Our Celebration of Jesus' Birthday!

Christmas Morning!

Jesus' Birthday!

Tate was up by 5:45!  I had to convince him to stay in our room while I went and turned on the tree lights...he was not happy about that! :)

And when I finally let him come on in the living room he was all over the cookie Santa left, just for him.  As is evidenced he was not nearly as excited about his Christmas gifts as he was the lone sugar cookie :)

We did move quickly on to the stocking....

Tate was thrilled with most everything he received, with anything trains causing him to do the happy dance.  There were so many presents that I had him open them over the course of the 25th and the 26th so as to not overwhelm him, AND he actually got tired of opening gifts!   Only my child.

Mouth full of cookie!

He was in this position most of the day!

My sweet Mommy!

Tate went shopping for me with my dad on Christmas Eve.
He chose these socks for me along with an animal night-light.

We took a break from opening presents for some breakfast and a Christmas parade...

And another present...

Then we headed outside since it was so nice and warm for a spin on the new bike after breakfast!

 

After a nap that a certain little boy did not want to take, there were many tears on both our parts about this nap, there were more presents to be opened as my sister and her family arrived...

After the second round of present opening Tate, Scotty and I created our snowmen!!!  It is so very much fun to do these crafts with the boys during the holidays.

Hard at work!

Cousin love.

Showing off our work!

Then we had a little celebration for the man of the hour...Jesus!  

And of course once our day was winding down there was one last present for the day...

Four Christmases.  Tate and I have celebrated four Christmases together.  Actually five!  I still remember being in awe of being pregnant that Christmas of 2008.  I was 2 months along.  It seems so very long ago.  And to look at us now celebrating together.  Oh what fun it is to be on this ride with sweet Tate.

Zoo Lights

Friday morning, the 21st found Tate with me at my doctor's appointment to get my cholesterol checked.  He did fairly well staying a little quiet.  This is an office that never has children in it;  I've never seen a kid there during one of my appointments, and I've been coming for 5 years.  But I didn't want to take him to daycare for what would be a 20 minute appointment...I just love being with him.  Even when he's being ornery and uncooperative.  So with me he was.  Quick check by the doc and a little prick on my arm and we were done, no muss, no fuss.  My results came back yesterday.  My cholesterol is firmly ensconced in the lower numbers   158, down over 50 points.  So yay!  But I need to do this without medication!  That's my goal for this year, to be off Lipitor by next Christmas.

I then jetted Tate off to daycare so I could go have a scrumptious 90 minute massage by the fantastic as always Jane at The Motherhood Center.  My back has  been hurting so very much it's indescribable.  I'm miserable sometimes.  I really need to have this checked out;  a few weeks ago it was noted from a chest x-ray that I have arthritis in my back, so I need to delve further into that.  Add that to my extremely long list of things to do to take care of myself.  So the massage was just what the doctor ordered for now.  

As Tate was just *supposed* to be going down for a nap at school when my massage ended, I ran to the grocery store to get my Christmas groceries after grabbing myself some lunch.  After I unloaded the car I was ready to pick up Tate.  Just as I was walking out the door his teacher texted me to tell me the kids were getting ready to watch 'The Polar Express' and could Tate watch it?  As he's still not allowed to watch tv with the exception of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Curious George and Thomas the Train (and only on weekends and in extremely limited amounts) everyone at school is hyper aware of my not allowing him to watch any programs there.  However, in September I decided to let him watch 'The Polar Express' because of my plans for us to ride the Polar Express this December.  Well it scared him to death.  He lasted all of 10 minutes.  I was really surprised.  So, I texted his teacher that no he could not watch it, and I was on my way to get him.  I got there and poor Tate was all alone in his classroom confused.  As soon as he saw me he started jumping up and down yammering on about watching 'The Polar Express! The Polar Express!'  So I decided to let him go ahead and watch it and return later on.  He couldn't run out of the room fast enough!  He was glued to the screen when I came to say good-bye.

I came back 90 minutes later at 5:15 and my child was grinning from ear to ear.  I loaded him up in the car and we headed off to the zoo for Zoo Lights.  

Oh and I was right....no nap was had by young Tate.

We arrived at the zoo with time to spare, so we hung out in the car for a bit.  And then it was time for Zoo Lights.  This is the first year they've done it, and it was spectacular.

A little tired.

Ok, a lot tired.

Sweet Tate was a bit tired for most of the festivities.  After I got some dinner into him (from home of course! :) ) all he wanted to do was ride the carousel.  He calmly sat in his stroller as we made our way through the gorgeous light exhibits.  After the carousel ride we were on our way out of the zoo.  I tried to get him to stay awake to no avail.  He was asleep before we walked out the zoo gates.

I quickly changed him into his pajamas once we got to the car which woke him up and had him so upset.  I got him into his carseat, turned on his 'sleeping' music and amidst some hiccups and tears he went right back to sleep.  And once home we had another successful car to the bed transfer!!!

My sleepy little guy

Christmas Memories

I've decided that even though I'm missing a few days of Advent I would capture our 4th Christmas together and catch up on the last days of Advent throughout our Christmas memories.

Saturday we slowly woke up.  Well I slowly woke up and Tate bounded up with excitement as usual.  We just hung out at home.  He played trains and I let him watch 'The Polar Express'...he was over the moon!!  We then made some egg-free sugar cookies!!  They were not half bad, and Tate had a blast making the cookies with me!  It was the first time we've ever 'cooked' together!

