Christmas

Christmas was very simple for us again this year. On the Eve, we had the Meadses over to join us for dinner and then we went and looked at some Christmas lights.

Superhero poses were apparently necessary.

 Morning of was fantastic. Very low key. Ethan got his "race track."

 Kate, her "fairy set."

 I just wanted to post about this little gem. We had the kids pick out gifts for each other. On the car ride there, Kate gave pretty specific instructions. "Don't buy me boy stuff. I want girl stuff. Like princess Play-Doh or something." When we got to Target, we split up. Kate picked out a couple of superhero figurines, and Ethan showed his ability to follow instructions. I told Kate not to tell Ethan what she got him and she was really good about it. Ethan either received no such instructions or he chose not to follow them, because before we even made it to the car, he told her, "I got you princess Play-Doh!" 

She did a pretty good job of playing surprised.

 Drew tried out a new "orange juice hair gel" this year. I don't think he was super impressed with its staying power. We'll stick with the tried and true "syrup hair gel" from here on out.

 Greg had the greatest Christmas of all; fulfilling his fathering dream of playing Legos with his son.

A very Merry Christmas it was.

Letting go

 Sometimes, you just have to let your kids go.

Mostly so you can see what happens.

Luckily, Drew was a fan.

Thanksgiving

If there's one thing you should have learned by now, it's that Packers don't do things half way. Like Thanksgiving, for example. For some, going all out means having two kinds of stuffing. For the Packers, it means Duke basketball in the Bahamas, celebrating Janet's 60th, complete with family photos on the beach. 

Just what the pilgrims had in mind.

Of course when envisioning "family photos in the Bahamas," we all envision all whites on the beach.

I think we nailed it.

But just to be sure, we took another...

The birthday girl with all her grandkiddies.

Duke won the tourney.

Obviously.

On the side, we found some things to fill our time.

Double stuffing or world class resorts, Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving and I'm eternally grateful for the blessings I have in my life. This wonderful family that I got to spend time with and the one that I came from. Bacon and Smashburger chocolate milkshakes. My country and my home. See's Candy and Duke basketball. My children and my loved ones. My health and financial security. Downton Abbey and Disneyland. Bike rides and cuddles with the kids. Browned butter and the color seafoam. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the role it plays in my life.

I'm thankful for it all.

some answers

Figured out the whole fairy set conundrum. 

Thanks to some weekend channel surfing, landing on a Disney show involving, "all of the Tinkerbell fairies. I want all of them. But not the boy ones," we got it worked out.

Still can't figure out who we have to thank for introducing her to such fairyland, but whatever, we'll take it. Santa will be thrilled to hear how easy his job is this year.

On to more important matters, though.

The winners are...

those who guessed Ethan to be on the...

RIGHT!

I know, it was a little misleading for those who have only known Ethan for the past 3 years of his life. For those of you who have known him his whole life, you should remember that first, the kid slept all the time (where his darling twin hardly did at all) and two, the first 6 months of his life were spent larger than his sister. 

May I present to you Exhibit A:

Believe it.

 

I'm actually a little surprised how many people got it wrong. I thought they looked pretty different from each other then. If I really wanted to throw you off, I would have shown this picture. 

Pretty much identical here.

Well, except for, ya know... the whole X/Y chromosome thing.

 

Again, the chubster on the right is Ethan.

And again I say unto you.. believe it. I carried those chubs around like it was my job. Twenty pounds a piece at six months, my friends.

The end.

little bugs

 

A friend emailed today asking about twin stuff, so I was led to look at some old photos. 

I can't kinda believe that I did this. Twins. That's 2 babies at the same time, in case you didn't know. They sure were sweet little babies. Here they are at 1 month, probably weighing in around six or seven pounds each, sharing one bouncer. They don't fit in a bouncer together, anymore, but they still share everything. And they're the best of friends. Each with their own personality and different as can be, but they fit together like twins should. Exactly what I had imagined when I looked on this sight for the first time.

Can you tell which is which?

Working the system

Santa came to the pre-school today. On the way home from school, the following conversation took place:

Kate: I asked Santa for a kitty.

Me: I thought you wanted a fairy set.*

K: Yeah, well I'm already getting that from another Santa, so decided to ask this one for a kitty.

Me: I don't think it works like that.

Kate: Well, we'll see.

Yes, I guess we will.

*Any clues as to what a "fairy set" is? I've tried to get it out of her, but very few leads. I've looked on Amazon and found 2 ideas- one, a figurine set of fairies, and two, a dress-up fairy set with wings and a wand. What do you think she means? Maybe both (they're pretty cheap). I mean, I just want to know what Santa will be bringing; don't like surprises, ya know.

In other news, Ethan just got his mouth washed out with soap for the first time for saying, "poo" twice in a 3 minute span. It may not matter what that boy wants from Santa...

Snow Day

Every year, on the first Saturday of December, a miracle occurs in our neighborhood. A small patch of snow appears on the grass of one of our parks. The fantastic thing about this phenomenon is that no streets, sidewalks, or driveways need shoveling; it all stays on the grass. And the best part is, the temperature doesn't even have to drop below 70, so the kids can play and not get cold.

 For the Packer family, the truly best part is that Ethan brings out his super special, nothing held back, glee for all to see, smile.

 It's something special, that smile. So it only lasts a split second.

I have a feeling the big man in the red suit has something to do with this miracle, because he also appears on the same day, bringing along his "sleigh" and "reindeer," allowing the children to take rides in. 

#ChristmasinTexas

Sisterly advice

Following a stern admonishment to Ethan that he needs to be extra careful now because Drew is always watching him and wants to be just like him and he should NOT. PLAY. WITH. THE. CHRISTMAS TREEEEEE (in a very kind voice, of course), 

Kate told Drew,

"Drew! When Ethan, or I, try to teach you to do something naughty, you DO. NOT. DO IT!!"

I think the message was well received.