The boys generally have oatmeal with raisins for breakfast. It’s easy to make (I’ve perfected the timing on our microwave.) And it’s good for them. It’s also easy for Lincoln to eat because it stays on a spoon better than cold cereal does. I don’t know which of them started it, but adding dry Kix cereal has become part of this breakfast tradition.
Nolan went back to preschool today and Lincoln & I went to the gym for the first time this month. I’m glad I haven’t been out of my exercise routine for TOO long. I hope it doesn’t take much time to drop the few holiday bad habits I picked up during the last few weeks.
Since it is a new year, I figured it was finally time to say goodbye to the pumpkin that Nolan painted in preschool back in October. I noticed it was becoming a little soft, so better to move it out of the house than find it in a less desirable state later, right?
My mom celebrated the first family birthday of the new year. Several years ago, my dad started a birthday dinner tradition to commemorate her special day. He prepares his now famous, Beef Wellington, every January 3rd. This year we had twice baked potatoes (made by Tony), julienne carrots, asparagus and chocolate vinegar cake for dessert. I think everyone looks forward to this meal each year. The boys were more interested in the veggies and cake, but I’m guessing if they’re anything like their dad and uncle, it won’t be long until they go back for 2nds from the main course.
It wouldn’t be a birthday without opening gifts. The kids helped Nana find her presents inside the birthday bag. I think they pulled everything out in less that 20 seconds. 🙂 My mom hardly had time to see what they pulled out before they grabbed something else. After opening gifts, I tried to take a picture with Nana and all of the boys, but Nolan decided to pout. (That’s him behind the railing in the green sweatshirt.) To round out our visit to Nana & Papa’s the boys had to visit Taz & Gwen (Uncle Tony’s bearded dragon & gecko.) They love going upstairs to say “hi” and feed the lizards. It was an extra special treat to have Uncle Tony with them for tonight’s visit.
We piled into my parents’ “giant marshmallow” as Nolan has started calling it (thanks, in part, to my mom :)) and pointed north to the Iron Range. Our “normal” family gathering was pushed a week later due to the Christmas snowstorm. It actually worked great for us, since we usually can only make my dad’s family’s celebration every other year. Once again, my Aunt Ann, Uncle Gene & cousin Amy were exceptional hosts. They always have an amazing spread!
My cousin Cory and his wife Renee brought their 3 kiddos from ND so Nolan and Lincoln had a few playmates. I think the kids had a good time with one another. We should try to get them together more often!
Lincoln has started putting 3 words together to express what he wants. Our fine-tuned parental ears have been able to make out the following desires (or demands :))
“I wan cu!” (I want cup) and “I wan ba.” (I want ball) are two phrases we hear throughout the day. He will add in a “peez” (please) complete with sign language if we ask him, “What do you say?” It’s pretty cute.
Today’s phrase while driving in the suburban was, “I wan Jee jee!” Which when played through the Lincoln translator, means, “I want Jesus.” Further translation is required to know what the hidden meaning actually is. We have a CD of kids’ praise music in the truck and when Nolan wants to listen to it, he asks for “Jesus music.” Today, I guess it was Lincoln’s turn to ask DJ mom to select CD 4 from the set.
Nolan and I gave our new slippers a trial run this afternoon.
After bathtime tonight, Lincoln came into his room wearing his towel. Standing several feet away from me, he stayed very still, like he was in a trance. Before I knew it, there was a small puddle next to him on the floor. He looked at me and said, “I wen pee pee.” (And no, I didn’t forget the “t” on “went.” He just can’t quite say ths whole word yet.) All I could do was smile. The little guy has actually started expressing interest in potty training, but I think he’s just facinated with the toilet at this point. However, I am encouraged by his excitement…and hopeful!
We woke up Christmas morning to snow and rain…yes, rain on December 25. Jake started a fire in the porch so we could open presents without freezing around the tree. We gave the boys sleeping bags & cots this year. It was pretty funny watching them practice taking naps. It’s the first Christmas morning in several years that we didn’t have to load ourselves into a car to travel to a morning or out of town gathering. What a gift that was! We spent time as a family, the kids napped in the afternoon, and in the evening, we headed to Jake’s grandparents’ house for the Settergren family Christmas celebration. 35+ of us were able to make it this year. Believe it or not, we were missing a few due to the weather. I forgot to pack the camera for the big family shindig. Maybe that was a good thing though – I didn’t worry about capturing all that I could, digitally. Instead, I just enjoyed the evening as it unfolded.
My kids like to “dip” things. Any time there is some sort of sauce (ketchup, honey, bbq, salsa) they want to join in the dipping. This afternoon, I was eating chips & salsa after the boys finished their lunch. They hovered near and asked with their sweet little “pleases” if they could dip a chip too. I’m a sucker for kids with manners, so I let them try a taste or two, as was the case for my double-dipping little Lincoln.
Sunday afternoon, after the kids took much needed naps, we headed to Jake’s parents’ house to celebrate Christmas. Unfortunately, Stacie wasn’t able to join in the fun – she was studying for finals. We played a little Mexican Train, watched football, had a great ham dinner complete with cheesy potatoes & orange jello salad, and of course, opened presents. The boys were very excited to help pass out the wrapped surprises and open them 🙂 I think they assisted everyone in opening at least one gift. After the wrapping paper was picked up, we snacked on all sorts of sweets – ice cream, fudge, chocolate crinkles and dipped pretzels just to name a few. The boys were more than happy to sample just about everything they could talk someone into giving them (or sneak!)
Saturday morning after we got the kids up and dressed, they ran into our room and came out with my “inside shoes” on their little feet. It’s hard to imagine the day their feet will dwarf mine!
