The Loot

In addition to the presents he got from the Starstroms listed below, Evan wracked up some loot from Santa, Mom and Dad, Ugbie and Meema (he still has yet to celebrate with Papa and Nana...which will be next week). He got a kitchen, a table and chairs set for his room, a fireman/policeman wooden house with furniture (AKA a doll house for boys, but don't tell Dad), a Buzz and Woody doll, a firetruck, lots of Planet Earth animals, Walkie Talkies, and cars and trucks galore. He also got some big boy underwear in his stocking, Santa must have known it's time to start potty training, but Evan would prefer to wear them on his head!!!

What a lucky boy Evan is, and how fun it was to watch his face light up when he saw all of his presents!

Dinner with Family

Last night we enjoyed a family dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Starstrom, Aunt Gina and Uncle Jeff, and cousins Michael and Ryan. They are in town on their way to a Christmas cruise to Key West. They escaped the frigid temperatures of New York!!! We spent the day with them yesterday, and last night took the whole crew to Stonewood Grill. I was a little nervous because Evan isn't good at restaurants, and he proved me right. He was pretty terrible. Until Aunt Gina broke out her IPod Touch, Evan was mesmerized. Of course he had a break down when he had to give it back to her. But this morning all he talks about is Gigi and her ribbit (Aunt Gina and the frog that he saw on her Ipod Touch, of course!). Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Starstrom for a wonderful dinner!!

Thank You!!

Evan wants to thank his Aunt Gina, Uncle Jeff, and Cousins Michael and Ryan for the awesome toys they brought him for Christmas yesterday!!! They sure know the way to a little boys heart, choo choo trains, remote control trucks, books and a cool college t-shirt to be just like his big cousin Michael!!! He has been playing with these toys ever since, and insists on wearing the shirt Michael gave him at all times!!! Thank you!!! So next year I think he wants an Ipod Touch, so you're on that, right Gina?!!!! Kidding!! Now I officially have the most spoiled little boy in the entire world!!!

Time with Meema

Meema has been carrying on a tradition from her Mom, in that she reads to the boys every chance she gets, ever since they were born. Here they are reading one of my favorite books, On the Night You Were Born, a book Meema gave me the night Evan was born. I treasure memories of my maternal Grandma reading me Classic Winnie the Pooh stories, just as I know Evan and Drew will treasure these memories with their Meema.

That's the Best We Got?

Yes, these are the best pictures we got, for our second annual Family Christmas Picture! It is really hard to take decent pictures when there are two babies involved, it's actually kind of cold out, the wind is blowing, the photographer is a freakishly annoying perfectionist (eh hem.. Ugbie of course), someone keeps blinking when the picture is taken (you know who you are!) and.... well I guess that's it. It's hard, bottom line. But special to me nonetheless.

Lovin Lights

Ornament Exchange Party with Friends

Yesterday we went to an ornament exchange party with Evan's friends. It was such a sweet idea! There were lots of Christmas treats, a bounce house, toys galore to play with, and we even did a craft. Evan isn't pictured much here, as you can tell his mood wasn't great. Here he was crying because I asked him to sit with his friends for a picture. You would have thought I snatched a lollipop from his mouth. Drew was such a doll, he slept like a baby amidst all the playing children. Wish he would sleep like that at home!!! But it gave me a chance to play with Evan and take some pictures of his buddies.

Multiple Choice

Question:

I made Christmas cupcakes today because:

a. I am in the Christmas spirit and was in the mood to do some baking.

b. Both of my dogs had explosive diarrhea upstairs and I am trying to get the poop smell out of my house... before realizing now my house smells like chocolate covered poop.

c. I have an insatiable sweet tooth.

d. I am bribing Evan to be good as he will have his first non-family babysitter tonight while awake (usually we have them sit for us when he is already asleep).

e. I am trying to keep the babysitter happy so she will babysit again for us!!

f. All of the above.

Answer: Sadly, f.

What a difference a year can make

I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving and I am posting Christmas pictures?!! Well, I am an adult now and if I want to decorate my house for Christmas the week before Thanksgiving, I can! If I want to take my son to see Santa in November, I can do that too! It's my favorite time of year, and being that is still in the 80's here in Florida, I need a little extra help to get into the spirit.

It was the same Santa and he wore the same outfit as last year. But Evan was much more frightened this year. Last year, they had me back him onto Santa's lap, so he really didn't even know he was on a stranger's lap. Santa didn't even speak a word, in order to not scare him. But this year, they thought Evan would be big enough to not be scared. No such luck. He was terrified. After a few Dora songs, toys, and Shamu chants, we got this picture. The tears had barely dried by the time they snapped the camera away, but there is a semi-smile behind it all. And my bright yellow shoulder in the corner, but don't mind that. Also, please ignore the extra leg between Evan's legs. He wouldn't even consider being near Santa without me right by his side, or underneath him for that matter. Remind me next year to wear green please!