The Great Sleepover

Max has been talking about having a sleepover for weeks.  I don't know where he came up with the idea, but it really stuck with him.  Today he called his Nonna to see if she would come over for a sleepover tonight.  Luckily she is off work tomorrow and was happy to oblige.  They started the evening by icing some cupcakes that Max and I made earlier. 






Max did a pretty good job with the frosting and he was extra careful not to waste any.  In fact he was so worried about waste that he made sure he licked the butter knife clean.

 

While Will didn't get to ice any cupcakes, he sure enjoyed eating them.  Sometimes I think I must be crazy, but I swear he has a phrase that means 'I want that'.  All three words blend together to make one word, but he then points at where he wants whatever it is he wants.  Tongiht he wanted a cupcake right in front of him.  He also loved watching Nonna show him the pictures on his phone.  He thought that was pretty fun. 

 

 

After a bath, Max was ready to try out one of his new games from Nonna and Nonno - Spot It.  It is a pretty cute little game and the two had a great tiem playing.  Then off to bed.  I'm looking forward to the fact that Max has already announced that when he wakes up in the morning the first thing he is going to do is go to Nonna's room.  Maybe Mommy and Daddy will be able to get a little bit of extra sleep.  I can hope, right?

Snow

Last night we got our first snow of the season.  It may have just been an inch or so, but to Max it was a blizzard.  He couldn't wait to go outside with Daddy to build a snowman and have a snowball fight.  Since there wasn't too much snow, the snowman needed to be a bit miniature - but he is super cute if you ask me.   I wonder how long it will last before the deer destroy the snowman for his nose?

 

The snowball fight was pretty cute too.  It consisted of Max throwing snowballs at the window and Wil just laughing and laughing.  I was happy to be the one inside the house the whole time - it was really cold out there!

Merry Christmas!

Wonderful -  That is how I would describe our holiday.  We had such a wonderful time with our families, in spite of the fact that we have been feeling pretty under the weather.  On Monday we hosted a Christmas Eve celebration and it was fabulous.  So many people we love under one roof to celebrate the holiday together - it really doesn't get much better than that. 


Poor Will was feeling very under the weather.  In fact he and I went to see Dr Joe on Monday morning.  A pretty nasty sinus infection seemed to be the culprit and three days on antibotics later he doesn't look nearly as pitiful.  Luckily he had both his Nonna and his Grandma to snuggle with and as the night went on he perked up a bit.

 

Last year Santa made an appearance and the kids were expecting a repeat performance again this year.  Halfway through the evening we realized why he hadn't come yet - we forgot the reindeer food!  So mommy found some old baby carrots in the fridge - hey, reindeer like carrots right - and the kids do the work of chucking the carrots all around the yard to attract Rudolf and his Friends.    They took their task very seriously.  I think there were 100+ baby carrots all over the front yard when they were finished. 

 

 With their work completed all three of the kiddos just stood by the door and waited.  It was too cute.  Lo and behold just a little bit later Santa did indeed make his appearance.  The kids couldn't have been more excited - and honestly neither could the adults.  Watching their little faces light up with pure joy, and fascination at the magic that is Santa was just amazing to watch. 

 

I guess the reindeer food worked, because before we knew it we heard a special bell and the man in the big red suit was heading down the stairs.  He even had a sack of toys for the four good little girls and boys in our house for the night. 

 

 Each kiddo got to sit on Santa's lap and they had a nice little chat.  Will wasn't too sure about it - in fact he pretty much hated. it.

 

 

Of course Nonna wouldn't let a Corso Christmas pass without a picture of the cousins.  While I do groan when mom suggests this every year I do cherish the pictures -  I love my cousins!

 

After a good nights rest - Will's present was sleeping in until 8:30 - we headed down to see if Santa had come.  He sure did!  He even left a note on the window for the boys.  He loved the cookies and milk and the reindeer loved the carrots.

 

 

Baby Jesus has been hanging out in Max's stocking since we first put the nativity.  On Christmas morning Max pulled baby Jesus out and we all sang Happy Birthday while he put him on the manger by Mary and Joseph. 

 

Then the time had come to open presents.  Will loved playing his triangle from the Melissa and Doug Band in a Box.  It still boggles my mind how musical he seems to be.  Max couldn't care less about music, but Will just loves it. 

 

Max's favorite was the battery powered James.  It was pretty funny - on Christmas Eve he asked Santa for a train like they have at the train museum.  Basically he just wanted one that would go on its own.  He was thrilled Christmas morning that Santa made his wish come true - although he did complain that James is a bit slow.

