The boys got new shirts for Christmas from Mabel & Papa.

Adam was very excited to be dressed just like Mabsie (it didn’t hurt that the shirts are green – his favorite color). 

Also, while at my parents’ for Christmas, I learned that when Luke says “mama” he’s not calling me (like I originally thought). Apparently, in Lukespeak, “mama” means “give me that” and normally refers to something he can eat.

He does say “dada” loud and clear though (not that I’m jealous or anything).

We actually haven’t opened those gifts yet (and no, they aren’t all for Adam and Luke). The boys are having a blast right now, playing in the snow with Papa, Uncle Steve, and Daddy, while we wait for Aunt Stacy and Uncle Robbie to get here.

So I figured I’d pop in and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all are having as much fun with your families today as I am having with mine.

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

The other night I went out shopping (alone – it was heavenly) for two and half hours. I got two text messages from Dave. One telling me that we’d suffered our first ornament casualty of 2012.  It’s really no surprise. The line between Christmas decoration and ball to be thrown is a fine one for Luke. I got the full story from Adam later. He was trying to put the ornament back on the tree, so Luke wouldn’t get in trouble, and it fell. I’m sure it won’t be the last.

The second text said that Adam had unrolled an entire thing of paper towels. When Dave asked him why, he held the then empty tube up to his eye and said, “Because I wanted to be a pirate. Ahoy matey!”.

As Dave was re-rolling the paper towels, Luke went in to the kitchen and stole three unwrapped Hershey kisses off of the counter (Dave was using them to make his contribution to a potluck for the following day).

These boys, I tell you what, they keep us on our toes.

Also, if it seems like my kids are in pajamas a lot, it’s because they are. We’ve had issues lately with Luke keeping his clothes on, so in order to keep him warm I’ve been resorting to footed pajamas (he hasn’t figured out how to get out of them – yet). Adam loves to wear pjs so anytime he sees Luke wearing them he takes it as an open invitation for him to change in to them as well. And really, some battles just aren’t worth fighting.

Santa wasn’t the only one that spoiled the kids this past weekend. Their Great Grandma Rose got them a play kitchen, food to go with it, and each a new pair of pajamas.

We took the kitchen down to the family room right away so they could get started playing.

Adam was so happy to get everything set up, and immediately began cooking. He seems to make a lot of soup. Just the other day he brought me a delicious blend of ice cream, strawberries, french fries, and peas.

Luke loves eating Adam’s creations and talking on the phone that came with the kitchen. He’s starting to say more recognizable words lately (hello, mama, dada, thank you, uh oh, and doggy). I’m sure it won’t be long before I have another little chatterbox on my hands.

We celebrated an early Christmas at home on Saturday with the boys. While they were napping Santa Claus came and when they woke up they got to open their gifts from him, and also from their Great Grandma Rose.

Luke wasn’t feeling that great, those pesky teeth were bothering him. So Adam delivered his gifts (and helped him open them).

I was most surprised by how excited Adam was with his new bathrobe. He insisted on putting it on right away.

Luke’s favorite gift was a set of magnetic puzzles (one has fish and the other bugs). He gets so excited whenever he “catches” something.

Although, an empty box was a close second for favorite new toy.

On Friday afternoon we went to Dave’s work Christmas party. Santa made an appearance and handed out toys to the kids. I saw Luke eyeing the toy car another boy had received and watched as he looked back and forth between the car and Santa. I could tell he was thinking about that car and trying to decide if it was worth getting close to Santa.

Adam went over to lend some brotherly support, but that was as close as Luke would get.

After Luke ran back to the table where he had been coloring, Adam explained the Duke’s dilemma and Santa was happy to find a set of toy cars for Luke.

In addition to a visit from Santa and coloring, the boys also enjoyed playing in the bounce house and making a graham cracker house. Aunt Stacy went to the party with us (she was Adam’s date) and the two of them did a great job on their house.

Adam asked me if he could help me make his oatmeal yesterday. He got out a green bowl and spoon for himself and an orange set for Luke. He said that we were the oatmeal cooks and Luke was the waiter.

I asked him what a waiter does and he told me, “He waits for the oatmeal”.

This picture is a month old, but it’s adorable, so I’m sure you’ll forgive me for sharing it so late. We were out shopping and the boys (all three of them) were getting antsy. So while I waiting to checkout, Dave took Adam and Luke to wait near the exit.

All on his own, Adam climbed up next to the other “kids” and posed with them. He was so still that he tricked a few other customers that were coming in to the store.

He’s pretty fantastic.

Luke has been acting like quite the little bully lately. This morning in the bathtub he got mad at Adam and hit him in the head with a toy fish. He was not pleased when I took the fish away from him.

Mama took my toy fish away, just because I whacked Adam in the head with it.

Wait, she is taking my picture…

I’m supposed to say cheese when she takes my picture.

Cheese!

Cheeeeeeeeeese!!!!

Thankfully his bad mood was short-lived and he was back to being my happy little guy again in no time. Luke’s main complaint lately (besides a big brother that picks on him sometimes) is the two teeth that are really close to breaking through on the right side of his mouth (one on the top and one on the bottom). Hopefully they’ll be in soon and his poor mouth will stop hurting him.