Meet Santa

Once we arrived in the beautiful Texas Hill Country after our long and arduous trip, one of the first things that we did was head over to visit the most important guy of the season, Santa!  We wanted to wait to see him in person until we could go with the whole family.  So, Grandma and Grandpa, our little family, and the Mhires (Audra, Tommy, and Jack) all headed over to Bass Pro Shop where Santa was visiting that day.

We arrived, and Evan was entranced by everything in the store before he even saw the man in the big red coat.  There was so much to look at, including a big aquarium and waterfall!  They told us that there was a bit of a wait, so they gave us our Santa Pass and told us to come back in about an hour--the perfect amount of time for a trip to Chick-Fil-A.  So, we all walked next door for our favorite lunch.

Chick-Fil-A was delicious, as usual.  The nuggets are still the only meat that Evan will eat, and they didn't disappoint.  Ben enjoyed a yogurt while we were there and Jack actually drank out of a straw for the first time!  The boys loved eating with the whole family (and I think the adults had a great time too!)

After our delicious lunch we headed back to Bass Pro Shop.  We got in line, had a few diaper changes, and waited to see the big guy.  There was a model train (and that aquarium I mentioned) so the boys had plenty to keep them busy while we waited.

When we got to the front of the line we finally headed up to get in Santa's lap.  We had been prepping Evan for weeks about what a good guy Santa was, so we hoped we wouldn't have the same hysterical reaction as last year.  The boys each had a different reaction-Ben was completely indifferent to the whole experience and calmly sat on Santa's lap, Evan was in awe-he was meeting a celebrity and didn't quite know what to make of it, and Jack didn't want anything to do with it.  Santa himself looked pretty concerned about having all three boys on his lap, but in the end, me managed to get them all sitting near Santa for a picture.

(The two Davis boys with Santa)

(The cousins meet Santa)

After we were done, Santa asked Evan what he wanted for Christmas.  He replied that he wanted a candy cane.  Fortunately, Santa just so happened to be handing out candy canes!  Evan selected a nice blue one.

Tip for Bass Pro Shops: In the future, no more blue candy canes!

Stay tuned for more tales from Christmas 2010!

The Journey

Wow!  I don't think it's been this long between blog entries since I've started the blog!  Oh well, I wanted to take some time and enjoy the holidays.  We have, and now it's time to fill everyone in on what's been going on.

Last Tuesday we started on our journey to Texas.  We were a little apprehensive about taking two small children, one dog, two adults, four checked bags, and countless pieces of carry-on luggage halfway across the country.  We knew it was going to be an adventure and it certainly didn't disappoint. 

We got to the airport at about 9-ish in the morning.  My friend Hilary, who was also traveling this holiday season with two small kids on an airplane, suggested the brilliant idea of having Ian drop us off at the terminal with all of the luggage while he went and took the shuttle.  This worked out wonderfully because we didn't have to lug everything on the shuttle bus.  Piece of cake, if only the rest of the journey was quite that easy 

We checked in at the Air Tran counter and presented them with our bags.  We had dutifully weighed them in at home to make sure that they were under the 50 lb. weight maximum.  Two suitcases were fine, as was Evan's carseat, but then, we weighed my beast of a suitcase.  We put it on the scale and sure enough, it was 54 lbs!  Turns out getting up multiple times in the middle of the night for 7 months with a baby can wreak havoc on my ability to do math.  I had calculated the weight of my suitcase wrong...oops!  However, they not only said it was overweight, but oversize as well.  They kept taking out their tape measure, measuring the circumference and telling me that it was 1.5 inches too big.  Ughh!  That's an extra $98 dollars in baggage fees.  So, we pulled the suitcase off of the scale and got to work.  About 10 minutes later, with our smaller suitcase and carry-ons much fuller and an insane amount of clothing added to the pockets of my coat, the suitcase lost the necessary pounds and inches...phew!

After the check-in was the dreaded security check point.  However, we were anticipating the difficulties and were prepared.  We had the clear plastic bag for all of our liquids, and we practically breezed through without much difficulty.  One of the TSA agents even told us that we had done a good job, how nice.

