Meanwhile...in Avarie's little world

Eat your heart out, June Cleaver! Avarie is the master multitasker...superhero, chef extraordinaire, and baby whisperer. Ha!

And she has found a better purpose for that doll stroller..."Tate, pease, me go!" He races her around through the playroom and into the family room until they get going too fast and she dumps out. Way to go, Pottery Barn Kids, for making a sturdy stroller that can withstand the demands of a big brother and his hefty little sister!

Could you find a happier face?

Oh, Tater Tot...

I have been having one of those weeks as a mom where you can't believe how fast your little boy is growing up, yet also love how little he still is. Tate will be 5 in March and I am just amazed at how fast his little mind and body are growing. I am so impressed with all the news things he can do every day-new things he learns, new ways he can help, new things he says, new things he's outgrown. I had been thinking a lot about it on Sunday while he was napping (a perfect example of being almost big but still little). We put away all the Christmas stuff on Sunday and this year Tate was actually a REALLY big help. It was Derek's birthday and Tate offered to help so Daddy could get finished and watch football on his birthday. Tate let Avarie take an ornament off the tree then he would take it and put it in the right box. He was so careful carrying the antique glass ornaments of my mom's and putting them away. Then he went outside in the cold (damp cold) and pulled all the stakes out of the grass and took lights off the little shrubs. Derek and I both commented on how great it was to have a helper!

So, I'm thinking of all this while he naps, when he comes in to tell me he's awake and wants to check on the football game. I go in to turn it on in our sitting room and he has this perfect little boy, rosy face fresh up from a nap. You know the one? Eyes bright, cheeks flushed from sleep. With cheeks like those, we have had many days like this with Tate. That's when it struck me that he's not SO big yet. He sat on my lap and we checked on the playoff game and we chatted about getting Derek's presents wrapped and making a cake for after dinner. We talked about his thumb sucking and how he's working so hard to stop and every day he gets a sticker for his Indiana Jones Lego Wii. This is probably the biggest piece of little Tate that's leaving. I know it's time, and I'm the one that promised the new Wii game. But that little thumb in the mouth when they are sleepy is just shmoopy, but the lingering orthodontist bill is not.

Here he is saying, "OK, mom, enough pictures."

Now helping me make the cake. He loves to help me in the kitchen, especially when I'm making something without eggs so he can lick the bowl. So today was Tate-safe chocolate cake. He measures and stirs all the dry ingredients and then waits at the sink for the bowl and beaters.

Here he is writing Derek's birthday card. I was cleaning up from the cake and he brought the supplies in the kitchen to work. I could hear him repeating what he wanted to write over and over and sounding each word out then re-reading what he had already written. I thought he had a pretty good handle on it and was SHOCKED at what he had written when I walked over. I can't believe I have a kid old enough to write this stuff on his own, yet am so proud that he can already write this stuff on his own. As a former (and someday again) teacher, I do wonder what kindergarten will be like for him next year. I am already preparing myself to be MOM and not get too hyped up as TEACHER.

Anyhow, Tate's card says "When the sun is out then we can ride our bike I love you from Tate"

I know my teacher friend Kris reads my blog...so Kris, am I in trouble or what?

Christmas Joy

All lit up outside - looks great, Derek!

Waiting to open presents on Christmas Eve

Daddy said to wait on the stairs

Cookin' up something great!

A beautiful Christmas Day to test out the new BIKE!

We have had such a wonderful Christmas with our little family. It's been a hectic couple of months leading up to it, with our fair share of ups and downs. We feel so lucky to have our happy little family, healthy and happy here in Virginia. I think Derek and I have been more excited for this Christmas than ever before, knowing the ages of our kids and how they would react on Christmas morning. I feel like I had played it in my head over and over for the last few weeks. Tate has been so excited this year - knowing exactly what it meant that Santa would be coming and trying so hard to be good, and running down to find Harrison the elf every morning. Avarie could only mimick Tate's excitement since she had no idea what all this Santa, Christmas, present stuff was. (Nevermind she's been with me while I've done almost all the shopping. Guess this is the last year for that, huh?) So, we knew that they would both be thrilled Christmas morning.

It was everything we hoped for and I think Derek and I sat there for over an hour just watching them before Tate turned around and asked if we were ever going to open our presents too. So, here's some pictures of Christmas morning . . . happy kids, happy mom and dad!

Hope you all had a magical and Merry Christmas with your families too!!!