Bubbles and Santa

We were so pleased that Santa had a few extra minutes to stop by our house on Christmas Eve. Jamisen initially wasn't the biggest fan but with Daddy by his side, he walked over to the book bin, grabbed a book and brought it back to Santa to read to him. It was rather adorable. Jamisen's big present from Santa was a workbench. He promptly dismantled it, turned it upside down and tried to use it as a sitting stool. Funny little guy. He loves working with tools and is intensely curious. His intellect is always on display and we are so charmed by our little guy.

 

 We went hiking almost every day of the Christmas break. Our winter has been cold but no snow and the last few days have been drizzly but perfectly fine for venturing outside. Jamisen had to be drug away from his stone-throwing forays. He loved everything about the dirt, the rocks, and the splash in the water. There were major screaming and temper tantrums (shortly lived) when we tried to pull him from his rock throwing. The little man has quite the set of pipes on him.

  

Jamisen did have a traditional Christmas stocking with a couple small gifts. He was so happy with the bubble machine that he received. Of course, after a few days, he had turned it so topsy turvy that the bubbles ran out all over the living room furniture. He especially was delighted when we blew the bubbles through the Dyson bladeless fan and the bubbles went all over the living room, making everyone smile and laugh at Jamisen's wonder and awe. Our beloved Nanny, McKenna, said he played with his stocking stuffer, a snow plow, all day long. Mamma, who helped Santa on the stocking stuffer choices, was gratified to learn that the gifts went over so well. 

Christmas time is a wonderful time to spend with family. Grandma and Grandpa Renoud came (along with sister Anamarie) to deliver an amazing gift - the Learning Tower - which Jamisen immediately tried to "help" put together. It's a kitchen helper that puts Jamisen up at counter level so he can be a more active participant with cooking (lucky boy). He and the Learning Tower have been inseparable since he got it. Though, he has taken to trying to play with the kitchen sink - and since it makes him so happy, I've taken to indulging him. It's a recipe for water all over the floor and wet clothes. He went through two changes of clothes tonight and the kitchen got a very complete dousing during his play time. And when we take our soaking wet ginger-haired boy away from his water, he throws up quite the temper tantrum. The one tonight lasted at least 5 minutes. I feel terrible but it's extremely hard not to giggle at his antics.

  

Brother Ryan will be coming to stay with us for a few days this weekend. I can't wait to fully immerse him in our crazy, busy, fun and laughter-filled family life. The sheets have been changed and the house is prepped - we can't wait to see him.