January 12, 2020

The Joys of 2nd grade

div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Sometimes I have to remind myself that Colin is only 7.  It's weird how you have to be diligent about still doing young things for the youngest kid in the family.  Especially for Colin, who is happy as a clam to go along with whatever we're doing for Alison or Eli.  He is also the least demanding of the 3 and the first to be playing happily outside by himself.

So I try to soak up these moments, when I'm reminded the joys of being in 2nd grade.
He's working on math, with his buddy Lionel doing his own stuffed lion work.  Also note the play frying pan, Roblox man and winter mitten on his desk...because you never know when you might need those.


Colin has been asking to do crafts more and this again is an area that often gets neglected.  Alison is old enough to create her own things and she has been given some space in the garage to do so.  The great thing about second graders is that they are thrilled to pieces to do any project.  It was "chilly" this week, so we set up Colin his own craft table in the school room.  It's California, so let's be real, it really wasn't too cold to be in the garage, but we're spoiled rotten around here.  This set up was perfect and he has been a crafting machine :)  It's also a great tool for when he has to wait for his lesson or when he's done working before everyone else.

January 1, 2020

Merry Christmas!

We had another wonderful Christmas.  No one could sleep, so we were up, opening stockings by 6:20.  Ben has always had the tradition of putting a stuffed animal in the kids stockings, but the stakes have risen, and now he tries to see how big of a stuffed animal he can shove in.  The kids think it's hilarious to find their stocking with a giant animal head sticking out.
This year, Colin got a lion. 



Alison got Eli this Fortnite doll so he could play Barbies with her.




Fortnite was the theme for Eli this year.


Alison's theme was Our Generation Dolls.





Colin's theme was sports.



This year seemed extra sweet.  The kids were just SO excited to receive each gift and loved everything.  After each gift, Eli would say a sweet 'thank you' and give a hug.
After tea pastries, strata and coffee, it was time to play.


Eli has wanted this play dough dentist set for a long time and it was the first thing he wanted to play with.  It was a good distraction for him while Colin put together his Lego set all by himself.










 


Ben assembled the new basketball goal and the boys alternated between shooting hoops, skateboarding and playing soccer.


My favorite thing may have been seeing Ben skateboard and teaching Colin (who didn't want me to video).



One of Alison's favorite gift was a bow making kit.  She was quick to get out to her craft station and start creating.


Using her doll as a model:



 

I was super careful with the zwiebach this time and it was my best batch ever...had to document it because my Thanksgiving batch was a fail.

 

For dinner, we had ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, zwiebach and Christmas brussel sprouts (they were delicious) and cheesecake for dessert.


It took me way too long to realize Eli is sticking out his tongue in this picture. 
Merry Christmas!