Brooks 18 month old check-up

Brooks had his check-up today and got one shot. He is doing great and was really good for Dr. Hart. He only cried during the shot and when he was made to walk.

Weight:24 lbs 6 oz (47%)
Height: 2ft 8 in (23%)
Head: 48. 3 (71%)

Jackson's First Christmas Pageant

Jackson sang in his first Christmas Pageant at church. He did a great job. Brooks made it through by eating lots of fruit snacks and coloring on the offering envelopes. We skipped dinner at church and ate at Noni's instead.

Christmas Fun

Breakfast with Santa
This morning we went to the Children's Museum for their annual breakfast. We had a great time last year, so we had high expectations for this year. We were disappointed. It is expensive and was definitely not worth the money this year. First of all we were crammed at a table with another family. This completely shut down Jackson. It takes him awhile to get used to new people. Then the food was cold. Jackson ate nothing, and Brooks nibbled on pancakes. Then we were supposed to wait at our table until they called us for pictures with Santa. This is not smart for young children. Finally they told everyone to just go get in line. The boys did sit with Santa but would not smile. They did enjoy the two craft stations, but were disappointed we did not make reindeer food. We went to the story time this year. It was cute but a little long. Mrs. Claus told stories, and Rudolph and Frosty made special appearances. Brooks liked it. Both boys enjoyed singing songs.  I think they had the most fun playing in the farm  and construction area. Brooks is a wild man on the slide now.

Cookies for Santa Plate
We also went to paint our annual plate. It all started out fine. Tim had a simple design. Jackson picked out ornaments for him and Brooks to paint. We got their feet painted and on the plate. Jackson was happily painting his gingerbread man. Then all of a sudden there was a huge meltdown, a screaming meltdown because he said he didn't know how to paint. I had to drag both boys out of the store screaming with everyone staring at us. Jackson asked me why I had to be so mean to him all the time. He is starting that early, isn't he?

Festival of Trees
If I didn't have to go to all of these places today, we would have just gone home. Jackson took a 15 minute power nap and woke up in a better mood. We walked to see all of the Christmas trees. The boys enjoyed it. The day was perfect with temps in the mid 60s so we decided to walk and find something for lunch. We happened to find Santa driving his sleigh and giving rides. Jackson and I rode 2 years ago. I took the boys again this year. It was fun. Brooks waved to people, and Jackson soaked it all in.

Errands
The boys wanted Frodo's so we all enjoyed our pizza while watching Prancer. Then we went to the mall to buy Jackson sone new shoes. He is in a 9 1/2 wide now. Then we went to Costco to stock up on our usual. We were all tired of traffic and people by that point so we headed home.

Attempt at Pictures

Train Show

A man has been showcasing his trains at local churches. We went last week. Then Tim and Noni took the boys Thursday night while I was at PTA. We went again tonight with Papa Jerry. The boys loved it. Jackson especially.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Jackson has his rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant today. He cried and fussed the whole wY there. " Don't leave me, Mommy. Please don't leave me!" I stayed after finally getting him to sit with one of the high school helpers who he loves. He would turn around every few minutes to make sure I was still there. He did go do some crafts with his group.


Then we went to a birthday party for Jesus. Each child had to bring a gift for a local organization. They had pizza and cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday. Jackson had to sit with Jake. When we were leaving, Jackson asked, "How come Jesus didn't open his presents?" So sweet.

On our way home, we drove by all of the lights. Santa was out there, so we drove home to pick up Daddy and Brooks. Brooks sat with Santa in his sleigh. Jackson stood beside it. He was too into all of the moving stuff. We ride by this house almost every night. We are in trouble after the holidays.

First Weekend in December

Wow!  I can't believe we are finished with the first weekend in December. My voice is slowly coming back, but that didn't stop us from a busy weekend!

On Friday, we went to dinner and then downtown to the tree lighting ceremony. The boys loved running around downtown but were not that impressed with the tree lights.  They did love the "snow" coming down at Wren Park.  Jackson was very intrigued by it. Of course we looked at more Christmas lights.  This is Jackson's favorite thing to do!

Saturday was a rainy, yucky day, but I did take Jackson shopping with me. I went to watch one of my students in a production of The Best Christmas Pageant ever. Then Tim and I headed to Greenville for a Christmas party while the boys stayed with Noni and Papa Jerry.  Charlotte and Maria were there so they didn't miss us a bit!

Sunday was a church day.  Then we went to a Cookies with Santa party.  The boys got their pictures taken with Santa and enjoyed some yummy cookies.  This was to benefit a little boy who is fighting cancer.

Then we attempted to take pictures for a Christmas card. (Yes, I am totally slack. Usually I have them done the middle of November, but things have been crazy busy.  I am not entirely happy with the ones I did, but they'll do.).  The boys are pretty impossible to take pictures of right now.

Mrs. Coyann gave us basketball tickets, so we went to the game.  Brooks absolutely loves it.  He claps and dances.  He holds his arms up during free throws. Jackson gets bored and tells us he needs to go to the potty every five minutes so he doesn't have to sit in his seat.

We ended with a late dinner at McAlister's, and it is already time to start a very busy week!

We missed two Christmas parades this weekend, and I know the boys would have them.  It is hard to be two places at once.

Carrots and So Sleepy

Here are Jackson's carrots.  Then Brooks was so tired he fell asleep at the dinner table!