Ryan's class performed songs and told the story of Jesus' birth on Wednesday. He was selected to be Joseph because his teachers felt he would "not fool around" and stay focused and sing the songs. That's my boy! Burke was able to join us too, so we were happy to have our whole family there. Here are some videos and pictures so you can experience Ryan's stage debut for yourselves.
They processed in to Silent Night.
Joseph...taking in his surroundings...
One of the super cute songs they sang.
Ring the Bells
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Mary & Joseph
Mary & Joseph
joined by the shepherds and angels
After the performance, we had a celebration in the classroom where I was able to get a photo of Ryan & Evan by the classroom tree.
On Sunday, my family gathered at our house to celebrate Christmas. Santa made an early stop at our house for this occasion.
First thing in the morning, when Ryan got his stocking gifts, this was the reaction we got when he opened his owl stuffed animal. He's wanted it forever and has been very patiently waiting. He even wrote Santa a letter about it.
Owl & Candy Cane
Evan got a recorder in his stocking!
He also got a more challenging puzzle as a stocking gift, as we are outgrowing many of our puzzles.
After nap time, I returned from work and my family arrived. We opened more gifts. Grandma & Grandpa gave Evan these community helper people. Ryan has them in his classroom and Evan loves to play with them, so it was perfect.
Uncle Steve gave Ryan this pattern puzzle. I think it may take a little while for him to understand how it works, but once he gets it, he'll love it. He loves playing with symmetry and blocks.
Mama & Dada gave Ryan & Evan an electronic toy violin. Next stop, an actual violin...in a couple years.
Santa brought the boys this DJ station. It makes lots of fun noises. A cool feature is that they can record their work on an MP3 player and listen to it. They love singing into the mic.
I would be remiss if I did not give a major shout-out to my amazing husband who cooked a wonderful dinner for us. If he was not a gifted orchestra director, maybe he'd be a chef. Yum!
As always, we love spending time with the Ponka crew and are thankful we could all get together before we go our separate ways for the holidays.
Last Tuesday, we had our first snow fall. It was just a teeny tiny bit of snow, probably about an inch, maybe less. But the boys were LOVING it! Before school, I just had to let them go out and shovel the deck and make snowballs. They were so excited.
Last Friday, the boys and I hitched a ride with Burke and some orchestra students to Chicago. We loaded on the charter bus and made the drive. The boys loved riding the big bus and the trip was easy for us in terms of managing the little guys.
First the orchestra kids get to spend some time at Water Tower Place, which is a mall. Since we have very little retail in our area, this is a treat. At the mall, the boys perused the Lego Store.
Burke and the orchestra kids headed to symphony hall for a concert and composer lecture. Uncle Steve, the boys and I walked around the city. First we took a look at a few Macy's windows. It's a tradition to decorate those windows for the holidays with animated displays that tell a story.
Then we found a place for the boys to visit Santa at the Chistkindlmarket - an German-themed open air holiday market.
They were not shy at all about visiting Santa!
Afterwards, we headed to Uncle Steve's to relax for a bit. We then rejoined the orchestra crew for Chicago-style pizza. With full tummies, we headed back to the bus. The boys fell asleep on the way home!
p.s. There were many highlights that day, but one important one to note is that Evan had NO accidents all day. He was only a week in to potty training when we took this day trip and I was nervous about the potty situation. I brought three changes of pants for him. I didn't even need one. So proud of him! Great job, Evan!
On December 1 Evan's birthday was made even more fun and exciting when we went to the farm to find the perfect Christmas tree. We had amazing weather that day, sunny and relatively warm. We could take our time finding a great tree. In years past, we hurry through because it was too cold and the boys didn't have the stamina for the search. The boys had a lot of fun this year and were very much involved.
After an extensive search, we decided on this Fraser Fir. The boys look on as Burke saws it down.
Tree is on the cart, ready to take home and make pretty!
When we got home, I just had to say yes when the boys asked if they use the sidewalk chalk, even though it was well past nap time. It was quite warm, and we won't have many more days like this for a while.
The tree stayed on top of our car during nap time. When we woke up, we made Evan's birthday cake (that's why Ryan's wearing his cooker's hat) and then brought the tree in.
