End of the Year and PE Take Two

Davie doesn't watch too much tv but loves to be with his bros when he does.

I have no idea what he's up to here. Makin' trouble probably. He's too fast for me.

Max decided that the side table or whatever it is you call it, is his new desk so he likes to eat and color there. Normally I have put my nativity there or other decorative things but that is definitely not happening with tornado Dave around.

Sometimes we get a moment of peace when we can strap him in for some grub. See all the junk on the floor? All him.

A mid afternoon movie while The Tornado takes a nap. For some reason they really wanted to put up chairs like in a movie theater.

A sweet friend brought over some bread. It made me miss making homemade bread, I don't think I have in a year. It is so good especially when you pair that with some homemade jam (I actually gave her a jar as a thank you cause I have a ton and it's delicious).

It was the last day of carpooling with all the Roberts boys because they were moving during the holiday break and while they will still be going to PHA they will be way to far to carpool with. So we went to Krispy Kreams because we pass it on the way to their house everyday where they ask me, everyday, if they can have some which I always say no. This time I said yes because I'm nice like that and love doughnuts. Also Davis is pretty much always in these PJs these days. He has eczema mostly on his legs and loves to scratch. I figured this is pretty much the only way to keep him from doing it. It's either that or tights which I figured Jason would not appreciate.

Davie loved the doughnuts, who wouldn't?

And Levi's Christmas list. I think it says 'This year for Christmas I have a short list of things. Magformers, Hero Factory and fantasy action figures (dragons and knights). 

Waffle time. I love Wednesdays. It is always something breakfasty so that means for the most part no complaints from anyone and a lot of times Jason will do it. Happy Hump Day!

Time to see what ornaments we can pull off the tree.

I love doing Christmas gifts with the boys. I usually have a bunch of jewelry made up from various things and then I let them pick what they want to give to their teachers (church and school) neighbors and women in the family. It takes a lot of patience but I always love to hear what they want to give each woman and why. They are so dang cute.

This year for friend, family and neighbor gifts I made up a ton of apricot jam this summer. I think I did jam last year but I found it is awesome because it's already done and ready to go and I have one less thing to do during the busy season. I do wish I had done what I did last year and made up labels in the summer too. This year I was in too big of a hurry and so it didn't really look that pretty. Note to self next year. Do it all in the summer! PS this apricot jam is amazing, Jason loves it to put on vanilla ice cream and Levi loves it on everything.

And Levi's school talent show! A part of me wanted to go up there and make him take that blue coat off. What a silly kid. See how tall he is? And he's the youngest in his grade. They did a really good job singing songs and doing some poems they have learned in their classes.

Ring pops are always amazing.

I love seeing the boys out in their fort. They usually have lots of fun for a couple hours. Fighting is also usually to a minimum, at least fighting that I have to deal with. Every once and a while I might hear something but then they don't come in so it must not have been too bad. I think when they are in the house it is much easier to yell "Mom!" and have me figure out the problem and referee than settle it on their own. I think out there since its 'so far' they tend to settle problems out on their own more. Yey for problem solving skills and for not me having to play referee which I almost refuse to do anyways.

And time for our big surprise for the boys.

Since the boys first saw the Polar Express movie they have been in love with it and would even request it well into the summer months. I found out about the Mount Hood Rail Road doing a Polar Express ride and looked into it. Super spendy, at least in my opinion. I know people who go yearly but it's too rich for my blood.

At the same time I thought it would be fun to go do with the boys so it was always a 'someday' sort of thing. Last year we really started looking into it but Davis would only be a month and a half, it would have been a couple weeks after surgery for me so I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much having pain and dealing with a nursing month and a half year old.

Well this year everyones a year older and the perfect age for it. I didn't want to put it off another year because as much as I hate to admit it, I think this is the last year for Levi believing in Santa. I hope not but I think he'll figure it out. And since I really wanted to do it when they both still believed this was the year so I got tickets early.

I picked a Saturday because it is an hour or so away and I wanted it to be light so the boys could see out the train. We decided not to tell them because surprises are fun. When we got in the van we told them we had to drive for a bit for a jewelry thing for me or something like that.

After we were almost there Levi saw the train and figured it out though Max didn't quite understand what was going on. It was packed so we parked at a further lot and went on a streetcar to the train station.

Still doesn't know or get it though he had fun on the ride to the train. I'm just glad we brought umbrellas and boots. Typical Oregon.

Waiting in line to get tickets. I just noticed Levi carrying Davis diaper backpack. I love these two boys, they are almost always willing to carry it or other things for me. Such good big brothers.

After we got tickets we loaded up in our booth.

There are several different levels (which goes for pricing). The regular, lowest price is benches facing forward and I, ok we, decided to do the best more expensive seats since we might only be doing this one more time when Davis is older. And even that's a big maybe. We figured go big or go home if it's a once in a lifetime sort of thing.

I also figured this would contain the tornado better. It did. One of the things I got as well was a copy of the Polar Express book (it was autographed too!) that they read over the speaker but we got to follow along with the book and see the pictures. We already have a book but it's a little worn and maybe one day when the boys get to have their own kids I'll give them each a copy. 

The conductor taking tickets, he did a great job.

They were thrilled with them and each got one with their initials. Max held up Davis.

Then we got hot chocolate in mugs that we got to take home along with a gingerbread cookie.

Max was not happy about the gingerbread cookie. I think in his head it would be chocolate chip which is WAY better in my opinion. But I suppose I could see why they chose these, they are probably much less messy. Anyways, Max didn't eat his but we all had a bite of it and he got over it. It was only a minute of being bummed out then he was fine. He's so Max.

Dave loved looking around at all the people. Crazy creeper.

And while he technically got his own hot chocolate, pretty much all of us drank it and gave him sips of ours from straws.

Santa was coming and Max kept looking back to see if he was in our car.

I'll admit it, it did take a good long time to see Santa come by but he visited everyone on the train. He was very good and took his time with each kid. They all got to talk for a minute and then he gave them a silver bell. The boys loved it. Levi did get a little bored waiting as you can tell.

All and all a great time. We got it to the car before Oregon REALLY started to show us some rain. I have more pictures on my other camera so, more later!

And time for Studio C! We can't get enough of it.

My pillow, which is supposed to go on the living room couch, is often stolen by Mr. Max who calls it his Lego pillow. I try my best to remember they are only this age once and let it go. It is a pretty cute pillow and the perfect size.

Sunday best. Love this kid, he is so good about getting himself together for the most part. Though sometimes we'll have to make him put his book down to finish. I love it when he does his own hair. It's really a total mess but he tries and dad fixes it. He's getting so big.

A five year olds biggest dilemma on a Sunday night is which super hero book to read.

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Katie came for Christmas. I don't think they've been here for Christmas in over a decade.....maybe not but it's been a while. All went well and they stayed at my mom's house and it was actually a pretty low stress visit.

Oh and Jason loves football video games :)