Gingerbread Party Photos

Monday Masterpieces

This weeks Masterpiece is not a school project, but rather one the Big Boys that we have been working on for weeks.

Before Thanksgiving, I told Gill that I would like Toy Soldiers in the front yard for the holidays. He took Patrick and Finnegan right to home depot so they could plan and get to work!

For two weekends, the boys hammered & sawed with Daddy...

to make just the right soldiers.

When they were built, it was time to paint with Mommy!

And the results...

exactly what our home needed to look festive for Christmas!

Great Job, Boys!

Christmas Choo Choo

On Saturday, we had a special surprise for the boys.

First thing in the morning, Patrick and Finnegan were given special presents - new Christmas Trains. Not only was it a treat, but an indication of things to come!

We got dressed, packed and ready to go...

and ended up at the North Carolina Transportation Museum for a Christmas Ride with Santa Claus! After we got our tickets and boarded the train, we heard sirens. Santa arrived on an old firetruck and joined us on the train!

Patrick and Finnegan were so excited to meet Santa!

Sully was just happy to be part of the action!

Finally, it was our turn to say "hi" to the Big Guy! Patrick and Finnegan did great

and even showed him their new Christmas Trains.

Sully posed for a picture as well, not thrilled, but not crying!

And, just like in the Polar Express, the conductor came by and punched their tickets!

After the train ride was over, we explored the transportation museum,

and saw Santa driving away.

Inside the roundhouse the boys played with the switchboard...

and climbed on a little train with daddy...

while Mommy and Sully did some cuddling.

It was a magical day.

Bears and Gingerbread

Yesterday, we ventured uptown to see the signing bears at Founders Hall. This is our second year going and we had so much fun!

My little Sully loved it and wanted to enjoy it with all the big boys. He insisted on standing, while holding on to the fence, and even bounced up and down to the music with Patrick and Finnegan.

After Founders Hall, we walked to the Ritz Carlton to see the life size gingerbread house that their pastries chefs had created. Can you guess how happy the staff at the Ritz was to have 5 little boys playing in their lobby?!?!

The visit was a great way to get us in the holiday spirit!

Flashback Friday

On Tuesday, Sullivan had his first taste of Mommy's macaroni with meat sauce. I don't know if he liked the sauce or just loved eating the same thing as his big brothers - either way, the babe had 2 bowls!

Here's a look back at Finnegan and Patrick's first meat sauce experience. I didn't realize until I looked at these pictures today, that Sully actually ate his dinner rather NEATLY - boy, where his big brothers a MESS!

Christmas Correspondence

Yesterday, Patrick and Finnegan wrote their letters to Santa. The boys are still blissfully unaware that kids make lists of presents they would like for Santa, and I'm trying to keep it that way. So, when I asked them what they wanted to say to in their letters, their responses were pretty basic -

Merry Christmas!

They each designed their own card...

used stickers and crayons (notice Finn had "Turkey Hands" all over his)

they dictated their message to Mommy and then got assistance writing their names.

After they sealed the envelopes and put the stamps in place,

we ventured to the mailbox and away went their letters.

Santa was very quick to respond, as the boys received these emails this morning!

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/8al0FernYmGen4jOB4IPXw

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/GRWgQb_Mqd_6iQcIhtB58A

Wordless Wednesday

Holiday Humor

4 Ways Babies Are Like Fruitcakes

(from Parenting Magazine December 2010)

1. The minute they enter the room, they start getting passed around from person to person

2. They're incredibly sweet - and consider yourself warned, also can be slightly sticky.

3. Eighteen years later, they're often still found just sitting around your house

4. Everyone compliments everybody else's, but secretly thinks they made the best one.

Christmas Crafts

I have tried to come up with Christmas Projects for the kids to enjoy during the Holiday Season.

I can't say that they have all turned out as planned,

but everyone has had fun, so I guess that makes them a success?!?!

Ornament Painting with Jack

The boys loved painting and swirling all the paint colors together.

Now, we have 2 ornaments in a beautiful shade of "mud".

Marshmallow Snowmen with Isabella

I tried to have the kids create snowmen out of marshmallows. Patrick refused to touch the marshmallows because they were sticky, and instead ate all the pretzel sticks that were meant for arms. Finnegan was so enthralled by the bowl of M&M's on the table that he could not concentrate at the task at hand while shoveling the little chocolates in his mouth.

Isabella was a good sport and humored me with this Marshmallow Girl that I helped her create

(she is supposed to have a TuTu around her waist).

Christmas Cookies

Today, we had success! We made Sugar Cookies. The boys were able to use the rolling pin and the cookie cutters all by themselves. When they had cooled, I iced the cookies and they decorated them.

Patrick and Finnegan greeted Gill with their cookie Masterpieces and we all enjoyed a treat.

Now, that's a Christmas Craft we will do again!

Boys will be Boys

When I was in elementary school and a boy would tease me, my mom would tell me it was because he liked me. If this is truly the case, then Sully really has a thing for Liliana and Jenna!

It may look innocent enough, Jenna and Sully playing on the floor...

but, watch out, Jenna - he's going for your headpiece!

Yes, they may play harmoniously together, but...

come dinner time, Liliana's food is fair game!

We may need to teach Sully another way to let girls know he likes them -

whatever happened to good, old fashioned flowers?!?!

Holiday Humor

Today, Patrick and Finnegan realized that Christmas is coming. Maybe it was the Christmas Tree in Isabella's living room, or the Holiday lights adorning the neighborhood on our walk home from the playdate, but by the time we got home this evening the boys were in CHRISTMAS MODE.

Mommy: Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?

Patrick: for Birthdays!

Mommy: That's right! Who's Birthday are we celebrating?

Finnegan: Santa's

Patrick: No, Baby Jesus' Birthday!

Finnegan: Yep! And Santa's. They are going to have a birthday party at Gymboree like me and Patrick.

Patrick: With Cupcakes?

Finnegan: of course, Patrick, it's a party!

Let The Holidays Begin!!