Christmas Party and Program at School

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our school. Miss Connie and Miss Traci are the absolute best and Ethan gets so excited when he knows that he is going to get to see them! Here's a couple of pictures from the Christmas party and his Christmas program.

Look at this face..."Really Mommy, I have a cupcake to eat. I don't have time for a picture." By the way, we closed on our house the same day as the party and there were 4 contractors at our house while Caden and I were at Ethan's party. No kidding, my phone rang 12 times in an hour...every one of them was something about the house!


Then there was the Christmas program. Ethan was such a card! When I dropped him off at school the day they returned after the program, the first thing that was said when he got out of the car was, "There's the star of the show!" Let's just say that everyone at Shadowbrook knows him and he cracks up Connie and Traci every day!

He spent his entire time on stage waving, laughing, dancing around, and yelling "Hey Mama." Traci did her best to contain him! I have a longer video but here's the abbreviated version. Ben said Ethan's dance skills in this video remind him of a scene from the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou"

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

We started getting in the Christmas spirit this year by helping Aunt Wanda put up the Christmas tree. Ethan was really into it and super excited to help!

Excuse the poor picture quality, but I thought that this one of Wanda holding him while he wears the antlers was too cute not to post.

Then we went and had our Christmas pictures made for the Christmas cards that Mommy went ahead and ordered with our new address on them before we even closed on the house. Let's just say that Mommy was ready!

And among other undocumented Christmas crafts and activities, we made it out to Lake Lanier Islands to see the Magical Night of Lights. We put the boys in their PJ's, got some dinner to eat while we looked, and got some "covers" for the ride through the park. Ethan LOVED looking at all of the lights and characters and Caden thought that it was just as fascinating. I thought that he would fall asleep, but he stayed awake the entire time looking at everything as we passed it. Unfortunately it was dark in the car and this was the only picture that even halfway turned out.

Caden Updates

This little boy is pure joy and almost always smiling!

He is finally beginning to venture out and try new foods. He no longer fits in the Bumbo and it has been put away since he has started sitting up and crawling.

He loves to see what's going on around him

He has figured out what has brother so entertained in the car and is making the best of his rear-facing car seat

He absolutely loves playing at bathtime and has outgrown the baby bathtub

Aunt Wanda

This is our Aunt Wanda. Without her, our transition and homelessness would have been extremely stressful. She absolutely adores these boys and would do anything for them! We love her so much and are so thankful for her generosity during our house hunt.

We even got to go visit her at work one day. Ethan was enthralled and completely made himself at home in her office. By the end of the visit, he had found his new favorite thing...the paper shredder.

The Transition

While we were in transition from Texas to Georgia, we tried our best to stay busy and entertain the boys. We took advantage of our time outside while the weather was nice.

Piedmont Park

Dunwoody Park

Spending the day in Helen

And of course, there was always Mickey Mouse mornings. We don't usually sit on top of the bar.

And we can't forget about playing next door with Drew and all of the cool big boy toys

Little Turkeys

We are thankful for our little turkeys this Thanksgiving. Last week, Ethan had his Thanksgiving Feast at his new school. They worked so hard to get him ready for it and he stood up on stage with all of the other boys and girls and danced along to the songs just like they did! Mommy had tears in her eyes watching her big boy!

After the program, he was way too cool to look at the camera for Mommy...

but decided that brother would look better wearing his turkey hat.

We had such a wonderful time at his school and absolutely loved that Mimi was able to share the experience with us. It is times like these that make me realize exactly why we left Texas and returned to our family. We miss our far away family, but sharing these moments with aunts, uncles, and grandparents are priceless!

Here is a 1 minute video of our little turkey singing and dancing to the J-O-Y song. About 30 seconds into the video, the little guy beside him blocks his view and Ethan let him know that he didn't like it one bit! I am so thankful for his new school and Ms. Connie and Ms. Traci. He loves them so much that he even asks to go to school now!! ( I have tried to upload it for a week now without any luck, but I will keep trying!)

It's Pickin' Time

"Our" backyard is an oasis. Ethan and Lucy cannot get enough of it! There are tons of plants, flowers, and fountains for Ethan to play in and with and an abundant number of birds and squirrels that drive Lucy crazy. The other day Ethan went on a hunt to pick one of every color of flower in the front and back yard.

While brother was busy picking flowers, this little guy was happy as a clam following after him in Mommy's arms.