Christmas

We officially completed Christmas Marathon 2008! It was full of family, fabulous food and a very full car. Mehandis's gifts got larger this year, including a BMW (child-sized) and complete play camp cookware set. In the photo below Mehandis is enjoying playing the drum we brought back for him from Ethiopia. He calls it "boom-boom-boom". Also, "baby" got outfitted with a stroller this Christmas.

Love for cousin "Ren" is proudly displayed below.

Mehandis loved Christmas Eve at my aunt and uncle-in-law's since they had all of the good stuff kid-level. The good stuff includes glass bulb ornaments, M&M's, crackers and remote controls.

Both Dad and son took full enjoyment of the desserts that evening.

As well as enjoying watching Bampa's train under the Christmas Tree.

We bid a sad farewell to my Grandpa Doughty the night of Christmas, as he passed away that night. He loved his only great-grandchild and asked about him frequently. We had a nice visit with him in January of this year and will miss his many stories and frequent laughter.

The picture above includes the 4 generations taken in Tuscon last January.

Let it snow, let it snow... and then stop!

Okay, I admit I selfishly had been hoping for a snow day last Friday. I am not the one who snowblows or shovels... so snow days mean spending the day home from school with Mehandis and having Michael come home for lunch (cuz he has to clear the snow). And though Michael had to clear the driveway and walk 2 to 3 times that day, we were all in good spirits and enjoyed the beautiful landscape.

Mehandis was in awe of the "now" as he calls it and kept looking for "choo choos" which I later figured out were snow blowers. Below he looking out at Michael's car - the side mirror is the only part that identifies it under the snowy pile.

We had fun reading "Frosty the Snowman" and enjoyed cozying up on the couch.

I even got all of the gifts wrapped/bagged while Mehandis played. He really enjoyed climbing the crock pot and banging the walls with the empty gift wrap tubes. Between the two of us we created quite the mess.

This weekend Michael and I went to our local coffee shop to see Santa. Mehandis enjoyed his doughnut quite a bit more than his visit with Santa this year. No tears at least!

Oh yeah, back to the snow. I think the winter wonderland outside is picturesque enough for now. So I hope we can hold off on snow until traveling is complete... and school is back in session!

Dress Up

While my mom and I did play dress up with Mehandis, using various scarves, hats and glasses... I swear that I only followed his requests in the wardrobe pictured below. Mehandis kept bringing me different "accessories" out of his Diego backpack (where we keep those odds and ends) and telling me "on". So after two watches, one bandanna/cape, my old sunglasses and a fishing hat - you get the outfit above. Plus a lot of giggles from his parents :)

Mehandis is loving wearing his Santa hat this year, as compared to last. He even wears it to school some days accompanied with a cued "ho ho ho". Looks like Mr. Potato Head is also getting in on the dress up fun.

Birthday Parties

We had lots of fun celebrating Mehandis's birthday last week. Michael and kicked off the festivities with a night out at Stone Fire Pizza. Mehandis had a great time pretending he was making pizza in the play kitchen, splashing at the water table, pushing/dropping trains at the train table and watching Shrek while gobbling pizza. Of course we had to end the night with the most decadent of ice cream sundaes.

Grandparents joined us for an Irish themed "linner" at our home. And Mehandis sported a festive hat that he had made in daycare (he tore it apart an hour before the party, fortunately I am used to re-crafting kids art).
With Nonni's encouragement he blew out both candles!

Mehandis enjoyed his applesauce cake... and really loved the icing as you can see.

Michael and son opening up some of the fun gifts.

We got a kick out of watching Mehandis "put away" his new shovel by hanging it on the cabinet knobs. He is quite observant as Michael hangs up the snow shovels in the garage on hooks as well.

Me and Mehandis playing with his new basketball hoop. We all had a good time attempting our best shot!

Tis the 12 Days Before Christmas (Break)

Officially 12 Days until Christmas Eve, which is the first day of our Winter Break. We have basically all of the present shopping done. Are onto hosting our 3rd of 4 holiday parties tonight. And finally finished putting all of decorations up. So I am now having visions of holiday cheer and time off with family!!!!

Here is a funny song that was shared with me. It is geared towards those who work in schools, but I think many can appreciate its sentiments.

Twas the days before Christmas
And all through the school
The teachers were trying to just keep their cool.

The hallways were hung
With Christmas art
(Some made in November
to get a head start!)

The children were bouncing
Off ceilings and walls
And seemed to forget
How to walk in the halls.

When out of the teacher's lounge
With "holiday shirts"
And "jingle bell jewels"
The teachers looking festive
Enforcing the rules

Suddenly, from down the hallway
There came such a chatter
The principal went in
To see what was the matter

The teachers were hiding
And trying to refuel
On coffee and cookies
And treats from the Yule

When what to their wondering
Ears do they hear
But the ringing of school bells
--It's the children they fear

More rapid than reindeer
The little ones came
And the teachers all shouted
And called them by name

Walk, Vincent!, Walk Tanner!
Walk, Tyler and Sammy!
Sit Jamie!, Sit, Laura!
Sit Tara and Tammy

To your desks in the room
To your spots in the line
Now walk to them! Walk to them!
No running this time!

So straight to their places
The children all went
with fear of detention
Where they could be sent

With manuals of lessons
Cradled in arms
The teachers began
To use all their charms

But the lessons presented
All fell on deaf ears
The children were thinking
Of Santa's reindeer!

With a toss of their hands
They put manuals aside
Went straight to the cupboards
Where videos hide

And laying their finger
On the TV remote
They sat back to write
Their last Christmas note

But you could hear them exclaim
At the end of the day
Have a wonderful, happy, and
L-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ong holiday!

The 80's

I wanted to do a quick update on our status waiting for the newest addition to our family. When our dossier was accepted, on September 2nd, we were number 106 on the unofficial "list". The referrals were few and far between for a while... but now things are moving again. As of today we are number 85.

To commemorate being in the mid-80's I thought it would be fun to quote the popular forwarded email "You know you grew up in the 80's if you..". So tell-tale signs include:

1. Know Deborah Gibson as Debbie.

2. Ever ended a sentence with the word "Psych".

3. Wore biker shorts under your skirt and thought they were cool.

4. Had or have gone to a birthday party at McDonald's.

5. Know the profound meaning of "Wax on. Wax off."

6. Ever watched Fraggle Rock.

7. Went to a roller rink before there were in-line skates.

8. Read the Tale of a 4th Grade Nothing and all of the Ramona books.

Mehandis is 2 today!!!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear Mehandis,

Happy Birthday to you!