Our very own Santa!

There is a good friend of Ben's that goes to our church. To us and all other adults his name is Robert. To all the children in our ward, including my two children, his name is 'Santa'.

Robert is a kind man with a regular job and family. During the holidays he dyes his beard white and takes extra work as Santa Clause. But even in mid-July when my children see him in the halls on Sunday they say "hi Santa!" and give him a big hug and an even bigger smile.

We are blessed to have the "Real Santa" (that is what Emma calls him) available to us whenever we want him. Not everyone can say that. Someone told me that they overheard Emma tell him "Santa, I got all the presents you left for me on Christmas. Thank you!"

I was so glad I didn't have to wait in line at the mall for a picture of Santa while hoping shy Matthew would cooperate. Our Santa came to our church and Matthew and Emma were not shy at all about sitting on his lap for a photo opportunity. But why would they, they see him every week at church!

Thanksgiving Feast at Pre K

Emma's Pre-school planned a big feast and invited family members to participate. I made some yummy stuffing and brought my mom along to have lunch with Emma before their Thanksgiving break began. We were serenaded by the kids with a cute Thanksgiving song as they wore their turkey hats. It was a pretty nice afternoon. I really enjoy being able to do things with Emma at her Pre-school. I plan to be an active parent at her schools for as long as possible!

Fall Break

Emma had a break from school in September and she was a little disappointed that we didn't do anything special during her vacation. I think some of her friends at school were going out of town and she assumed we were going somewhere to.

So during her Fall Break, I decided to try and make it special and go somewhere she had been asking about for a while: Chuck E Cheese. I had somehow accumulated a some tokens and thought this was the perfect time to use them. We went the day before Thanksgiving and the place was pretty empty - just perfect! We had fun going on all the rides and playing the games. Matthew, as expected, cried every time we left one thing but would be excited to see something new.

One of Ben's drum students, Matt, recently took a job at Chuck E Cheese and even gets to play the famous Mouse. He was working the day we went and came to talk to us for a bit. Then he left to go wake Chuck E. from his nap and although Matt mysteriously disappeared, the kids got to take a good picture with our favorite local mouse.

We earned a bunch of tickets and used them to buy Emma's favorite treat that we rarely get to have - Cotton Candy. I'm sure Emma was not disappointed with her vacation this time!

The Trick or Treat Crew

For the second year in a row, we spent Halloween with my brother and my niece, Angel. It is becoming a great tradition and we had tons of fun, even in the rain. Emma enjoys her cousin so much! I don't think it matters where we go or how much candy she gets - as long as Angelina is by her side, she is the happiest girl in the world.

Matthew had a rough start. I got him the coolest Superman costume with a cape and everything. He tried it on the first day but refused to wear it on Halloween. So I rummaged thru his closet and threw together a Cowboy costume the best I could. He wasn't thrilled about that either until Uncle Vini gave him a flashlight to use. After that he was ready to go!

Emma was supposed to be Princess Ariel but while I was trying to get Matthew ready to leave she immerged from her room in fairy wings, a crown, and extra jewelry. She ended up being a Mermaid Fairy Gypsy Princess! She looked great.

Angel and I were witches and my brother had the coolest Pirate costume. We were a good looking crew. I hope we will be able to keep up this tradition for a long time.

The Purple Gown

Matthew had several doctor appointments in the past month. The two biggest ones being for his MRI and his EEG. The results were a relief as they both did not show any changes from previous tests. The doctors were just checking to see if something major had triggered his incident in August but it does not seem that way. We will just continue to have him on his medication for a little while as directed.

I have to share a funny story about my sweet little boy. Matthew is very well behaved when he is at the doctors. Emma is the same way. Matthew had to get an EEG where he had wires glued to his head and then was wrapped up like mummy. He barely complained and was an overall superstar. The day of his MRI he had to go ALL day without eating (one of his favorite things to do!). Then he was stuck at the doctor's all afternoon because they were behind schedule. Finally, he was poked in the arm for his IV. And thru all this he was a trooper. But then it was time to put his gown on. He did not want his clothes off and to top it all off, the gown was purple. So wrap him up like a mummy, glue his head, starve him, bore him, poke him and he is fine. But try to put a girlie purple gown on him and he explodes! He was crying and screaming telling everyone "No no no - That is Emma's". The poor boy thought they were giving him his sisters clothes. Bless his little heart!

Matthew getting wires glued to his head for his EEG. Still Smiling Sleeping portion of EEG - with pal Blue.

The purple gown.

Catch - Up

So it's been a little longer than usual between blog posts. Mainly because we moved the computer from the Family Room to our bedroom. It has been a big change and now I need to adjust my daily routine so I can get online more regularly. My dream would be to get a wireless laptop like Ben has!

Emma has been busy making new friends at school. One in particular is a boy named Riley who Emma claims she is going to marry. Her father is not too thrilled, but I think it is very cute! Here are the events of last week that are quickly making Ben consider locking Emma in her room until she is 45:

Day 1: Ben finds Emma and Riley sitting together at a table and Emma informs her Daddy that she knows who she is going to marry.

Day 2: The two little 4-year olds are holding hands on the playground. Emma speaks more of her Wedding plans

Day 3: Emma tells Daddy that she gave Riley a kiss. Ben tells his sweet little daughter that she cannot marry Riley because she should marry him. "But you are too old!" Emma replies. So Ben tells her that he will miss her if she gets married and goes away. Emma answers "Well Mommy married you and she sees Papa all the time". Smart little cookies isn't she?!

I attended two baby showers recently. I made a diaper cake for both showers. I have attached a picture of the first one I made below. It is the first time I have made one and I was pretty proud of myself. I added some fresh pink Sunflowers to the top of this one the day of the shower. I also made some fleece baby blankets that turned out really well. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of those.

The Pumpkin Patch

Emma had her first field trip last week. It was a rainy afternoon trip to the local Pumpkin Patch. They also visited two old style cabins and learned about life in the 1800's. They learned about how toys from long ago were so simple yet still fun. They also learned about day to day activities from that era. It was a good learning experience for the kids and an all around fun day. It even included a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch where each child took home their very own pumpkin. I'm so glad I was there to share the experience with my daughter and her class. I was worried about the rain, but it turned out to be just a steady drizzle and nothing too serious. Emma enjoyed the chance to use her new raincoat, shoes and umbrella. But she said her favorite parts were seeing the horses and of course riding the school bus!