beginning at bread baking, I think I have finally mastered it (it really doenst make any sense, as I have been making bread for years and have NEVER had this many problems). In addition to my breads I have branched out and conquered fudge (cookies and cream and it's DELISH) and a number of other goodes have been added to my repertoire this year!

I have also made all of my christmas gifts this year (well not Aiden's gifts of course, but the ones for extended family). Someone suggested I make blown egg ornaments as gifts so I decided to give it a try. Now for those of you who don't know, I am creatively challenged. I must say though, they turned out pretty good (I'll post pics later). They definitly look like a beginner's work but it's the thought that counts right??

'Tis the season!! I LOVE IT!

OH YEAH...here's an update on our little seed:

Aiden is talking so much these days. His vocabulary expands each day and it's incredible to watch. The other day he looked at me and said 'hey catch mommy' as he launched a large ball at my head. A sentence...well almost right? I screeched with glee! My little man is growing up.

Potty training has been put on the back burner for now. His interest has diminished, as there are WAY too many other things to be doing these days (pulling the Christmas tree ornamants down, playing with all the decoreations aroudn the house, dancing to Christmas music). He could careless about using the 'big boy' potty!

We are trying to get him to understand about the baby in mommy's belly. When asked what's in my belly he says baby and he gives her kisses every night (so CUTE). I'm sure he doesn't understand what's going on, but he will in 5 months!!

Lastly...what about that huge blizzard last weekend?? Aiden couldn't get enough of the snow. We were a little unprepared. We didn't have proper boots (we had rain boots) and what's up with the little people gloves?? They are all fleece and DON'T keep hands warm OR dry! We had to rig up some winter gear. It was pretty funny. Aiden had sandwich bags tied around his gloves and we had two pairs of socks on each foot covered wtih plastic bags stuffed inside his boots (don't laugh people...IT WORKED)!! We stayed outside for hours playing in the snow. Of course, once again this horrible mommy forgot her camera and didn't get any photos (hanging my head in shame). I really need to get better at that!

All bundled up for the big snow!

Daddy and Aiden decided to be funny!

Our little giver...he's learing early!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Santa

Aiden is STILL afraid of Santa. Last year's picture was classic. He was crying and trying to slide off Santa's lap (he did this for the mall Santa and our daycare party santa). This year, much of the same. Luke and I took him up to see the big man tonight. As we stood in line we talked about how much fun it was going to be to sit on Santa's lap and eat a pop (that's what he calls all hard candy).

Then it was our turn. The clinging onto mommy's neck got tighter as we approached the chair. When I tried to sit Aiden down on Santa's lap he stiffened up like a board and the tears came rolling out. I was determined to get this darn picture, so I settled for being in it too.

There is always next year right??

Aiden at the daycare party last Christmas...Aiden this year...THE SAME!