Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebrations. We had a wonderful visit from Craig, Michelle, and Baby Kaylie. She is getting so big!


Jason, meanwhile, had a separate celebration with his preschool friends. He dressed appropriately for the part, as you can see. It really is too bad he didn't EAT any of the feast. As he tells Miss Michelle, constantly, "I eat at home." So, he just watched the food pass by in front of him. At least he's consistent.





Doug got to enjoy the party with the kids. After lunch, he took all the little ones outside, and had them running around in a frenzied game of tag. They're STILL talking about all that energy concentrated in one place.

Where is the Candy?

Jason is a big fan of parades. Really. But there is one thing he has come to expect from them, ever since attending his first one in 2005 (well, it's the first one he can remember). It was a Memorial Day Parade in Georgia. And, the parade participants were a big hit with the parade-goers. They threw candy, liberally, at the crowds. You can see Jason's mouth is full of candy as he walks back from the center of the street with Daddy.






So, Jason found tonight's Holiday Parade enjoyable, but hardly worth the title of "best parade." And it's all because of the candy! Or lack of it. Oh, well, there's always next year. Maybe they'll impress him then.

We Know What Jason Is Thankful For

Jason is oh so thankful for the last few days.

We have been fortunate to visit with good friends over the last 48 hours or so, and little did we know, that's exactly what Jason wanted.




At preschool, Jason is learning about the meaning of Thanksgiving. On the way home on Friday, Doug asked him what he is thankful for. After a few moments of deep thinking, Jason said, "I'm thankful for my friends coming over, I'm thankful for Uncle Tim, giving me a V-Smile (that's a video game system, by the way), and I'm thankful our car got fixed."








On Thursday, he and his former buddies got together. We were happy to get a shot of Jason and his friends, who sat still for ONE minute so we could snap a picture.

Then, Friday, we celebrated Kathy's birthday, and the kids had more than their share of fun.

Brave Boy

We took Jason to the doctor today for his 4-year old checkup, and just an awful round of shots. We knew the shots were coming, but I didn't forewarn Jason. I rushed the boys into car, and Jason, always inquisitive, asked where we were going. I told him we were going out. He wanted specifics, and wouldn't be stopped. He finally let it go after I told him we were going shopping. Lots of pressure there.

At the doctor's office, though, he showed no fear. Not at all. Not through the doctor's exam, not through the blood pressure test, not through the four shots he received. Not one tear, or moan. He was so brave, and reassured ME that he was not hurt. We were so proud. As for the stats, the doctor says he is growing fine. Almost 35 pounds, 3 feet, a little over 3 inches. We're watching him a bit. He isn't complaining, but his little thighs are hurting where he got the shots. I just watched him limp up the stairs.







The boys played very well together after dinner. That train set is a big hit, and occupies both of them for minutes on end. Doug shared a good story about Jason and the fish tank the other day. We have a little keyboard that sits right in front of it. Jason was playing with that one day, when he stopped. He said, "Daddy, why is the fish staring at me? Please make him stop." Doug told him the fish simply knew Jason was the kind person who provided food. Since then, that fish has not gone one day without nourishment.

Let's not forget Michael. His days are spent singing in his own language. Sometimes we know what he's saying, more often, we do not. But, he is really quite a happy baby. And, once in a while, we realize he's got a lot to say. His funniest outbursts are, of course, with his big brother. We think his favorite food word is meatball. We know this because Jason will start saying it. "Meatball, meatball!" Michael with follow. Only it sounds like this: "Beetbaw, beetbaw!" He always smiles after this, and so do we.

Celebrating Halloween

I don't know what I expected from Jason's Halloween party at preschool. All I know is I had a blast. And, you can see, Jason did, too. It is safe to say neither his classmates, nor his teachers knew who he was dressed up as. Bob the Builder was a familiar guess, and not a bad one, either.







Jason didn't care, he loved his outfit, and he smiled the entire time. The owner of the school is just wonderful, and had every single child stand up with a friend next to that crazy-looking skeleton.

Introducing Handy Manny and his Canine Friend

If Michael only knew he could have gotten out of being a dog for Halloween. He's too young to realize he could have shown interest in any other costume...

Michael was just happy candy was involved.

Jason broke new ground this Halloween. At first, he was adamant he wanted a repeat of last year. A green M & M, and that's it. I offered up choices, like Superman, Spiderman, a firefighter. I said, Handy Manny, and Jason's mind was made up. Handy Manny is a TV character that is so new, we had to cobble together an outfit, but it's not a bad likeness. Handy Manny is a carpenter with cool talking tools.

He had a blast at his Halloween party at preschool! Pictures to come.