It's been Christmas here, pretty much since Thanksgiving! We had a lovely Thanksgiving together with all your grandparents and Uncle Ray. While we stuffed ourselves with delicious food you basically wanted to get up and play. The weather was nice enough that afternoon for a visit to the Duck Pond with Papa Tate and Beba. Grams gave you an awesome nativity set made out of cloth (indestructible) and a set of Lincoln Logs. We spent several days building farm houses so you could put the animals from the nativity in their fences. It is amazing to see your imagination come alive. One of my favorite moments was hearing you sing, "Old MacDonald" while building your farm.
Before things got too crazy for Christmas at work, I took time to put up the Christmas decorations one day while you were at school (That was the first time, we had to redo it a few weeks later when all the lights went out on the tree). On the way home that evening you were so thrilled to see people's decorations. You would exclaim, "there's decorations, that's exciting!" You were so surprised when we got home, "That's Christmas tree in my house!" Needless to say, I've spent the last month saying, "Don't touch the village!" and "Get off the tree!" But to be fair, not always fussing at you, Sirius did plenty.
You've spent lots of time playing with Grams and Papa Bass, who took you to visit Santa. You also visited at Papa and Beba's house a few times, playing with your cars and racetrack until you wore yourself out. Papa Tate built you a new stool for the bathroom so you're really into washing your hands and happier to brush your teeth. You have done well at school and seem to be quite happy, especially on music and spanish days. But, mornings have been difficult as you do not want to leave the house to actually go to school. We've been home for four days now, so we will see what tomorrow will bring when it is time to go back to school.
We celebrated Christmas with the Mitchell's first. You got the present opening bug! The Zoo and Daniel Tiger Trolley Car were a big hit. You have yet to stop playing with them. You liked your Zoo from Aunt Mert and Uncle Nick so much, they ordered you some more animals and a train to go with it, which you opened Christmas Day.
On Christmas Eve, you and Daddy came to the early, family oriented service at church. This was your first experience staying in worship since you were really small. As a pastor's kid, I think you believe you own the place. So, after wrapping yourself all around me while doing a baptism, and then beating on the drum set, you were a live wire when we were trying to tell the nativity story on a flannel board with all the other children. I wonder what life will be like when you outgrow the nursery?
Santa (and Rudolph, because they are an inseparable team) was good to you. You got a new train set, a soccer ball, and Daniel Tiger's house under the tree. That's in addition to the other books and toys to be found there. After church we went down to Papa Tate and Beba's house for Christmas with the rest of the family. You got power tools and puzzles, cars, and bath toys. You keep showing us things and saying, "that really cool!" You are loved by so many, son. The hugs and kisses are the best part.
Today there is no work and no school. We can all enjoy some quiet time beneath the Christmas tree. That quiet being punctuated by the sound of a toddler's chain saw and the whistle of an animal train. It looks like a bomb exploded in our living room. But, it won't be like this forever so I try to cherish every second. Even the difficult ones, if I can remember.
You continue to grow taller. You continue to use more and more words. You continue to be independent and honestly, a little bossy. But 90% of the time you are super cute while doing it.
We adore you,
Mommy
