Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in Their Heads

The boys had a fantastical Christmas, and therefore, so did we. On Christmas Eve, before heading to church, we tried to take some family pics, but easier said than done with our guys. Here are our best attempts (notice there isn't one of all of us, despite several attempts at the timer thingy).

Noah was cracking himself up by backing into the tree and trying to sit on it.

When we got home, Ben opened a couple of gifts from Grandma Jenny ...

Thanks for the awesome puzzles!

Then it was time to put out cookies for Santa and his reindeer, and to put two anxious little boys to bed.

In the morning, the boys opened the living room door to find that Santa did indeed have them on his "Nice List" this year. Here are a few shots of the morning ...

A kitchen for our little chefs and a microphone for our little superstars.

The much anticipated violin!

He's a natural!

"3-2-1, Blast off!"

And that night, before going to bed, our little virtuoso gave a final performance of the day. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Spreading Good Cheer

Last night some friends of ours had a caroling party. We bundled up (it's turned cooold!) and headed out to spread some holiday cheer in the 'hood. Noah hung in there for about half the trip before Daddy took him home to his warm bed.
Ben (blue coat) loved traveling from house to house.
Hot chocolate tasted sooooo good after being out in the cold!

This morning we went ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park. This was Ben's first time on the ice, and he was a little hesitant at first.
Skates on and ready to go (he looks thrilled, doesn't he?).
But once we got going, he didn't want to stop!

Noah didn't skate, but he and Daddy had a good time spectating. And look who we saw there ...
Our good friend Ava (who was wearing her "Michelle Kwan dress" her Mommy told us)!

We stopped for some fun on the playground before heading home ...

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

Late-Night Tour of Lights

Ben's reached the stage where, when he naps, he's up until all hours of the night. And today ... he napped. Tonight, after popping out of bed for about the 10th time, I decided some fresh air might help induce sleepiness. So, at 9:30 pm, he and I went on a walking tour of our neighborhood holiday lights, footie pajamas and all.

I'm quite certain he thinks this will be a nightly event.

Planes, Trains, and Pigs

Okay, so it's really just about trains and a pig, but the planes thing sounded better. We've gotten into the holiday swing full force, and having a 3 1/2-year-old at Christmas time is the best. Everything is so exciting to Ben and he's really soaking it all in.

We went last weekend to pick out our Christmas tree. Ever since soccer, Ben's been into the "1-2-3, Go!" cheer. So, nerdy parents that we are, we had the family cheer going all the way there in the car: "1-2-3, Go Tree!" We had to convince Ben that this was the tree for us, and in the end, our little Charlie Brown decided we could take it home.
On our way home, we stopped by the post office to mail Ben and Noah's wish lists to Santa.

Later in the week Ben and I met pals Ava, Kira, and Marli at Macy's to ride Priscilla the Pink Pig (an Atlanta holiday tradition). This was Ben's first time, and he loved it. After two turns, we went inside the mall and enjoyed a hot chocolate nightcap. It was such a fun evening (Ben thought it was especially cool to be out past his bedtime)!
Today we went to see Santa, and yet again this year, the thrill of meeting Old St. Nick was mostly lost on my children. But, for the first time since he was a babe, Ben did not cry. He sat silently as Santa asked again and again what he'd like for Christmas. Finally, as it was time for us to get up, he leaned over and said quickly, "A jump rope and a violin and that's all," and he was out of there. Then, as we were waiting for our overpriced pictures to print, he sidled up to Santa again and said, "And some gummy bears in my stocking." From where we've come, this is progress! Now, Noah, he's another story ...

And, yes, the family cheer on the way to the mall: "1-2-3, Go Santa!"

For only about the 16th time this year, Ben rode the Christmas train ... such a good Daddy.

Georgia Aquarium

This morning the boys and I headed to the aquarium. Ben and I hadn't been in a while, and Noah had never been. We had a lot of time to wander and watch and talk - really fun, meaningful time together. Loved it.

In the end, despite the fascinating sea life displayed before them, the boys found some other, less extraordinary things more captivating.

Hands-down, Noah's favorite part of the aquarium ...

... the people mover. (If only I could convince Jess to install one at home, the boys would be entertained for hours.)

And Ben's favorite part ...

... a school orchestra that was there playing Christmas carols - Ben was mesmerized by the violins. (He really wants one from Santa.)

This Thanksgiving ...

My cup runneth over.

Reindeer Games

Thanks for the new PJs, Birdie!

A Couple of Lasts

This week Noah had his last music class, and Ben had his last soccer game. It's probably fair to say that Noah will miss music more than Ben will miss soccer, but he did come around in the end. Here are some shots of Noah's last class ... He loved tap, tap, tapping the rhythm sticks, dancing with scarves,

and exploring the instruments.

Thanks for a great class, Ms. Danielle!

And Ben made it through his first season of team sports. He definitely needed coaxing to get out onto the field most of the way through, but in the last game he agreed to be a starter and had some really great kicks. We're so proud of him! A real kick - progress! We celebrated the end of the season with pizza and shark cookies. Receiving a medal from Coach Anthony. Team Sharks

(notice Ben's enthusiastic expression)