Saturday, December 27, 2014

The Four S's of our Christmas Morning: Science, Sports, Sensory, and Superheros!

Right on time. 6am. The boys woke up with their heads on a swivel, happy as can be!

Santa brought Ethan his tornado machine and Gavin his fast Microcharger dome!

They played with these two toys and the stocking trinkets for an hour. We had breakfast and had to point out the abundance of gifts under the tree! They didn't even notice.

All in all, we opened gifts one by one, playing with each one, for four hours.

It was so fun seeing their different personalities in play. Ethan was the "elf", handing everyone their gifts and getting more joy out of giving gifts than opening his own. Gavin tore through his gifts with super sonic speed. He'd open one halfway and exclaim, "Next present!!!" Boy he was pissed when Ethan was left with a pile to open at the end! We were mirror images of my sister and I as kids, Tina loving giving gifts and I diving right into opening mine.

The boys loved their ceramic whistles I made at pottery class, a sting ray for Ethan and a rhino for Gavin.

My little elf.

Ethan loved his science gifts, a microscope, slides, a Magic School Bus chemistry kit, and a plasma ball.

 

He also loved all of his sensory gifts!
Look at this little sensory seeker putting together his wrist weights, his wiggle seat, and their Bosu ball.

Gavin was fiercely into the super hero gifts, which included books, action figures, and a Flash mask! All essential for the Rhino Rescuer character he has created.

Superhero underwear included.
This was the first year the kids picked their own gifts for Chris and I too. Here's the M&Ms Ethan chose and wrapped (and labeled with his spelling of "surprise").

And Gavin picked a football for his daddy, in his favorite color orange.

They were obsessed with their Uncle Nick's golfing set!

 

Gavin got his balance bike and Ethan his bigger boy bike (under $25 for both!)

When they rode home, they realized the reindeers had eaten the carrots.

Perfect Christmas.

 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Eve 2014

This year was our first planned Christmas at home (Gavin's early entrance squeaking out of the NICU in time didn't quite count). We hung lights, had our first real tree, and went to mass. Here are the Christmas Eve highlights!
The boys on the alter for the children's mass.
Ethan was quite the devout Catholic, often closing his eyes in prayer. Gavin on the other hand was piiiiisssed we woke him from his nap to wear a button down and sweater vest. We made it halfway before we had to leave.

 

 

 

 

Ethan penned Santa's note for his cookies and milk.

They blew out candles on the pink heart birthday cake for Jesus they chose and baked.

And the modern twist, they watched personalized video messages from Santa. In Gavin's case, over, and over, and over.

They prepped the reindeer's carrots and Santa's key.

The lights were lit, inflatables blown, and village glowing.

I wish Santa came every night because those boys RAN to bed!

 

Luckily just in time! He came, he ate, he gave!

 

 

The presents are from their parents and family. The stockings and the item they each asked Santa are for from the man in red.

 

Unlike the boys, I couldn't get any sleep! Suddenly 6am couldn't come fast enough!!!

 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Santa Visit 2014

Wish lists...

Gavin: a bike and faaaaaast cars
Ethan: a tornado generating machine toy

How could Santa say no to THESE faces?!

P.S.  Doesn't Gavin look like he grew a couple of years older since he ditched his diapers this week?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Gavin's First Day of (Pre)School!

Today our baby boy started his first day of school! He goes two days a week and gets to ride the big yellow school bus!
He chose his clothes, determined to start his academic career as a jock apparently! He called the look, "football boy."
We were able to convince him to leave the helmet at home.
 
When the bus came, he eagerly ran to it, "We're going to miss it!!"

Is it terrible I'm a little sad he wasn't?

His teacher sent me a text with this picture telling me no tears, all smiles at his first day of school!
 
Here's some pictures of his tour we took last week.
 
 
He participated in circle time without pause!
 
Here's the legendary dragon "Bella" he talks about nonstop.
 

 

Monday, December 15, 2014

How could he..Oh wait....

I caught Ethan writing on his door! As I just repainted that room, I was heated.

Then I looked closer. 

It was his first (simple!) math equation and the words LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Well heck, if those two things are THAT important to him, it's ONLY pencil I guess.