Good Bye to 2009!

The last week of the year has been uneventful! We have taken it very easy this week. Dad went back to work and Mom and the kids undecorated the house. We also had Dru and Landon over to play. Jack also went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks with Thomas. They both loved the movie and sat through it with no problems. Unfortunately, Dad had to work on New Years Day so for us it was just another day. We are looking forward to the New Year and can't wait to see what 2010 will bring.

Merry Christmas!

At last, Christmas Day is here! We are so happy to celebrate Jesus' birth. The kids were so excited to see their gifts. Jack woke up at 5:00 but I made him go back to bed. Ed and my parents have told me I can't do this again. I just have to let him get up and of course, wake Caroline up too. Jack did take a peak from the upstairs to see didn't know what to think and had to make sure Baby Sass was ready to go!

Jack loved all his gifts but really was happy to get Ben 10 Humongisaur and his jungle set. Caroline loves her baby dolls but still wants to carry around Baby Sass. Both have really enjoyed playing with their new playdoh sets.

After opening gifts and playing with their Santa gifts, Pop Pop, Ce if Santa had come. We ended up getting up around 6:45 and Jack was ready to go! Carolinook Cook, Uncle Jim and Uncle Glenn came over for brunch and another round of gifts! The rest of our day was spent relaxing and playing with all our new toys.

Caroline's Santa gifts
Jack's Santa giftsTheir stockingsJack coming down the stairs (his smile says it all)Caroline slowly coming down the stair with Baby Sass (Caroline's pants were way too big and fell of while sleeping. We had to find some other pants. Maybe she will be able to wear her 24 month PJ's next year!)Jack exploring all of his giftsCaroline playing with her princess vanity Waiting for round two of gift opening!

Christmas Eve . . . At Last

Finally, it is Christmas Eve. The kids have been looking forward to this day. They got their last surprise from their Advent box. This helps them know that tomorrow is the big day. We went to church for the Family Sing-a-long Service and then headed to our annual Christmas party at Pop Pop and Cook Cook's. As usual, we had a great time. This year Jack and Caroline were the only children but they still had fun.

Uncle Jim being a kid with Jack
Caroline chilling on the couch with Aunt MarthaWaiting patiently to open presentsPlaying together with one of Jack's favorite books

Carriage Ride at the Avenues

We decided to take the kids to the Avenues for a Carriage ride. We had done this a couple of years ago but Caroline was a baby and Jack didn't remember going. While waiting in line, they had some activities for the kids. Both made a cute snowflake craft and both had their face painted. Jack went first a picked out a reindeer. Caroline kept telling the lady she wanted a pink reindeer. The lady tried to get her to do something else because she didn't think reindeer should be pink. Well, in the end Caroline received her Pink Reindeer she requested! Don't try to change her mind.

Jack's reindeer
Caroline's pink reindeer
Caroline, Mom and Jack on the carriage ride (Dad taking the picture)

Christmas with the Bode's

This afternoon, we celebrated Christmas with the Bode's. Ms. Polly (aka Paula) is so creative and made the kids both dress up capes. She knows that Jack's favorite color is green so he got a cool green cape and sword. Caroline got a beautiful pink cape, dress up shoes and Disney gown. The pictures aren't the greatest because neither wanted to "perform." Both have since enjoyed playing in their new dress up clothes. We have some of the best neighbors!

Huck the Elf Playing a Trick on Jack & Caroline

As Huck spends his final days with us for Christmas 2009, he decided to play a trick on us in Jack's room. He returned from the North Pole tonight with a roll of toilet paper from Santa. He had fun using it in Jack's room. He rolled his bed, fan and dresser. Jack and Caroline both thought it was quiet funny. You never know what Huck is going to do. Next year, he will have to get more creative!

Hapy Birthday Landon

Today, we celebrated Landon's birthday at a fun gymnastics party. Jack ended up sick so wasn't able to go. Caroline and I went and had a great time. I forgot to take my camera so Ms. Angie took some pictures of Caroline. Thanks Landon for inviting us to your fun party!

Caroline being sillyCaroline and Baby Sass doing their gymnastics together

The Flower of the Holy Night

Jack performed in his first musical, The Flower of the Holy Night. Jack was part of the poinsettia and sang six songs. What was really amazing was that he stood up on stage for 45 minutes! We were proud of him and thought he did great. Riley was also in the musical and part of the poinsettia. Pop Pop, Cook Cook, Thomas and Ms. Dana came to watch their first musical.

Jack walking into the sanctuary (he was told to put bubbles in his mouth so he would not talk)
Jack, Thomas and Riley after the performance

Christmas School Party for Jack

Today, Jack celebrated the Christmas season with his classmates. The kids made a reindeer craft, reindeer food and had a gift exchange with classmates. Since their Christmas performance is later in the week, they party was low keyed. Their class had been busy this week with their numerous practices.

