Alex was content to play trains for most of the day. Wade even built him a new track.
Alex
Alex woke up from his nap and immediately spied the chips on the table. I told him they were for our New Year’s Eve party tonight. He promptly sat down at the table to wait (at 3 pm).
Abram was nice enough to loan Alex Toy Story 2 (Jesse is his favorite) tonight.
He spent all dinner telling Wade the pieces of the story he remembered.
Impromptu chip and dip party in the middle of the bathroom floor.
It’s good to be home and back in our routine.
I turned around today to see Alex attempting to get the last crumbs out of the bag.
I’m not sure where he learned this trick, but I’ve seen it a lot lately (see here).
This construction set was by far Santa’s best gift.
(Even the adults found ourselves mesmerized.)
Hungry Hungry Hippos was a huge hit!
Anytime Alex left Gram’s house he requested this hat. He’s in his pajamas and ready for the late night drive to Granny and Pop’s house.
Don’t leave me Uncle Chris!
Dabney brought Alex a new book – about the Moon!
That’s my boy!
(Skeeball at Chuck E. Cheese – going for the 10,000 points)
Now that’s a gingerbread man!
Not so sure about waking up from his nap.
Gingerbread house decorating – Burch style!
“Reading” while Mom makes dinner.
How do you eat your movie theater popcorn?
You’d never know Alex had minor surgery this morning. He woke up from his nap ready to go and insisted on his “Yellow Jacket clothes” and a garage for his cars.
Favorite morning play place? Yesterday’s delivery box!
Alex surprised me tonight by requesting a bath.
Story time!
What is he smiling for? Abram’s birthday cake!
Super Alex (with cape)!
Daddy’s home! Let’s make a fire!
Alex’s Elf, Kanga, recently sent a package. Inside were an Elf-themed plate, bowl, and cup. Alex’s first question was whether he could touch the Elf on the plate.
Then he immediately put the bowl on his head (as seen in this picture) and does it anytime he can.
Making pizza!
Wade almost always puts Alex to bed, but he’s out of town this week. Last night he sent Alex a video of him singing a Christmas carol at bedtime. Alex has wanted to watch it over and over and over.
Flashlight games.
(To explain: Phoenix lives next door. Alex saw him shining his flashlight out the window and ran to get his. The picture is of the two boys shining their flashlights at each other from their respective houses.)
Alex and Tabit – playing.
Hugging Santa – after telling him he wants a “concrete mixer that turns and turns”.
We spent a good part of the morning in our pajamas and Alex loved playing with his sleeping bag in front of the tree.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit to how many Christmas books Alex has. Thank goodness he loves to read!
Best friends sharing boots (and none of them are on the right foot).
It is serious business to decorate a gumdrop tree (with Dots).
(Alex saw the tree when I was decorating the kitchen and obviously remembered it from last year. He immediately wanted to decorate it. I told him we would have to get some Dots. He responded with “I have Dots” and ran to my office. It took me a few minutes to realize he was talking about his Do-a-Dot markers.)
Saying good-by to Daddy out the window.
Alex doesn’t even wait for Wade to get out the door before running to the window and yelling for him.
Alex talks, a lot. Wade and I were both pretty happy with the two hour nap he took during our eight hour drive.
No trip to B’s house is complete without a pony ride!
Granny and Pop let Alex have his “own” Christmas tree in the sunroom.
He was really excited to have a star on top.
Alex did fine being away from us for a week, but he is definitely all about Mom and Dad now!
Dancing Santa doesn’t dance, but he plays music!
No trip to Granny’s is complete without making cookies!
Visiting the Enchanted Forest.
A new collection of puzzles!!
Alex found Pop’s piggy bank
(Anybody know what it actually is?)
Granny’s house has the best toys.
(It’s probably bad that a phone with a cord is an unusual thing to Alex.)
Pop came for a quick visit
(just a few hours before he and Alex both got on the plane for Memphis)
Best friend hugs.
There was a lot of commotion outside tonight (protesters gathering) and Alex loved the helicopters overhead.
A Curious George book, pink “reading” glasses, and the promise of ice cream. What more could he want?
The dishwasher is still a favorite place to play (See two years ago here).