Christmas, part 1

Our first Christmas celebration has already come and gone.  We celebrate Perry family Christmas the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  There were two new babies since last year - Kale and Joshua.  It is always fun to see everyone and visit. 

Lucas and Great Pa.

The adults each bring a gift for an exchange.  We draw numbers and when it is your turn, you can pick a new, wrapped gift from under the tree, or you can "steal" someone's gift.  Lucas had fun helping pick up the gift wrap and carrying presents to and from people.  That was until someone wanted his daddy's gift.  He even stood in front of Brent to protect it.  He didn't understand this silly game and was pretty sad. 

It was all made better when Andrea got a Cyclone checkers set, though.  He enjoyed "playing" checkers and Landon was a good sport to let him interrupt the game. 

Then it was gym time!  The big boys and little boys (and Audrey, too) enjoyed burning off some energy. 

Disney on Ice

We had a quiet Thanksgiving because we celebrated with my family the weekend before and Brent's family was at Brad's in Chicago.  My doctor recommended not traveling that far so close to delivery, so we stayed at home.  On Friday, we took Lucas to Disney on Ice: Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey. We had no idea what to expect, or if Lucas would even sit and watch, but we were hopeful he would enjoy it. 

Our tickets were great!  There were two rows right beside the ice and we were the first row up.  When the characters came to our side of the rink, they were only a feet away. 

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daffy and Goofy were there.

We saw the Lion King, Little Mermaid and Lilo & Stitch.

Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael "flying."

This is the dog from Peter Pan.  The poor skater was hunched over the whole time - ouch!

Captain Hook's pirate ship.

Lucas loved it.  He sat in his seat most of the time, but by the time Captain Hook came out, he was on Brent's lap.  It was a fun afternoon, colorful and great music, with talented ice skaters who can perform wearing awkward costumes. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

kids DO say the darndest things

I knew the day would come that Lucas would say things out loud that make us want to cringe from embarrassment... it's happened and I have some examples. 

Last week at the grocery store Lucas looked up at the man behind us in line and said "That guy big!"  And he was big - very tall and robust tummy.  I looked at him with pleading eyes and smiled, hoping he was an understanding guy.  He smiled and told Lucas, "If you eat your vegetables and drink your milk, you'll grow up big, too." 

Phew.  That one didn't end so bad. 

Last night he was waiting his turn to get his haircut, while Jennie was finishing another client.  Lucas sat patiently on my lap, but was acting nervous and scared.  He points to the woman in the chair (getting her haircut) and says, "She scary."  Luckily, she and Jennie had a nice conversation going and neither of them heard what Lucas said.  I whispered in Lucas' ear, "That's not a nice thing to say.  We don't say things like that."  Then he winced like he really was scared of her.  I was able to distract him with some toys for awhile, but as she was leaving, he said it again.  I took him into the bathroom to go potty before it was his turn to get his haircut and explained, again, that saying something like that might hurt someones feelings.  "I don't want  her to cry," he said sympathetically.

Even though he is a tender-hearted boy, I know this will not be the last time he says something that I hope people don't hear.

Let the birthday begin!

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family this weekend at my parent's house.  Because of the busy holidays and family living several hours apart, we also celebrate Lucas and Abby's birthdays.  The cousins all do so well playing together, especially considering the age spread is 19 months to ten years old.

Will and Lucas playing cows.

Lucas helped Aunt Karen do dishes.

Lucas, Abby, Aunt Jen, Nick and Adele. 

Aunt Jen made this YuMmY pumpkin cake - moist cake, creamy whipped filling, caramel drizzle and crushed pecans.  Oh my, was it good!

  

 

Lucas just about jumped in the bag to get this barn puzzle!

Handy Manny construction set.

Buzz Lightyear and Woody cowboy boot slippers!

 

We got Abby a shirt and sparkly scarf, the scarf became a popular toy.

                              

Coming soon...

...a new little Cyclone!
6 weeks until due date.