Last Entry for 2009

I can't believe that we are in the last hours of 2009. This year went by so fast! I think the biggest event of the year was that the boys started Kindergarten. We are so blessed to have such an awesome teacher and a great group of classmates to play with. As an end of the year gift, the boys and I made glitter ornaments for the class along with a Christmas tree box filled with candy. The boys passed out their gifts to the class after their end of the year play which was Goldilocks and the 3 Bears.

The boys teacher wanted them to each learn a line from the story and say it during the play. Well, that didn't happen. She was ok with that but she was hoping that they would sing along during certain parts of the story. Uh, that didn't happen either. The boys "performance" included Grant putting his hands in the back of his pants and letting the entire audience see him do this. Um, Nolan putting his hands in the front of his pants and letting the entire audience see him do this. Oh yeah, and then he also decided to fall backwards out of his chair! Jack didn't do anything as embarrassing as his other brothers but he kept talking to Nolan during the play. That's my boys!

We had fun decorating the house and enjoying all that is Christmas. I took the boys to Disneyland to see all of the Christmas decorations and enjoy the parade. I also took them to visit Santa and poor Santa....I think he was a bit overwhelmed with 3 boys coming at him! They primarily wanted remote control race cars for Christmas. Santa came through with that wish!

Our family went to my mom's house for Christmas Eve. It was the first time since my dad passed that we celebrated Christmas at their house. I could feel my dad's presence at the table as we ate dinner. Earlier in the week the boys and I went to the cemetery to bring flowers to honor and remember my dad during this time of year. As we were getting back into my van Grant said "Mom, I'll be right back." I watched him as he went over to my dad's grave and kissed one of the roses in the flower bunch we brought. When he came back he said "I miss Grandpa." Me too Grant, me too.

Christmas day started EARLY as in 3am early. Nope, we couldn't get the boys back to bed so we decided to give in and open presents. As they get older, it is so much fun to see their reactions to things. Christmas Eve they were concerned that Santa wouldn't be able to fit down the chimney. They opened up the fireplace and looked into it to check it out. We assured them that yes, Santa would be able to fit down the chimney. One of the great traditions we started was to jingle bells outside their bedroom window before they go to bed. The reaction to hearing the "sleigh bells" is priceless. They can't close their eyes fast enough because they think Santa is on top of our house! After spending a few hours playing with toys, we headed to Curtis' parents house. The boys got to play with some of their cousins and meet their new cousin Riley. We ended the day with Grandma's pumpkin pie. It was a long day but a very fun day too.

The day after Christmas we took the boys to the park and set up the soccer net and brought Grant's new soccer ball, football and basketball. He seems to be the most interested in sports and more athletic than his brothers. It was fun playing a bit of soccer and throwing the football around. I think they were more interested in playing on the playground than throwing or kicking a ball around. O'well....

Before this entry runs into 2010, I will end with a fun fishing trip that Curtis took the boys on. We have been fishing several times but have never actually caught a fish. Well Curtis and his friend Andy took the boys fishing. And guess what.....they each caught a fish!!!! Nolan wasn't too keen on holding his fish but Grant and Jack were ok with it.

Enjoy some of the pictures from the last month. I wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Random Act of Kindness Warms My Heart

Today after school I took the boys to see Santa. The place I took them also runs a small train around the center of the outdoor mall. Of course they were really excited to ride the train as well as seeing Santa. We hit the train station first. The boys were jumping around and yelling "TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN!!!" So I went in the little kiosk to buy them their tickets. As I am reaching in my wallet, this woman behind me says "Your boys are so adorable and I would love to buy them a train ride" and then sets down $10 on the counter. I was in shock but so touched that someone would do this for my boys. I told her she didn't have to do that but she insisted. I thanked her with tears in my eyes and she walked away. I looked for her the rest of the afternoon but I never did see her again.

God must have known that I needed this encounter today. It was like an angel sent from heaven. It restored a bit of faith in the human spirit for me. It's the little things in life that go so far. So to this lady who was so kind and generous to think of my boys, thank you. You made my day.

The Elf on the Shelf

I heard of this book last year at Christmastime and I was never able to find it. This year I was determined to get it for the boys. The story is about an elf who is sent down from the North Pole by Santa. The elf arrives at your house and is there to watch and observe your child's behavior and then report back to Santa at night. The elf sits in one place during the day and must not be touched or his magic might go. The next morning the elf arrives back at the house from the North Pole and sits in a different place than the previous day. The elf is also there for the kids to tell him what they want for Christmas so that the elf can tell Santa at night. It is also very important that your child names the elf too! The book and the elf come together in a very cute box set.

The elf showed up at our house Monday night. He was sat on a shelf in the hallway during the day but the boys never saw him. So after we got done decorating, I was "surprised" at what I found on the shelf. The boys were speechless when they saw him. Curtis brought the book and the elf over to the couch and read them the book. At first I wasn't sure if they were on board with the idea but it got more real to them after they heard the story. They named him Mr. Elf. As they were headed to bed, each of them went over to Mr. Elf, now on the mantel, to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Heck, even Curtis and I took a turn talking to Mr. Elf! So that night after they went to bed, Mr. Elf found a new shelf to sit on.

So for the next 22 nights, Mr. Elf will find his way around our house watching and reporting back to Santa Clause!