Visit with Santa

Santa made his annual stop at the Broadlands this weekend and AJ went to put in his requests. Though the line was a bit long, AJ was excited when he got to the front and went right up to Santa. When Santa reached down for AJ, he climbed right up in Santa's lap like he knew the drill.

Santa asked AJ what he wanted for Christmas and he replied "trains". Then we took a couple pictures, Santa gave AJ a little treat and told him to be a good boy next year too. I was so glad we didn't have a screamer :-)

While this years picture doesn't show a grinning AJ, he doesn't look terrified like last year!

Memories of Thanksgiving

When I picked AJ up his teacher asked if he had been eating candy corn recently. I let her know that we had used candy corn to decorate turkey cookies over the Thanksgiving break. Well, apparently the teacher was talking to each of the kids about turkey and the usual thanksgiving foods (this is the month of learning about foods after all) and she asked AJ if he ate turkey for Thanksgiving. AJ replied "No, I ate candy corn!".

For the record, he did too eat turkey - and noodles, and stuffing, and green beans!- but I thought it was funny what he remembered.

There is the Moon

Nothing tickles me like hearing about what AJ learns at school. A recent week's theme was the Sun, Stars and Moon. Last night we were driving home from school and saw the tiniest sliver of moon. Since it gets dark so early this time of year, the moon was very bright. AJ pointed up and said "There is the moon Mommy". I acknowledged his declaration as I turned the car at an intersection. As we headed another direction AJ piped up "There is another moon Mommy". He hasn't yet grasped that it was the same moon he was seeing but boy was he excited it was there.

Breakfast with Mickey Mouse

While eatting breakfast AJ decided to put on his Mickey Mouse ears.

They go nicely with his car PJs, huh?

Turkey Weekend

We had a great time over Thanksgiving weekend and ate ourselves silly. Aunt Megan and Gramma arrived Wednesday in time to make turkey cookies with AJ. He really liked the candy corn and I think as much went in his tummy as on the cookies.

The next morning Aunt Sydney flew in from NYC and then Aunt Bridget, Uncle Jim and Abigail came from MD to help us eat turkey. AJ really enjoyed having such a large fan club and he was an absolute ham all day long. Pete and AJ had a "man-morning" Friday while the girls shopped and then dropped Sydney back at the airport.

We are still looking at a fridge full of leftovers and a good selection of pies and cheesecake. If you are hungry, you know where to find us. :-)

Unsolicited Affection

We had a very sweet moment in the midst of morning getting ready chaos. AJ hopped up from getting his shoes on, turned to look at me and said loudly "Wub u". I looked at him puzzled and he said it again "Wub u mommy". Pete was standing behind us in the kitchen and said "he said, I love you mommy". I gushed of course, this is the first time AJ has ever said that without prompting. Heck, he doesn't say it much even when he is prompted.

He followed the touching declaration with a big hug and I hear Pete in the kitchen again "Oh great AJ, now you are going to make mommy cry." For the record I did not tear up but I had a big smile that lasted a long time.

Roooaaarrrrr

October at AJ's school was farm month. Each day the class did something that related to barns, farms, animals and such. AJ really enjoyed it and especially enjoyed singing farm songs in his music class. Each month they send home a CD with the songs and stories they used in class and we play it in the car most days. There is one song that includes lots of animal sounds and a chance for the kids to repeat them and identify the animal. AJ rides in the car and happily moos, chirps, and roars.

Last night AJ got in the car and asked for a drink of milk. I gave him water since that was all I had and he seemed fine. We turned on the CD and five minutes later the animal sound song came on. He was happily participating (so was Mommy) and when it came time to roar like a lion he said " ROOOOAARRRR I want some milk" - all in the best lion roar voice a 2 year can make!

It was pretty funny. He later recreated it for Daddy and we all got another good laugh.