Snapshots from January

Elijah was inspired by our planting unit to want to plant corn kernels from our birdseed....It actually grew and now he has an ear of corn, two in fact.

Trains, trains, trains: This is what we do everyday

Josiah's good at laying track, but can't get it to make a loop

Eljah's designs have lately gotten more and more intricate (just like his daddy's!); note the two levels of track

Moon sand (sand + cornstarch + water)--fun, but not significantly more so than normal damp sand

January's sensory tub: cotton balls for snow, blocks for buildings, and (of course!) vehicles

Bath paints--Elijah dislikes finger paints, so I was hoping bath paints might pair sensory play with easy finger cleaning. He very carefully only put a tiny bit on his finger at a time.

Bedtime reading: Thomas book--life doesn't get much better than this

Big brother is also reading Thomas (our life is currently very themed)

Tonging ice at preschool

Making an igloo at preschool

Josiah's igloo

Igloo building, take 2 (you know an activity was successful when you're asked to set it up again the next day)

Josiah's igloo, take 2: he didn't really eat the marshmallows, but was a huge fan of licking the peanut butter

More trains and tracks; note J's use of the long straight pieces for the bridge--whatever gets the job done

Thomas math worksheets and a Thomas coloring book

Post-rainy day play

"Snowy" shaving cream play--again an attempt at more sensory play; he loved having it there, but barely touched it because, you know, it gets all over your hands

Christmas in Arizona!

12 short hours after getting home,  the boys and I got on a plane to Phoenix with plans for Dustin to follow us by car after a day at work.

The boys' enthusiasm for planes and transportation still goes strong! They are quite the experienced flyers now. Josiah was quite upset that he did not get his own buckle and seat on the plane--the injustice of being a lap baby. Elijah kindly explained the situation to him.


Grandpa picked us up from the airport; we quickly changed and then it was time for family photos since my whole family was there. The photographer was amazing--getting both of my boys to smile and look at the camera despite all our recent travels and need for a nap.

And then it was time to play and play and play at Aunt Elizabeth's!

Watching Stars Wars (the joys of older cousins!). Josiah insisted on sitting by himself. When Ella would invite Elijah under the blanket during the scary parts, he'd just looked at her and at one point tried to get her to come out from under the blanket

Legos! Ella allowed an exception to be made for Josiah even though he was not old enough according the the box guidelines

Friday, my family went home and we stayed at the house to play (and my sister graciously ran out for diapers and a new beloved blanket since my nicely packed suitcase did not come because Dustin had things come up at work). Ella and Elijah played beautifully together all day long.

Saturday we visited Phoenix Zoo! Kids were a little tired and cranky, but we still had a nice day.

The zoo has a neat monkey walk--just like an aviary, only with monkeys.

And then time to fly home! Only to be delayed a couple of hours at the airport...

We finished the year by hosting a large family dinner (22 people! My extended family lives too far away to see much, so it's lovely to have aunts and uncles and cousins and 2nd cousins nearby) and welcomed the New Year with Dustin's family, but sadly, no pictures to share--too tired from all the festivities!

Christmas in Fresno!

Christmas Eve was, apparently, undocumented photographically. We went to a family gathering for Dustin's dad's side of the family, the Christmas Eve service at church (lovely, although I was missing my dear church family), and enjoyed my family's traditional dinner of french dip sandwiches (my first time making it).

Christmas morning started like most other mornings these days with trains, trains, trains.



The boys had to be patient while we waited for Jason and Alejandra to finish up their Christmas Morning #1, before we could start our events. Josiah was displeased with his cheerios when he could see the even yummier frosted Christmas tree of rolls waiting.

Elijah obligingly tried to help capture Josiah for a photo under the Christmas tree

Having consumed the Christmas tree and the German sausage (at least some of us!) and read Luke 2, it was time to open presents.

Elijah liked helping Josiah open his presents

And then it was time to play, play, play!

Opening stockings

Doling out the jelly beans

Happy Christmas picture

In the middle of playing, playing, playing, we went out for a walk to the pedestrian freeway overpass.  We got lots and lots of waves and honks, and the ambulance even turned on the siren for us--such fun! Good display of Christmas spirit!

We all enjoyed meeting Jason's fiance; the boys warmed up to her quickly (something my little introverts often don't do easily). She was good at asking the right questions, such as: "Which color should I use?"

Christmas night ended with watching "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."


On the 26th, we made a quick visit to the Friesens before driving. This was the first year we haven't been able to go to the Friesen family Christmas.

We all still got to open some Christmas stocking presents

And one more train play time!

 

And then a slow drive back to LA! We had just enough time (i.e. 12 hours) to do laundry, for me to see dear, dear friends (who drove to me and ignored the mess), repack, and then head to the airport to go to Phoenix (the boys and I) or work (Dustin).