Christmas #5 (aka last Christmas)...

Monday we went down to my cousin's house in Lakeville to see all my cousins and their kids. Again there was plenty of yummy food and tons of smiles getting caught up in whats new with everyone.

The boys enjoyed hanging out with their cousins and 2nd cousins. Especially checking out all the new toys everyone got for Christmas this year.

Later we went home and I started setting home the Little Misters new tablets. I had started the process on Sunday evening after they got them from Oma. It was a lot of work, occasionally frustrating. Eventaully I got close but it wasn't working on Oliver's, we couldn't see all the apps I had downloaded. Jerimy finally said "well why don't you just switch the tablets to the other kids case". I did and it worked- not how I wanted it too but it worked and everyone was happy to start playing them. Of course Oliver started watching science videos right away and I was informed we now "need to make a hovercraft and a fire tornado". Oh boy- the Internet will give him far too many ideas, we're going to need more money or more talented friends to help him achieve all he wishes to create. 

All in all, even after 5 Christmases it was a very pleasant time spent with family. We survived and hope you all did too!!

Christmases #3 & 4 ...

Sunday morning the boys let us "sleep in" (after several bedtime threats: "remember how grumpy Marmee gets if she doesn't get enough sleep?!"). So yeah, well... My Christmas morning started much better at 8am then at 4:30am on Christmas eve (yup, that totally happened).

The boys opened their stockings and then their gifts from Santa. 

After all the presents were opened and the several hundred pokemon cards were looked through, we relaxed for a bit before heading up north again. This time to Auntie Amy's house for lots of yummy food and lots family time. 

Yes, and more presents too! Birthday gifts and Christmas gifts for he boys and a fun family gift game for the adults to play. Always so much fun to spend the holidays with family. 

Christmas #2...

I'm Saturday morning we headed to Auntie Em's house to celebrate with cousins. After breakfast/ brunch together, We remembered to take a bunch of photos in front of the tree.

Then we opened presents. Lots of presents...

Eventually we threw in a movie (or two) for the little to watch while the adults opened our own gifts and played a new game. 

Uncle Hung got the Oregon Trail board game and we played it several times. We always seemed to die off before we made it safely to Oregon. But it sure was fun way to spend the afternoon. 

We stayed through dinner but then had to get home to relax a bit before Santa came. 

Christmas #1...

I'm Friday December 23 was Lucius' Birthday. He opened his gift from Mormor & Morfar before we took a drive up north...

To our first Christmas gathering. We traveled to Cambridge to Grandma and Grandpa's house. The boys were excited to open presents, eat cake and even teach auntie Amy how to play chess. 

Daddy & Uncle Scott helped Grandpa install his new big TV. It was too funny not to take a picture. 

 

Eventually we turned on a movie for them and Uncle Scott jumped in to suggle. 

It sure was a fun day. 

Playing Santa...

The boys and I played Santa one evening just before Christmas. We ran to a couple of friends to drop of their gifts. Then we drove to about 5 Little Free Libraries to deliver gift wrapped books.

Trying to get the boys into the spirit of giving and understanding its not ALL about getting. The still really enjoy getting anything and everything so it'll take more time for them to fully "get it"... But I will do my best to keep trying. 

Lucius turns seven...

Oh man time is flying by. My baby turned 7 years old. That's crazy, cause it wasn't that long ago we brought him home from the hospital. Slow down time! Seriously.

I got a little nostalgic and had to make him a video of just a handfull of highlights from his seven years so far. There were so many more photos I could have added but well... I managed to keep it just under 4 minutes long. Password is: mrFinn

Lucius seven years from Margaret on Vimeo.

Lucius said "I'll never be six again." I wasn't sure if he was sad or happy about that but bring on 7! Love you Lucius, to the moon and back again.

Just before Christmas going ons...

A few things that have happened in the last week before I share all the Christmas photos...

Chess Club: we challenged staff members from school to come play chess with us. Three brave teachers came to play. Oliver challenged his social worker (who is amazing!). And Lucius played against the school Librarian. 

Lucius and I also taugh our chess club how to play a four person chess game called "double Bughouse". They were all instantly hooked. Lucius and his partner were pretty unstoppable but more importantly is how much fun these kids have playing chess in any shape or form. 

Oliver helped Mormor cut out some sugar cookies one evening before bed. He is all about cooking or helping cook lately. 

Lucius Birthday is coming up so his Teacher made him the special kid of the week. He had to make a poster to tell his class all kinds of things about himself. The poster gets to hand right outside his classroom for a few weeks. 

Oliver got a recorder from school and though his does not like to practice has played his first song. He also has become obbsessed with the violin. I have wonder for a long time what his new obbsession besides bunnies would be and it looks like it just might end up being a violin. He has checked out a ton of books to learn all about it. 

The weather is again above zero so they boys have been absolutely LOVING playing outside in the snow. Especially the extra large piles of snow on the edges of the townhouse's parking lot across the street from our house.

Lucius made the paper, well the local review anyways. He's pretty excited about seeing his face in print.

Photos...

Our librarian let us use her new foam shapes for a couple of fun photos.