New Year’s Eve bunco…

What a great way to ring in the New Year with the bunco girls and their spouses.  Well, some of them and some additional.  I really missed the bunco girls that didn’t make it, can’t wait to see you ladies soon!

Such sweet siblings

The kids are so sweet together most of the time.  They play together and teach other things.  Believe it or not Delaney seems to teach Blake more than he does her.  She figures things out and just knows how to play with stuff.  They are both starting to be more imaginative and Blake pretends that he’s doing stuff, going places, etc.  Delaney changes the dolls clothes, and loves to be creative with stickers, drawing, chalk outside, etc.

Today Blake told me he was going to work and he had his computer with him, I asked him where and he said the Cotton Factory with Granddad.  I said ok, what are you going to do?  He told me collect money.  So funny!

Notice Delaney doesn’t have on pants, potty training is not going as well as it was, hopefully she on the up hill again with it though.  Lots of messes to clean up lately.

Christmas Evening

The stocking were hung…at my mom and dad’s house.  We went to their house after naps today and spent the afternoon and evening there.  Wonderful memories made…

We listened to the Christmas story from the wonderful version online that we came across this season, the kids all paid attention.  Each time we talked about Jesus or a baby or something one of the kids would chime in, I know they’re taking it all in.

We talked about what we were thankful for and who or what we missed this year and prayed together.  Then it was time to open the stockings and the presents.  We each take turns and it’s fun to see what everyone gets and their reactions, it takes longer too and we are able to savor the moment which is nice.  At the bottom of our stockings was a little box that we all opened last, we each had a letter in it and they spelled…

Then Coalson opened his and had the pickle in it, which meant, money!  He had an $11 bill meaning 11 of us were going to go to see Mickey Mouse!!!

After gifts it was time for dinner.  My mom made a delicious meal with all of our favorite things.  She was so great to do everything.  We REALLY enjoyed it.  The kids even ate a bunch, many second helpings were taken.  She had a beautiful set up in the dining room.  Take a good look at it now, it’ll be mine next year and doubt I’ll be able to make it this pretty.

A new tradition in the Williams house is to have a toothpick (was supposed to be a baby Jesus) inside his birthday cake and whoever gets it has to make, or pick, the cake for him for next year, which is an honor!  This year as Taylor was helping Delaney eat hers she found the toothpick!  Guess that means the 2 year old will be making the cake!  Hopefully Taylor will help her with that part too.  It was a great evening and we came home with excited and tired kids.  Both are sleeping now, but it took Blake a little while for the excitement to die down.  As I was putting Delaney down I asked if she had fun and said who’s birthday was it and she said for the first time, “Gees” (for Jesus).  A great way to end a great day, she listens.

Christmas Morning

Christmas was especially fun this year because Blake understood much more.  Last night he didn’t want Santa to come inside his house.  After finally convincing him it was ok, putting some cookies out and promising he wouldn’t come upstairs and the reindeer are silent he fell fast asleep.

Both were up bright and early at 6am though. They are too little to understand it’s Christmas and they are supposed to get up early.  My parents came by to see what Santa brought.  Blake got an orange bike, a soccer goal and ball, and a baseball glove and ball.  Delaney got a baby with accessories, a fairy dress up outfit and wings, and musical instruments. 

After we played a little we did the Advent Wreath and Calendar.  They were so excited to put baby Jesus on the calendar and light ALL the candles today.  Blake requested to hold Daddy’s hand during the prayer time.  The 3 of us said a prayer and Delaney said “God”.  We read the board book simple version of the Christmas story, Blake loves baby Jesus.  He saw him, a live baby, in our Christmas pageant and think he attends our church now I believe. 

Daddy fixed us Oatmeal (Blake’s request) and eggs and then we got to find our presents under the tree.  They found their D and B and we opened gifts from each other.  Blake enjoyed his books, especially the Elmo one where his name is in the book and he spends the night at Elmo’s house and his bathtub racing toy that Delaney gave him.  Delaney loves the playdough set Blake gave her and the A to Z book that she immediately stood up and took to her room saying “mine, mine”. 

After all the presents were unwrapped Blake just had to watch the Jesus video a few times.  It’s some Australian kids telling the story dressed up, it’s so cute, we hopped in the bath to play with some new toys and head off to church.  I really have enjoyed our Christmas Eve service over the years, but since we are still in Columbia with the Davis family during it I was excited to be able to attend this morning.  I believe they were shocked at how many were in attendance, but I wasn’t, it is Christmas, the most important day to attend.  There was no nursery, so the 11 of us (Williams family) all say on one row together for the first time, it was nice.  Delaney helped Dr. Shrum with the prayer saying, “Na na na na na” over and over.  Blake held tight to Delaney’s doll.  I think for comfort because it was such a large group, about 300, all in the gym worshiping together.  It was really nice to see several friends and church members you don’t usually get to see in person to say “Merry Christmas” to.  I wish we had a Sunday morning service every year, I would be there!

Once we were home we had a little time to play before a PB&H and naps.  Daddy enjoyed the play dough as much as the kids I believe.

Christmas Eve in Columbia

Each year we travel to West Columbia to spend Christmas Eve with the Davis family.  This year we went a day early and were able to enjoy the Lights before Christmas at the zoo.  It was nice out and the millions of lights were beautiful!

