Carter's class party

Here are a few pictures from Carter's "Winter" party! I think the kids had fun - although I was told by him that I didn't play the game right! Now to have 15 days off with my boys! Ready to kick this cold so we can enjoy our holiday.

Our Angel

This is from Carter's religious education Christmas program - they did a great job and he didn't even have to wear a robe (I remember running into the coat room at the parish center hoping and praying that there were still white robes with the orange dots and that I didn't have to wear a brown or green robe!)

Just because something makes me feel like they should have a picture in front of the tree in their jammies EACH AND EVERY YEAR! Aren't they going to love it when they are 14 & 16!

Ice Skating

We took the boys ice skating yesterday - I use we loosely as Sean hasn't skated before and was pretty certain he'd end up having knee surgery this year if he tried! He instead photographed the outing (I'll save you the inappropriate pictures of my backside!) he was having a bit too much fun testing out the camera. The boys did pretty well, skating behind the chair helped and Carter ended the day by doing it on his own - he kind of looked like a speed skater on the corners as he moved his feet really fast. I got to channel my inner Linda Franny Annie - I don't know if that is really her name but she was a skater in Disney on Ice when I was little and I desperately wanted to be Linda Franny Annie - I remember my old neighbor, Mendy, calling me Shanny-Franny-Annie! Sean thought I might have more moves on the ice & I assured him I would have if I wasn't trying to help two kids by myself - my years and years of skating in our basement have paid off!

Our Naughty Elf

Chynna has been naughty this week - first she toilet papered our Christmas tree & then she put the boys' undies in their stockings - she also spent a day in the fridge! I didn't get a picture of the Playmobile police officers holding her up last week as the boys' reclaimed their toys too quickly! She sure doesn't seem to scare them into being good but she's a fun little Christmas friend.

His other BFF

Ms. Kitty - he had to wear his halo for her too! I'm not sure she thinks he's very angelic when he insists on carrying her around!

Linc's program

Lincoln had his first program - he and his little friends were angels! We didn't get many pictures as he stood RIGHT behind another little boy but he sang (I didn't know if he would). He is loving preschool & seeing his BFF's Molly & Kayla a few times a week & he loves Ms. Edna who teases him and we know he loves that! He insisted on wearing a "Papa shirt" and I complied because I was afraid he wouldn't wear his white shirt as he hates buttons!

I've become a frustrated photographer! I got a new camera (yeah!), I don't know how to use it (boo!) but I have high hopes that one day I will learn. It is a Sony DSC-HX100V (for Becky & Kaylyn who may want to know) - not a DSLR but has some of the features of a DSLR - maybe a really good thing I didn't get a DSLR because this camera is driving me bananas. I want better pictures, but I figure out one setting only to find there are about 1 zillion more to figure out that impact the first! Oh well, will be a fun if never ending adventure! Here is my favorite so far. Carter is certainly more of a willing subject than Lincoln but maybe I'll start a sticker chart for Lincoln to get him to take pictures!

Grove Valley Open House

Carter's school had an open house last week - Sean and I were presented with Perfect Parent badges & Carter had made us a Welcome Family puzzle. We got to spend some time in his class, learn about their days & chat with his teacher. I can't say enough good things about Mrs. Smotherman! We had a bit of a rocky start with his original teacher taking medical leave, but Sean says we won the lottery with Mrs. Smotherman which is a glowing review from the man of few words! She is so patient with the kids, so respectful of them & really knows how to get through to them without it seeming like her idea! Such a smart woman. Each of the kids made a "If My Parents Were Cool They'd Let Me" pictures - Carter's said, "They'd let me have a King Cobra" not a chance in hell kid that you will ever have a snake under this roof! Mrs. Smotherman thought maybe we'd allow garter (sp? is that right or is that just how I say it?) snake - that ain't happening either! She underestimates my hate of the snake!

We have Carter doing a sticker chart for trying new foods (who knew a sticker chart would be so successful - his teacher that is who!). Lincoln thought he'd participate tonight & try the Edamame & loved it and moved it to his side of the table. Carter put it in his mouth, attempted to chew & gagged!

The other picture is Carter working on his Raz-reading (an online reading site) he loves it as does Lincoln - especially when they get to record his name & act goofy for the audio check (luckily before Carter's teacher hears the recording - I'd hate for her to hear all the trash talk on the mic check!)

Our House on Christmas

Thanks Donna for the fun mesh - I'm loving it & see more in my future!

Thanks for the new placemats, Mom - love how they work with the silver balls!

A note from our Elf, Chynna - boys you can be better was the message!

I came home from the grocery to find a Frosty in my house! Boys were awfully excited and had been hiding in the office awaiting my discovery of their friend!

Little Linky-Who!

He seriously looks like a little Who!

The other part of Thanksgiving is that the boys get Christmas gifts from Mimi & Papa - new remote controlled boats! They are in LOVE with them. Sean has had one for years which was sort of off limits to them so having their own new gadget is a big deal to them. We will be spending a lot of time boating at the pond this year.

We had a late Thanksgiving due to some football scheduling this year! Which gave us lots of time for other activities - mainly tractor repair, baseball & football. We had our traditional prime rib which was delish! Highlighted with some jalapeno cheese stuffing & a great maple pecan tart! Yumm-o, wish I cooked like this a little more often but my waistline (or more likely my behind) would show it if I did!

Carter insisted on saying what we were thankful for - something I always intend to do but then get in a rush about eating and don't get done - so glad he did, will be a nice tradition to start in the Hogan house.

C is obviously watching too much football as he had his touchdown pose down - eek, not sure what it is, almost a hook 'em horns move?

I thought I'd try to be a cool mom and let the boys sleep on the living room floor - bad idea! We started by bringing Linc's mattress out to which he had a COMPLETE meltdown and then decided he wanted to sleep there but not with his bed so they attempted to sleep on pillows. Not comfortable for them or for me!

More Carter Art!

Our little artist spent some time making pictures over Thanksgiving break. He now expects pictures to be taken of them!

The new Sears catalog

I remember awaiting the Sears catalog so I could put my mark on each and everything I wanted from Santa - I hope the boys will have similar memories of the Target catalog! They each had a copy and marked like crazy last week - of course many of the toys Carter marked Lincoln had to mark for himself. Tonight we downloaded some holiday tunes - I guess this is the unofficial kick off to the Christmas Season! Doing my very best already to make it stress free by planning ahead - let's hope my plans work & it is STRESS FREE!