Christmas Day Shenanigans

 hanging with Papa

 Daniel and Matthew playing with the new train tracks.

 different version but still hangin with Papa.

 Trying to get a good picture of Claire and Alex.  He would not co-operate.

 Papa helping operate the new cash register.

Matthew and Papa went outside to look for worms.

Auntie Kathy spent the afternoon with us and got to read M's new book to him.

 Carlam and Alex wearing the paper crowns from the part poppers Auntie Colleen brought.

Finally a picture of CLaire smiling.  Isn't she lovely.

Christmas Morning

 Our Christmas morning started at about 8am, which I thought was quite reasonable.

 There was the usual flurry of gifts and ribbons and paper.

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Christmas Crazy Begins

Nana and Papa arrived at our place on the evening of the 20th after a major delay with their flights.

Then on the 23rd Colleen, Claire, Daniel and Carlam arrived.

There was lots of last minute running around and baking and cooking until Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we all settled in the watch The Hobbit in preparation for our trip to see part two on Christmas day.  It was a little crowded but so great to be together again.

Why gymnastics?

The following pictures demonstrate better than anything why I thought that gymnastics would be a good extracurricular activity for Matthew.

 Quick water break and an opportunity for Alex to take the floor.

More handstands

and somersaults

Then he stopped in between and took rockin' awesome pictures.

And Alex chilled and looked a lot like his Grandma Joyce.

 In addition to the handstands and the somersaults, there was also backwards diving off the cat tree and balance walking on the back and arm of the couch. and No Auntie Colleen, he did not wear a helmet during any of these activities.

Teradactyl

 One evening Matthew decided he wanted wings so I figured out this sheet and safety pin contraption.

It starts with a colossal climb.  Since we don't have any large cliffs in the house we typically use the cat tree for climbing.

 Then we stop to ensue the audience is in place.

 Then you LEAP with gusto and preferably loud teradactyl-like screeches.

 The wings were also fabulous when running.

And also worked great for leaping off the arm of the couch.

Holy Cow I love this kid!!!

Before we get to Christmas

I know I haven't blogged Christmas yet but I wanted to get a few of these other things out there for you all to see.

Snow

Mid December brought an opportunity for Alex to experience his first snowfall.

Balloons

For Auntie Kathy's birthday we gave her a bouquet of helium balloons filled with notes.  Alex was inthralled the second she opened the box.

Risque

One of Alex's favorite things to do is escape form the tub.

He quietly climbs over the tub edge and sneaks to the door of the bathroom. Then he runs down the hallway as fast as he can, giggling and squealing the whole way!

Look how excited he is!1