 

 

We left the house a mess and headed to the Dull's for some wonderful food and wonderful company - Max was all excited to have more cousin time.  Unfortunately, momma forgot the camera so I don't have any pictures to show for our brunch - but take my word for it , everything was wonderful.  We all came home for an afternoon nap and a dinner of leftovers.  With the boys tucked sweetly into bed Brian  and I enjoyed some quite time on the couch to enjoy one of the presents I bought for him - the first season of Homeland.  So far it is pretty good - I mean it's no 24, but it is close. 

 

 

As I said at the beginning of this post - it was just wonderful.  I'm one lucky momma and I count my blessings every day.  

 

 

 

Heartwarming

We have three beautiful stockings hanging on our mantle.  Nonna stitched each one with care and they are amazing.  She hasn't quite gotten around to making one for Will yet - in fact after nine and a half years of marriage Brian just got his last week.   

Tonight Max brought me the stocking he made in preschool last year.  He also had a marker.  He proceeded to write Will's name on the other side of his preschool stocking so that Will could have one hanging up too.  There are now four stockings hanging on the mantle, and the meaning behind the fourth one makes it just as beautiful as the others.  My big boy has an even bigger heart.  How did I get so lucky?

Totally a side note here - but aren't those stocking holders gorgeous? Thanks Aunt Carm!

Just Like Daddy

Both boys idolize their Daddy.  Max often tries to act like Daddy and wear his shoes.  Tonight Will decided to put Daddy's shoes on all by himself.  He was so proud and just grinned from ear to ear, that is until he tried to take a step and it didn't work so well. 

Oh Christmas Tree

 
Brian was very sad because Costco is out of trees.  No $30 bargain tree for us today.  We did find a pretty good one at a lot we often frequent.  With two young kids we are usually up and about pretty early.  In fact we were at the tree lot before the tree lot people.  Daddy and Max had to figure out the net machine and then my boys posed with the winning tree.  Luckily there was a place to drop our envelope with the payment. 

Once we got home, ate lunch, and put Will down for a nap we tackled the lights.  Some how this always ends up being a momma job.  Max did help by plugging in the new strand every time one was needed.  He also hung a few ornaments here and there.

 

The highlight for Max was putting the star on the top.  He picked out this pretty blue glittery one all by himself at Target the other day.  There was no way  I was going to be able to talk him out of it. 

Will was pretty excited when he woke up from his nap and found the new addition in the living room.  The sheer look of awe on his face was priceless.

 

 

It was actually pretty funny he made a bee line for the ornament that Max made in school last year.  It has his Max's picture and Will grabbed it and started yelling 'Ma, Ma'.   I have a feeling the entire bottom half of our tree is going to need to be free of ornaments soon.  Will just can't stay away from it.  So fun.  Now I need to get wrapping so that there are some presents under that tree!

 



The Finished Product

They turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself :)

Christmas Craft - Part II

We are getting there.  The salt dough ornaments are baked and little by little the painting is getting done.  Max was in heaven painting tonight.  He thought it was so much fun!  He did a pretty good job - more paint ended up on the ornaments than on him. 

Now our santa's just need cute little faces, some modge podge, and a ribbon and they will be ready for the tree.  So much fun!

Salt Dough Fun

Little by little we are preparing for the holiday.  Last weekend Brian hung the Christmas lights outside - Max was so excited!  Every time we see Christmas lights he chants 'Chrismas Lights, Christmas Lights, Ho, Ho, Ho'.  It is the cutest thing ever because I remember doing that when I was little.  Will seems to like the lights as well - he jibber jabbers, but doesn't quite have the chant down yet.

Today Max and I worked on a fun little Christmas craft.  Who knows how it will turn out but he had lots of fun using the mixer to make his salt ornament dough and I think he had even more fun rolling out the dough.

Will was pretty cranky and just wanted to rest with his blankie.  He did at least give me his hand for his print. 

As I type the ornaments are baking in the oven.  I decided that Max has really big hands.  Hopefully once we paint and glaze them they will turn out pretty cute. 

I love the holidays - and spending them with the kids makes it even better!

Here Comes Santa Claus

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  We headed to one of our favorite places - the Museum of Transportation - to see the big man in the red suit.  It also worked out that we met some friends that were in town for the holiday and Nonna and Nonno joined us too! 

