Melts my Heart

Evan is really into books right now. He brings me books all day long for me to read. And it just melts my heart because I love that he loves books. He can actually (usually) sit still long enough for me to read them, sometimes three or four times in a row. I have most of them memorized. He got lots of new books for Christmas, which is great for us both!! Evan's favorite books are Tails and Peekaboo Playtime. And he can say "book". Can't say Mommy yet. But we swear he said Abby yesterday. That doesn't melt my heart however. Not even close.

Funny Faces

Here are a few pictures from Grammy's house last week. Evan LOVES being outside. If it were up to him, we would live in a tree. So if he is ever fussy, we just head outside. Here he is making faces at Grammy and her camera.

A Hinson/Starstrom Christmas

Today we played with my loot again. I also got a remote for my camera, so we broke out the tripod and remote and took some pictures in the park. Evan wasn't the happiest as he is cutting two teeth and has a nasty case of diaper rash. But we got some pretty cute shots. We celebrated Christmas on the 22nd, so it really doesn't seem like Christmas. But hopefully it will tonight. We are going to have our traditional, not so traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Duck breast, seared scallops, crab stuffed mushrooms and fresh asparagus.

Peaceful Wishes

In case I left you off my Christmas card list please take a look at my Christmas card. Peaceful Wishes, and May Health, Peace and Sweet Content be Yours.

Shakespeare

Mama's Loot

I got everything I wanted this year. My family here to share Christmas with, amazing, thoughtful and generous presents, and a healthy happy little boy. Cheesy, I know. But I also have to brag about my new camera lens. I LOVE IT!!! Thanks to Jennifer who recommended it, and thanks to Paul for getting it for me. These pictures were taken today with it, with barely any light, no flash, and they aren't blurry!!!! I didn't even edit them. Adobe was becoming my best friend with my old lens. SWEET huh??

Here Evan is saying, yeah, whatever. Boring, Mom.

Evan's Loot

We opened present early this year. Santa was kind enough to come on the 22nd so Uncle Kevin and Grammy could watch Evan play with his toys before they leave on the 25th/26th. So at the same time Paul and I officially gave up the notion that we wanted to live in a clutter-free, or even relatively clutter free home. YEAH, that's not happening anymore. Good thing he has a toy room in addition to his room.

You think, possibly, just possibly that this little boy is a bit spoiled? Being the first grandchild on my side of the family, and the first grandchild in seven years on Paul's side of the family leads to a very spoiled little boy. We also try and stress the importance of giving, not just receiving. And my guilt after looking at this picture and thinking about the less fortunate children leads me to tell you that we also donated toys to the Harbor House this year, a home for women and children. A few of my favorite toys this year: his wagon, his rain boots that have dinosaur faces on them, his Kawasaki ATV, his little toy vacuum, all the old fashioned wooden cars and blocks, and his little ride on pony. WOW, that sounds like even more than the picture shows. I guess they are all precious in their own way. Thank you to Daddy for working so hard and providing for us, and thank you to all our family for all the super-fun toys. Merry Christmas Evan, you deserve it.

Impromptu Santa Visit: The results

Here is the picture that was taken when Evan met Santa. I think it turned out pretty good. Santa doesn't look creepy at all here!!!

Impromptu Santa Visit

Evan and I were at the Mall today, when there was a very short line for Santa. Evan was looking cute in his red and green, and was in a pretty good mood... so I went for it!!! The way they do it, Evan didn't even know he was sitting on Santa's lap. They had me turn him around way before getting to him and just prop him up there on Santa. They had all sorts of toys and flashy things to distract Evan. When he got fussy, they had me sit next to Santa and put Evan on my lap. Then Santa crouched over and I laid way back, so you couldn't see me in the picture at all. They did a great job, and I ordered a picture that will be here in about ten days. The only problem was, it wasn't at all what I expected. Santa didn't even talk, which was kinda creepy. And it wasn't just for Evan, it was for all the children. It was just mostly a photo-op. In fact, Santa looked half-asleep. The magic just wasn't there. That is hard for me to say, because I am obsessed with pictures these days. But, no "Ho Ho Ho", no "have you been good this year", no "what would you like for Christmas?" It was just, "Cheese", and don't move or creep out the kids..... Anyway, I just had to vent. But I did get some cute pictures of Evan waiting in line for Santa. Just none on Santa, because I was mostly next to Santa!!! While waiting in line, we met a little boy and his Mom. The little boy could have been Evan's twin. Born just a month behind Evan, with the same red hair. He even had a blonde spot in the back, and his Mom had the same stroller as I did!! They played together beautifully, like they were long lost brothers!!!

Shhh, don't tell Daddy

Daddy doesn't like Evan to wear scalloped collars and the fitted, non-denim overalls that are called Jon-Jon's. So Evan wears outfits like this, oh, ya know, when Dad is at work!!!! I think he looks absolutely adorable. Too bad about 98% of my pictures are of the top of his head, of a non-smiling boy, or of a boy with his tongue sticking out. Evan constantly has his tongue out and to the side when he is exploring outside, which is where I like to take most of my pictures. So out of 158 pictures... yes, that's right, 158 pictures and an almost full external hard drive.... I have like 5 that I want to share!!!! Merry Christmas from Evan and Corky, to you!!! Farley would like to send holiday wishes from behind the couch. Dogs with Global Fear disorder do not like to have their picture taken apparently!!!

Big Evan's Birthday

Today, Evan's friend, Evan, had a birthday party. He turns two next week. His party was a blast. It was train themed, and outside at a super-fun park. Evan had such a great time climbing on the jungle gym, eating delicious homemade cake and playing with his friends.

Driver in Training

Well this was a big mistake. Live and Learn. I let Evan pretend he was driving one time, and now that is all he wants to do. If he gets anywhere near the car, he starts pointing to the driver's seat and going "Uh Uh Uh Uh", which is Evan's wordless way of saying "let me drive"!!! We could just be running to Publix, and instead of getting in his car seat, he wants to drive.

Ladies Man

Yesterday we went to TWO playgroups. Our second one, Evan was one of two boys, surrounded by lots of ladies. He is definitely a ladies man. He loves the girls and they love him!!! Probably because they aren't as aggresive as his boy friends, who tend to knock him over and steal his toys.