Cookies for Santa

It's Christmas Eve morning and soon Gavin will be leaving to spend the day and evening with his Daddy. 

So of course we had to make some special cookies for Santa before he took off!

Very simple this year. 

Roll of sugar cookies were baked last night so that they were ready to be frosted and sprinkled this morning after a bath.

We frosted, sprinkled, and laid them out to 'set.'

Then we dusted off our Santa plate...

and loaded her up!

See that little hand there??

Sure, we can sample them to make sure they are edible for the jolly big guy!

After returning home from Christmas with Daddy, we tracked Santa before heading to bed.

..he only comes if you are SLEEPING, kid ;)

Visiting Santa at Bass Pro

Let's try this again, shall we?

Another year visiting Santa at Bass Pro Shop that is.

We are another year older and very excited.

Our Bass Pass was for 5:30 so we couldn't get in line for almost 20 minutes. A little duck shooting is a perfect way to kill time. Pun intended.

Believe it or not, he blasted a couple ducks with that slingshot. 

Of course you can believe it. Super G is pretty amazing.

Good coaching, Grandpa!

SUCCESS!!

He walked right up, sat on the lap of the man in red and told him what he wanted for Christmas.

CLAUStrophobic no more.

Enjoy a quick glance down memory lane.

First Christmas program

Your first Christmas program! I was SO proud of you Gavin!
You sang and danced amazing. You knew all the words, you participated. You were a superstar!

Your class sang two songs. Both by the Wiggles.
First up:

Unto us, this Holy night.

I am heartbroken I wasn't able to get a video.

Second song:

A wiggly, wiggly Christmas

After your performance you came to sit with me while the other classes performed.

You watched a little...

But then succumbed to paying angry birds with your buddy.

I look forward to many, many more of your performances, kiddo!

Time for some trimming

The day after Thanksgiving, I had the day off work and you did not go to school. Some said it was a smidge early to put up the tree. But I say, no way. It's a free day and we were going to get into the holiday spirit.

Grandpa was nice enough to come over and carry the tree down from the garage attic for us, and we went to town decorating.

Mommy couldn't get all the lights to work, so you had this brilliant idea to light it up.

Mommy always figures it out...eventually.

Let's get to decorating!

And as always, a little silliness.

From Mom

Dear G,

Oh bay-be. This too shall pass. It's going to get better sweet boy. You'll see. Mommy will never let you down. This I promise you.

I don't even know how to start this one, kiddo. Life has been overwhelming. We have gotten to play and do a few measly crafts after work lately, before bedtime, but I work so gosh darn much. And this past weekend, I just went the longest I ever have without seeing you....EVER. Three days. Mind you, you spent the weekend with your Daddy, like always, every other weekend, but you spent a night with Grandma and Grandpa the day before, which was not typical. But you had FUN!

Mommy needed a minute to unwind. Someday, when you are my age, you'll understand. But I will tell you that I missed you like crazy! I sent messages to G & G to see how you were doing and to make sure everything was good. I would have called...but didn't want to disrupt your fun. And let me tell you, when I got back early and came and picked you up and you SPRINTED to me with open arms screaming my name, I wondered how I ever left at all!!!

(truth is....I love you with all my heart kiddo, but Mommy is trying to figure things out) Where do we go from here? I thought I was on the road....but now I'm  not so sure.  I just don't know. But you know what?? I'm going to figure it out. You and me. We are a team and no matter what I figure out....YOU are first.

I love you.

love,
Mom

Perrysburg Parade

Sunday we made it to the Perrysburg holiday parade. Barely.
It may be the shortest parade in the world.

(Unfortunately, we missed Downtown Toledo, Maumee's light up the night, AND BG's holiday parade this year)

I'm trying. Honestly.

Who is that??

One of our favorite spots to wander down to in the summer.
O-Deer Diner & Ice Cream
 It's a joint that is family owned and operated.

Getting more candy that he will never eat. He still hasn't touched his Halloween bag.

Here is a great illustration of the aforementioned length of parade.

Thanks, Perrysburg FD for doubling the parade time.
I believe we have a little something for you soon.

It's not even my birthday!

That's some sleigh, Mr. Kringle.

Santa Claus has arrived.

Four year well check-up

Gavin, were you ever ready to see Dr. Jon.

In fact, you ran into the building and were excited not only to push the buttons at the door, but the elevator, as well. You had no idea what was coming....

You talked to Tonya, the nurse, about ALL your favorite things. You told her about your firetruck birthday party and how you are four years old and a big kid now. You beamed when telling her you could not only draw a cross (as asked by her), but draw many shapes and write your name along with several other words. (Mommy, Daddy, pizza, cat and dog.) Stand on one foot? Well, of course, you demonstrated! When Dr Jon came in, you reiterated everything you had told the nurse and then proceeded to rub his head and tickle him.

You are now 46 lbs 8oz.

And  42 1/4 inches tall. 

Putting you in the 95 and 80 percentile, respectively.

Then the decision came....

You need 4 vaccinations before Kindergarten.
Kindergarten?! 
I haven't thought that far ahead yet. It's hard for me to fathom that it's less than two years away, wee one.
But let's get them over with, shall we? The shots, not the years.
All four vaccinations are available in just two easy peasy shots. They roll them together. Sweet.
We're doing it.
(They could divide them up between this year and your five year well.)

We talked about getting the couple pokes while waiting for her to return. I could see on your face that you suddenly knew what I was talking about as Tonya opens the door, because your lip immediately quivered. But you did not cry. You listened and hopped up on the table all by yourself. Mommy held your hands and talked to you while the nurse quickly stuck you in both legs. It was over before you knew it. Barely a tear ran down.

But...

Let me tell you, you were MAD right after. And by mad, I mean, you wouldn't speak to anyone, you threw your blanket on the ground and had a look on your face of pure disgust.

You informed me that you never wanted to come there again and that it was time.to.go. So we walked out of the exam room, snagged a sucker on the way out and headed for the promised french fries.

ALL of a sudden, all was right in your world.

No more shots for 5-6 years they say.

Now was that really so bad??

I didn't think so.