We passed the time by watching airplanes and walking up and down the terminal until finally it was our turn to get on.  We gate checked the stroller through to Atlanta, the site of our layover, and boarded the plane.  It was at that moment that the flight attendant looked at my car seat.  He then told us that, even though we had flown with it countless times, since the stickers indicating it was approved by the FAA had fallen off, we would have to check it.  Ben could not sit in it even though we purchased a seat for him.  He would have to sit on our laps.  I couldn't believe it!  I guess they figured that no carseat at all was safer than my stickerless one.  To top it all off, when we arrived in Atlanta for our layover, we had the bottom part of the stroller that we had gate checked, but the car seat needed to go on top of it was checked through to San Antonio (or so we thought), so we still had no way to set down the baby while we were in Atlanta.  So frustrating!

After another long flight of holding a tired, fussy Benny in our arms we arrived in San Antonio.  We watched all of our luggage come around the carousel until there were no more bags.  There was still no car seat.  Why were we not surprised?  So, I went to the Air Tran counter to see what had become of it, and they informed me that it had safely arrived in Jacksonville, Florida!  Fortunately, they had a loaner carseat and delivered ours when it arrived back in San Antonio the next day. 

It was quite a journey here, and we are interested to see what adventures await us on the way home.  We have the necessary 35 pages of airline documentation recommended by our car seat manufacturer so the flight attendants can't take the car seat this time, so hopefully there will be no more confusion.  We'll let you know what happens. 

While our journeys were so chaotic, the trip to Texas was definitely worth it.  Take a look at the view that awaited us from our parents back porch...

What a trip!

Target

So, with the Christmas season in full swing we have made many exciting excursions to our local Super Target.  Usually, our shopping list includes a random assortment of things.  For example, our last list included a dog toy, big boy underwear, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cookie sprinkles, and nose hair trimmers.  It's always quite an exciting excursion with both boys in tow. 

We always seem to come home from Target with interesting stories.  On our most recent trip was no exception.   It was raining when we arrived.  The clouds were just departing and there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky.  I think that was the first rainbow that Evan had ever seen.  It had disappeared by the time we pulled in to the parking lot and I told him that it went back up into the sky.  He matter-of-factly said that he thought the "birds might find it" up in the sky.  I thought that was a very thoughtful observation.

So, after a little come-apart in the parking lot because our grocery store balloon managed to fly out the car door and up into the sky when we got out of the car, we headed in.  Evan was a little pacified when I told him that the balloon had probably flown on to Texas to see his grandparents.  We went in and did our shopping, including purchasing a nose hair trimmer for Daddy's Christmas. (Only a wife can get away with purchasing a nose hair trimmer for a Christmas present, but he did say he wanted it.) 

Anyway, Evan had to hold the trimmer and talk about it throughout the whole shopping trip.  We talked about how Daddy was going to use it, etc.  He was very excited and wanted to open it right away.  I stressed how it was a present for Daddy and he would need to keep it a secret until he opened it at Christmas.  So, I learned that toddlers are not very good at keeping secrets.  The next morning, I walk downstairs to hear Evan say to Ian that, "We got you a nose hair trimmer..."  Sigh...

At the end of our trip to Target we were in line.  I had Evan in the shopping cart and I was wearing Ben in his carrier.  As we were checking out, Ben grabbed the shopping list that I was holding and started playing with it.  As with most things, he started sticking it in his mouth.  I deterred him, he continued holding the list, and I finished checking out.  I walked out with the boys and arrived at the car.  I looked down, and where my shopping list was, I saw a little tiny slobbery shred of the list sticking out of his hand and the rest of the list was nowhere in sight.  So, I would like to assume that he just ripped it and the rest of it fell on the floor, but there is always the possibility that my baby ate my shopping list!

Like I said, heading to Target, or any errand with the boys is always quite entertaining.  The rest of our Christmas shopping should be very entertaining...

 

(the blabbermouth)

(the shopping list eater)

The Cookie Monsters

A new tradition has been started in our little playgroup.  Last year, all of Evan's friends came over and we decorated homemade gingerbread houses.  Ian and I spent days making them, and the boys spent a few minutes garnishing them with all manner of frosting and candy.  It was complete chaos to have all the kids in one house...fun, but chaos.  So, of course, this year, we decided we had to do it again.

