Holidays 2008

Despite multiple changes in holiday visitors and travel plans, we had a really good Christmas this year! Last week a good portion of Oregon was hit with an unusual amount of snow and ice...except where we live. We had a week of snow prior to that, so I definitely had my fix of snow fun. But it made for an interesting time trying to figure out Christmas plans! First my sister was going to drive with her five children and husband for the week from California. Weather changed that plan. Then we were going to head to Washington state to visit friends and relatives. Weather changed that. Then we finally got reservations on the train to spend Christmas in Washington state...but weather changed that. Our train was canceled and we were rebooked on a late Christmas-day train. So we had a beautiful, quiet Christmas at home with Grandma, then headed north for a few days with more friends and relatives. Here are some highlights:

my new favorite blog

I recently discovered the Greater Good Science Center's Half Full parenting blog and just loved this recent video blog post:

I'm sending it out to all of my friends with children because they are so important!

Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ginger-tastic

I'm not sure what we'll do with ourselves once the Christmas season is over. Our days have been packed with decorating, Christmas crafts, baking, shopping, singing carols and driving to see holiday lights. Tonight we were in the construction business - that of building a gingerbread house. It was really fun - and in Marek's words, "gingertastic!"

hurray for snow

We had a mixture of snow, ice & plain cold weather all week. Marek's school was closed 3 of 5 days due to weather and he had a blast!

Friday morning was absolutely beautiful. We woke up to a new blanket of snow and the sun shining down upon us. The downside of the cycle of winter storms, however, is that my sister, brother-in-law and their family will be stuck down south for the holiday. We were so excited to have them up here and will miss them during Christmas. But their safety is, of course, more important! Sending along thoughts of warm, safe, and pleasant travel to everyone this coming week!

my little man

Marek insisted on wearing a tie to school today. As you can see, he was still proud of it when I picked him up. It could use straightening, but he was so happy to wear his grownup shirt. That's my cutie. He told me the other day, "Today I fell down 4 times because I'm 4 years old!"

The Tree

This year we headed to a local Boy Scout tree lot to pick out our Christmas tree. After spending one year with an artificial tree, we're never going that route again if we can help it! Nothing beats the wonderful smell of a fresh Christmas tree. Marek was very excited for the tree this year! I let him pick it out and he did a fantastic job.

Walking with Grandma to help her choose her tree.

4th Birthday Party

It was my little boy's fourth birthday a few weeks ago. He celebrated with eight of his little friends from play group and preschool with a snowman birthday party. I made a snowman cake (see below), chocolate snowflake cupcakes, we did a snowman craft and everyone played a lot. Marek had such a good time. It was a really great day!

Snowman Cake - yum!Three of Marek's buddies explore the fire truck play structure."I can't believe it!" he says. It's his own copy of The Cat in the Hat.

Another friend busy building in the workshop. She is so adorable.

Constructing snowmen.

Singing "Happy Birthday" and anticipating blowing out four candles!
A happy ending for everyone. One of Marek's preschool friends with his blue balloon.

Sunny Smile

Marek at Titlow Beach in Tacoma.

adorable questions

I haven't been as good at posting regularly due to colds hitting our household, Thanksgiving and preparing for Marek's birthday celebration this weekend. I only have time for a quick post right now, but I wanted to share a cute moment between Marek and his Grandma. He's been very interested in the fact that he's turning 4 soon and the other day he asked Grandma, "Before I was a number, was I a letter?" I love it!