Jan 31, 2015

It's Really Cold

Winter's cold and snow has finally hit us.  Colin and Hobie both are ready to go out and play in the snow before breakfast.

 Colin and mommy cleaning of the bench outside....because, what else do you do??









 Probably the best  'bundling up' job of the winter so far.

 Colin had 2 areas shoveled out for him to play in while daddy shoveled.....moving snow onto the newly shoveled paths was more entertaining though.  He tractors were kept busy in his areas for a while still.
The neighbors came over to say hi to Colin and Hobie.

 Mommy decided it was time for a vacation.  This is the list.  It was pretty straight forward but took weeks to find the right place.  The plan right now is that we will be going to Mexico in April.  That should be fun.  Now we need to get passports in order.
 We had a few outings and play dates this month.   What better place to go when it's in the single digits than to get ice cream?



  Some bumper bowling was tried with some friends.  Some of them were excited.  Colin was very focused and serious about his bowling.























Aunt Ursula came over with Luke and Emmett to do some crafts.  Then we went to the furniture store.  It sounds odd but they have a water/light show, ice cream shop, Fuddruckers, jungle gym with harnesses, fire truck strollers...it was a busy place.








We have Colin's first report card from school.  It told us what we thought.  He really knows the academic stuff for preschool.  He is very quiet and introverted.  Not much surprise.  He is excited about going and will come out happy.  So preschool seems to be going well.


At home Colin loves to help out.  He's doing a lot more stuff on his own.  We'll see how long until he decides these things are not fun.


 Helping build a shelf for his toys.  Vacuuming the couch.  Changing the sheets on his bed.  What a big boy.

He also has been picking out his clothes for the day.  This was one of his first which wouldn't be bad except that it's well below freezing outside and that's where he wants to go. 



Jan 4, 2015

PICTURE FAILURE


Since Google decided to scrap the program used to make the slideshows, it's been difficult to find a comparable replacement.  Hopefully something will be found this month.  In the meantime all the photos are just going to be thrown up here....
(Things may not be in order.  Some pictures decided to move on their own and not be moved further....one reason I prefer not doing it this way)


Time to decorate

Mommy found a Polar Express to paint

"Dad, can you please be quiet?  I have a phone call."

COOKIE TIME!

Relaxin' and playing trains with Emmett

Showing Uncle Timmy Pooh's house

Looking sharp



Next year we are finding a different recipe for our gingerbread house.
Such a serious ice cream eater
Playing trains with Hazel

Doing some coloring together

...and some coloring apart
More train time
We love beaters!



Writing a letter to Santa with illustrations


Found a spot in BestBuy while daddy was looking at some stuff


Intently watching some Dinosaur Train
His happy face???



Celebrating early Christmas

Present time

Next year Santa needs to bring one of these
Relaxing on the couch

Neighhbors Jen and Jennine brought us to the zoo to see the lights

There was also a dinosaur bone pit

and a reindeer in training
and a train


Neighbors has a Christmas Mater.  It was very exciting
Before everyone was up

The most polite opening of stockings in history
So much loot
First present opened
digging in
Playing some soccer
Snuggling with Percy






Visiting Yaya on Christmas day

Playing some tunes on his Ukulele


The proper way to get a small spot extremely soapy and clean


Out for a cool playdate

Building his pirate sailboat
Saw a tank at the park
So we had to sit on it


Using his eReader








Jan 1, 2015

Mr Expressive

Colin is getting very good at his expressions and expressing his emotion now.  His 'cross face' has been perfected for a while now.  His huff and slumping shoulders after being scolded is new.  It's hard to stay serious after that...it's so dramatic.  His rejections are very polite and loud.  A very loud NO THANK YOU will be his response to a few things now....followed by a time out with screaming involved.  So we are figuring out boundaries and trying to find ways around them.

We had an exciting month with all the Christmas stuff going on.  At first he was surprised that there were more presents after our first celebration.  Then when we had some people over for New Years he was expecting to get more presents.  We talked about that and once he got the Christmas was over he decided it was time to move onto the next holiday he could remember....Easter.  It was a bit shocking how well he recalled last year.  He seems to rebound from things pretty quickly.  Christmas is over???  Okay, what's next?   Even when Colin is told no we get a happy sounding "Okay" as a response.  Hopefully that never stops.

Happy New Year to everyone.  We'll see what this year brings...


Link for Dec Album:

Dec 2014 Album

Growth Chart

Growth Chart