xmas

Xmas brought with it lots of fun and some much needed relaxation. Big guys big present was a train table that two gmom's bought him. Gmom J got him the table and gmom Dino got him tracks and trains. Hubs built the table after big guy went to bed on Xmas eve. When we got up the next morning- big guy saw it, squealed in delight and proceeded to play with the geo trax he got on Xmas eve which were sitting on the table. He was so involved that he played quietly for an hour before he even realized there was other stuff for him to open.

So hubs and I had a really relaxing morning! We opened each others presents and relaxed while big guy played. When big guy finally stepped away from the table for some breakfast, he quickly saw the pile of presents still unwrapped. Big guy got (and may I mention all were bought through amazon points- not a penny spent!) a toy drum, two puzzles, two train books, and a play basket with fake fruits and veggies, as well as, some thomas the train bath toys. He was totally jazzed and thrilled with life.

We spent the rest of the day chilling out and watching big guy play on his train table, he was so ecstatic. And to top the night off, hubs put batteries in big guy's geo trax train so he could use the remote to move the train. The giggles that came out were hysterically funny!!! He would get so upset when the train moved without his permission and rip it off the tracks while laughing. Then put it down once he was sure it wouldn't move again. Only to start the process all over again. A truly awesome xmas and so much better than last year!

xmas eve festivities

Xmas eve was on a saturday this year and started our four day adventure of visiting family and opening presents! WE went over to hubs's brother and sis-in-law's house. When I tell you there were a lot of presents, I mean there wasn't room for everyone in the living room to sit when it came time to open them. Big guy did very well. we got there around eleven and went right into running through the house screaming with joy while the adults fawned over big guy.

Then we sat down for lunch with a minimum of fuss. Following lunch, big guy proceeded to destroy his cousin's playroom, taking every truck, car, star wars figurine out of the lovely order it was in and on to the floor. It was extra funny b/c his cousin is kind of fussy about his toys! Big guy ran with the big kids all afternoon. When they went outside he went and collected rocks. When they played the wii, he slapped and yelled at the tv. When they opened presents, he ripped his to shreds too!

It was an awesome day. probably big guy's best gift was a set of geo-trax, which are plastic trains with train tracks. The trains have a remote that can control them either forward or backward and make fun train noises. Big guy is obsessed with it! And when hubs finally put the batteries in on tuesday to make the train move- big guy freaked, in a good way. Pure giggles while jumping up and down before grabbing the train off the tracks. Definitely a hit, but big guy hadn't seen anything yet!!!

New design

Ok, I'm almost entirely over my tummy issue and I'm ready to tell all about our xmas awesomeness where we had three xmas celebrations and one hanukkah celebration, all in a row. Big guy did awesome! Each day will get it's own post, but we had a great time. and now we are just enjoying our time off. And I will say that one sure way to beat the holiday weight is to get sick and not be able to eat for three days!!!

Oh yeah, and I redid the design of the blog, it was time- something fun and fresh. I think this design looks like a refreshing, fizzy orange drink!!! Enjoy!

Ugh, merry Christmas

Right after I wrote that lovey-dovey post- I got hit with a case of food poisoning and was in severe pain all night. Terrible terrible. But I'm back and now can start telling about big guy's Xmas of awesomeness!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today was a lovely day. And while I have a long post with pics that are coming to describe this lovely day, I am glad to share this day with my hubs and big guy. Lots of fun, laughter, joy, food, and playing. A truly wonderful day. Merry Christmas!!

the fridge

big guy has figured out how to open the fridge. sometimes he takes things out. sometimes he just hangs.

Longwood Gardens

Big guy picking some berries

Big guy pointing at the trains

big guy playing with some rocks

Pretty lights on the tree

After thanksgiving, while hubs was in the midst of paper writing, big guy and I did a big adventure all by ourselves. It could have gone either way- complete disaster or complete success. I am happy to report that it was a complete success!

Big guy and I went to Longwood Gardens- where there is wide open land, lots of trees, a holiday model train set-up, and holiday lights once the sun starts to descend. WE got there around 2:30, big guy had drifted to sleep for the hour car ride- a definite part of our success. We went sans stroller (another excellent choice) and were supposed to have timed tickets, but I kind of played the "I'm the mom of a toddler and we need to run out some energy" card and they let us in!

We first did some inside time seeing all the Xmas flowers, decorated trees, etc. It was sooo hot and steamy in the conservatory and after chasing big guy for a half hour we bailed on the rest of the "tour." I had sweat marks on my shirt. We went out into the delightfully cool day and headed to the train display, where we promptly stayed for an hour. Oohing, aahing, yelling choo-choo, and trying to climb over the fence and get big guy's hands onto one of those trains. The only meltdown came when we left the area. But it was short lived and I kept my cool.

After that we walked around the grounds and then went to have dinner in the cafe. Big guy did an awesome job waiting in line and we got the turkey dinner special. I brought along some raisins and an apple. Big guy very calmly sat and ate turkey, green beans, raisins, and an apple. and I'm proud to say that every other older kid around us was eating chicken fingers, hot dogs, and mac n cheese. big guy was in good spirits, charming everyone in the cafe when he eventually decided sitting was for losers. We went outside, it was cool, but not cold. We saw the beautiful lights on the trees and caught (very luckily) the last five minutes of the fountain light show- which was totally mind boggling for big guy. And then we left for the car. It was such an awesome afternoon and big guy was totally stimulated and entertained!! yay!!