The boys were enthralled by the holiday train exhibit.  They could have stood there and watched it go round and round for hours.  Then it was time for the main event.  Neither boy was too sure about the whole Santa thing.  Will was okay looking at him from the safety of Nonna's arms.

Max warmed enough to tell Santa that he wants some new cars for Christmas.  It was pretty cute to watch.  We were only about the fifth people to see Santa, so he was in really good spirits. 

Will on the other hand was not going to warm up to Santa.  It was okay with Nonna right there holding him, but as soon as she tried to hand him off all bets were off.  To Santa's credit, he tried to calm Will down by showing him his cool Christmas book, but Will just wasn't having it. 

Things looked up for Will as we waited for the miniature train.  Even though it was crazy cold both boys loved the train ride.  I think the grown ups felt the cold more than the kids.

We wrapped up or adventure with some time in the creation station.  Every time we visit Will seems to enjoy things more and more.  He also tends to latch on to one toy - this trip it was the green plastic phone from the house area.  He held on to that thing for dear life.  Good thing mommy doesn't freak out too much about germs - but I swear I really did try to make him keep it out of his mouth. 

So Thankful

There are so many things we have to be thankful for, top of the list of course are these two beautiful boys.  They challenge me, make me laugh, and make me crazy all at the same time.  I wouldn't trade a moment with them for anything - well except maybe a decent picture where they are both looking at the camera and smiling.

The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Max didn't want anything to do with me and the camera, but my nephew was more than willing to pose as they caused mischief behind the chair.  Their giggles were too funny and a tell tale sign that they were having lots of fun together.

Will loved the turkey but then he was ready for a nap.  Unfortunately with all the excitement around, sleep was tough to come by.  He was too smitten with Great Grandpa Ray. The two of them played games across the room.  It was too cute and I'm not sure who had more fun, Great Grandpa or Will.   He did relax for a bit to snuggle with Grandma but it was short lived.

We did get the cousins to sit still long enough for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa.  I guess getting the kids all to smile would have been asking for a bit too much.

Mid afternoon we were off to Nonna and Nonno's house.  Both boys napped in the car which was nice.  While there may not have been any cousins to play with there was still plenty of excitement and fun to be had.  In fact momma was so busy that I didn't really get any pictures.  I'll have to make up for that at Christmas.  It will be here before we know it! 

Thanksgiving Preparations

On Wednesday the kids and I headed over to help Nonna prepare for Thanksgiving dinner.  In between prepping potatoes, baking pies, and dealing with a minor plumbing emergency, we squeezed in time to enjoy a little holiday fun - the Gardenland Express the the Garden.

Max and Nonna worked hard to find all the items on the scavenger hunt list.  I think the Santa was the toughest.  Trying to find a two inch Santa in midst of the beautiful exhibit was a challenge. 

Of course Max was thrilled to see all of the trains.  He ran from one train to the next getting more and more excited.  He was also getting more and more frustrated as Mommy tried to take his pictures.  I have a bunch with faces similar to this.  Someday I will get nice genuine smiles from my biggest man again.

Will seemed to enjoy the outing as well, although only if he was in the safety of his stroller and his blanket.  He got a bit overwhelmed when I tried to get him out of the stroller.  There were a lot of people around!

It was a great way to jump start our holiday season.  I just love this time of year, and with the boys it is even more fun!

Happy Belated Hallowen



The Dull Men

I know I'm about a week late on this, sorry about that.   Halloween was actually pretty uneventful.  We headed over to see Grandpa Jack and Uncle Tim. 

Will was in great spirits but Max was crazy cranky, and I think we figured out why when he fell asleep in the car on the way home.  Poor little guy didn't even get to go trick or treating.  Good thing he brought home quite the haul from school to make up for it.

Max demonstrating the spooky face we should carve into our pumpkin

The night before Halloween was pretty fun for Max.  He got to work with daddy to make a spooky jack o lantern.  He was too funny showing us what a spooky pumpkin should look like.  He told me to take a picture of his spooky face, so we would know how to carve the pumpkin.  

Daddy thought that the Internet would be a bit more helpful in coming up with a spooky face.  I swear Brian was very careful with that knife and Max wasn't quite as close as he looks.

It turned out pretty spooky if I do say so myself.  All in all another great holiday.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving in just a few weeks!

Happy Fall

Yesterday afternoon Brian raked all the leaves to the curb grass for pick up this week.  This afternoon the boys had a great time making a big old mess of Brian's nice neat pile.  At first Will wasn't so sure about the pinchy leaves, but after just a few minutes he was loving it.  It was so much fun!