Merry Christmas!

We hope you and yours had a merry Christmas!

We spent the day at home, and a quiet day suited us well. We took our time opening presents, pacing Matt so he didn't "rip op[en] pres[ents]" all at once. That gave him some time to spend with his new clothes, books, toys, and more. Matt was so excited he tried to skip nap and head back downstairs to play with them all more.

Santa came!

Santa brought a crane truck with cars that was a big hit.

"Merry Chris[mas], cat!"

Reading his new Clifford collection in his new sweatshirt

Flying his new plane

Very pleased with his new backpack

A very train-themed Christmas (costume, train, and books)

Playing his new game and doing puzzles with Dada

Admiring his work in Play Doh (one of Santa's stocking stuffers)

We thank everyone for the presents! We'll be busy for a while with all of our new goodies.

Christmas Eve

We had a busy Christmas Eve getting ready for Christmas.

With the unseasonably warm temperatures (it was almost 70 degrees F!) we were sure to spend time outside. It rained quite a bit the day before and overnight, making it soggy and on the humid side.

What new toys to come?! Someone is perfectly happy with a bucket of water and an empty container.

Slide time (after a change of pants)

Climbing

After a nap (and another change of clothes) it was time for some playing while waiting for Daddy to come home.

Choo choo puzzle piece

We checked out our Christmas lights as well the sunset and moonrise.

 

The lamp in front and the sunset behind

Looking at the front porch

The view from the porch

A view of the porch

Full moon rising through the trees

Jon and Matt went for a little drive to check out some Christmas lights, then after dinner we got ready for Santa.

Milk and cookies waiting

More Christmas Preparations

As we prepare for Christmas I thought I'd post some more of our Christmas-related activities.

Last Friday Matt took such a long nap we missed our friends' gingerbread house event. So I cobbled together a graham cracker structure which became a garage for one of the gingerbread cars.

Almost half of the candies survived to become decorations. 

It's hard to see, but the car is "parked" inside.

Then, last Saturday we attended our town's parade of lights. It was quite a long (and loud!) parade. Matt impatiently watched all of the big trucks, bands, and groups of people go by while he was waiting for Santa Claus.

Construction vehicles

Tow truck

Finally - Santa Claus!

We tried to check out the after event, but it was absolutely packed.

After some convincing, Matt agreed to pose with Rudolph.

And he listened to the Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both of which we have at home, too) in the library.

Today we went with some friends to see the Enchanted Village, a display at a local store. The kiddos had to endure a long wait to get in, but once inside I think they enjoyed the scenes.

(Yes, he is dressed in a Batman shirt and cape. That's what he wanted to wear today.)

Horse

Pet shop

Living room scenes

Those who are waiting to see Matt with Santa may be disappointed this year. We've gone to see Santa four times, and we've yet to be able to take a photo. (Today was the furthest we managed to get: we stood in front of Santa, who spoke to Matt, but I'm not sure he got any response.) Matt has really gotten into the idea of Santa, and he likes seeing him from a distance, but he is still nervous about being left with a stranger, even if it's Santa Claus.

Christmas Tree

Yesterday evening Matt and I got our Christmas tree. We picked a pre-cut tree this year. This morning we (well, mostly Jon) put the tree up and let it open up. Matt was impatient to get started decorating!

Helping to get the tree into the stand

Waiting for Dada to finish opening the tree

Cat inspection time 

 Toddler inspection time

To help pass the time, we took Matt to the next town over to a Christmas festival, where the highlight was definitely the choo choo.

 Riding the choo choo

Exploring the stone passageway

This evening we decorated the tree. Matt especially enjoyed ferrying ornaments from the box to the tree, and he rearranged them up until bedtime.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

November Recap

I apologize for being a couple of days late with our November recap. It certainly was a busy month, with birthdays, Thanksgiving, visitors, and more. Here are the rest of our November happenings:

We went to open gym.

Driving the fire truck

Sitting in a bear chair.

We made it to a few playgrounds.

With Dada and Grandpa (photo courtesy of Matt's Grandma)

Riding the bouncy dinosaur

Swinging and watching the trucks go down the street

We attended library story time and a couple of other programs at the library.

Trying his hand at a dinosaur lacing card

Listening to the story

We enjoyed an unseasonably warm day at the Berry Farm.

Feeding the goats

Trying to give the horses hay

Trying to feed the sheep

Pulling a wagon

Playing in the giant sandbox

We checked out a local craft museum that has an outdoor sculpture park.

Contemplating the giant duck

Checking out the tiny house

Next to one of the sculptures

Matt ran some errands with me.

Enjoying a smoothie and a book while I load the car with the turkey and other Thanksgiving groceries

Matt helped me celebrate my birthday.

A birthday lunch with a friend at Wegman's

Putting candles on my cake

Yummy cake and ice cream!

Matt is still playing with all of his new toys from his own birthday,

including his puzzles,

his fire truck,

his train,

and his ring toss game (which becomes a turtle shell).

He also enjoys reading all of his new books (with Dada and Uncle Vic).

We've had lots of other fun inside, especially as the weather has turned a little colder.

"Sleeping," without or with friends

Feeding Big Bird

Playing a game with Daddy

And making music with Daddy

 Goofing off with Mama

Trying to pet the cat

Building a block tower

Light switch fun: On and Off!

"Fixing" his motorcycle

 

Nice and clean after a good bath!

We did get to spend some time outside at home, too.

Checking out the toad I caught

Filling the sandbox with trucks

Ready to head outside to see the deer