lots and lots of fun to end the year

This morning, we picked up Mam and Pap and headed over the river to totter otterville.  bug has been asking for 2 weeks to take Pap and have Pap play with him.  I am just the driver and Mam was along solely to talk to me in Bug's mind- only Pap was important.

Bug played in the ball pit

he played trains with Pap

He played animals with Pap

 And the last activity with Pap was face painting.  Yep, Bug went right to the red face paint.

But he also was just as happy to wash it off his face.

At this point, Pap needed to go back and sit in an adult size chair.  So Bug and I continued playing.  Bug went shopping.  It was funny to hear him say the same things I say "that has to go back, it is too expensive".  Or "we have enough of that at home".   he does listen to me, just not when I expect him to listen.

He then switch to being the cashier.  He was having a great time.  But we needed to get going, so I hurried him along.

But first he had to be a vet (animal doctor).  I love this, can  you see him as a vet in about 20 years?

He gave all the animals their flu shots (and he was quite happy about giving lots of shots)

he checked some ears- apparently the baboon is a wax maker just like Bug.

The bunny and magican arrived. 

And the magican made a dinosaur for Bug.

We then headed to Costco for Pap's shopping, then lunch and home for a nap.  The doorbell rang about 2 hours into our nap (we would probably still be asleep if not for little M ringing the doorbell).  Little M and Big M wanted Bug to come out and ride bikes.  So an hour of riding bikes and then it was too dark to stay outside.  So back in to watch a video and have dinner.

One more day in this year.  We are hanging out at home tomorrow during the day- finishing the laundry, dishes and a quilt for me and then we are off to farm for New Year's eve celebrations with Hermano and his family.

We wish you all a Happy New Year!!!

love and hugs,
Deb and Bug

bike riding before the storms come

The weather was warmer today, but rain is coming for the rest of the week, so I took Bug out to ride his bike this afternoon.   He spent most of the day with my sister and brother in law.  He had a great time with them.  But a chance to ride his bike could not ignored.

The snow is melting and should be gone by the end of this weekend.  But we are sure to get more snow in the next few months.

Bug asked for Big and Little E to come out too.  So they were out with their dad for about 30 minutes with us.  Since there were 2 parents watching, we allowed the kids to rid in the street.  We still had to watch for cars as we were out during the evening 'come home' time.

after biking and getting dinner, Bug read a library book to me.  All about snow bugs.  He likes it because it is pop up book.

And here is the difference 4 years makes.

I am so grateful to have the pictures that Popi, Mireya and the girls took of Bug while he was with them.  These pictures allow me and Bug to look back and see his babyhood.

This is a blessing that continues to bless us and will be a godsend for Bug as he gets older.

Love and hugs,

Deb

Traditional post Christmas teeth cleaning

Today was the annual post Christmas teeth cleaning appointment.  Bug was none too pleased.  He had a rough morning and had 5 temper tantrums before we left the house at 12:45 pm.  He was not happy to have teeth cleaning today for some reason.  Ms. Patty has always been so nice to him.  I have no idea where the drama came from today.

The bonus for this dentist visit is that Mam and Pap were also going with us, as they had appointments too.  Bug insisted that Mam go first, then Pap, then us.  Bug is the helper for me, he fills the water cup.

He is happy helper

When it was his turn, Ms. Patty let him hold the instruments for a photo or 2.

Bug and Ms. Patty.  She is heading to Guatemala next week.  I wish I had known, we could have sent things down with her.

After the photos, I got back in the seat and Bug laid on me while Ms. Patty cleaned his teeth.  This time, she got to clean his teeth, while I held the mirror so Bug could see what she was doing.  He was OK with it and maybe in July, he will sit in the chair without me.  The excitement of the day-

Bug has a loose tooth!!!!! 

It is still very much attached, but Ms Patty says he will loose by the end of the school year and he might loose another tooth by then (remember school ends the first week of June for Bug).  So we have a while to go, but the *tooth fairy has to prepare. Ms Patty also said Bug's 6 year molars will be coming in sometime in the next year and then I need to take Bug to the orthodontist.  He has a bad under bite, there is an outside chance that as his molars and permanent teeth come in, it will correct itself, but likely he will need braces. I am not so worried about this, it will all work out in the end.

After getting our teeth cleaned we went to dinner at Cracker Barrel and had a treat of ice cream.

The day that started not so well ended quite nicely.







