Christmas seat

tree picnic

Jennifer: Greta, what do we celebrate on Christmas?

Margaret: Santa – elves – presents – Christmas tree – ornaments!
J: But it’s also someone’s birthday – do you know whose?
M: Mmm . . .baby Jesus’s! [though I was almost sure she was going to say Rudolph’s, given her recent obsession.]

M: [putting a clean utensil in her mouth] Nice and syrupy!

M: I punched Linus with my foot! I stepped on his face! I stomped on his toe!

peaceful as

implosion redux

We got out early this morning to go watch the implosion of the iconic front side of Kyle Field.  There was quite a crowd on West Campus before the planned moment, and we got situated with a good view of the demolition.  It was impressive -- we could see the charges go off inside the stands, and then watched the controlled fall.  (You can see the dust and debris cloud just behind the kids in the picture above.)  Jen said that she could feel the impact from home -- and, after seeing the video we took, she said she even found it a little poignant to see such a fixture of the town disappear.

turn, turn, turn

The children have been working hard on their presents for the other members of the family (which will all be handmade this year).  Linus wanted to do some woodworking, especially after he won a wood turning kit as a door prize at our (virtual) men's weekend meeting, led by Grandpa Sam.  After we did some research into wood turning, a chance discussion with my colleague and friend Kevin led to our coming to his shop this morning.  He'd arranged for Linus to work on some addition kits we'd found and ordered.  Linus took to the process right away, and did a fine job on Kevin's small lathe.  Thanks to Kevin's generosity and experience, we were able to turn, stain, and form two pens -- one for each of Linee's older siblings.  He's thrilled, both because of the excitement of the experience and because of what he's made for Casper and Gwennie.

she decides

Margaret: [scolding her nursery comrades] When your moms come they’re going to be angry at you guys for not cleaning up to this song! [being played with a musical toy she found]

M: [freaking out]  I wanted to watch Totoro, but Casper said no!
Jennifer: [consolingly] Who gets to decide – Casper or Daddy?
M: I do!

M: Wait, I need my shiny nose! [this is Greta's Rudolph costume]

M: I want to touch my butterflies [hanging above her bed]. I can! I’m tall enough! I will be very gentle.

Jennifer's friend Brannon (of Happy Cactus Designs, in Austin) began offering charming handmade Christmas ornaments in various styles. Since we traditionally acquire a birthyear ornament for each of the kids (and since the mass-market offerings are not very personal), we were delighted to find that Brannon could make a custom ornament for Simon.  We love what she made, and were touched that she insisted that we allow her to send it as a gift for him.  I think that it matches the decor of our tree wonderfully, and we're sure that Simon will treasure it.

hangin' out

for example. . .

Mr. Personality

Another advantage of having a working trampoline is that it provides Simon a place to sit and look around at the yard and his siblings' activities.  He spends a lot of his time observing (and showing off his beautiful arm and thigh rolls), but always engages with the family when we stop to talk to him.  He's a charmer.

 the traditional infant stare-down -- trust me, this isn't one you can win

character actors

seasonal

tannenbaum

It's always a highlight of the season to find a suitable Christmas tree and to get it settled and decorated.  We've also been able to start getting presents placed under the tree, which adds to the excitement.  But what really enables the children to get into the spirit is to dress up in hats and mittens, which Greta has been doing regularly, then inspecting the tree and the mysteries beneath.