Goodbye 2011

In the past two weeks, we've had all sorts of crazy weather.  From highs in the 60s to our first flurries of snow, and now we all have runny noses.  Not surprisingly, John Thomas loved the fluffy white flakes falling from the sky.  I really hope we get enough snow this year to get a day or two off from school, so that we can spend the day sledding and drinking hot chocolate.

Our boy turned 20 months old this week!  I think the months are actually going by quicker and quicker the older he gets.  I've had to raise the rim on his goal.  He's also become quite adept around the kitchen.  He loves to get all the pots and lids out, set them around the kitchen and then stack them back in the cabinet.  Maybe if I'm lucky, he'll love to put his toys away for another 16 years or so.  I'm not holding my breath though.

I think John Thomas' haircut turned out much better than the last time.  He hates getting a haircut so much, I don't know if I'll ever be ready to take him to a barber shop.  Rather, I don't know if there's a barber shop in town that'll ever be ready for him.

Did I say he turned 20 months or 45?  I was cooking dinner the other night and I turned around in the kitchen to see this.  He had climbed up into the chair and started reading the headlines.  He cracks me up sometimes.

The treat of the week was definitely Papa's mid-week visit.  John Thomas got some uninterupted book time and I got a great sushi dinner courtesy of my dad!  As far as we're concerned, he can come back anytime he wants.

We all knew this day was coming, and it's finally here.  John Thomas has finally figured out how to climb atop Chester.  And wouldn't you know, Chester lets him!  To all the grandparents, especially those with a sense of humor, please don't get John Thomas a saddle for Christmas. 

Speaking of Christmas, I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and safe and funfilled New Years.  And when you wake up to shiney packages and eat lots of yummy food, please remember what we are all really celebrating.  Jesus' birth is the true gift of Christmas.

Gobble Gobble

 As Turkey Day approached, I think John Thomas was starting to lobby for a seat at the grown up table.  He now crawls up into the kitchen chairs at meal time in hopes that we will retire the high chair.  If he's lucky, maybe he'll get a booster seat for Christmas.

 Thanksgiving was a little different for us this year.  John Thomas and I were so lucky to be invited to the Cole/McAffry Thanksgiving extravaganza.  I'm not kidding when I say that their family can cook.  Everything on the table (except my broccoli casserole) looked and tasted like it belonged in a gourmet magazine.  While I thought the best part was the food and the company, I'm pretty sure that John Thomas' favorite part was hanging out with Lola in her oh-so-awesome ball pit in the basement.  Thanks again for letting us crash your Thanksgiving guys! 

 It's no secret that John Thomas loves his Mommy and Daddy very much, but Chester gets most of the snuggles these days.  By the looks of things, I don't think he minds too much either. 

 Beyond the actual T-Day festivities, the extended weekend was fairly routine.  John Thomas helped me do laundry.  When I say helped, I mean he loves to push the laundry basket into and out of the laundry room and play in all the bedding and pillows.  I guess with the right helper, any chore can be fun.

 This is my favorite part about being home for a holiday break instead of at work.  I am so blessed.

 This week, John Thomas got to go to a high school basketball game.  He did pretty well, mostly because I brought food and he had to eat dinner there.  Either way, he was right at home on my lap while I was yelling at the girls.  Must be because the whole time I was pregnant, I was in the gym coaching.   I know some of the fans were giving me funny looks, but evidently you can take the coach out of the game, but you can't take the game out of the coach.  We also attended the Powell Christmas Parade yesterday.  Lots of fun things to look at, including the marching band, flashing police cars, and floats of people tossing treats!

Whoever said a dog is man's best friend must have been talking about my little boy and his favorite pooch.  Here's a teaser for the next blog, I cut John Thomas' hair today.  The good news is, it will likely grow out enough by Christmas that people won't be looking at him funny.