Christmas Spirit

This marks P's 3rd christmas season and his enjoyment and excitement regarding it all so contagious! He has discovered Mr. Grinch and speaks to him all the time, as his imaginary playmate. Today Mom and I took P to Barnes and Noble for the first time. I had been wanting to take him because i knew they had a children's area with tons of fun things to do. I knew this may be the place he could actually get down and be free without the adult rules of other locations. I was right. He was so happy and in his element here, and it doesn't hurt that this boy LOVES books. While there, Grandma stumbled upon the one and only Grinch plush in the store! P has never been one for stuffed animals, and has rarely ever snuggled or toted one around, so today marked a special day because he took to the grinch right away. We wonder if its because he's been talking to him for weeks in his imagination, so for him to come to "life" mustve been mind-blowing for P! Grandma got us all hot chocolate like on polar express and pumpkin muffins, while we sat in the kids section playing puzzles and looking through the array of amazing christmas books and their illustrations. It was one of the best days ever! P also enjoyed the discovery of the bookstores train table, and made a fellow train loving friend. I felt like Kathleen Kelly, and we were sitting in the quant bookstore, The Shop Around the Corner in "You've Got Mail". 

He sat Mr. Grinch on the bench and said,"Grinch Watch PhePhe!"

Big Heart, Big Love.

All toddlers have moments that are less than appealing, but they also have giant, massive hearts that show themselves at little moments throughout the day :) This little man is no different and recently had the sweetest snuggle fest in his bed with his new pal, baby...Speaking of he also has his first imaginary friend as he mentions that the grinch is hanging with him most of the day and invites the grinch to participate in whatever activity he is doing at any given moment :)…but i digress!  Also, this week as i drove into the driveway, my heart smiled when i looked up and saw him and Ben waving and waiting for me in the window above our garage :) no better sight to see!

Although unrelated, this photo makes me smile. Baby days, slow down! 

Cold, already winter, days

It went from summer to winter. No transition. No need for jackets or light coats. Its full on scarf and hat and glove weather already. But that can't possibly mean staying inside from now until march, so out we go to explore! P helped make his first snowman and discovered ice strong enough to walk on. He even learned what makes snow and ice and is happy sharing this new information with everyone! Having an adventurer also means climbing trees, or being the head they sit on as they climb said tree...

Serious about playtime..

"Play is the highest form of research." 

~ Albert Einstein

Hair today, gone tomorrow...

It was finally time again to cut off nearly two feet of hair! I did this about 5 years ago and having a 2 year old will convince you really fast to get the "mom do". Im more than happy to have 1 million pounds of hair off my head and will be donating it all to those in need!

Happy Halloween!

Our 3rd Halloween has come and gone and it was a fun one, and a freezing cold one!! Phoenix was Bob the Builder and had fun fixing everything all night :) We rang our first doorbell with him, and although he's scared to death of things like buzz lightyear, he loves many things he should, in fact, be scared of. Things such as The Walking Dead and monsters on peoples porches on halloween. The first door we went to had a huge scary masked animal in the rocking chair just waiting to pounce. I made sure to state that if there was a human under that mask to please not jump at us! Phoenix was not too interested in the candy but instead this masked beast. The animal slowly raised his hands to wave and we could barely drag P aware from the porch! Saying, " Hi monster! Hi! What choo doin monster?" At our last house, ( we only stopped at a grand total of 3 homes before he was plenty happy with our adventure being complete) he didn't want the candy at all, he wanted the "monkey" to come to the door and the owners cat. So he made himself at home and walked inside. We basically had to drag him away and in true halloween tradition, obtained our annual crying photo. Its kind of a requirement i suppose :) He was fine a few minutes later and returned home to tell daddy all about our adventure!

 Halloween Morning getting his basket! 

Spider Cupcake Fun!

2 eyeballs..

1 eyeball...

no eyeballs...

 The sweetest Bob the Builder there ever was!

My big boys first walk down the sidewalk as a real Trick or Treater! 

His first doorbell! ( and the 'friendly' monster)

Counting Pumpkins 1,2,3,4...

Halloween tears years 1, 2 & 3…at least we always keep a sense of humor!