First birthday party not as an infant and a few other things.

We haven't had a birthday party for Boyd since he turned one. When he was two a few family members came over to celebrate, but this was his first big kid party! We decided to have his party from 11-1 on his actual birthday and the first day of Christmas break. The place, our lovely Rec Center Gym and then food at our house. We had a blast playing dodgeball, basketball and obstacle course. It was perfect. I must admit that I woke up sore from throwing so many dodge ball balls. Boyd had a wonderful day.

Another birthday wish fulfilled. Poncho Villa and them singing Happy Birthday to him. He said, "I just wanted them to sing to me, I didn't want the dessert."

Favorite present. Minecraft Lego from his nanny Chelsea. We started it in the morning and closed out his birthday by finishing and playing with it. Oh and reading a new classic picture book for his collection-The Giving Tree (even though Shel Silverstein's picture on the back freaks him out, used to do the same to me as a kid).

The Dinosaur cake

Gift opening earlier in the day.

Monkeying around after cake

The Dab Everybody

Silly

The Party Crew

His second favorite gift this year. His personalized CD's and CD player. Yes, I got him a CD player. The people at Target may have looked at me like I was a dinosaur but it was well worth it. I had my Colorado cousins make two CD's with all Boyd's favorite songs through the years. He loved it.

Boyd came home from school very excited on Tuesday. He had made his very own Christmas card for us. I absolutely love it. This is the front with Jesus in the manger, the star that lead, and a wise man who traveled afar. 

Back of card. What a beautiful tree with the moon shining on it's branches.

What a wonderful message, I wish I would have copied and sent this card out as our Christmas card for 2016.

Night out in the name of Christmas Spirit

The last big outing before birthday week begins! We were really looking forward to this one. An evening out in DC. As soon as Boyd was done with wrestling he jumped in the shower and got dressed up. He chose his own fancy outfit of course. Then we had to wait a few hours but eventually the time came to head up and a short nap helped pass the time. Our plan was to stop at the US Botanical Gardens for their Christmas display. Every year is slightly different and it's been since we lived in Falls Church that we've gone. Boyd enjoyed traveling all over the gardens and remembering favorites from before. It was nice that he was able to share in the joy with Peighton. The two were equally enthusiastic with all the plants, reading the signs, finding fallen leaves, wishing wells. and so forth. The display was celebrating our National parks and was good but not as good as the fairy home year in my opinion.  Oh, of course a trip to the gardens isn't complete without playing by the reflecting pool near the Capitol and viewing the National Christmas tree. Our next stop was dinner at Ted's Bulletin (an old favorite breakfast spot serving food and breakfast all day- yummy. Really miss this place and Boyd asked again this morning to go there. Next we drove to find the National Theater. Once parked we headed to the wrong theater but luckily the National Theater was just around the corner. The building they were tearing down was just covering it up. At the theater we viewed The Grinch Musical. It was a fun night for all.

Who likes Christmas? Who's like Christmas!

Such big kids, except when it came to sitting still in the theater seats (at least for Boyd aka Wiggle Worm)

Photo op for mom and Boyd

Our leaves got confiscated by the Botanical Garden staff lady. She saw Peighton's and we thought it was only fair if we coughed ours up too. Not sure what the harm was in taking dead leaves that had fallen on the ground but she said she didn't want that to encourage others to pick ones off the tree. The kids tried to negotiate but no go. So a final picture with the leaves before we handed them over. 

In front of the Statue of Liberty made all out of plant products.

Little cove with Paul Bunyan and Babe and a few others.

Capitol and tree at night.

We all liked these fragrant flowers at the gardens.

Handsome date by the bear.

Post Grinch Selfie. Holiday spirit was alive and well with this group.

Capitol Hill kid models.

Christmas spirit crew.

I'm forgetting why exactly Boyd was dressed as Santa. Might have been the night we passed out Christmas cards or that he read a book with a winter theme to a younger neighbor. He has been great about spreading Christmas cheer, encouraged by his advent calendar this year. Here he is doing something with his stocking. Looks like St. Nick himself.

An armed Jolly ol Elf

While the weather was icy and frightful this morning, Boyd took to the seas. Hope his spoon paddle gets the job done.

