Merry Christmas Little Stars!

Tonight was an amazing night.  Owen has been practicing for his Christmas program at Heidi's all month.  He's been singing non-stop and sharing little behind the scenes secrets with us about the program.  I was so curious to see if he'd actually perform or if he'd get shy in front of all the parents.  He did a FANTASTIC job!  We were so proud of him!  I wish the blog would allow us to upload more videos because I'd post a bunch!  I guess photos will have to do!  I am always amazed at the effort the Heidi puts into the program.  I struggle to clean the house with Owen home - she teaches 10 kids 9 or 10 songs, makes props, cleans up all the toys, gets them all dressed up, gets herself ready, preps treats for everyone, moves furniture around and hangs the backdrop - and maintains her sanity!  I couldn't do it!!!

Looking so proud with his friends Lily and Kendall

 "I'm thankful for you..."

 and for the food we eat!

 Where is Santa, Where is Santa, Here he is!

 "All of the reindeer loved him!"

 "And when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!"

 "Thumpity thump, thump, thumpity thump, thump, look at Frosty go!"

 Heidi must have a special "in" with Santa, because all of her Little Stars are on the nice list!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

 Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Heidi and her Little Stars

 This is one of Owen's best friends, Lauren

 Enjoying some yummy treats after a great performance

 Owen and Heidi

 

He's a Skating Maniac!

Saturday was Owen's last skating lesson.  He got tested on what he has learned, they played some games and then his teacher gave them each a candy cane.  He had a great time.  We were shocked because his teacher came over by us to fill out their testing sheets.  Out of 8 kids, she passed two of them from level 1 to level 3 and Owen was one of them!  We were so proud of him!  We decided to not enroll in more lessons though because we can make use of the skating rinks around our house this winter.  Hopefully now that he has the basics down, the rest will just come with practice. 

He earned a little patch that he keeps begging me to sew on something for him.  I guess we'll have to see what we can sew it onto!

From the Mouths of Babes

Owen has been saying so many funny things lately.  You can tell he's trying to add phrases to his vocabulary that he hears adults say!

Yesterday I asked him to help me with something and he said, "Mom, how do you ask for that?"  (I apparently didn't say please!)

He and Paul were playing monster trucks this morning and I overheard him tell Paul, "That's not asseptable Dad!" He meant acceptable, but it didn't quite come out right.

One day last week, a big diesel truck was driving next to us.  He said, "It smells 'sgusting in our car."  I explained that it was the truck next to us.  We passed another truck and he informed me that that truck was clean, so it didn't make our car smell 'sgusting.  Oh the things you just take for granted that they know! 

One day I asked Paul to give me a shoulder rub.  He did, then Owen told Paul he wanted one too.  Paul quickly rubbed Owen's back and then Owen jumped up and told Paul that he wanted to give him one now.  Paul is not a fan of back rubs, but laid down.  Owen said, "Wait!  I have to get some music!"  He ran to the fridge and got his fridge phonics and proceeded to rub Paul's back to the ABC's.  So cute!

We were wrapping a gift for my cousin's new baby.  Paul walked in and asked who the gift was for.  I looked at Owen and said, "What baby was just born?"  He didn't miss a beat and said, "Baby Jesus! Uh, I mean baby Aubrey." 

"I Love you Santa!"

For many years, I've planned events that have included Santa and other people's children, but now that I have my own, it's fun to be able to plan little events for Owen and other important kiddos in our life.  I've started a breakfast with Santa tradition.  It's crowded and chaotic, and there is only room for a few families, but it's wonderful to see the kids get SO excited to see Santa.

Owen has always loved Santa, but this year he was shy and wouldn't sit on his lap without us in the picture. By the end of the day though,  he was hugging him and saying, "I love you Santa!"

 Here he was teaching Santa's bear, Gruffy, how to smile for the camera

 Jen, Lucy and Piper

 Nick, Lindsey and Lisa

 The kids were silent while sitting around the table with Santa!

 Lucy and Piper = ADORABLE!

 I can't get over how old Liam and Owen look in this picture.

 Sully too!

 Norah and Ben are such little sweeties!

 Santa, Liam and Aja

 Santa and Aja

 Santa and Owen

 Santa and Sully Boo

 Santa and Nelly Lu

 Controlled chaos! :)

 Showing Santa the cool monster trucks his friends gave him

 "I love you Santa!!!"

O Christmas Tree and Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Sunday was another great day!  Jolly, our elf on a shelf, made a surprise visit and brought us our annual North Pole Breakfast.  That silly elf was so exhausted that he was taking a bubble bath when we found him that morning!After church, we picked out our Christmas tree.  Owen helped pick out the perfect tree, but after we got it home, he ran to get his tool box so he could "fix" it!  That boy and his tools!

When Owen woke up from nap, we went to the Stage Theater in Hopkins to see Llama, Llama Holiday Drama.  Owen loves the books, so we were hoping the show would be good too.  It was really cute and he loved it!  Afterwards, we stopped at Osaka and had hibachi dinner.  What a great day with my two favorite boys!

Jolly taking a rest

 Jolly and a letter for Santa

 Since elves can't talk, Jolly left Owen a note to say how much he has missed him

 Not so sure what to think about Jolly bathing in marshmallows!

 Jolly forgot to bring Command Hooks to hang the advent calendar, but Owen didn't seem to mind!

 North Pole Breakfast

 Looking for the perfect tree

 Now it's time to fix it!

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

 Getting the cast's autographs in his book after the show.  He loves costumed characters and will run up and hug them, but he was totally shy with these characters.  I think because they looked like people, he acted shy.

 Llama Llama

 Daddy and Owen watching the hibachi show