Ten on Tuesday

1. On Friday, as the ice moved in, we put up our Christmas tree. This was after lots of begging from Rowan, who desperately wanted to decorate the tree. After nap time we got started and little Rowan put maybe three ornaments on during the entire process. Don't worry his brother made up for it, decorating the whole tree, using in depth back stories as to why each ornament was placed by each other, "Santa is next to the reindeer because they pull his sleigh, and the elf is right by them because the elves help Santa." I cannot believe how his little mind works sometimes.

 

2. While Zane and I decorated the tree Rowan wandered in and out, helping with various things, but mainly cuddling Daddy. At one point he came back as Snoopy (Soopy as he calls him) and helped Zane set up their Little People Nativity Scene. I cannot handle the cuteness of Snoopy holding baby Jesus. For anyone with little kids the Little People Nativity scene is a must have. All the important people are there and the kids can play with all of them, learning who they are, and what Christmas is all about without having to worry about breaking anything.

 

3. The other big news from Friday was that I told Zach he should do something fun, or get something that he would really enjoy, with his bonus before it all went into savings. So Zach braved Blacked Friday, yet again (he does that almost every year), and got us a new 55' TV for our big room. The bonus was earned by all his hard work and long hours working on the Boeing project so a big screen TV is well deserved and I know it will make him happy. We got it hung up and took our old one into the playroom. Yes, our power went out for two days after this purchase, pretty much the story of our lives.

4. A midst the ice storm and power outage Zane was very confused as to why Gary didn't arrive the day after Thanksgiving. In all honesty I forgot this was when he usually arrives and then we were at Abbey's house the next night. Luckily Gary arrived bright and early Monday morning. He was on top of our Christmas tree, where he had fixed our star, that had somehow fallen over. Zane and Rowan were both ecstatic to see him and read the letter he had left for them. Rowan talking about Gary in his tiny two year old voice is hysterical.

 Rowan spotting Gary.

 Zane grinning ear to ear upon Gary's return. 

5. Since then Gary has gotten into all sorts of mischief. He of course was found eating our cookies, hanging out with some of my snowmen, and hiding in the spice (a classic Gary hiding spot, he is a huge fan of Savory Spice Shop). Today he arrived with a Reindeer friend and a new book. We had left him a tuxedo jacket, which he had put on while he was away. Turns out the Elf Pets are supposed to be cuddled, unlike Gary who must not touch lest he loose his magic. Sure wish Gary had told me to read the book so he could have brought two reindeer. The fighting over our reindeer friend, named Cedo Candy Cane Korenak (as in tuxedo) was out of control this morning and Zane kindly reminded me that we had seen reindeer at Target and we could buy Rowan his own, so we did! (choose your battles) Our second reindeer friend was named Buster Bill 'Dooty' Korenak and there was much rejoicing.

 

 For everyone wondering why the reindeer can be cuddled and Gary can't, the reason is that Santa has given each reindeer a special heart charm that hangs around it's neck. This heart is filled with love and Christmas spirit during the month of December by children hugging, cuddling, and loving it. When Santa comes on Christmas eve the Christmas spirit/love that has filled it's heart transforms it into a real reindeer who can help pull Santa's sleigh, and then they return to the North Pole with Santa for the rest of the year, obviously. Gary can't be touched because he will loose his magic and not be able to fly back to the North Pole, but you knew that already, right?

6. Today is December first which meant the first day of our advent calendars. Zane got a real Lego City one this year, with day one having two remote control cars in it. This is Rowan's first year for his own calendar and he got a woodland creature calendar and his day one slot had a little elf in it. Both very cute and the boys thoroughly enjoyed both. Gary chilled about the calendars for awhile today, checking everything out.

 I'm glad that Rowan's elf was quite a bit larger than the ones in Zane's calendar last year and already put together. Maybe we can not loose him as soon!

7. In not Christmas related news Rowan still is nowhere near close to being potty trained or having any interest in pooping in the potty. He could not care any less about it and the fun of pull ups ran out pretty quickly. We do sit on the potty at some point everyday, mainly to read his Elmo potty book but we are no where closer than we were weeks or months ago. Frustrating, but I am terrible at potty training so not really sure what to do.

 Until I figure out what to do next or get motivated to me more serious about it we take adorable potty photos. I personally enjoy the brother pictures, "Come on Rowan you have to have a picture with your coach!"

 8. It's December first and I am already tired of winter and cold weather. As a mother of two very energetic, very loud boys winter is a nightmare most of the time. Today was going on a week of being inside without room to run and boy could I tell. Both boys were going crazy, literally, screaming, running, climbing on everything, jumping off of things, having to wrestle everywhere, just all together too riled up. I took them swimming at the gym yesterday, after I ran, in an attempt to give them an outlet for some energy, but that obviously didn't help much. I have lots of crafts and learning activities planned but there is nothing that beats a good solid hour at the park. There are months to go and I have no idea how we aren't all going to loose our minds.

 This adorableness of them cuddling in a chair lasted just about as long as it took me to take the picture.

9. Grandma came over today to help me cut some more fabric for the winter wreath idea she gave us at Thanksgiving. It involves cutting lots of 6x6 inch squares then folding/sewing them to look kind of like leaves then pinning them to a wreath. I will share the finished product when I'm done, but our progress was halted when Grandma nearly cut off her left index finger with the cutting tool and we all had to load up and go to Urgent Care. She got all stitched up and is fine, but we didn't get as much done on our wreath as we had planned. Zane wanted to stay with Grandma while Ro and I tried to go to the park. I hear Zane watched the whole thing and handled all the blood and stitching like a champ. Word to the wise if parents don't freak out at the sight of blood their children don't know that is a thing you should be afraid of. I was very proud of him for staying with Grandma "so she wouldn't be sad." When we got home this is how we found Gary. Had had been right in the thick of things in the kitchen when Grandma was injured and apparently doesn't have as strong of a stomach as Zane. He had thrown up in the sink. Of course we all know that elves throw up marshmallows. (Have I mentioned how much I love Gary?)

 10. Right before Grandma sustained her injury Zane had asked her to help him make a Gingerbread house (yes it's December 1st, but we've been putting it off for weeks already). Grandma politely told him she was working on her own project and told him to go ahead and make it with me. As soon as she got hurt Zane said, "You should have made a Gingerbread house like I told you." That was obviously the point the universe was trying to get across to her. Rowan didn't really decorate so much as sit there and eat the disgusting candy that comes with the kit.

Note Grandma at the table with her finger elevated. Pressure and elevation did not help unfortunately. Yes, Zane is wearing his new snow suit that came with is coat. Shortly after this he took the t-shirt off and was in just his snow suit, before we had to get dressed to go to Urgent care. Never a dull moment at our house.