Pre-Christmas Snow

Ben and Neil got some really good packing snow today. This morning they shoveled to their hearts content and this afternoon they built a snowman and a fort. The first picture shows a rare display of teamwork, well, they always start out as a team until someone starts whining 'miiiine'. The second picture shows the final product with blackberry eyes, candy cane nose, and apple slice smile. Our snowmen will have to go armless until our trees get a little bigger and can spare a branch.

Christmas Tree Additions

Here's the ornaments Ben and Neil decorated at the Winter Frolic last Friday. They now have a cozy spot on our tree. In case you can't read the names I wrote on the bottom, Ben's is on the right, Neil's is the left.

The boys beautiful ornaments have been on the tree for an hour tops. I was concerned the boys would not be able to leave them alone since they hung them so low on the tree. The boys weren't the problem. I'm in the office and I hear jingling... the god-damn dog is eating the foot off of Ben's gingerbread man. Apparently just like Gingerbread Fred he could not run fast enough to save himself.

Winter Frolick

Ben's school hosted another special event for the boys to attend. Today Ben and Neil got to watch a hip-hop dance group and learn a few moves of there own in the process. Once we went to Ben's classroom they were able to decorate gingerbread men, which really could have been called 'eating lots of frosting and candy'. After they decorated Christmas ornaments in the shape of gingerbread men. They boys favored glitter! Once they come home from drying at school I'll include a picture.






The boys then got the opportunity to sit on Santa's lap. Ben was all for this and quite eager; he was first in line when they announce they could take a picture with Santa. Neil was not interested. He backed away and was almost about to hide behind my leg when Santa suggested I sit on his lap and then Neil could sit on mine. Neil was somewhat agreeable to this. (Brian has already made all kinds of inappropriate jokes about Santa asking me to sit on his lap.)






Then in an attempt to burn off some of the sugar the boys participated in the gingerbread obstacle course. Ben was surprisingly good at all of them and I think he may have practiced already at school. Finally as we were leaving the boys were each given a gift. They were cars. It was funny to me that once they boys opened them and looked at them for a while they abruptly decided to trade and everyone was happy with the trade.

(Sorry grandma, I didn't think it was a good time of year to invite you to attend. There will be more events in the future.)

Snow in Chicago

The past two mornings we've woken up to snow. Mostly pretty light, and yes, it is melted by the afternoon. But the boys are so eager to use there shovels that we get out there first thing anyway. They were so into it the fist day that once we did the drive and sidewalk they started shoveling the lawn.

They're looking more like twins right now with their matching coats, hats, and snow pants. This will probably be the last time I get them matching clothes. The hats are okay cause they're the same size, but the coats are making us crazy. We have to check the size label every time we get them dressed to go out.

Thanksgiving

Here's the best picture I could capture of the boys all dressed for Thanksgiving day. We had a really nice time at Brian's friend Brad's house. They play hockey together and were nice enough to let us join them. They made a really great meal and the boys were pretty well behaved.

I know this post is really old news, but now that Ben doesn't nap in the afternoon I'm having difficulty finding time to update the blog.

School Update

We got a good report on Ben from school today. Hurray!

Here's another cool thing Ben's school is doing: On Saturday they're hosting a FREE babysitting service so parents can go out and do some Christmas shopping. Siblings are even invited. So Ben and Neil get to go to school from 9-11:30 on Saturday and mom and dad get a break. (I'm starting to really like Ben's school, but does that mean I have to start liking our tax bill?)