Brothers, a video

That's not chocolate, Bub!

I know what's going through his mind. I just know it! "It has a shiny wrapper like chocolate. It is small and square like candy. And it is the appropriate color... yummy. I will unwrap it and pop it into my mouth. Uh. What? Ew! What IS this?!?"




Well, buddy, not all things that appear good, are good. Does anyone see a life lesson here? These are chicken bouillon cubes! Looks like pretty little candies with nice, shiny, gold wrappers; but in fact, are terrible eating right out of the package!

Is this where Gavin gets his zaniness?

za·ny (zn)
n. pl. za·nies
1. A ludicrous, buffoonish character in old comedies who attempts feebly to mimic the tricks of the clown.
2. A comical person given to extravagant or outlandish behavior.

What? Again?!?

Again, quiet.  Not good, not good at all... I hear the trappings of a mouse in Gavin's half opened closet... What could it be?

Where is this kid FINDING all this chocolate????  Yes, he is standing in the closet eating a HUGE chocolate bar.

Makes total sense, when you think about it!

Why would we expect a 2-year-old to pop into the driver's seat and take off on his new mini gator?  He has never driven before, nor has he even thought this was an option.  Pfft, a 2-year-old driving?  Pah-lease!  So why were we so surprised when he hopped into the passenger's seat and looked around expectantly for one of the adults to make the thing go?  So we did what any normal person would do.... used a hoe to mash the gas so the kid could have a ride!

Never trust a quiet moment...

I am not sure if this is typical of all children or just boys, but when there is no yelling or banging, I panic.  Something is wrong or is about to be.  This time, I searched the house, scanning the rooms until I found my little mouse.  He ate half a box of Andes mints.  When I asked him "What are you up to, mister?" He offered me a mint.  And you know what?  I obliged.   

More jelly rolls than a donut shop?

Have I told you lately, Mr. Noah, that I love you?  Every single fold of skin?  Every soft area?  Every part of plumpness?

Merry Christmas!

Christmas this year was a hoot!  Gavin is now old enough to semi-understand the idea of unwrapping presents; not that he pays attention to who's gift it is, or what is inside the box.  Christmas Eve started with going to Mass with Poppa and PattyCake.  Don't let me forget to mention Gavin ended up outside during the chruch service with no shoes; one foot bare, but thankfully his sock was on the other foot.  What transgression caused him to be whisked outside?  His silly mother brought only ONE tractor.  "Oh NOOOO!  Not two tractors?  Not two tractors?  Just ONE tractor?  Not two John Deere tractors?"  The choir could not cover his emphatic questioning.  So out he went...

After that eventful service, we bedded down at Mom and Pop's house waiting for Santa along with Chad and Sissy. 

On Christmas day, everyone except for Gavin was up by 6:30.  Gavin slept in until 7:30.  Not like him at all!  Once everyone was up and coffee sipped on (including Gavin) the ruckus of opening presents began!

Gavin hit the motherload of presents! A shiny red tricycle, lots of Little People toys, DVDs, books, trucks, tractors, clothes, and so so so much more.  Noah on the other hand, had a very functional Christmas.  Pacifiers, sleepers, socks, outfits, a children's Bible, and a glowworm named Lisa Lee (Thanks for the swell name, Daddy).

But the most anticipated present was saved for last!  Pop and Mom have been on pins and needles for months (July to be exact!) to surprise Gavin on Christmas morning.  What John Deere boy doesn't want his VERY OWN GATOR for Christmas?  None that I know of!  Thank you Mom and Pop for the miniature version of Pop's ride!

Later that Christmas day, we visited Poppa and PattyCake.  Gavin and Noah opened presents AGAIN (well, Gavin ripped open everyone's present, but you know what I mean).  A child's table and chair set from Pottery Barn from the Grand Ps. And clothes and books and toys, toys, toys!  Thank you Poppa and Patty Cake for the table and chairs.  What a merry Christmas we had!