Fishing for breakfast.

Navy? Our near neighbor Tammie brought over a birthday present early yesterday afternoon (note the vest that is in every picture). Boyd is spoiled rotten. He was thrilled with the new vest and nerf gun she had stashed in the pocket, He rotates his guns so frequently that it's not pictured but it is in his pocket and became backup when he ran out of ammo in this one. He just keeps raving about the gifts and couldn't wait for the ice to melt so he could safely walk down the street and get Chase for a Nerf battle. I know I will miss these days where my house is covered in Nerf and the clamor of neighborhood friends. 

New Traditions are created

A new tradition has been born. This week we traveled to The Meadow Event park for their Illuminate  Light Show. LED lights and Christmas music= recipe for fun. Then add being able to hang out the car window in a Santa hat, a kids dream come true. It was pretty awesome. 

Petting a horse at the end in Santa's village. This is the farm where the famous race horse Secretariat was born.  

Traditions continue

Friday we had our 4th annual ornament making night with Noah, Stephanie and Alexa. This year they were able to have dinner and stay the night. Always wonderful company and Christmas memories. This year we made owls and scrabble words. When decorating the tree found a handprint ornament from 2013 and it was so tiny.  Sunday we made our gingerbread house and of course it wanted to fall down initially. Boyd was able to do a bunch of the icing this year and made it extra special and obviously his with the nerf bullet addition on the front. 

Santa, one of your Elves  is sleeping on the job.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

If you know Boyd and I, you know just how much we love the Christmas Season and all the traditions and memories that go with it. We put the tree up when we got home from Thanksgiving. Boyd actually put 95 percent of the tree together and I was in charge of fluffing out the branches. Of course we jammed out to Christmas music all the while. We did have some light issues so ornaments were hung a few days later.  I love bringing out all the decorations from years past and this year it was fun to compare Boyd's handprints on ornaments and wreaths from years prior. He is growing up in size and maturity. He never ceases to amaze me. He has been doing a  lot of experimenting with jokes, puns, and play on words lately. He challenged himself to create a joke for all the continents-oh my worldly child. He can also be the most sincere person at quiet unexpected moments. The other night he brought me to tears, we were on the way home from wrestling practice and listening to our Christmas radio station. Delilah happened to be on and she began talking about that person in your life or family that goes out of their way to spread Christmas spirit and make the season special. We were both listening quietly when Boyd pipes in, "Mom, that's you." Made my heart melt. So grateful for moments like those. He has also spread cheer by Christmas caroling and solo singing a few tunes, and by hand delivering our Christmas cards to those who are near. Our Advent calendar this year holds a piece of chocolate and a kindness act for each day. It has been fun to hear and see ways that Boyd has taken the tasks and spread kindness. 

Boyd chose the snowman stocking holder this year.

Boyd has really been loving playing basketball at the Rec Center and he always has to wear his Giannis Bucks jersey. He found out  Giannis Antetokounmpo had a birthday a few days ago and had to tell his Bucks loving grandparents immediately.

He told me this is what a "Professional" Basketball player would wear.

Decorating the tree

Haming it up with a twinkle in his eye.

Someone is excited for Christmas. He also has lost two teeth within five days so one night the Tooth Fairy and St. Nick were both here.

Putting the angel on top. He can almost reach which is good news for Adam who was struggling to hold him up this year.

Letter to Santa: Hi Santa it's Boyd. I like your presents but I like Jesus's birthday better. Bye. Love Boyd. Then the back has Nerf guns listed.  He came up with this all on his own.

Somehow St. Nick delivered the wrong size of pajamas in Boyd's stocking so last night while we were out he must have made the switch. Boyd likes these even better because they are softer. 

Can't handle his sweetness sometimes.

Hugs and snuggles to all needing them this season.

Becoming a big elf.

A few more from the good camera. Need to fix my short lens. 

Nieces minus Leah...but the girl count is going up next year with Luci's little sisters arrival.

His favorite time of the year. He loves this tree and did almost all of the putting up this year while I fanned out the branches. Is that a little plumber I see..hahaha

Earrings while I hung the lights then they became an instrument but Leonardo didn't survive...opps.