Big Talks with the Big Man

The boys slowed down just long enough to pull on their new sweaters and go see a dude named Santa. Patrick went first. He was (believe it or not) happy about this meeting, but I guess I wouldn't call it over-the-moon excitement or anything:


In close proximity, Elliott (who had been totally ready to make fun of an apprehensive 18-month-old) became not so sure about this "Santa"--IF that's even his real name...



We rehearsed and everything. Patrick was ready to rattle off his list of all the Disney Cars characters he'd like for Christmas. When he got right in Santa's face, though, Patrick's eyes darted around until they landed on the box of stuffed animals. (Santa was giving horses to little boys and some stuffed pink thing to little girls.)

Santa: "What would you like for Christmas, Patrick?"
Patrick: [motioning to the box of stuffed animals next to Santa] "One of those."
Done and done!

When Elliott got up there, he was either pretty dang nervous or couldn't be bothered.

Santa: "And what would you like for Christmas?"
Elliott: [no joke. Again, I wish I were making this up!] "Surprise me."
Uhhhhhhh, ohhhhh-kay... (Apparently Santa doesn't get that request very often!)

The boys rushed back up, though, when they heard Santa was autographing the horses! (That's GOTTA be worth somethin' on eBay! Am I right??)


Don't I work in a great office? In the next room was face painting! Elliott dutifully showed off his snowflakes--JUST the way he practiced for that profile mugshot!

Speaking of mugs..., Patrick leaned away while getting his cheek adorned. And no one blamed him.

One last gem from our 2010 Santa meeting. Remember the autographed horses? Here it is with Santa's signature:

Aaaaaaaaaand after Elliott fixed his. (Seriously. Could I even make this up?!?) Silly toy maker forgot to make the horses anatomically correct!

On THAT note, Merry Christmas week!

If only I were making this up...

Before I begin, I have to share a new thing we instituted this year (because I saw it on Megan's sister's blog and thought it was a Christmas-prep tradition worth stealing): new cozy PJs!

The boys are THRILLED!

Now, on to my real reason for posting: my man Elliott and his mind-boggling mind.

As he busily preps for Christmas, his brain is all abuzz with questions. I'm sure all kids go through this phase, but good grief, this kid likes to break down the logistics!

For example, he's heard a lot about how Santa (and his helpers and/or elves) are always watching, so he should be on his best behavior if he wants some loot under the tree. In general, he accepts this idea, but it led to this recent exchange with his dad:

Elliott: Can Santa see us when he blinks?

Pete: I don't know.

[A few moments pass.]

E: I wish you were Santa.

P: Why?

E: So you could tell me if you could see me when you're blinking.

Seriously. WHAT is this kid trying to get away with?!??

Now, you may have heard that our little would-be convict made the local paper--but not yet for any criminal activity. Along with a handful of top-notch kids, Elliott helped explain the "Seven Habits of Happy Kids" to parents, teachers and school board members in two public presentations. He talked into a microphone, explaining his assigned habit and how it relates to his plan as a leader at school each day. Then he danced and he sang:

(There he is, second from the left.)

There's a fairly elaborate song with motions for each of the seven habits. He will gladly and quite seriously perform for anyone who asks politely.

Recently his principal (who doubles as the mother of one of our babysitters) was chatting with Elliott in the hallway at school. Her daughter had just watched the boys, so Mrs. Groff was asking how she did and if Elliott had sung the Seven Habits song. (Duh, Mrs. Groff. Is that a REAL question?) He replied that, in fact, he had, but regretfully, he didn't have enough time to teach her the motions.

Mrs. Groff told him not to worry; she could bring her daughter up to speed at home.

The two finished their conversation, but before they parted ways, Elliott turned.

"Uh, Mrs. Groff," he said in his patented dead-pan delivery. "I'm serious about those motions."

It's not ALL fun and games, people!

Happy Christmas from one free-form artist and one very, very serious master artiste!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane

Because we do everything a little late around here (what? Pumpkin- and leaf-removal's supposed to happen before the snow falls?? Hmmph.), we're just getting our tree up now.




The boys were more than a little impatient to move the process along! Without the squabbles ("I get to hang that one!") or little yelps ("Who dumped all the ornament hooks on the rug?"), it's a pretty sweet scene, isn't it?

When these boys drive me batty, please let me remember how cute it was when we they were DYING to help decorate the Christmas tree in 2010. And how having two little boys help decorate seemed like really expensive therapy for my inner control freak. And how little boys decorate like they have blinders on, needing near-constant reminders to not hang all the ornaments in a single spot...



Happy holiday prepping! With our little decorators in bed, it's time to go spread out the ornaments!

Beds Bunked & Beyond

You've grown accustomed to one measly annual post..., which is why I delight in messing with you and adding to the blog UH-gain!!!

Today was a big day in our house. We (and I mean Pete) BUNKED THE BEDS!!!

(I'll let you judge for yourself if these boys are excited.)

Strict Bunk Bed Police will tell you there should be no stacking of beds until a kid is at least six. Well, THIS kid is about as big as they let any five-and-a-half-year-old be. And he understands the responsibilities that go with a top bunk. I told him Patrick sleeps in a cave, and he's the lookout. He dutifully told me he'd stay awake all night, looking for bears.

I don't quite know how to explain Patrick in this shot, other than to suggest he thought bunk beds were SO cool, he'd better not blow it. Better get to sleep INSTANTLY! (And maybe a brief prayer that Mom and Dad BELIEVE I'm sleeping...)

A man in love

It's happened. I've become #2 on my son's list of Top Women. Patrick has fallen in love.

I picked him up from school one day last week, and he mentioned a new name: Rebecca.

Me: WHO's Rebecca?

Paddy: My girlfriend.

[Amused and shocked, I paused to come up with more questions.]

M: OooOOoooh! Is she pretty?

P: No.

[:)]

M: Is she nice?

P: No.

[Ha!]

M: Does she know she's your girlfriend?

P: No.

Hmmmmmm.

This past Thursday, we had a rough morning--the kind where tears seem to be related to nothing. I decided to invoke the girlfriend as motivation.

M: Patrick, do you want me to tell Rebecca you're a Crabby Patty today?

P: No!

M: What should we tell her then?

P: That I love her.

I think we both sighed at that point but for very different reasons...

From the mouths of babes

It's been a hectic life lately, but I just couldn't risk forgetting the gems both boys pulled out this morning!



As we made the mad rush to school, we had plenty to see. Patrick detected a couple of kids without coats, so he notified me immediately. Now, I learned long ago that kids love BIG reactions, so I often say things like, "You MUST be joking." or "Are you SERIOUS??"

This morning, Patrick coolly responded with one I'd never heard before: "Serious as a hot dog."

(That's serious!)



We were also playing a little game, thanks to a dusting of snow. I told the boys to look for cars and see if a snow-covering meant they parked in a garage or outside last night. Elliott was totally amused by this game, but started spotting so many that he needed a quicker way to say, "parked outside!"

On the spot, he came up with an acronym and could not understand why I asked him to stop singing, "P.O.S.! P.O.S.!" through our neighborhood.

You'll be swearing under your breath soon enough, son. Soon enough.