Family Christmas Weekend

Baking Day #1

Joseph and I made Gingerbread cookies.

And despite the amount of dough that this kid snuck by me and consumed. . . .

we still ended up with about 6 dozen cookies.

Joseph got a big-boy haircut. . . . including #4 clippers and shaving around the edges. Good-bye curls. (*sob*)

Baking Day #2 - Puppy Chow (a.k.a. Puppy Crack) A second batch of this will have to be made. I would like to blame its disappearance on Teacher gifts . . . but there is only 1 teacher. So the blame lies with Joseph's parents and the fact that it's so darn addictive.

Putting together Joseph's "big" Christmas present.

We went ahead and gave it to him on Saturday. Christopher's boss and family came over for dinner and this provided some entertainment for the younger kids while the older ones and parents watched the Saints vs. Cowboys game.

Joseph waiting patiently for "present time" on Sunday by drawing on Mama's phone.

. . . helping distribute the gifts . . . .

. . . . he didn't want George to feel left out. . . .

"present time! present time! open the present and see what's inside!" (a little Blue's Clue's reference for you) Joseph loved opening presents and is looking forward to Round #2 in Nashville on Friday.

Visitors!

Katie & Rachel came to visit us this past weekend. We met both of these girls in Charleston and they were a beloved part of our community group. In the past year both of them have moved to Texas. Katie moved to Houston and Rachel to Dallas. Katie is getting married in February so they came up for a weekend of wedding dress alterations, invitation assembly and some much needed girl time. It was wonderful having them here!

Christmas shopping . . .

is finished (I hope). Presents have been wrapped and put under the tree. Four boxes of gifts have been shipped to Indiana & Virginia family and Chicago god-daughter. Joseph's "big present" is hiding in the garage for last minute assembly. Joseph talks about nothing but "going to see Nana & Papa & Alissa & Uncle Travis & Aftin & Katie next week." (side note - he puts "uncle" in front of Travis, Chris & Jon but will not put "aunt" in front of Natalie, Megan, Alissa & Aftin. I do not know why.) Joseph's pre-school Christmas program is tomorrow morning. I found out yesterday that he needs a green dress shirt for this. hmmmm. Next week - more Christmas baking and packing for Nashville. 'Tis the Season!

baking day - in pictures

posing for Christmas pictures

Joseph's great-grandmother (Nanny) knitted this cute snowman sweater for Joseph.

the process of posing for pictures includes lots of "cheese" and jumping. .. so I switched to video.

getting closer. . . .

ungrounded

Remember the red sharpee on computer monitor debacle?

Conversation Joseph had with himself in the car yesterday:
"I like the computer.
I like to play on the computer.
I like to paint on the computer.
But can't play on the computer because I'm grounded from the computer."

Joseph is no longer grounded . . . but is closely supervised. . ..

the kid loves his veggies

Christmas in Little Rock

Joseph overseeing the trimming of the tree

New School!

Today is Joseph's first day at his new school. Over the summer Joseph went to school 4 mornings a week. We have switched things up a little this time and he will be going 2 full days a week. Hopefully he'll be able to take his nap away from home! The great thing is that his school is part of ACH where Christopher works. So daddy is close by.

The other great thing is that his best friend, Red George, gets to go with him.