Merry Christmas!!!

I admit it, I had a hard time getting into the swing of things for Christmas this year. Seems like I say that every year when I'm scrambling at the last minute and swearing that next year will be different...

next year will be different! Right????

I was even out on Christmas eve shopping. Thats how bad it was. No matter. It all got done one way or another and whatever didn't get done... oh well. It was a success and when I hear one of my children say, as they head to bed that night, "That was the best Christmas ever", it makes my heart warm all over.

As I prepared dinner on Christmas eve, Angus and Declan asked if they could string popcorn to put on the

tree. Not something I had to think about for long. I was a little worried Isaiah would choke on the popcorn but he handled it quite well.

You can see him in this picture, behind Angus, eating 'Floor Pie' of popcorn.

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional tea ring. The last couple of years, Angus has been happy to help make it and, quite frankly, I'm happy to have his help. This year was no different.

Don't you love that smile?

Christmas morning came and all went well. Even though the presents were a little sparse this year, the boys seem to really enjoy their time. Isaiah loved his new toys, Declan got a lot of games and IPod/Tune stuff, and Angus has enough to read for a couple of months. well... at least for a couple of weeks. Life is good.

The morning after Christmas, as Isaiah descended the stairs next to the tree, he started applauding. He has already started to associate the tree with all good-things-holiday. Good food, family and friends, new things to play with and look at. :D

Not a Baby Anymore

At nearly 16 months, Isaiah just doesn't look like a baby anymore. He is definitely his own little man, charging about the house and exploring his surroundings. Yesterday when we took him for a walk down the snowy road, I had to marvel at him ... wearing real shoes, fleece jacket and pants, his sheep hat and discarding his mittens at every opportunity. He marches with a purpose, swinging his arms and always always looking for something cool to pick up.

His favorite game these days is hide-and-seek where he hides and we seek. I have to say he is a really good hider. He can stay sooooo quiet for such a long time while we search high and low. And the sneaky little Hauser actually will move positions while you seek, making it even more difficult! He also loves to be chased around the kitchen. He zooms around the island and kitchen table, making figure 8s and then dashes into a corner to hide from the chaser.

And he just loves his books. We read to him dozens of times throughout a day, although I think that Steve does the bulk of the reading. He'll bring books, one by one, to be read as he either sits patiently in our lap or dashes about, just listening to the story. But sometimes he just reads by himself. Sets open a book and 'oooh oooh', 'weida-weida-weida', 'wowow', 'fo-fo-fo'.

He discovered he can clasp his hands behind his back. He thinks its funny. Yesterday, while showering with Steve, he elected to dip his face in the water stream. over and over again. He didn't laugh or seem all that amused, but kept going back for more, so he musta liked it.

We cut his hair this morning. Didn't want to, but the rats nests in the back were just getting out of control and it was losing its appeal. He looked more like a balding old man who was trying to hang on to the hair he had left ~ all wispy and sparse. Didn't even get a good curl to keep. Yep. He definitely isn't a baby any more. I'll post a picture as soon as I get one. I think he looks kinda cute!

Not Ready for Christmas

Danggit. Every year I vow to be more prepared and ready for the holiday season so that I can slow down and enjoy the last couple of weeks. Wouldn't it be nice to have all the shopping and wrapping done by December 10th so that you can just relax and bake? Someday.... someday I will do this.

Our tree is up. It was much bigger than I thought it would be. Not a whole lot taller than last year, but much more solid and heavy. The bucket of rocks just l

ooks insufficient and we have it anchored in three different directions to the wall. Both the cat AND Isaiah could climb it and it isn't going anywhere. I hope.

I love the fact that Baby Duncan is still on our tree. I need to tell friend Anna that he is a favored ornament.

I have been working on some knitting projects but every now and then feel like I need to do something short and easy. Gnomes were the perfect solution. Of course I couldn't resist adding a Santa Gnome to the collection...

I hope to finish the rest of measly shopping in the beginning of the week. For now, I'll leave you with this sweet picture of Isaiah.

a trip to the aquarium

I'm starting to really love professional days at school. With Steve home, it is a perfect way to do something together as a family that brings us closer. I keep thinking that one of the these days Angus or Declan will decide that they don't want to do these things together, but they keep surprising me. Last professional day we went into Boston and enjoyed the Museum of Science that was nearly empty. This time we headed back into Boston to play at the Aquarium.

Isaiah enjoyed the penguins, sea turtles, and jelly fish the most. I presume it is because they were so easy to see and didn't move all that quickly. Spent most of his time pointing out the wonders of the sea to us.

I have to give my thumbs up on making these visits to very popular activities. By going in the middle of the week we miss the usual vacationing or weekend crowds that keep us far from the exhibits.

And I have finally decided to become more organized and start utilizing the free or discounted passes at the library for these types of things. We have a yearly membership at the Museum of Science, but our recent outing to the deCordova was free and the Aquarium was a greatly reduced price, which makes the $35 parking more palatable. Thank you Friends of the Gleason Public Library!

After the aquarium, we walked over to Quincy Market for lunch. Not my favorite place to eat or hang out, but I thought it would be a nice treat for Angus and Declan. Poor Angus still struggles with public shyness and had a very difficult time deciding on something to eat and actually ordering it for himself. But he did it. :)

awwww ... that just stinks!

Declan, who has never been able to save more than $5, managed to work and save since April enough money to buy an IPod Touch for himself. We are so very proud of him and purchased a case to help protect it as a reward.

He is just tickled and has eagerly been awaiting the arrival of his device since we ordered it on Black Friday. He has been so hyped up about it all week, insisting that I check the tracking every single day. Sometimes more than once. We followed it from China to Alaska to New Jersey, where it stayed longer than planned, and then Framingham, MA. Finally, today, it arrives here. Well let me correct that statement ... the box arrives. Empty.

He was crushed.

Somewhere someone is walking around with a brand new IPod Touch that has "Declan Godbout" inscribed on the back. They have no idea how hard he worked and for how long. It just stinks. Steve did an amazing job squawking at FedEx and pleading Declan's case to Apple for a speedy replacement. Declan, feeling very loved and protected, was extraordinarily grateful.

Yes Apple is sending a replacement. Maybe they will toss in a little ITunes gift-card for his troubles.