Playgroup Christmas Party

We had a potluck brunch at playgroup today where both boys only consumed cinnamon rolls despite their being a huge array of really good food. The kids made ornaments with their pictures inside them. They turned out really cute. Nick made a snowflake one with his picture and a Christmas tree one for this brother. Despite still having bad coughs the boys seem to be feeling much better.

The Boys are Sick Again

Nick has pneumonia again and Aidan has a double ear infection. Nick has been so wiped out by this that he has been taking naps the last two days. He hasn't napped in the last 2 and a half years so you know he isn't feeling well. Aidan has been waking up all night long just screaming out in pain again. I am hoping once his antibiotics kick in that he will start to sleep better but I am also wondering if his reflux isn't flaring again due to his next tooth popping through. So we may have to call the GI again next week. We had to go all the way to the hospital to have a chest x-ray done on Nick today because the radiology department on base was having issues. Aidan also managed to lose a couple pounds in the last few months so the ped is kind of concerned and wants to see him gain some weight before his one year check-up or he might have to do some further testing. SO keep the boys in your prayers and send us some healthy vibes so we can have a peaceful Christmas.

Santa Barbara Parade of Boats

We went to the Santa Barbara Parade of Boats last night. They had a Santa's Village out on the pier where you could see Santa in a boat and then they had this huge play area full of snow. Nick loved the snow and he told this Santa that he wanted a scooter. We of course couldn't leave without playing in the sand for a little bit. Then we hiked it up to State Street to our favorite burger restaurant The Santa Barbara Brewing Company. We all had cheeseburgers and fries. Then we hiked it back down to the pier to watch all the boats parade around the harbor all lit up. There were some very beautiful yachts all full of lights. After they made a loop around the pier they shot fireworks off right above the pier. The boys had a great time and both fell asleep on the ride home and stayed that way when we carried them into bed when we got home.

Baking Cookies

It was our turn to have all the boys over for lunch again and I decided to brave baking and decorating cookies with all 3 of them. The boys enjoyed it and the cookies are very edible. They may not be the prettiest sugar cookies ever but the boys were very proud of their creations. We made 6 dozen because we have to take 3 dozen to the Airmen cookie drive on Friday. Every year they ask everyone to make 3 dozen or more cookies for the Airmen in the dorms that can't go home for the holidays. I will probably make a few dozen scotcheroos before Friday too and send those as well.

The bottom pictures are of Aidan in the firetruck. He is obsessed with it right now. Whenever we are outside he always wants to be inside it. He is such a monkey though and climbs on top of it already of course he learned that from his big brother. He wants to do everything that the big boys do.

The Snowman

Well we finally caved to Nick and bought him a blow up Christmas decoration. He really wanted the snow globe one but I wasn't willing to spend the $100 so we bought the snowman instead which was much cheaper. We also put lights on our little palm tree. I will have to post a picture of the tree later as I couldn't find a long enough extension cord this afternoon. Nick has been showing his snowman off to all the neighborhood kids all afternoon. He is very proud of his Snowman.

Parade of Lights

Last night we went to the Santa Maria Parade of Lights. It was a little chilly but we came prepared with blankets and winter coats. Nick yelled Merry Christmas to almost every float that passed by. They throw out a lot of candy and so Nick came home with a couple snow globes and a bunch of candy canes. All of the floats in the parade are decorated with Christmas lights and they look pretty cool. Most of the floats and all the marching bands play Christmas music so it is a really good time. Nick had a small meltdown over a kleenex pack. They were throwing packages of kleenex off this float and everyone around him got one and he thought they were candy so he totally freaked out. Some little girl gave hers to him to make him stop. He was even more mad when he realized it was only a package of Kleenex. Aidan did fairly well considering it was during his normal bedtime. He really liked the lights and the music.

14th Air Force Kids Christmas Party

After being housebound with a nasty stomach virus that attacked all four of us this week we were happy to be able to leave the house today. We went to the Kids Christmas Party for Jeremy's work today. The boys had a great time. There were a bunch of tables with crafts including jungle bell bracelets and candy necklaces, candy cane reindeer, and pinecone mice. They had a lot of games including a cake walk which Nick played for 20 minutes straight until he won. He was determined to go home with cookies. They also had this room where no parents were allowed where they helped the kids make presents for their Moms and Dads and then they wrapped them for them so they could put them under their tree. They also had lunch and Nick and Aidan both ate hot dogs and cupcakes. The highlight of the day was when Santa came in and Nick waited very patiently in line to tell him he wanted a video game. Nick came running away and said that Santa told him he needed to be good and if he was he would have his elves make him a video game. He is very into the Santa thing this year. He is back to being obsessed with the Polar Express. It is going to be a long 24 days I think.