Merry Christmas

What a wet Christmas Eve and Christmas day! 

TJ woke up at 6:30 and was excited to see the presents under the tree.

He informed everyone that "it is not Halloween"

One of the presents TJ was most excited about was an accordion.

and some binoculars.

His favorite present by far was his motorcycle though!

Chattanooga

The weekend before Christmas TJ, E, and J went to Chattanooga to visit Bubbe and GrandDaddy.  It was a weekend full of adventures that included going on a steam engine train where Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made an appearance. 

Waiting for the train!

Bubbe brought special light necklaces

Santa and Mrs. Claus came on for a visit!

The next day TJ wanted to try ice skating. TJ had been talking about it for a couple of weeks so we decided to give it a try.  

TJ was super excited to put on his ice skates...

and he did great walking on them...

getting on the ice was a different story...

TJ was not a fan of ice skating, so J helped him off.

TJ thinks he will like ice skating when he is 3 and because he was sad he wanted a corn dog!

We will try again next year!

More Santa!

Kindness elves. 

Instead of elf on the shelf, we have been doing "kindness elves", these elves want to make everyone happy at Christmas with TJ's help. They write a letter every day and leave it in the red mailbox. 

One morning TJ brushed Samson and gave him peanut butter (for breakfast), another morning TJ made a Christmas card for our Mail Lady (with a starbucks card), and today TJ helped J bake brownies for a Christmat concert at church.

TJ enjoyed listening to the Christmas music

Another Santa visit (E made this Mr.and Mrs. Claus' costumes) so TJ got a special longer visit!

We went to see "A year with Frog and Toad", TJ very much enjoyed the show.

and finally J and TJ went a step past ugly sweaters at a Christmas party!!!

Holidays

TJ has had a nasty cold and hasn't been feeling his best, but after two weeks and some antibiotics is finally starting to be back to his happy healthy self!

From the board at preschool!

Making frosting to decorate the turkey gingerbread cookie

A little decorating and a lot of M&M eating

The "finished" Turkey cookie!

Helping Omi cut apples for the pie

Getting ready to play outside at preschool.

Outside superhero time!

Making stars...

Shining shoes for St.Nicholas' Day

and

Seeing Santa!

October

October has been a very busy and exciting month!

TJ decorated 5 Little Pumpkins - just like his current favorite book "Five Little Pumpkins".

Ghost Dancing!

TJ ran in his first race. A one mile family fun run to support the local elementary school. TJ did a great job and ran a 20 minute mile with Jonathan. He was the youngest runner!

TJ decided coconut La Croix water is his absolute favorite

TJ's third Pride Parade

ABCs in "baby voice" and "monster voice"

Maybe the most exciting part of October (after Halloween of course) is that TJ was old enough to start Fall soccer! He absolutely loves it!

And finally Halloween...

E: TJ what would you like to be for Halloween? 

TJ: ScooDoo Dog. No, Velma

E: Ok you can wear orange and glasses like Mommy.

TJ: No... wanna be TJ

E: Well we wear costumes on Halloween and dress up

TJ: ScooDoo Dog, Velma, Max Wild thing, Rain, AND a TJ

one week later...

E: TJ would you still like to be Scooby Doo for Halloween?

TJ: No Ghost Rain

A few days later..

E: TJ what would you like to be for Halloween?

TJ: Ghost Rain

So here is "Ghost Rain"!!!

He is wearing a ghost shirt under his rain coat - that is how his costume is "Ghost Rain"!!!

Samson also needed a costume (which he was mostly ok with)...

And TJ won best costume in the under 4 category!!! 

He won a gift certificate to a local coffee shop - because caffeine is what every 2.5 year old needs :)