Christmas 2010

Christmas was a busy day.  We had our own Christmas at our house in the morning; fortunately, the boys did not wake up until 7am.  Then, we headed over to Grandma Maureen and Great Grandma's house for a gift exchange.  After Jack's nap, we went to Grandma and GrandDad Peacher's house for gifts and a delicious dinner.

Jack was a little under the weather during Christmas, and this is the only happy shot I got of him that day.

I tried to get a picture of Jack sitting on Grandma's lap next to the Christmas tree, but he wouldn't cooperate.  I did manage to score this picture of Jack throwing his screaming monkey at her.

Robert's favorite gift is his Buzz Lightyear snuggie.  Uncle Tim's most hated gift is the Superman snuggie we gave him.

Lucky dog.

Crunchy Snowmen

Instead of baking Christmas cookies to hand out to our neighbors, Robert and I made these snowman pretzels.  Unfortunately, I ran out of white chocolate and had to use brown chocolate to attach the hats, but I think they still look cute.

Here's my little helper enjoying a snowman!

Fred the Elf (on a shelf)

This is Fred, our elf on a shelf.  He watches Robert and Jack all day, then flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa.  It is an excellent parenting tool.  :)  I might just have to bring him back to watch the boys all year long!

Fred left a present for Robert and Jack....

Toy Story pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve!

Great Wolf Lodge, Dec 2010

We made it to Great Wolf Lodge!  The boys were feeling much better and we were able to push back our reservations a day.

Here's Robert and Jack in our hotel room.  When Jack saw that Robert had the same swimsuit on, he cried "Mine!" and tried to pull it off.  He didn't understand at first that they were two separate bathing suits.  We didn't splurge for the Wolf Den Suite since last time the boys refused to sleep in the bunkbed and instead slept with me (all while Daddy slept in his own bed!)

This is the Wolf Den Suite we had on our last visit in May, 2010.  The boys had their own little room within our hotel room, and they had their own TV with video games.  Robert thought it was very cool, but just didn't want to sleep in it.

Robert and Jack at the top of the toddler slides.  Jack had a really great time.  Now, he refuses to go down the slide if there is someone waiting to catch him at the bottom.  So, we have to trick him by pretending to walk away or turn our back to him, then turn around and run to catch him when he starts to go down the slide.

All three of my boys.  :)

Robert

At 8pm, all the boys and girls get dressed in their pajamas and gather in the lobby for a show and storytime.  We were also treated to songs by Christmas carolers.

They also made it snow in the lobby!

Me and my boys.  Do you see Jack's teddy bear?  Alex won it in the crane game at the arcade.  He's very proud of himself so I figure I had better put it in the blog!

We spent some time in the arcade before dinner.  Here's my future truck driver, Jack!

We ate at IHOP for breakfast.  It's located about 1/2 mile from GWL.  This is the only IHOP I've been to where it is never crowded during breakfast!  All the IHOPs in the DC area have huge lines during the breakfast rush.

What if Joseph and Mary had Facebook?

Very cool video.  Click on the link below and check it out!  I think that one would enjoy it even if he/she were not religious.  It has a couple funny moments, but it does not mock or make fun of the birth of Jesus.
What if Joseph and Mary had Facebook?

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Great Wolf Lodge - postponed!!!!

We were planning on leaving at 10:30am today to head to Great Wolf Lodge (http://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark) for two days of fun in their indoor waterpark. Jack just came down with something and threw up all over the floor.  Fortunately, I was out running an errand and Daddy had to clean up the mess.

Cookies or napkins?

Note to self: when presented with the choice of bringing napkins or cookies to your child's class party, ALWAYS choose napkins!!!

Last night before going to bed, I made oatmeal raspberry bars for Robert's preschool Christmas party.  I tried them this morning and they didn't taste very good.  The boys wouldn't eat them, either.  I don't know what I did wrong, but I was really tired when I baked them last night!  So, I was rushing around the kitchen this morning trying to bake sugar cookies and make it to school on time.  Even though Fairfax County schools had a 2 hour delay, Robert's preschool opened only 30 minutes late.  In my rush, I forgot to bring my camera so I don't have any cute pictures of Robert and his giraffe friends to post.

Peach Picking

I was going through old photos and found these from when we visited cousin Whit for some peach picking in Crozet.  Here's Jack drinking a peach milkshake.  My apologies for the Wahoos hat.  ;)

Robert and Jack.  Nothing tastes better than a freshly picked peach on a summer day.  Jack won't eat peaches at home, but he couldn't get enough of these warm peaches.

Tot Time

While big brother Robert was in school today, I took Jack to Tot Time.  We brought our own ride-on car, but Jack insisted on trying out all the other bikes and big wheels.

Guitar Hero

We went to Chuck E Cheese last week on a cold, rainy morning.  Here is Robert, my future rock star.

Just Dance!

We had friends Luke and Drew over for a play date on Sunday.  The boys love to dance to our Wii game, Just Dance.  "Who Let the Dogs Out" is their favorite song.  I like it because they get to jump around and get some exercise, and hopefully tire them out.  It's also a good workout for me.  :) 

Meeting Santa

Last week we went to Fair Oaks Mall to meet Santa.  Jack did not want anything to do with Santa.  They took this picture when he stopped crying for a second to catch his breath.  Robert was in awe of Santa.  He talked his ear off while I paid for the pictures.  Afterwards, I asked Robert what he and Santa talked about.  Robert was so excited he was speechless (a first...This boy never stops talking).  All he could do was give me a hug.  So cute!  I enjoy seeing the holidays through Robert's eyes.

Getting ready for Christmas

Robert is very proud of himself for picking out the tree and helping to decorate it.  It's been up for about 4 hours now and I'm amazed Jack hasn't broken an ornament yet!  There's always tomorrow...

Halloween - 2010 - Trick or Treat

Our neighborhood had their usual potluck dinner before trick or treating.  The Power Ranger costume was dirty since Robert wore it every day for a week prior to tonight.  I love this photo:  Robert and his friends, Luke and Drew, all dressed as Buzz Lightyear.  Luke looks like he is having a rock-n-roll great time, and I don't know what Drew is trying to do to Robert's face!  :)

To infinity and beyond!  (Robert and his best friend Luke)

We had a big turnout at the neighborhood potluck

Halloween - 2010 - party

Robert was invited to his friend Ethan K.'s Halloween party.  It's not a party without Jack throwing a tantrum on the front lawn.  I wonder if years from now Jack will be embarrassed by this photo because he is wearing crocs???

Robert with his friend Ethan C.

I love that Robert still gets to hang out with all his penguin friends from his first year of preschool.

Halloween - 2010 - Army Navy Country Club

We took the boys to the Army-Navy Country Club for a Halloween party.  Robert is obsessed with wearing his Power Ranger costume.  The muscles are so adorable on little Jack's spiderman outfit!  This is one of my favorite pictures because the boys are holding hands and Jack is not crying.  :)

A close-up of Jack

Me and my superheroes