Christmas Message from Harrison and Avery

We all wish you a very merry Christmas!
(Pause the music so you can hear)

Who needs a playground....

When you have a construction site and big equipment? Both kids got a chance to hang out with Dad this week. Avery got her chance while I did school stuff with Harrison. Harrison spent all day there with him today. Will started a new project this week and there were cranes, excavators, concrete pours....and of course lots of dirt. Avery now gets up in the morning and asks if she can go play at Dad's trailer!

School Christmas Party

It is officially Christmas Break!
Harrison had his school party yesterday. I think every year it gets just a little bit louder. It is so much fun to see his class, the majority of them have been together since Pre-K and it is amazing how they have all changed. After his party everyone collected their younger siblings and we spent the afternoon at the park having pizza and enjoying a very warm December day.

Harrison's Class - minus a couple early vacationers
(it is so weird to see them without uniforms)

This is what happens when mom's take too long taking pictures

Harrison working on his gingerbread cookie. Harrison and Julia (too cute)

Noise makers - believe me they didn't need help

Happy Birthday, Will!

Will turned 33 today!

The kids did the wrapping and the baking all by themselves. They had huge plans for his cake which included many layers... some green layers(Harrison's choice) and some with sprinkles baked in (that's Avery) and it had lots and lots of icing topped with a sprinkle Sparty head. The Sparty was Avery's idea but she really wanted it to be purple.
Avery also practiced singing Happy Birthday over and over...and over. So it could go with her dance moves (performed on the table of course) It was delightful (and very loud)
And here is the birthday boy with the cake and the kids
(which he ate like a champ, for which he gets lots of Dad points, once again it had LOTS of icing)

Flat Stanley

The first grade at Harrison's school does a "Flat Stanley" project each year. It is based on the book and each child gets Stanley to send to a friend or relative in order to learn about other places and cultures. In this case, they were focusing on holidays because of the timing. Harrison's Stanley went to Germany (thank you Grandpa Tom) and this is a picture of his finished project. They sang some cute songs and each child was supposed to bring in some food, decoration (and dress up if you happen to have some lederhosen lying around) related to their destination.

Avery in the Rain

Avery had a much different reaction to the sudden drop in temperature and rainy day than I did. While I wanted to hole up and take a nap, she wanted to take her pants off and jump in puddles. At least she avoided the mud.
(Pause the music if you want to hear the sound)


And the circling continued for quite some time.

Christmas Cards

The kids really wanted to help with the Christmas cards this year. Actually, they have been really excited to do everything this year. I was astonished at how much concentration and effort was put out to get the cards ready to mail. They put all the cards in the envelopes, all the labels on, stickers on the backs and even the stamps. You may end up with a card with a crooked stamp but it was applied with lots of enthusiasm.

Visiting Santa

The kids went to visit Santa today. This was a pretty big deal because it isn't something we usually do. Harrison is not much of a Santa fan, so we haven't gone since he was a baby and didn't have a choice. On the other hand, Avery is all about Santa this year. So, after much debate Harrison said he would go if he didn't actually have to talk to Santa or sit on his lap. Avery was so excited she was a bit of a nightmare in the too long line... but she was great when we got up to him and told him what she wanted.
She has decided this is the "best Christmas ever"

Winter Concert

Harrison's Christmas concert was last night. He is doing so well it's amazing. I can't believe how we used to dread performances because he hated being in front of an audience so much. Not only did he sing and dance, I think he was even smiling for most of it!!

And seriously, could he be any cuter in a tie?

This may be the best picture I have of them (don't be shocked if it shows up on a Christmas card)

Best I could do in the gymThis is the next round

All five of them have a brother or sister in Harrison's class and they will all be in Pre- K next year

Does anyone else see trouble in about 10 years when looking at this threesome?Avery and Alex - just because they are cute

And Harrison posing after the show...

Christmas Preparation

One of the things I have found is that living in Florida makes me really want the Christmas decorations up early. It's not cold, it's not snowy, but when the house is covered in lights and garlands and smelling of cinnamon it still feels like the holidays. So now the day after Thanksgiving is decorating day. We don't do Black Friday shopping, instead we go out and get a tree. Here are a few pictures. My mom is here right now so I am sure there will be more Christmas fun pictures coming soon.

Sea World

Harrison had the day off and he wanted to go to Sea World. It was a perfect day for it, mid 60's and sunny. I honestly was dreading going because a lot of the time when all the kids are out of school it is horrendously busy. Maybe it was that fear that kept everyone away because it wasn't bad at all. Add in the fact that both kids behaved and stayed with me and we had a really wonderful time. We (Harrison had his camera too) took tons of pictures so I posted quite a few.

This is the huge tree out front, Avery blends in but she is there too.
(You may have to click on it to see them)

Waiting for the show to start. Avery and her first apple of the day.

Watching the oyster divers.

Pretending to swim with the penguins.

Lunch break. Which was perfect because we were sitting by the waterfront and there was a really cool fountain show in sync with Christmas music. It wasn't on the schedule so we were the only people there.


When did my babies turn into kids?

The kids getting on the Shamu coaster - this was huge because Harrison never wants to go on it. And not only did he ask to ride it, he had to sit alone because I was with Avery. He was terrified but I think he will attempt it again.


Taking pictures on the spinning jellyfish.

Harrison took this while we were waiting for the dolphin show (my personal favorite) to start. (And Avery and her apple - Avery doesn't go places without her apples)

And they both were so exhausted they fell asleep in the car on the way home
(I can't even remember the last time either of them slept in the car - or during the day for that matter)

She smiled for a picture!

Facing forward, both eyes open, and no growling...I'm speechless.
(more Sea World pictures from today to come)

Because Messy is Fun!

(But if you ask they will tell you I never let them do anything fun)