Lucas Turns Four!

On December 5th our little boy turned 4. He is oh so proud of his new age and will share it with anyone and everyone: " Hi, you remember, I four now." As his mommy, I can't believe that he is already four and wonder where all the time  has gone. I feel so very blessed to have such a fabulous, energetic, smart, little rascal as my son. He makes us laugh, he keeps us on our toes, and he teaches us so many things. 

We knew that this year Lucas' birthday would have to be a big deal (he's only been talking about it since this summer). I planned and thought of one thing after another (and discarded one idea after another) but finally I came up with the perfect plan for a four year old thanks to a friend giving me the tip (key element: the party was not at our house!).

We had a pirate party at Shipwrecked Playhouse in Cool Springs: pirate ship + ball pit + lots of toys + most importantly his favorite friends + no clean-up for mom = perfection.

Can't go wrong with a train table!

Our little pirate

Our favorite twins Anna & Ella

Car races

Ellie and Emma all dressed up

Emma caught in action

Bennett and big brother Carson in the ball pit

Ship Ahoy!

Also exciting for us parents: the separate play area for the little ones. 

Little brothers Peter and Christopher hard at work 

Will out for a ride

JD exploring the ball pit

HK unsure of the ball pit... but if JD is doing it...

 Pirate Cupcake Cake!

On Lucas' real birthday, we celebrated again (just with the four of us this time). 

Every four year old needs to take some milk shots on their birthday.

And with the past year have come so many passed milestones and so many new skills and loves. At four Lucas can add, he can (almost) write his name, he does workbooks with excitement, he loves to color, he loves to play ball, he loves to be wild with daddy, and read book after book at bedtime (and after bedtime). He will eat almost anything (except nuts and honey), always asks for seconds at daycare, and is a grand helper in the kitchen. He still sleeps in mommy and daddy's bed way more than is pediatrician recommended and has learned to sleep without his Morris (since Morris is no where to be found - a fact that makes mom want to cry). He loves his sister but would rather not share with her. He is outgrowing Duplos and has started seeing the joy of Legos. He can almost swim but is still a timid bike rider (even with training wheels). He will talk to almost anyone and will climb up anything. He loves school and all his friends. He is 90% the sweetest boy ever and 10% full of stubborn tantrums. He has started playing board games and is getting more and more skilled during his precious few minutes of iPad time. He makes us all laugh daily and knows 12 different types of knuckles. It's a long list but encompasses only a select few things of our sweet boy. I love him dearly and am so thankful for him. 

Love you my happy four year old!

Our Christmas Celebration

 Santa Claus was good to us. So good.

In return we did share our cookies and milk.

 We loved getting to celebrate with my family.

The kids were fabulous. A little antsy at church but otherwise angels the whole evening. Even for picture time. Amazing what a little Santa incentive will do.

They even sat quietly as we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before opening presents.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

 The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 Our own Santa Baby was all smiles.

Lucas helping Daddy make Eggnog martinis. Ask us for the recipe. They are delicious!

Finally present time!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to All! It's been another wonderful holiday here in Nashville. My parents and Jenni came up to celebrate and we have had a few wonderful days with them. Matt and I worked today but we were both home for the Christmas Eve celebration yesterday and had a blast unwrapping presents with the kids.

We also had a fun time getting ready for Christmas this year. The kids have loved every minute of it and have been in awe of all the pre-Christmas on-goings.

Lucas raced to open a door every morning of his not one, but three calendars. His favorite was the Kinder Chocolate calendar my grandmother sent him from Germany. Kindereggs behind doors and getting to eat them before breakfast, can't beat that.

Eli, the Christmas Elf, made his first appearance at our house this year. Every night he left us to head back to the North Pole and tell Santa whether we've been naughty or nice around here. He reappeared somewhere else every morning and Lucas had fun tracking him down every day.

And we of course got our Christmas tree.

And decorated it. Winter hats required.

Soon all the lights were on.

 And the ornaments too.

The season brought a few more holiday treats. We watched Jenni dance as the Mouse Queen in the Nutcracker.

And posed with the Nutcracker at the Opryland Hotel.

And watched a special Holiday Shrek show.

Pictures from our Christmas celebration to come soon! Merry Christmas and Frohe Weihnachten from all of us! We hope yours has been as blessed as ours.