Not so sure about this Santa guy...

I'm realizing why online shopping has such appeal, moreso than I ever have before. We just barely balance everything in our normal lives. Holiday shopping just doesn't quite fit! The girls are excited for Christmas break to start in a few days. It actually snowed here about a week ago (see picture below for proof) so that makes it seem even more seasonal than it usually does in Texas at Christmastime. Alex had her holiday choir concert last week and did fantastic. She's also gearing up for track season to start. Maddie sprained her ankle and is sidelined from dancing until it heals. Dance is such a big part of her life she doesn't know what to do with herself.

Joe has started saying Dada a lot recently. And he says it directly to Paul so we are sure its not an accident. He really boves his Daddy and gets so excited when he walks in the room. I think they are going to be best buds. This is a little video Alex took on her phone of him saying "Hi Dada." Alex gets the best pictures and videos on her phone! I never seem to catch these things!

He's also doing a pretty good job of crawling now. But only when he really wants something. Otherwise, he thinks if he grunts long enough we'll figure out what he wants and he won't have to work for it. So far, that's working for him. He's also pulling up quite a bit too.....but so far, only on me and not on the furniture. (We have to keep his nails trimmed short for that trick. I don't learn very quick as is evidenced by the slices all over my neck.)

My office puts on a Christmas party for the children of employees every year. Santa and Mrs. Clause are there and they play Christmas movies and have all kinds of activities such as baloon animals, games, snacks, etc. I know Joe is too young to enjoy any of it yet, but I thought it might be a more successful first visit with Santa there as opposed to visiting him at the mall with a big long line of people. Joe did so good! He just kept staring at Santa and then looking at us to make sure we were still there. He stayed there for a good minute or two while we snapped some pictures. No tears! Although as you can see in the second picture, I think we saved him moments before the tears were set to appear...



Joe's been getting a cold and cough over the last few days. There's nothing more sad. He's just not himself and he just wants to be held. This was taken during one of his better moments. He was in his high chair and he had his foot propped up. I think he thought it was a lounge chair. Very cute. Yes, that's a bruise between his eyes. Not sure how it got there, but it doesn't seem to bother him. Must be one of those "just-learning-to-toddle bumps." Either that or his little girlfriend, Avery, at the Day Care whacked him a good one.


Hope all of you are well and having lots of fun during these holidays!