changes

I have been looking for a new layout for this blog. I'm getting bored with the background, and there aren't many "themes" to choose from on the blogger website. So I have a new and improved blog on wordpress. So many themes to choose from. Hope you'll join us over there. I'm still working on getting all the old posts from here to there, and am able to personalize the site a little bit more so patience my dear friends....

cousins

Alex only has one first cousin, Maggie. She came to visit us today with Grandma and Uncle Gary. They have so much fun playing with each other. I really wish they would visit more often.

testing his limits

Alex loves looking at the Christmas tree and all the presents underneath it. He's really into presents right now- opening them and seeing what's inside. This should make his 2nd birthday fun. Anyhow, he has already opened one of the presents that we got in the mail from my parents. Luckily, it was for me and Chris. I quickly re-wrapped it since Chris doesn't know what it is yet. This taught me that I need to keep an eye on Alex when he's around stuff because I don't want him opening anymore. So lately, he keeps walking by the tree and touching all the presents, saying "omen, omen." That's how he says "open." And I remind him that we have to wait xnumber of days before he opens any. Ahhh... life with a toddler.

christmas cards

One of my favorite things (because there are so many) about this time of year is getting Christmas cards in the mail. I guess I should say holiday cards... more PC, I guess. Anyhow, I love seeing all the pictures of growing kids and expanding families :)

christmas cheer

Alex had his Christmas program/party at school this afternoon. His toddler class didn't participate in it because, to be honest, who can get kids under 2 to sing. Anyhow, it was adorable! I can't wait until next year when Alex actually participates in it. We enjoyed a nice lunch and snacks after the 2, 3, and 4 year old's sang.. Before we left, I made him give Mrs. Denise a hug. All in all, we had a great time.

typical school morning

I tried to get a picture of Alex standing nice and still since he was wearing this adorable Christmas outfit (which I made him wear since it was his last day of school until January), but no luck. I did get a picture of him during the brushing the teeth portion of our morning routine. I usually get him dressed, then have him sit on the counter while I brush my teeth. This is usually the only way that I can get him to brush his.

friends rock!

Alex and I went to playgroup this morning, as our usual Monday morning routine. It was at Laura and Wyatt's house today, and it was a lot of fun. Laura pulled out a huge garbage bag full of toys and told us to pick what we wanted out of it because Howard wanted to get rid of them. Whatever we didn't want, she was going to take to Goodwill. So Alex scored this lawnmower and a few Lightening McQueen cars (his current favorite). What a surprise! It was like an early Christmas.

difference between 1 and 2

Last night, I watched Jeremy for Nicole and Andrew so that they could attend Andrew's work Christmas party. Earlier in the week, Chris said that he told one of his other friends to bring their son over too. I asked why, and he said, "what's one more kid?" I thought about this for awhile and I have heard that having more than one is really not twice or three times the work. Anyhow, we had fun watching Jeremy, and Alex loved having his friend over. Who can resist that kid?

away in a manger

One of my goals this season was to buy Alex a nativity scene for his room so I could teach him why we celebrate Christmas. Along with the Advent calendar, this was my plan. I saw this Fischer Price Little People set in an ad somewhere, and thought to myself that this was the perfect one for Alex. Good thing I didn't buy it right away because my aunt sent it to us in the mail yesterday as an early Christmas present for Alex! He loves this thing. The angel on top plays "Away In A Manger." He loves letting the donkeys eat the hay and kisses the sheep, too! Aaaahhhh! It's so adorable. Notice baby Jesus isn't part of the scene just yet. He's hidden in Alex's dresser right now, and will make an appearance when the time comes.

breakfast of champions

Alex and I went to the mall-- to play, to eat, to shop! We haven't been to the mall in a really long time, but I usually let him play for a little while before the mall opens. Then we have a little chik-fil-a before shopping. That's exactly what we did today. Although I didn't get much shopping done since by the time I started, it was nearing his naptime.