Teddy Bear Tea at the Royal Sonesta

Last year's trip to the Teddy Bear Tea with Jack was so much fun that some friends and I got a whole table together and took both kids. Jack sat right next to Dean and Alyssa and enjoyed bingeing on marshmallows, cookies and hot chocolate. Theo was in awe of Frosty the Snowman (his all time favorite Christmas character this year) and loved all of the sugary treats as well. The kids had so much fun singing along with Mrs. Clause and watching the characters dance around. I was really blessed to share this great day with good friends! Hopefully the tradition will carry on for several years :)

Merry Christmas from us!

Here is the wonderful Christmas card that my very dear friend Dawn designed for us. We wish all of you the blessings of this season.

I took the boys to see "The Princess and the Frog" today. Jack had a half day at school but I decided by the time I got him ready and returned home, it would be time to go back. So, we skipped school and took Theo to his very first movie. He was mesmerized for about half of the show and then twizzlers got us through the rest. What a fun morning with my boys!

Theo's school party

Theo had his turn to be Rudolph today at his school Christmas party. He and his friends "sang" Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Mostly the kids either clung to their parents or stared blankly ahead :) Ha! Theo decorated a cookie and then played a little bit before we headed home. Whatever he did today at school totally wore him out and now he's napping away upstairs. I think I'm going to use his 2 week break from school to potty train him. If it doesn't work, no harm. But if it does, score for no more diapers!!!!

Ornament Tour

My friend Dawn did this on her blog and I think it's a fantastic idea! Our tree only has sentimental ornaments, none of which match, on it. Dave and I would collect an ornament from the neat places we traveled pre-kids. Then our kids came along and we started collecting some for them. I think they each have about 11 "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments each!!! Ha. So, here's a tour of my select favorite ornaments:

Snowman handprint ornament - Just made this one today with my Mom's group. I got the idea from my September board friends and I must say that it turned out adorable! Email me if you want instructions.

Theo's First Christmas ornament - I love it because his birth picture looks NOTHING like him now. I wouldn't even put two and two together that it's the same person. He looks like he has dark eyes and the dark hair totally throws me. And look how solid that 9 lb 2 oz baby seems!

Jack's First Christmas ornament - He was around 8 months old when I took this picture and it cracks me up because he was getting his front teeth, but they came in in a funky order, so his smile is definitely "special" looking. He was goofy even back then!

Hanging angel - This is special because I've had this since my high school dance team days. Our director hand painted each angel and I've treasured it since then. We still exchange Christmas cards and share the same birthday :)

Snoopy ornament - I have several of the Peanuts gang that date back to my childhood. I love me some Snoopy!!

Crawfish Mardi Gras ornament - I got this little fella my first Christmas in New Orleans, back in 1999. I never ever thought in a million years that I'd end up living here so I scooped up this ornament to remember the years I spent here for grad school. Now I've been here over 10 years and have no plans on leaving!

MD Anderson Children's art project ornament - This one is bitter sweet but very much treasured for the person it represents. Aunt Jen gave the boys their own ornaments last year in support of MD Anderson, where cousin Corinne is getting treatment for leukemia. She was diagnosed on her 2nd birthday and has been getting chemotherapy ever since. We sure do love cousin Corinne and can't wait to celebrate her victory over leukemia this summer!

Elvis boot ornament - I just got this one at my Mom's club "tacky ornament" exchange last week. It cracked me up and I actually had to steal it from another mom (sorry Elizabeth!). I love it :)

It would be fun to see some of your favorite ornaments too! I'd love to see what's special to you and why!

Twins?

I kept Theo's woman, Juliet, this morning and got to pass them off as twins around town. It's the BEST because people definitely look at you with a mix of pity and awe. You have to admit, they definitely look related. They are the same exact height and both have dimples, blonde hair and blue eyes. Hmmmm.

Jack's Christmas party at school

Theo and I went to Jack's class party this afternoon. The kids surprised us by singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" for all of the parents. Jack was designated the song leader since he knew the entire song, mainly the beginning with the reindeer's names. He definitely loves to put on a show and be the center of attention. Who on earth does he get that from??

Rainy day fun

We're living in monsoon conditions here. The boys haven't gone outside to play in weeks (it feels like at least). The cage fighting is at an all time high so I'm having to be ultra creative now. I had Theo start decorating cards for his teachers. Love what he did with them ;)

Eli has been "hanging around" watching over Jack and Theo. It's hard to find new spots for him that haven't been used for the past 2 years already. Our mantle is also filling up and I'm LOVING it. I so look forward to getting everyone's cards. I love Christmas cards more than the average person, for sure.

Meanwhile, Theo is talking up a storm now. Everywhere we go, he's on the look out for "baby Jesus" or "Frosty the Noman" or "Santa Cause". I especially love it when he says "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Kitmas". He also loves to point out "Reindeer Games" whenever he sees reindeer lawn decorations. He's made this time of year very fun and special :)