My little Picasso!

I have been telling Jake we would paint on the easel Nana gave him one day while Ben was napping. Those of you that know Ben, know why this is. While Ben was taking a nap today and it was snowing outside, Jake did some painting. His preschool teacher told us he loves to paint! He had quite a few creative stories to go along with his paintings.

Working on the first masterpiece

He is pointing out that in this picture there is Mommy (the green),

Mommy's friend Gina (in the red), and Daddy is the blue.

Here is more of the same picture.

He also told me that I am a little girl in this picture

playing with little girl toys.

A snowy day in Georgia!

We don't see too much snow here in Georgia, but when we do, it is a big deal and we love it! Today we started seeing some snowflakes fall around 2 or so. Jake and Ben went out on the back deck to see it. Later around 5 before it got dark, we bundled up and headed out to play in the snow. I told Jake last night it was going to snow today. I picked him up from school today and he looked out the window and said "Mommy, there isn't any snow". He loves it! Ben didn't get to see it last year, so he enjoyed it today too!

This is the lake behind our house

Jake kept sticking his tongue out to catch some flakes



Jake and Ben heading out
Blue Bear joined us too

Ben

Me and the boys

Daddy didn't get to play since he was at work

and doesn't get home until dark

Christmas Morning!

Well Christmas went as fast as it came! I never knew how much fun Christmas with kids would be. I think I was more excited than them. Ben doesn't usually do too well opening gifts, but he is definitely getting the hang of it. We woke up that morning, ate breakfast, then opened our presents. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays this year and that you have Happy New Year!

Our tree with all the presents

Santa ate his cookies!

Ben opening his Tag junior

Jake showing me his Handy Mandy car that he gets to put together.

Jake really wanted Candy Land

even after he found out it does not come with candy

The boys' Cars Geotrax

This could have been their only present and they would have been happy!

They go straight to it every morning

Checking out his stocking

I wonder what is in here!

Daddy likes Ben's fire truck puzzle

Christmas Day at Mimi and Papa's!

After the kids opened their gifts from Santa and us, we headed over to my parents' house to exhange gifts, eat dinner and spend time with the family. We had a great time!

Lee catching a nap!

Jake opening one of his gifts

Ben and his Little People fire station

My mom with the ornament I made her

Papa with the boys

Christmas Eve, cookies, reindeer food and a gingerbread house?

On Christmas Eve, my mom and dad came over. Jake, Ben, my mom and I made and decorated cookies. While the cookies were baking and then cooling, we attempted to decorate a gingerbread house. I asked my mom why we never did this when I was younger. Well, after attempting to do it this year, I now know why we didn't make one. All we had to do was put it together with the icing, let it sit, and then add the candy. Sounds easy, right? WRONG!! We first forgot to let it sit so the roof started to slide. We then repaired it and let it sit for a bit before we started decoarting again. One wall then broke and the whole thing went down hill from there. Next year we will try using hot glue and then decorating it! It was fun doing something together on Christmas Eve anyway! Let's just say Ben was happy it fell apart so he could eat it.

The gingerbread house that never was

Mimi and Ben with the house.
Ben was happy he ate the gingerbread Christmas tree




Jake icing the cookies

Some of the finished ones! Martha Stewart has nothing on us!

Ben and I throwing out some reindeer food Jake's teacher sent home

Jake throwing some reindeer food out

Daddy and Jake

Our tree with all the gifts!!

Jake's Christmas Program

Last Tuesday, Jake's preschool had their Christmas program at the church. It was cute and the funniest thing I have every seen. I mean that in a good way. It takes a really special person to teach preschool kids and even a more special person to teach them songs to sing. Some moments there was quiet singing and other moments there was loud singing, or rather yelling. It was still cute. All the kids were so dressed up and looked so sweet. My pictures all turned out dark and blurry for some reason. The one below is about the best one. There is also a little video below for your enjoyment. I can't remember what song it is exactly, but Jake is in the middle bottom in the dark blue sweater with the green and white strips.

Nana, Hanukkah, and a trip to the Aquarium

The weekend before this past, Nana came for a visit. On Friday we took a trip to the Aquarium. We had a great time, especially since the boys are a little older and enjoyed it even more than last time. Hanukkah started Friday night, so we lit the Menorah and opened a few presents. Saturday was pretty cold and rainy, so we just stayed in for the day and night. Nana gave Ben and Jake an easel. Jake loves to draw and color and has enjoyed thi gift very much! We had a great weekend with Nana!!

Nana and Jake at the Aquarium

Ben taking a rest

Fish!!

Ben loved the alligators and kept saying "Hey crocodile"

Having fun!

Ben walking past the tube. He and Jake kept walking

right past it instead of looking in it

A huge turtle

Jake playing with his easel

Ben in his smock

Ben and Nana