Jack in his Santa hat working on his craftHis completed craftMom and Jack

Christmas Cafternoon

After a busy day at school, we headed to Thomas, Nicholas and Ms. Dana's for a Christmas craft, some playtime and snacks. The kids made a cute peppermint candy with their hand prints. As always, they had a fun time playing with their friends.

Thomas the Donkey

Today, we were invited to watch Thomas participate in his Church Nativity. He was the lead donkey and led Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus into the church. Jack enjoyed going to watch and had one question for Thomas, "Why wasn't he walking on all fours?" Too funny!

All Aboard

On this cold winter morning, we headed north to catch the Santa train in Blue Ridge, GA. This was Jack and Caroline's first train ride. What better to take a ride with our friends, Riley and Mattie Lou and SANTA. Jack and Caroline both loved the ride and enjoyed having numerous snacks. Jack loved looking out the window. Caroline enjoyed spending time with Mr. Randy.

While visiting Santa, Jack told Santa again about the army toy and Caroline promised Santa to stay off the naughty list (since she was on his naughty list from the day before). In addition to a visit from Santa, we also got to see Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. We will definitely be going back again next year with Daddy who did not get to go because of work.

Caroline with her baby doll and Mattie Lou listening to the conductor
Jack and RileySantaSitting with SantaJack and Mattie Lou being silly!Caroline hanging out with Mr. RandyTickets please
Riley, Jack and Mattie Lou with Frosty (Caroline was not a fan of Frosty or Rudolph)

Christmas Playdate with Friends

Today, we had our annual Christmas playdate with our good friends. Olivia, Alex and Ms. Tara hosted this year. St. Nick made a special visit and even had an early gift for each of the kids. Caroline loved playing with Olivia's kitchen and especially loved the blender. Jack played dress up with the girls and found a new army set he loved. In fact, he added it to his Santa list. The kids did a book gift exchange. Caroline received a personalized princess book from Nicholas and Thomas. Jack received a personalized Justice League book from Olivia and Alex. Both kids love their new books!

I'm only telling this story for documentation for when Caroline has her own child one day! We had a fun time until Caroline had a complete meltdown over her shirt. As you can tell from the pictures, she was dressed in a beautiful dress that I did not want her to ruin while eating. Well the shirt I brought to put on her was not what she wanted to wear. So she threw a complete fit and we had to leave. She continued to cry in the car for at least 10 minutes. She kept telling me she didn't like her shirt. I can only imagine what it will be like in 10 years!


Caroline did not want to see Santa today. Notice Jack holding an army toy. This is what he added to his Santa list.

Building Gingerbread Houses

After school, we headed over to Riley and Mattie Lou's to put together our gingerbread houses. The house was prefabricated so all they had to do was decorate the house. Riley and Jack worked on one together and Caroline and Mattie Lou worked on the other one. The girls, to be only 2, did a great job and did most of it all by themselves. The boys had fun but wanted to rush through it more quickly.

Both of my kids ended up in time out because they kept eating all the candy. Jack kept wanting to lick the pieces and then put it on the house. I'm sure to them it was hard not eating the candy but Riley and Mattie Lou didn't have a problem. Next year, I will have to get some extra candy for them to eat. Jack wants to buy two next year so he can do his own. This was our first gingerbread house and we will be doing one each year.

Jack licking the icing off his hands
Caroline and Mattie Lou decorating their house very meticulous The girls' finished productJack and Riley's finished productThe four of them were so happy with what they had accomplished

Caroline's Christmas Performance and Party

Caroline had her first school performance today singing Christmas songs. It started out fine with her walking in and taking her seat. Then, after a few minutes, she moved to Ms. Susan's lap and began asking for Mommy. Then she moved to Ms. Pat's arms and was talking into the microphone with the same request. . . I want Mommy. Eventually, I ended up on stage with her in my lap. Once I was on stage, she was fine and kept asking how much longer. I know one day I will look back on this and laugh. I'm thinking when she is 16, I can get on stage with her then and sing!

Arriving to sing and seeing Mom and Dad
Now sitting with Ms. SusanNow with Ms. Pat
Now she is happy in Mom's arms!
After the performance, we headed to her classroom for their pizza party. Caroline loved the pizza and ate pretty good so she could have a cookie with a lot of icing. Ms. Linda, another one of Caroline's teachers told me she was one of their slowest eaters! After lunch, the kids made a Christmas tree ornament. Caroline loves to do art projects. They also enjoyed a book exchange and played a game.

Her ornament she made all by herself
Playing the game