Christmas jammies

We all got fun jammies to wear on Christmas. Will and Nate had trains (Nate in blue) and Derek had penguins. We tried to get all of them together wearing their jammies but well you can see the results. We had a lovely morning. Derek and I took turns telling the Christmas story. We opened gifts in batches so D could have fun playing with new things without being overwhelmed. Will and Nate got some toys that they are going to share with Derek (our attempt at working on sharing).

We played all day. We had a great dinner of ham, mashed potatos, stuffing, homemade rolls, and green beans. It was a relaxing day. It was a great week of having fun with Daddy at home.

High School

We took Derek to see Christmas lights on his birthday and we drove past the high school. Since then he is obsessed. Now high school is the place to study (I guess the school took over for the plane from the last few months). High school is on our bed. Derek loves to run to high school (his words). He jumps up on the bed and start studying with Daddy. This happens every night per Derek's request. It is where D learned all his letters and is now working on sight words (thanks for the great gift Auntie Alli) and phonics. He thinks it is a great time with Daddy and Daddy is a great teacher. Of course at some point Will and Nate end up in there and try to eat the letters. I love how Mike turns educational opportunities into great fun. It is great that Santa brought D a backpack for him to take to school. It is a little big but he loves it (Santa may have a bit of help). It is a fun combination of D's imagination and time with Daddy. Yes, the chicken go too (they are still with us).

All together

This is how it usually is around here. We are all within 5 feet of each other. Will and Nate crawl after us wherever we go and we just all end up in the same place.

Derek is 3!

Our Derek is 3! 3 years ago our lives were completely changed and we love it. Derek is such a great kid and so fun to be around. Derek loves to sing all day. He is a great big brother. Lately when we put Will and Nate to bed, Derek comes in and kisses each one. Good night Will good night Nate, I love you, see you when you wake up. Mommy need anything? Then he is out of the room jumping and singing. We are proud of his kindness to others and his sweet spirit. Derek you make us laugh everyday with your comments. You are a great snuggler and very affectionate with all of us. We have loved watching you become 1 and 2 and now 3. We are so excited to watch how you grow this year. We are so thankful for the joy you have brought to our lives. We love you for being you.

Sorry Santa

We decided to take the boys to see Santa. We have been talking about it so D would not be scared of him. We tried twice this week to see Santa and both times we bailed from the line after estimating it to be over an hour. We just didn't think it was worth it. Both times we left to go get fun snacks. Later while in the Apple store, D found the big Santa in the display. I told D to tell Santa what he wanted. D giggled and talked away. It all worked out just fine. I think Mike and I were the only ones who missed the photo op. Both times we had fun snacks and fun together. We made the right choice. Good thing the gifts D requested are already wrapped- I mean ready for Santa to deliver. Thanks Andrea for taking our picture.

The gingerbread man

We have been having lots of fun with Mike home all week. D loves his Daddy. They decorated the gingerbread man. We celebrated by eating his leg. It is just so fun to watch D with his Daddy. The love in both of their eyes is sweet. D has a great Daddy.

Happy Monday!

Derek's Christmas Party

On Friday, Derek had his party at school. There were 2 parties: a birthday party for D and his friend Dominick and a happy birthday Jesus party. Pretty cool to have 2 parties in one day. Derek loved his birthday crown. For the Jesus party they decorated cookies. Will and Nate played on the floor and ate cheerios. It was a fun day.

Black beans

Will and Nate love black beans. They are doing a great job feeding themselves and most of their meal is now self-fed. They love beans, cheese, bananas, and cheerios. They are very happy little eaters. Tonight they managed to get beans everywhere so Mike went to get the camera. D wanted his camera too. So here Mike taking a pic of D taking a pic of Will. Natey is in the blue with beans everywhere.

Stockings

MIke's Aunt made these beautiful stockings for the boys. She put so much time into them. They are really amazing.

The chickens

There is no picture for this entry as the chickens don't like to be photographed. That is right we now have 7 chickens living with us. To be fair, they are imaginary and Derek's creation. They have no names- they are all just the chickens. They eat, nap in D's room, and go in the car with us. I have been informed that I must put their seat belts on. When we got to D's school the chickens had to go potty. I have decided to participate fully in this, so I opened the door and told the chickens to get out and come right back. Mike and I are really having a lot of fun with this (Mike had to herd them all into D's room for bed last night). I had an imaginary friend named Sheryl that went lots of places with us when I was his age. Just be warned D- I am a participant until all 7 chickens need dessert. I tried that one as a kid and didn't succeed but good luck trying (we will laugh). Until then, life in this crazy house continues. Hey chickens- be quiet and stop ringing the doorbell!

Why I am big

Derek said one of those comments that you just don't want to forget yesterday. We have been telling him why it is cool to be big and not be a baby. For instance he gets to drink chocolate milk from Starbucks and eat pizza. He had his own reasons yesterday: I don't wear diapers and I don't eat paper. Well there you go. We laughed pretty hard at this one.

The birthday crowns

Will and Nate were sick last week so they missed "school." So this week, they got their birthday crowns. Derek wanted them to wear the crowns this afternoon. They were both great about wearing them. Natey thought stealing Will's crown was lots of fun. They had the sweetest little grins and giggles this afternoon. Derek was so sweet playing with them as well. It all warms my mommy-heart.

The creche

I have been teaching Derek the story of Christmas. My mom gave us the little people nativity set and it is perfect. First I told D the story with all the characters. Now I tell the story and D moves all the characters. He is also telling me parts of the story. Our story has a few D friendly alterations. The angel says his typical lines but also says It's a baby. Come see the baby. The story gets really interested if Will is around. He grabs characters and chews on them. So in the middle of the story D starts yelling stop eating baby Jesus, Mommy he took the angel. It really is pretty funny. It is so much fun to watch Derek understand what Christmas is.

Decorating the tree

Derek was really into decorating the tree this year. I let him put up all the unbreakable ornaments. I told him he needed to put any with a hook high enough that his brothers wouldn't get them. He took this very seriously and kept asking if an ornament was high enough. Since we put the tree up, he has moved the ornaments several times. The precious moments ornaments from my mom are for each of us.

Derek being Derek

Just our D being his silly self. He loves these glasses and wears them everywhere!