Christmas

Gabe was the Star in the church Christmas program. When he was trying to decide what to dress up as (because the young kids just sang and were angels, animals, or the star) he said to me, "You know, Mom, the star is an important element in the story."

The mic where the older kids delivered their lines was in front of Gabe, so throughout the program, he kept popping up and around so he'd be visible. It was hilarious and cute.

Christmas morning was good. Chi did not really get the concept o

f opening gift after gift. He wanted to just play with the first thing he opened. Gabe had to help him get his presents open. Gabe has pretty much been over the moon about all his presents, both today and

last weekend. I couldn't even say what is the favorite because right now he's been spending equal time on his gifts. Who wouldn't with remote control toys, Star Wars, marble run, Legos... Chi is enjoying all the presents, but it's funny because he doesn't really know what is going on.

This is the Polar Express

We have been having a good time getting ready for the holidays without going overboard. This week has been busy, but not crazy. It's good. It is how we think it should be.

Gabe has wanted a Polar Express train for several years now and this year he started saving his money so he could get one. Matt and I agreed that we would pay for half of it. Last year it cost $60, so we told him he had to save $30, and he did it. So we got. Unfortunately it

was more expensive this year, but he did such a good job that we got it anyway. He has loved it. It's Lionel, so it's very detailed and looks just like the movie, it even has Tom Hanks' voice saying "All aboard!" He's over the moon.

We have not had crazy amounts of snow, but we had enough for one snow day. So we built our first every big snowman. He is sitting in our yard in front of our picture window, so we can look at him and he can look at us.

Headlines don't sell pape's, newsies sell pape's.

The joyful sounds of Christmas

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse SOAP and sleigh." That's how Gabe sings it. I tried to tell him it was an open sleigh and he told me that I was making no sense at all. I told him to sing it how he wanted.

We are practicing lots of singing around here. Gabe has a Christmas program for school and he is now singing in the church choir and will have the church Christmas program as well. It is amazing how quickly kids can learn songs.

It's December.

Thanksgiving was nice. We went to Matt's parents and then visited the grandparents as well. It was good to see everyone. Nice and relaxed. We went downtown Ft. Wayne for the night that they were lighting the Christmas lights. We did not make it into the Christmas village display because the line was so long, but the animated windows at the Embassy were neat and the lights were pretty. The kids also got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.

We have decorated. We used our small tree and placed it up on a table which is limiting how much damage Chi can do. He is having trouble understanding look but don't touch. But both boys are getting into the holiday baking with me which is fun.

Right now the semester is winding down. Matt is feeling pretty good about things. I've got a test this week, a paper due next week, and then my final. Gabe is learning a Christmas program for school and for church. We have plenty going on, but I am not feeling harried. I am trying my best to keep the holiday season enjoyable and not rushed feeling or overly busy feeling.

Halloween

For Halloween Gabe was Darth Vader and Chi was a monkey. Gabe had a classroom party, and then we also went down to Mike and Kathy's for a party and Trick or Treating.
Here is Gabe at his party with another Vader (the other boy is the tallest in class and Gabe is one of the shortest).Here are some from the party and Trick or Treating:

Just another Thursday

Well, Halloween is finally almost here! So says Gabe. Me, I'm excited because Gabe doesn't like nuts, so I'm looking forward to all the Snickers that are coming my way. (For the bargain price of $30. It's not really free if you take into account the money you put into a costume.) Oh, well. It's fun. I'll post pictures of the boys dressed up soon. Gabe is going to be Darth Vader and Malachi is going to be a monkey. Gabe has is class party tomorrow morning and then we will go to Mike and Kathy's Halloween party on Saturday. They should have fun.

Class is going well. I got an A on my first test. That felt great. Although our paper is a reasonably fun project, it's a lot of writing. We have to watch the movie "Catch Me if You Can," and write a case formulation and diagnose the main character who is played by Leonardo DiCaprio. At least he's nice to look at, since I've had to watch it many times already.

The family is all doing well. Not much to report on. Chi definitely grew some, but I think he's still growing. He is a bit tired lately.