Snow!

The snow was a little late in coming this year.  But I knew it would get here eventually!

And Seth loves it.

Leah?  Not so much...

She likes to remind me that it's COLD!

I did not encourage this....

This seemed like a better idea.

What happened next was a loooongg drive around the block with two monkeys in the car.
Come on winter!!

Four and Three

This is why four and three is better than three and two:

They can entertain themselves (and the rest of us).

 

They can play together in tight places.

Their mannerisms begin to resemble each other.

They hide from mom together.

They can dress themselves.

 Kinda

 

And, they're really fast!

Poor Mama better get her butt in shape!

The tree is UP

Earlier this week, we FINALLY got our Christmas tree up.

I love having a real tree, but it is a big pain for me to put it up.

Thankfully, this year, I had two motivations.

1.  Debbie was here to help.

2.  After our first tiny bit of snow, Seth took one, brief look outside and yelled, "Mom, there is snow.  Where's our tree?"

That whole attaching-Christmas-to-snow thing coming back to bite me....

And this year's honorary Angel-putter-upper....

Merry (almost) Christmas!

Heard (and seen) Around Our 'Hood

Some precious moments have been heard and seen around our house this season.

I wish I had written them all down right away....

 As I was leaving on Friday with Leah, for her PID appointment, Seth and Leah started the "I love you" brigade.  It was hysterical.

"I love you, Leah."

"I love you, Seth."

"Love you Mommy"

Hug?

Kiss?

Hug again?
Kiss again?

And then the "love" again.

I thought we might never leave...

Soo adorable.

Seth also woke up one morning this week and announced, "I'm a candy cane."
Huh?
Not sure where that one came from.

Then there are all of the conversations between the Christmas (Lionel) engines and about them.  Not only do they have lengthy conversations amongst themselves (courtesy of Seth), but Seth also tells everyone one we meet about his trains.

The drive-through Pharmacy.

The waiter.

Church friends.

His teachers.

Friends. 

E.v.e.r.y.o.n.e.

Hysterical.

I'm sure the mailman cares; really, honey.  

And the conversations about Christmas have been priceless.

We are working on understanding this season.

Both kiddos can now talk about how we have Christmas because Jesus was born.

Yesterday, it went like this:

"Seth, why do we have Christmas?"

(ignore)

(I didn't want it to appear we have it too together....)

Re-ask the question.

"Because it's God's birthday."

Right!

"What was God's name when he was born?"

"Baby Jesus!"

Yessssss....

They also know the manger and the star and angels.....

one proud mama.  :)

In the less proud category, Seth informed Leah this week that she could NOT be the conductor (of said trains) because she is a GIRL.  Um, what???
Unclear where this brilliance originates.

Last, the dance parties we've had to Chris Tomlin's Joy to the World have also been priceless.  (Seth seems to be over the "no dancing" prohibition).

Hopefully I can take some video of it soon.  :)

All together, I'd say, after only a month in, that 4 and 3 are way better than 3 and 2.  Ha!

December Randomness

Santa for the first time for Leah....

and for the first time Seth understood it in any way....

 

I wasn't there, but Debbie told me Seth didn't stop talking and Leah was skeptical.  Yea, that's about right....

In other fun, Jeb came to visit.

Think they like her?

What a great sport!

So grateful for members of our village like Jeb.

Love.....