Drills, Levels, Nails and Shelves

It was amusing to watch Hayden help Jeff build much needed shelves for the kids playroom closet. We have way too many plastic yellow and red toys shoved into the closet downstairs and spread all over the floor. The kids seem to love the toy chaos but it drives me crazy. I continually go in and straighten the playroom only to have someone that is blond and 3 feet tall come in right behind me and undo what I just did. Jeff has had these shelves on his "to do" list for a looong time and I was so excited to see the materials come in with him last weekend. Last weekend the elves, Leroy and Fletcher, built shelves in my laundry room but Leroy lost a hand and had to be taken to Grammy's clinic for stitches so he was out of commission so it left Jeff and Hayden to do the playroom shelves. Hayden got his orange and black power tools and tape measure and was working right alongside Daddy drilling, hammering and hanging shelves. You could see his sense of pride and feeling like he was big enough to be building with his Daddy. Jeff said he was still talking about it today and said, "Daddy, I really like those shelves we built" I know Jeff enjoyed having Hayden working by his side and values being able to teach him some handyman skills just like his dad taught him. It's in these moments I like to step back and just watch. Father teaching son and son teaching father. Both teaching each other valuable lessons which makes me proud of each of them and I got me some nice shelves.

Play Time with Landon

It's very rare that I get some one on one time with Landon. I think I can count it on my two hands. Usually if Landon is awake and Hayden is napping I am trying to get caught up on chores or preparing a meal but yesterday while Hayden was napping Landon and I went downstairs and just played. I didn't try to multitask and sorta play while folding clothes or checking emails or cleaning up the toys. We just played and it was fun. I had a great time just me and him playing flying baby and throwing balls out of the ball pit and cooking yummy plastic food. The cookie he kept feeding me was delicious. I love that we got some one and one and this makes me want to seize more of these opportunities. Who cares if there is a basket overflowing with clothes, a meal that hasn't been cooked, or toys that are out of place. I am going to try to play with my kids a little more each day. With Hayden all our play time was just the two of us and even with the addition of Landon we have one on one time every morning when he naps and sometimes in the afternoon if their naps don't overlap. It's rare for Landon to get me all to himself and believe me he doesn't mind having a big brother playing right along side him. He always knows how to make him laugh and even how to make him mad. That's what big brothers are for, right?!

written on 12.20.10

Santa Express

All Aboard! About 300 or so people boarded the Santa Express with us last Sunday and took a 90 minute journey through the country side with snow falling outside the train cars. This was Hayden, Landon and my first train ride and it was just what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit. Jason, Danielle and Kayla and the four of us had a great day. We started off at the train station and made Magic Reindeer Dust to sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve, got a Christmas tattoo, and played with some trains all before boarding the train. Once on the train, the conductor went person to person and punched their ticket and then we were off. Kayla and Hayden staring out the windows with excitment and giggling throughout the ride. Beofre long Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way to our care and the children could sit on his lap. Santa pulled his chair right up next to our seats and Hayden could have cared less. He wanted nothing to do with him and refused not only to sit on his lap, byt wouldn't give Santa a high five or knuckles. He does NOT like Santa or any costumed characters for that matter. I knew getting a picture was out so I thought I would try Landon and he had the same reaction.... tears. I don't blame them. Who would want to sit on an overweight strange man's lap that doesn't dress like the rest of the world!? Not me. After Santa came sugar cookies and hot chocolate was handed out followed by a visit from Rudolph. Yet another costumed character that Hayden didn't want anything to do with. After the train returned to the station we ate dinner at The Old Bardstown Tavern, Talbott's Tavern, and had some country cookin. We then made our way home very slowly through the snow covered roads. I am hoping this may become part of our Christmas tradition.

written on 12.20.2010