Christmas Eve
Today was sledding day. I'd been hearing all about this sledding thing for weeks -- mama read books, grandma talked about it on the phone, but it's one of those things you have to experience. Jamie pulled me on the sled to the hill, so I could conserve my energy.

This is it, the neighborhood sled hill. It shoots down fast, bumpy, through a tunnel of lake reeds, and then out on the frozen lake, covered by snow.
Grandpa gave me a pep talk for my first ride.

Then Katie pushed me and Uncle Billy DOWN THE HILL!!!!Weeee, all the way on to the lake.
I survived my first sled run!
Mama, not so much.
After sledding, we walked over to the playground. It's a little strange having to wade through 8 inches of snow to play...
Carry me, mama!

After lunch, chill time, and Church (where I got to very slightly misbehave in front of my Uncle Billy who is an assistant pastor during Christmas Eve service, hehehehe), we opened presents, except for those from Santa, which come on Christmas day, of course.

Grandpa out did himself once again this Christmas. He made the ladies amazing beach glass jewelry; meemaw's bracelet is actually made from stones from their trip to Italy this year. Mama got another amazing iridescent turned wood bowl. Dada got grandpa's first endeavor at a nutcracker, which is absolutely incredible. And, I got a beautiful fish puzzle. Grandpa is Santa's best elf. Uncle Billy had fun buying for his nephew, including a hockey stick and jersey for the Minnesota Wild. Ya never know...
Jamie and Katie had their socks knocked off by their gift, the Wii. Fun for the whole family. Mama is the #1 bowler, even if dada wins sometimes.
Even Lefty dog had a good Christmas. Bones, chew toys and all.

On Christmas day, Katie took a break from helping out with breakfast to read me a Wonder Pets story that Santa left for me. This year was all about the Wonder Pets -- I got a flyboat with figurines of Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming, books, colorforms and even the Wonder Pets Save the Nutcracker DVD. Santa hooked me up.

We all enjoyed a big breakfast, and Aunt Kristen was Queen of the Table. She cooked a delicious breakfast, which included a delicous jelly bread roll that mama wasn't allowed to touch since she tried to bake one earlier in the week with the plastic wrap still on. Live and learn.

Friday, December 26, 2009Mama took Jamie and Katie shopping, so I stayed behind to help Uncle Billy shovel. He shoveled off the sidewalk, and I shoveled it back on the sidewalk, big help. Notice Grandpa's new license plate in the background...he had ARBA, the name of his business, for years. Upon retirement, now he's got FGHOG --Fat Gray Haired Old Guy. The guys built a snow-dog, spots and all. I made my first snow angel.

And took a walk with Uncle Billy in the woods.
This wood isn't for the fire inside. Oh no, that fireplace is automatic - you just push a button. This wood is for the bonfire pit behind the house. S'mores anyone?
And just like that, our vacation was over and it was time to pack my matchbox cars in the carrying case Santa brought to me, and head for Texas. It was fun, y'all.

We'll be back in 2012 (if not before!)!!!!

Merry Christmas party at His Kids school program

Yesterday I had my first full fledged party at school. It was great to see mama, dada, and Ga all together in the middle of the day! When they walked in the room, I quickly "left my tape" spot and ran over to them.
This is perhaps the only moment all the kids stood still before mayhem broke loose. With the exception of the girl in pink pants, we were all, all over the place. Me especially, no surprise.

We got presents after performing.

I got my first Veggie Tales book!

And then we all sang happy birthday to Jesus, ate cake, and went home to take naps. What a wonderful world!

Sickie, sick. I do love school, but since I've started going, I've been, you know it, sick, sick, sick. Seems like every Monday I get a new bug. This weekend I was, yep, sick, and mama and I stayed in jammies and watched LOTS of Wonder Pets and ate chicken noodle soup. We are conserving energy for our trip to Minnesota for Christmas.

