Happy New Year's eve

Bug and I had a good day as the last day of year.  Bug wanted to go swimming, so off to the Y we went for some swimming fun.

After swimming, we had lunch, then ran an errand. As we finished the one errand, the snow started.  So home we went to hang out, rest and clean.

This evening we talked to Bug's family in Guatemala.  Bug and Pablo entertained them for almost an hour.  Then after the call, Bug wanted to do the sparklers. So at 8 pm, we headed out to celebrate the new year.

Now we are watching a movie and I expect that Bug will be asleep in the next hour. 

Happy New Year to everyone.

Love and hugs,

Deb

More snow

We received more snow overnight.  The weather forecasters said we would get 3-5 inches and we got 1.5 inches.  But the total snow in the last 4 days is now officially 5.8 in our city, which is more snow then we received all last winter (5.6 inches).  There is more snow forecasted for New year's eve. Bug is very happy with all this snow.

Various pictures of our backyard at 7 am this morning, when I got up.  The lit pictures are with the flash on the camera, while the dark ones are without the flash.  Yes, it is still dark here at 7 am.

The white specs are the snow falling.  Pablo loves the snow.

later, I took these photos of the trees- this is the neighbor's tree

our little Japanese Maple tree

Pablo, the shed and the butterfly bush.  I love the puffy look to the yard, the peacefulness and the muted color to the world when the snow is fresh.  There is something relaxing and calming about freshly fallen snow and the quietness of the world.

Bug and Pablo, playing ball

One happy little man

and more playing

and some more.

We were out for about an hour, shoveling the driveway and then playing.  Now we are hanging out at home, with some bean soup cooking on the stove.  The house smells so good.  This is what I love about our family, it is the simple things that make us happy.  I am off to take a nap, maybe Bug and the dog will join me.

Love and hugs,

Deb

SNOW

Just to be clear, there is no part 2 to Christmas Day post.  I forgot to take more photos when the rest of the family came over.  We were having too much fun playing with Bug's toys.

For the last few days, the weathermen have been warning about a big snow storm coming our way.  It started this morning at 4 am with freezing rain and sleet.  According to the weather reports we will get 4-6 inches of snow.  Hermano will be getting 6-10 inches of snow.  it will be 24 hour event in terms of snow, rain, sleet and everything else coming our way.  Pablo has been enjoying the weather.

The snow started at 9 am this morning for us.

Pablo was in heaven.  He is headed back to the fence to see if his 'buddies' in the yard behind us were out.  I seriously want a wall back there- they have 4 dogs that bark constantly if they see anything move.  I would prefer Pablo never saw them again.

We headed out at 10 am to shovel the driveway.  With the 1/2 inch of slush from the freezing rain/sleet below the snow, it would be a sheet of ice tonight as the temperature falls.  So I wanted it cleared off before we have a 1/2 inch sheet of ice on the driveway.

Bug took a few breaks while we shovelled, he made some snow angels- Pablo could not figure it out.

Bug looks like he is doing push ups, but he is actually showing me how to walk like a polar bear.  Pablo still can't figure it out.

Finally, so snow shovelling.

After finishing our shovelling, we headed to backyard to play.  It is easier to let Pablo play in the backyard then to hold him on the leash in the front yard.  Bug was making snowballs.  Pablo could not find them when they hit the ground, so they are disappearing balls for the dog.

falling down laughing.

I love snow, give me more of those disappearing balls.

Well, Bug is telling me he is hungry and wants lunch.  Pablo is trying to sleep and I am ready for a nap too.  Have a great day.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Christmas eve and Christmas morning - part 1

Mr Silly (from 24Dec2012) was caught in the act eating one of Santa's cookies.  Bad elf!!!

On 23dec2012, we had a dusting of snow and Pablo loved it. He took his baby (stuffed toy) out and threw it all over the yard.  It was funny watching him.

Sunday, one of our morning buddies gave Bug a magic kit while we were at breakfast before church.

Christmas Eve in front of the tree.  Bug is getting so big.

Our family

At Aunt Jenny's for Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa to arrive.

Sitting with Santa.  I wonder what is in the bag???

A FOOTBALL!!!

The tree all lit up and presents waiting for Bug to get up.

Bug slept until 7:30 am this morning, everyone else was up at least 30  minutes before Bug woke up.  Unbelievable.

Momma, stop with the pictures already.  The presents- most are for Bug.  He made out like a fat rat, which is OK with me. 

An Innotab (kid ipad type thing).  YEAH.  This was a big gift and so far only I have played with it.

Pablo got a huge bone.  He has been chewing on it for 2 hours and he is still not ready to stop.  I finally have something to prevent Pablo from Chewing everything in the house.  He should sleep well today.

Helping Pap open gifts. 

Santa drank the milk and ate the cookies.  YUM

More Pablo and the bone. 

We are just waiting for the rest of the family to get here for part 2 of Christmas and our Christmas meal.

Love and hugs,

Deb

Bug got a new bed, now to get him to sleep in it

The talk in this house has been transitioning Bug out of my bed and back into his bed.  Yes, I admit, we have a family bed.  But I want my bed back and Bug is ready for his own bed.  I have been looking for the perfect bed, and finally I found a mini loft.  The bed is about as tall as Bug, I had actually thought it was going to be a little taller.

The bed arrived yesterday and we started put it together last night.

Bug helped too and he was so happy to be working with me on the bed. 

We ran into a problem last night and  had to stop.  Tonight Cousin Jason came over to help and we got the bed done. 

The day after Christmas, Bug starts the transition into his own bed.  We have to clean and organize his room too.  The to do list for the holidays is getting longer, but I am excited for Bug.  This is a cool bed and he will have  a reading/playing nook under it to use. 

Love and hugs,
Deb

Birthday party, christmas Party, tis the season

Saturday, we had attended a birthday party for Bug's friend.  It was a small party, but lots of fun.  The kids played, the parents talked.  Definitely a low key party, which was wonderful.

Tonight, we attended the annual FTGA Christmas party.  40 families and all the kids ages 6 and up.  It was sad on one hand, no little ones, but exciting to see how much the kids have grown and how school has taught them to socialize and just jump right in to the games.  Bug remarked on the way home that it was nice being with kids who look like him.  He could not elaborate on his comment, but I appreciate his thought- he was in a group where he was the same.  The same, even down to parents- all Caucasian.

Bug received 2 puzzles and 1 movie from Santa.

All the kids- this coming year will mark 10 years the group has been meeting.  Lots of fun things planned for next year.

Santa reading "The night before Christmas" to the kids

Bug was worn out- it was close to his bedtime and he was ready to sleep. Unfortunately, he stayed awake until 9:30 which was 1.5 hours later then he should have been awake.  My feeling, he has a total of 3 days of school this week, only 2 more left and one late night is not going to kill him.  He studied hard before we left for the party and I will spot check him in the morning on spelling words and math facts for his tests on Tuesday.  He will be fine.

one more picture of the kids.

love and hugs,
Deb