* tooth fairy rates are very unpredictable.  When I was younger, the rate was $.25 per tooth.  I have been checking threads on other boards and there are some families where the tooth fairy brings $20.00 per tooth.  It seems the average rate is $5.00 per tooth.  That is way too high in my opinion, so Bug is getting Gold dollars per tooth which is $1.00 per tooth.  I have already checked with the bank and they carry the gold dollars all the time.  I will be getting a supply in the next few weeks just in case.  


Well, that is all for today.  Love and hugs,
Deb

Noche Buena y Feliz Navidad

Bug was going nuts yesterday with excitement about Santa coming.  So I took him to McDonalds to play for an hour and wear himself out.  It worked.  He played for almost 2 hours and then took a 45 minute nap (planned and encouraged by momma).

When we arrived home from McDs, we found presents from Little M down the street.  Bug was happy to have gifts to open early.

We had a family Christmas Eve service.  Last Year bug and his friend (the little boy next to him) fought over the same 6 inches of space to sit in.  This year, Bug was  none to happy to be up in front again.

Some families were asked to read a verse or a few verses, then we, the church, sang the Christmas carol based on the verse.  Bug and I have been practicing all week to say " And this will be a sign to you, you will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger."   when we arrived at church, I asked bug if he was going to say the verse with me and I got a resounding NO.  I had no idea that he also was going to stand on the stage and scowl at the congregation.  He loves leading worship in children's church.  I will try to get a picture of that so you have a contrast. 

After church, we ran home to prepare for Christmas eve at Grandpa Joe's.  Santa comes here and brings one present.  Bug was quite disappointed that Santa did not bring his bicycle.  I had to explain that Santa brings bikes to homes, not parties.

Santa brought him another game- do you see a theme??? In total, Bug received Jenga, Connect 4, Monopoly Junior, Skipbo and Trouble and the Foosball game (see below).  I think we have enough games now for lots of variety on family fun nights.

 Bug also received a gift from Grandpa Joe- a little car.

Jason received a present too

We got home close to 10 pm, so Bug had to get his jammies on, he put together the plate for Santa- cookies and chocolate covered cashews, and the reindeer food.

We read "The Night before Christmas"- this book was given to me in 1968 and I am thrilled to be reading the same book to Bug now. Laura had the book when her kids were younger.

Then we read the "Polar Express" and we closed out our reading by reading "Bear stays up for Christmas".  At the Christmas eve service at church, I heard another book I want to add, so we will have 4 books in the future to read on Christmas eve. We have read the Bible stories through the Sundays in Advent and since we heard and sang most of the passages at church, I choose not to repeat them again at bed time.

Around 10:45 Bug finally fell asleep.

And Santa came

The plan was for Bug to sleep until 8 am at least.  But at 7:40 am, Bug woke up and there was no getting him to rest for another 20 minutes.  So I woke up Mam and Pap and Uncle Dave, got the cameras ready and forced Bug to wait.  When I was younger, Mam had to make the coffee and bake the breakfast rolls before we were allowed to see our presents- it felt like hours, but was likely 30-45 minutes.  Bug had to wait about 10 minutes max.  I sure it felt like an eternity for him. The picture below, he is actually jumping up and down waiting to see the presents.

He rushed in and immediately went to the presents wrapped under the tree.  He completely ignored the bike!!!!

I had to force him to stop and look at all the presents and then he saw it.  Next year, I am going to allow him to unwrap in whatever order he wants and if he misses the big present until the end, then so be it.

After all the presents were opened and we were waiting for Laura and family to arrive, I took Bug outside to ride his bike.  he was resistant, but ended up enjoying himself.

He helped Uncle Dave unwrap presents.

he was excited to see this box.  2 years ago the girls gave Bug a gift in it while we were in Guatemala.   I brought it home and it is now the Santa box.  Santa uses it to put presents in as they are extra special.

Bug got more CARS for his collection

he helped Pap unwrap his gifts too.

Bug had a great time opening presents

And Mam got him a gift card to McDs!!!! 

Bug was excited to see that Santa ate all the goodies left for him

Bug and Pap played Foosball together- this is a loud game!!!  Bug just spins the handles, over and over and over. 

There was some eating of Cinnamon rolls

We had lots of time together and some yummy dinner- meat loaf, mashed potatoes, corn and some yummy bread.

Bug declared this the best Christmas ever!!!  We hope that you had the best Christmas ever too.

Love and hugs,
Deb