We decorated our tree over the course of a three days. We found it to be the most manageable way to decorate with two excited little guys.
Ryan & Evan
Christmas Tree 2012
Hope you are enjoying the holiday season as much as we are!
We had a celebration for Evan's birthday on November 24 while we were at my parents. This is what the boys and I labeled Evan's "early birthday." We played at an indoor play place for a bit in the morning. My friends Vicki & Noelle and their kids joined us.
Here's a picture of Evan and Mama. He was mostly autonomous, but he did need a boost climbing up this triangle ladder structure that we're standing on here.
Ryan tenaciously practiced shooting hoops. You could practically see him making adjustments with each shot, leading to greater accuracy. He made a few baskets. I love this picture, so much action captured. His first two points!
My friends Noelle (my beloved 3rd grade teaching partner from about 10 years ago - geesh!) and Vicki (a dear college friend) - us with our kiddos. Look at all those boys!
Opening presents!
Early birthday loot!
Thank you, everyone.
Blowing out the candle on his football cake.
Jump ahead to Evan's actual birthday - December 1. We started the day with his 3 year old photo shoot. He smiled splendidly. We got some of the best professional pictures Evan's ever taken. He achieved these amazing facial expressions by responding to and making farting noises. Awesome, right? Whatever it takes, I guess. I'm just happy to have some wonderful pictures of Evan!
After the pictures, we had birthday ice cream shakes at Steak-n-Shake. Yum!
Later on in the day, the boys helped Burke make Evan's cake. They wore their Steak-n-Shake hats so they could be more authentic kitchen helpers.
Evan wanted a "snow cake".
Here they help Burke decorate.
We opened some more presents.
Thanks again, everyone!
He is skilled in unwrapping.
I liked this paper from Aunt Betty.
After presents, we ate cake.
Watch our amazing little 3 year old blow out his candles.
He was so appreciative and excited. After the candles were blown out and Burke was getting ready to cut the cake, Evan was saying in a high, squeaky, super excited voice, something like, "Thank you, Dada. Thank you for the cake." He even made little fists and was gesticulating with them for emphasis. It was so sweet.
Ryan cracked me up here. I put up my camera to take a picture of him. As I was pushing the button and the flash was going off, I saw he was making his typical smiling-for-the-camera face. But when I looked at the display to see how it turned out, this is what I saw. I do not know when he made the face change, but we both got a kick out of the situation.
Aunt Sue Marshall's fire truck stole the show, in terms of presents. The night of Evan's birthday, the boys had to go find all the fire engines we have in the house and play with them all, inducting the new one from Aunt Sue into the collection. We now have six or so. They can't get enough of them, though. The new one shoots "water blobs" and has an awesome ladder. The ladder on its own has now become a favorite toy. Evan uses it as a golf club or bat. They also use it as a wand or sword. They have imagination!
Nana & Lolo gave Evan a scooter. Ryan gave it a whirl. You could see the focus as he practiced the motions. His motions got smoother with each try.
Evan was tentative.
I am hoping Evan will really embrace this since it requires coordination and physicality - two things Evan has in spades.
But for now, he steers it onto the grass to safely end his ride.
Thank you to everyone who remembered Evan on his special day!
We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Fraser, MI this year, which has not been done in a long while.
The morning started out early when Burke, Christine & Matt (one of Joey's oldest friends) headed out for Detroit's Turkey Trot 5K/10K. Here they are post-run with celebratory beers.
Ryan sports Burke's Turkey Trot medal.
Evan reclines across two chairs. So comfy!
An attempt at a Thanksgiving picture of our bunch!
Evan is soooo into it.
It was a gorgeous day, so we headed out to the boys' favorite playground near Grandma & Grandpa's - Fort Fraser. I LOVE these 2 Fort Fraser pictures.
Aunt Christine played some Candyland with the boys.
Football Zombies!
After the game, we headed outside for some fresh air and more football.
Christine & Ryan - Tackle!
Then Ryan realized he could climb the tree...
...so Evan had to do it too.
Soon afterward, we headed inside for a delicious feast!