The Finished Nativity Sugar Cookie Project!

Saturday afternoon we headed over to ride the train at the zoo (what Christmas would be complete without a train ride?!).  Tate then wanted to see the animals at the zoo and ride the carousel again; I was happy to oblige!  We hadn't seen all that many animals the night before, and Tate was so tired while we were at the Zoo Lights.  He had a great time Saturday afternoon.

In the tunnel while on the train...

Gorgeous!

Then we had a dinner date...French Fries for the boy.  Hamburger for the girl.

Saturday night brought two Advent books as we missed out on Friday night...

Sunday morning found us at church, along with his 'Polar Express' book :)

Once home I finished loading up the car and got some lunch into Tate, we headed over to Neiman Marcus for some make-up for me and Nordstrom for some clothes.  For me!!  I decided that I need to embrace the size I am, right here and now, and start dressing like I appreciate the life I've been blessed with.  I convinced Tate to nap in the stroller after our stop at Neiman's on the way to Nordstrom.  He happily obliged, and I was able to spend an hour trying on clothes and found some great outfits!!  All within my budget!  Woohoo!

We left the mall and headed off to my parents;  Tate woke up as we were walking back to the car!  Such a great little shopper, this little guy of mine.  I wonder what I'm going to do when he no longer naps!

We arrived at my parents' and unloaded our stuffed to the gills car. Tate scampered in and convinced my dad to let him watch trains on the iPad!  Happiness instantly!  It's so very nice to just be at my parents'.  They play with Tate, watch him, and enjoy his company.  Basically it's so nice to be able to have 6 eyes on him instead of just my 2.  I can sit down and just relax and close my eyes if I want to.  I can go to the bathroom by myself (well Tate still manages to interrupt me every single time I go to the bathroom there as well, but I start off with the door shut and alone!).  It's just comforting.

My mom, Tate and I did a little Christmas tree craft in the afternoon...

Tate's Masterpiece!

That evening I decided to take Tate out to find the great Santa roller coaster in my parents' neighborhood.  I had to convince him to come look at these lights as he wanted to play with his trains and watch more trains with Papa (of course).  And it was warm and humid.  Ugh.  But the Christmas spirit prevailed!  My mom joined us and we were off!  Sadly, though we found the roller coaster house it wasn't going to be 'going' until 7pm and we were there at 6:15.  Taking Tate back at 7 was not on my agenda, but it was cool to see anyway.  We made our way back home, stopping to look at a few more houses, got Tate bathed and ready for an Advent celebration at my parents' place.

Sweet Tate then slept in his little Thomas bed all night long, if you consider waking up at 5:26 all night.  I don't, so convinced him to climb into bed with me for a bit longer.  Then when he kicked me 2930742 too many times I sent him back to his bed.  Finally he had to go potty, and I gave up.  

After breakfast we iced and decorated the egg-free sugar cookies that we had made on Saturday (Nativity shaped sugar cookies)!

I think there were a few cookies with icing.  My little boy has his mama's sweet tooth.

We got loaded up and off to our house to go to the Children's Christmas Eve service at my church.  I convinced Tate to nap...

He has not let go of that movie since I let him
watch it for the first time last week! 

And he napped and napped and napped.  For 90 minutes!!!  I then had to rush him into his church clothes and off to the church.  We arrived 35 minutes early and were almost late!  We sat with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the service.  The service is so sweet;  the Children's Ministry provides 'costumes' for any child who wants to participate.  Tate chose to be a star last week while we were at church, and immediately changed his mind over the weekend and wanted to be a train.  At the Nativity...sigh.  Once he saw his little friend H during the service he decided he wanted to be an angel like her.

My Angel Star :) 

And why can't I be a train?

After the beautiful service we went home and picked up Vincent.  For it's not Christmas until Vinnie joins us.  And puts on his Christmas outfit.

 

We got home and had some dinner. My parents and Lindsey headed out to Christmas Eve Service at my parents' church while Tate and I got ready for bed in anticipation of Santa Claus making an appearance that night.  First though Tate had to open his first Christmas present...

Then we opened the last book of Advent...

After opening the last book, we set out cookies for Santa.  Tate could not understand why he couldn't taste one (we'd already brushed his teeth!), but he was very excited to put out the cookies we'd made in the Santa plate we'd painted at The Mad Potter...

The cookies were left on the table and Tate ran off to read a book while I cleaned up.  Instead of reading I heard this lovely song...

Such a sweet little boy I have.  He was a bit more wound up than I thought and didn't fall asleep until close to 9.  But I was happy to rock him a bit more when I realized he was still awake (I went to check on him, and his little head popped right up!).  I may have mentioned that Santa would only come if he would go to sleep...

Before Santa...

After Santa...

All Tate had asked for from Santa was a Talking Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Spencer the Train, Duke the Train and James the Train.  Santa Claus was more than happy to oblige and brought a few other items he thought young Mr. Tate would enjoy.  

Is Tate a bit spoiled?  Yes, yes he is.  Someone explained to me once why it is that we parents want to do so much for our kids and why gift giving is such an integral part of Christmas.  

It's most easily explained with this verse..

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son..." John 3:16

God gave us the greatest gift.  He gave us an amazing gift.  We parents can't give our children or loved ones such a powerful, loving gift, but we can try to express the depth our love through the gifts we bestow at Christmastime.  

I so hope that God's love shines through me in the manner that I love my son through hugs, kisses and yes the gifts I give him.