The Children's Museum

Otherwise known as, "How to keep busy on yet another cold winter's day during these two weeks off school"...

Nursing Roger

Although Kellan stopped nursing last month, we mustn't forget that, according to Kel, "Roger still nurses for a long time". Nursing Roger is a job that he takes very seriously. He reads his book (like I used to read mine while I nursed him -- oh, glorious reading time of old) and nurses Roger while they relax under the covers. I hope that he will grow to be a loving and supportive father to his own nursing children one day. For now, he's just got Rog.

Christmas Morning Merriment

Here are a few random Christmas morning shots. Nothing of any real substance. Just a typical lazy Christmas morning opening presents and enjoying life as parents of a three year old.

Kel is definitely a believer in Santa. My favourite bit was his serious recounting of how he heard Santa's sleigh bells in the night while he was sleeping. And of course the look on his face when he arrived to see that Santa had left him a new kitchen, fridge (from Grandma), and Cars tent (from Auntie) in the sitting room. I wish that I could have captured the light in his eyes. Its a shame that we have to outgrow the ability to believe in magic.


Digging for treasures in his stocking. He got lots more of the Disney Cars vehicles, as well as a few airplanes and extra bits.







His "big present" was the new kitchen and fridge, fully stocked with dishes, food, and all of the necessary supplies. He played with this for nearly three hours before he even took any interest in the gifts beneath the tree.




Auntie sent the new Cars tent. Perfect for racing his huge collection of vehicles. Tunnels and everything! I think that Nic may have enjoyed this one as much as Kellan.






Too much eggnog?!




Another happy boy on Christmas morning. I love looking at Kel and imagining Nic doing the same when he was three. My boys...

Feeling festive

Random smiles from a snowside seat

Another winter and he still hates the snow. Scrunched up face, whining, refusing to go out unless carried. He has proper boots, proper snow pants, a really nice jacket, and all of the warmest accessories. What more can I do? I'm not going to demonstrate the wonder and beauty of a play in the snow myself because I hate the cold wet stuff! Maybe its genetic...

A Valid Explanation

When we arrived home from school today, Kellan was in grumpier than a grumpy thing who's really grumpy mode and I was trying to figure out the cause. I have been feeling unwell (airplane germs no doubt) and thought that perhaps he was getting the same cold, feeling achy and sore.

Me: Kellan, are you feeling ok?

Kel: NO!

Me: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. What's wrong?

Kel (very matter of factly): I'm three.

Indeed, "I'm three" could be an answer to a lot of the high stress moments in our house. Three, in all of its angst-ridden, frustrated, emotional glory. Three. Yes, he is three.

There was ice and snow and freezing rain in the cold dark place that they called home

Winter. In the Midwest. You know my feelings on this subject. I can't even take a nice photograph of it. Bad photo, bad setting. That's all I'm saying!



To brighten things up a bit and get into the holiday spirit, Kel and I made a gingerbread house yesterday. This was fun. He did almost all of the decorations himself. I applied the icing and he chose the candy placement.



We took these photos after we got home from swimming. I have no makeup and unbrushed hair, but I'll post them anyway. Try not to remember me by these!




We also decorated the Christmas tree.




I realise that this isn't a spectacular photo. Don't know that we'd even finished the tree yet. Kellan probably ran out of the frame just as I snapped the shot. But, I had to post a photo of the tree so that you could all delight in our new and lovely tree topper. Yes, that is "the fancy star" as Kel calls it. The tacky bright gaudy star to outdo all tack bright and gaudy stars. We used to have a classic old fashioned Father Christmas tree topper, but Kellan has immersed himself in the story of Christmas lately (he has become our very own Baby Jesus spotter as we drive around town past people's ever so tasteful lawn ornament manger scenes) and received a book that told about why we place a star on top of the tree. When I got out that old Santa, it was a definite no go. We had to have a star. And, good for him, he's more in the spirit of things than most kids. He is excited about getting some gifts from Santa, though seems equally excited about celebrating the birth of Jesus and even questioned yesterday how the two were related. Somebody is doing something right! Oh, and that was kind a long and difficult explanation that went way over his head, but we tried! Anyway, this is the star, "the fancy star" that Kellan selected for our tree topper. In honour of Baby Jesus. I really am trying to keep a straight face. My little Christian.



And here are a few from Wednesday that I didn't get around to putting up yet. Hard to believe that we were here at Balboa Park only a few days ago. What a difference a flight can make! The first one is of Kellan's favourite tower. Not sure why he loves The California Tower so very much, but he always has. He also got to see "The Grinch" at the Old Globe right underneath, at which point the tower climbed even higher in his legend.




At the science center. Ah, memories...