Pre-New Year Nature

We took the boys to Lake Alice where they got to see some big turtles and baby alligators. Before we went, Daniel was saying that there are nice alligators and mean alligators. We told him it was probably best to assume that all real alligators are mean. :) (The warning must have sunk in, because once the baby gator started swimming nearby, Daniel was ready to leave!)

We went to the playground on the way home -- safely away from any hungry wildlife.

Happy New Year!

Grandma's Allotment

The boys "helped" Grandma with her garden this morning.

Peppermint Seth

We were sad to see Baby Cousin Seth and his parents head home!

Hog Heaven

The pig vacuum cleaner that Auntie Nora got for Matthew was a big hit: he played with it most of the evening yesterday (taking it apart, emptying it, putting it back together, putting it on the table to pretend to charge it up, vacuuming the floor). It doesn't pick up too much, but that's okay -- it's also nice and quiet!

Making a Break for It

Baby Cousin Seth is on the go, and has figured out the dog door! (James is playing defense.)

Second Christmas

We had "second Christmas" yesterday for Cousin Daniel to open his gifts (and we had saved a couple for the twins to open, too, so they didn't try to open all of their cousin's gifts!) Daniel was very enthusiastic about all of his presents, announcing each one with great excitement and at top volume: "Stickers! I got stickers!" And even, "Vegetable peeler! I got a vegetable peeler!" (That one was for Auntie Nora, of course.)

Shopping Cart and Sidewalk Chalk

Like his cousins before him, Seth has been enjoying walking with his shopping cart. And the twins liked using their outdoor chalk with 'Tina and Grandma!

Hey, Good Lookin'

...whatcha got cookin'?

Baby Houdini

Minutes after I left the room at bedtime, James tossed his pacis into Matthew's crib, climbed out of his own, opened the door, and came walking out into the living room, pleased as punch. He climbed up on Grandma's lap and cheerfully told her what he'd done, and asked to play with some playdough.

We decided to let him stay up for a little while (he'd had a nap and Mattie hadn't), and so he eventually found the playdough, made a ball out of it, and had a marvelous time ordering Daddy to throw the ball to him. ("On the floor, Daddy!" "Throw to me!" "I kick it!")

The second bedtime seems to have worked. :)

Happy Boxing Day!

And to All a Good Night

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!! We had a wonderful day with family and friends. (Sorry for too many photos in this post!)

The boys received some wonderful gifts, but would have been happy with just what was in their stockings -- James was so excited to get stickers! And they also liked the wind-up Santa toys. Of course, Mattie was also very pleased to now have his own "puter" (toddler laptop).

Once they got the idea of opening presents, though, they were very excited about it -- they didn't care so much what was inside, but they really liked getting to unwrap the gifts! (I think I only opened one of my own presents -- I had "help" with the others!)

Cute little elf!

The boys had a late nap and didn't wake up until Christmas dinner had already begun (and then they didn't actually want to eat any dinner), but that allowed them to stay up late playing with Honorary Grandma Sue and the other visiting friends.   :)