The kids went to sleep at Nanny and Grandpa’s house and Kevin and I went on a date and enjoyed our time together that evening. 

On Christmas Eve we played outside in the warm weather with Logan, Landon, Kaitlyn, Matt, and Sandra, it was such a great time altogether. 

 

Chris made a wonderful buffet for us to eat on all day, she is a wonderful cook, I always enjoy her creations. Once it got dark outside it was time to open presents. The kids all tore into them and had a blast. Delaney received an art easel from them, she absolutely loves it and Blake got some big trucks and other fun things.

Both of them were so excited that on the way home when it was time to fall asleep in the car they couldn’t.  It was past 8pm before they finally went to sleep that night.  Many great memories were made that day though and missing some sleep was well worth it.

I’m 31 years old, Blake is 3

We celebrated Blake and my birthdays at David and Pam’s house today.  Blake and Delaney love being with their cousins to play, we had a great afternoon!  Thanks for hosting Pam! 

No one knows why this sweet girl went from one extreme to the other, Taylor was playing with my new camera and snapped her crying, I love the face, one I see often, but never think to take a picture of the emotion.  Notice she has on two dresses?  She insisted on wearing both of them and then wanted the construction apron on top when we arrived.  Birthday and Christmas dresses, appropriate.

Peyton and Coalson get along great most of the time.  They play hard and Blake follows right along with them.  When we get in the car after being with him Blake says, “Mommy I played hard with the boys.”  He stands up fro himself now and actually is the instigator sometimes.  He’s come a long way.

Blake and I got to blow our candles out together tonight, what fun!  Naked Delaney, ready for her red icing, helped a little too.  Poor thing has watched people open presents 3 times this week and it’s not her turn yet.  She’s doing great waiting and only attempted one this year before it was time.

Annual Grazing at Williams & Fudge

Each year the employees gather on the 3rd floor of the Cotton Factory to have some great munchies that everyone grazes on throughout the day and listen to dad read the Christmas story from the Bible.  Many people comment on how much they enjoy this gathering. 

This year Blake and Delaney benefited from some of the leftovers…cake pops!

Just another Davis Day

There is nothing like racing matchbox cars down a hardwood hallway!  Maybe being pushed down the hall on your bottom.  There was a lot of giggling going on this afternoon. 

Later we got our pj’s on and enjoyed a good book on the sofa.  Delaney is starting to sit through books now, Blake could sit in my lap and listen for hours, literally. 

Blake turns 3

Blake is now 3 years old and he'll be the first to tell you that. He is so proud that he is 3. His personality is coming out more and more each week. He knows what he likes and doesn't like. If it's orange, he likes it, if it's green (food) he doesn't touch it. He does like to eat though and takes a while at mealtime. He still sucks on his food to eat unless we remind him to chew.

We visited Santa a couple weeks ago and after waiting in line about an hour, he was warmed up and sat on his lap and even smiled, he doesn't smile for pictures very often, he's so shy. When he's around his older cousins he tries to do everything that they do, like wrestling, shooting basketball, he's pretty good at that, playing soccer, he's getting a goal for the back yard for Christmas, and enjoying a juice box, which is a special treat.

Blake is still so sensitive and compassionate. He takes care of his little sister and others. He tends to have special relationships with many adults, keeping a close hold on their hearts.

He is learning so much, at home and school. He has gone 4 days a week for 2.5 hours this fall and will continue that until May. He enjoys the books and songs the most in class and especially the snacks! He breaks out in song at home all the time, we love to sing together. He is about 37 pounds, and wearing 3T clothes now. He still takes a 2-3 hour afternoon nap and sleeps from 7:45pm-6:45am each night in his bunk bed. He’s recently had his first friend spend the night, they had so much fun.

He loves matchbox cars and balls. Those are his favorite toys right now, he also enjoys watching Curious George and Elmo on TV, but he doesn't watch it much. He LOVES books the best out of everything.  He loves to play outside and has been sad that it's been a little too cold to go out lately. We went to the beach in late August and for Thanksgiving and he is a good swimmer so far. He was jumping in and going under in August, I hope he'll remember how in the spring. He knows how to behave and hardly ever gets in trouble. He still isn't potty trained. He will let me know when he needs to go poopie, but doesn't want to go in the potty. He doesn't talk much about the pee pee. His little sister, Delaney, is trained though, that doesn't seem to push him, but he does encourage her and is so proud of her. He loves her more than anything else and they are already best friends. Tonight in the back yard as they played in the sandbox they had a whole conversation about something with the balls and the buckets, she wasn’t making much sense, but he sure understood her.

They love playing outside with the bikes, in the sandbox, in the park, on the playset, on the swings, and with cars, trucks, balls, etc. He is afraid to try new things most of the time, but after watching a couple times he’s ready to give it a whirl. We started gymnastics this week and he had to take 30 min just to get used to everything that was going on, after that he was ready to try. He hangs on to our legs and stays right beside us until he’s comfortable.

We talk about Lisa, his birthmother, to him and he knows how special she is to him. He understands that he grew in her belly while he was growing in mommy and daddy's hearts. He knows he was born in Las Vegas and is proud to tell others that. He still talks about his mole on his ankle that is his "kiss from Lisa". We tell him that is from her and she left it there to always remind him of her and how much she loves him. We look at the picture of her and his 1/2 brothers and we say prayers for them often.