Happy Hoildays 2010

Merry Christmas from Jamie, Jan, Adrian and Vivian!

It is hard to believe that the holidays are upon us.  We are so looking forward to a relaxing couple of weeks with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company and refresh our tired bodies and minds.  It has been a very busy holiday season for us but also very enjoyable.  Now it is time to take a deep breathe and relax.

Adrian had his Christmas concert at The Preschool Center and he had a full entourage of parents and grandmothers there to cheer him on.  He had been practising so hard (I knew all of the songs and poems just from listening to him for the past month.)  He got a little stage fright which was amusing because he was fine as long as he wasn't looking directly at us.  If he caught our eyes and would turn around or duck his head behind another child.  (He is the tallest in his class... not sure when that happened!)  Here he is enjoying the 'after party' with his BFF Abby.  (They have been pals since birth and went to the same home care together.)

This past Sunday was our Sunday school concert.  You know that when you get 20 or so young children on stage something funny is going to happen.  It was very endearing to see them doing their best and being so proud afterwards.  I teach the Pre-K class and when we went up I was in a bit of a pickle because nobody seemed to want to sing.  That was until Adrian stole the microphone and did a solo of Away In A Manger.  He did great but unfortunately downed out the other couple of kids who wanted to sing.  (Oh well, they likely didn't know any different.)

Vivian has pretty much refused to wear dresses until Sunday when we got her into this sweet little number.  She got so much attention that she didn't want to take it off after church, didn't want to take it off for the Jones Christmas party and then refused to take it off for her bath.  She now loves this dress and wants to wear it daily.

We are home now for the holidays and enjoying our time together (or at least trying to).  We are keeping busy with last minute preparations and trying to get rested up for the big day.  Both kids are a bit sick so a few days at home will do them good.

Christmas Party-o-rama

Saturday was a day of Christmas party fun for the Joneses.  We had an early afternoon party at Jayden's house where the kids got to do many fun things including decorating cookies and eating cookies.  Oh course Santa stopped in for a surprise visit.  It was love at first sight for Adrian but Vivian was a bit timid.  She did not cry so she did well.  She is only 1 after all. (I sometimes forget that as she seems much older in my mind.)

Concentrating on cookies.

After that party we jetted over to Kingswood for Jan's Accreon kids party.  The kids were hyped up on sugar so it was a good spot because of the play climber and bowling.  Both were a big hit.  We had a pizza party and low and behold Santa showed up again!  Boy Adrian and Vivian are pretty lucky kids.

Adrian got a harmonica that he loved and some books and crayons.  I swear he has a natural harmonica talent because every now and then (he plays it constantly) I swear I hear a real song come out of that thing.  Vivian got a necklace which she proudly carries around with her most of the time as well as her very own markers and coloring book.  She is proud to be able to put her necklace on and take it off at will as well as put it on her teddy bear.  She is also quite pleased with herself when she is able to tell Adrian 'MINE' when is trying to get a hold of her coloring book and markers. (She is not allowed to go near his kindergarten goodie bag so this is pay back.)

Strike?

I am pretty sure they are both better at bowling than Jamie and me.

Adrian loves Santa this year.

Vivian... not so much.  But she was willing to approach him for a candy cane.

School. (The real deal.)

Adrian had a kindergarten orientation at New Maryland Elementary school last week.  It was a special visit because both Mommy and Daddy attended with him and he got to sit in little groups and do real school activities.  He had been oh so excited for this day but I think the butterflies set in because he was rather timid most of the time.  It was a good visit though and a nice stepping stone towards September.

He received his very own bag of school supplies and books which he is very proud of.  He is posing with it in a most unsual fashion above.