Goal oriented
On Friday morning, I finally earned the green racing car that's been sitting on the shelf tempting me for 6 weeks for pooping in the potty with dada. I didn't go at all for mama on Saturday, went three times in my big boy underwear on Sunday, and then yesterday, it all came together and I earned four cars. I am a pooping machine.
Today, Ga emailed mama and told her to pick up cars on the way home! We were out. As soon as mama walked in, I pooped, then pooped again, and here I am picking out my next car. That's two more cars tonight! Mama told me I'd better take a break until tomorrow. So goodnight, I'm pooped.

It's beginning to "sound" a lot like Christmas.

Turkey, guacamole and margaritas? Yea, baby!

The plan had been to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend at Ga and Papa's house at Crystal Beach, but since those crazies are still camping out with no lights and climbing up a ladder to get inside, the family decided to head south to Mexico for turkey day. And we were all so thankful!

We stayed at the Paradisio Resort, 20 minutes south of Cancun airport, along the Mayan Riviera. How hot is that? The resort was beautiful, with a huge pool, and easy access to the white sand beaches and crystal clear water. I could barely contain my excitement!

I had a ball playing in the water, where I could actually see my toes the whole time!

Dada and I built sandcastles, or tried to. The sand was so fine, it was hard to make it stick.

The hotel had two parrots that I always wanted to go visit. I thought it was very cool that they ate strawberries and melon, so that's what I ate at every meal too.

Mama (who was recovering from a doozie of a cold) and dada were also able to relax, as we all took naps every day in our king size bed in the hotel room. Of course, I got to wind down with The Wonder Pets, which is my absolute favorite thing in the world right now. What's gonna work? TEAMWORK!

Here is Ga and me posing outside of the hotel room. We liked to perch on the window and check out the scene.

I have to say that the food was awesome. I ate lots more than anyone would have thought I could squeeze into my little body. I made friends with the waiters and waitresses, who all learned my name and thought I was pretty funny running around like a nut.

Mama and I got to spend the morning in the pool when dada went fishing one day. How pretty is that water? I also really enjoyed the swim up pool bar. I was only drinking orange juice people, really!

One afternoon, mama and dada and I went on an adventure to a zoo. No one knew quite what to expect.

First, we saw tons of crocodiles. Tons! They were big and kind of scary.

Then, I actually got to touch a crocodile. Mama was glad that the crocodile's head, with all those scary teeth, was facing the other direction.

It was very cool to see one of these guys so close up.

Hey, what's that?

OH, it's just Jessica the monkey, here to get some peanuts. I was happy to give them to her, because, as I like to repeat, "peanuts make me sick." Jessica is actually a wild monkey that stays at the zoo, even though she could leave, because people like me like to feed her peanuts.

Jessica can be a naughty monkey though.

Next we saw some snakes. I wasn't too sure about it, but I did eventually decide to hold the boa constrictor for awhile.

Look at the hairless Aztec dog. He was very sweet, but very expensive - they cost $5000 each in Mexico, and you have to put sunblock on them before you can take them for a walk!

At one point on our tour, our guide opened a chain link door so that we could walk into a fenced in area. Soon, we noticed that there were 40 CROCODILES JUST HANGING OUT, WAITING TO EAT US. We had to move very slowly, and mama was quite freaked out about the whole experience. Me too - check out my expression when the guide told us to sit in front of this crocodile for a picture. Don't think this is going to make the Christmas card!

Next we got to feed some deer, and I got to ride on one. All I could think about was my friend's dad's in Texas, who would like those horns displayed on their walls.

It was very cool to feed them, though.
Uh oh, what's that?

Oh, it's just Jessica here again, wanting another peanut snack.

And this time she brought her baby monkey along - look how cute she is!

Back at the hotel, we had one special dinner at the Mexican Restaurant, the Tequila Grille. I stopped to dance with the Mariachi band before we ate.

Mama and Ga both had this delicious marinated cactus salad as an appetizer. I ate more strawberries and melon.

The resort had a nativity scene set up, so we had to check it out. The only problem was that baby Jesus was missing. We think that some drunk person, not that there were many around, but come on, it was an all inclusive, stole it.

At night the resort was beautiful with all the lights and bridges crossing over the water.
But, before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags and head home. It was definitely sad Monday around there, even if I did have a new Wonder Pets book to read.

Papa helped to make it better, especially when he bought me letter shaped gummies to eat on the plane!