This year, we didn't have time to create the architectural masterpieces that we did last year, so we stuck with cookies and frosting.  Everyone came over with some fun candies to pour on top, so we were set.  This year, some of the kids worked for a few seconds and were done, but for the most part they were more interested this year.  I had this image in my head of toddlers working hard to create beautiful cookies and then taking them home.  This did not happen.  Most of them had appendages of their gingerbread cookies in their mouth before we even had the decorations out.  Then, they had a ball dumping the sprinkles all over their cookies, smearing the frosting everywhere, and stuffing copious amounts of sugar in their mouths.  It was great!

Afterward, the kids enjoyed just playing, running around, and getting some energy out.  Some of them even had younger siblings join the party, and they hung out on the blankets and just took in all of the chaos.  Our little group of boys and girls, is still a quite active little group, but I love it.  It's great to see them all grow as little people and a group of friends.  Can't wait till next year!

(2009-A table shot-Nathaniel, Abe, Carson, and their mommies)

(2010-Aaron, Edward, Evan, Riley, and their helpers)

(2009-Evan decorates.)

(2010-Evan decorates.)

(2009-Edward samples the frosting.)

(2010-Edward continues to sample sweet treats.)

 

(2009-Carson helps his mom decorate.)

(2010-Carson helps the Offenbaker family decorate.)

(2009-Nathaniel directs some decorating.)

(2010-Nathaniel creates another work of art.)

(2009-chaos)

(2010-The chaos continues.)

(the next generation...)

Seven Months Old-Grrrr

Benny turned 7 months old this week!  As usual, I can't believe he is that big already.  He's doing more and more everyday and becoming such a big boy.  He's getting pretty good at sitting, loves to grab and investigate anything within reach, and is all about rolling over to his stomach although he has no desire to crawl yet. (Thank goodness)

The biggest development over the past couple of months is his introduction to solid foods.  We have a sneaking suspicion that he will be a better eater than his brother.  He really likes apples, pears, and yogurt while butternut squash, peas, and sweet potatoes are just okay.  He has great fun swiping at and grabbing Cheerios, apple puffs, and baby rice crackers.  He's gotten pretty good at actually getting them in his mouth. 

Benny's little personality is really coming out too.  Everyone who sees him comments that  he is the happiest baby they've ever seen.  He's always smiling and loves to look at new people.  His brother is the one who can get the biggest smiles out of him and they sit and laugh at their own private jokes all through lunch.  While Ben is a big smiler, he is also really sensitive.  Loud noises really bother him.  When something does upset him his lower lip actually comes out and starts to quiver before he bursts out into tears.  One of the cutest recent developments has been his growl.  He doesn't goo or babble that much, he just growls.  Sometimes we're a little scared at the noise, but it is pretty cute.

We love everyday we get to spend with our sweet little boy...now, if he would only sleep through the night!

(a few days old...)

(3 months old...)

(7 months old!)

Hard Work

So, the season of gift giving is upon us, and our family has been working hard to pick out just the right gift for everyone.  This past week, we were busy creating some secret presents for Daddy,  Gram and Gramps, and Grandma and Grandpa.  They look great, and Evan and Ben are very proud of them, but you'll just have to wait to see what they are.  Until then, this is the only clue you'll get...

The Meaning of a Tree

In the midst of the show showers outside, we decided to head out and get our Christmas tree.  With the skies heavy with snow, it was the perfect day for tree shopping.  Evan and Ben weren't too interested in making sure we had the perfect tree, so Ian and I chose one that we liked.  The boys enjoyed the process of getting the tree from its place in the row to the roof of our car.  Ben just took in the sights while Evan was thrilled with the chainsaw, tree-bagging machine, and all of the workers bustling around and doing their job.  He even got a candy cane while he watched!

(Evan liked this one, but it was a bit too big.)

(Daddy and Evan next to our tree)

(Ben and I next to the tree-Take a look at the family resemblance between each of us and our boys.)

We got home, did a little playing in the snow, and then it was time to decorate the tree.  I had already gotten all of the ornaments out and set them on the table for easy picking.  The boys were also cleaned and dressed in their fuzzy Christmas PJ's.  We even had glasses of hot chocolate to enjoy.  The stage was set.  Ben thought the twinkly lights were fun, and Evan had fun hanging a few, but his attention span was not too long.  However, he did enjoy hearing the stories about where all of the ornaments came from.

 (Evan hangs his tin of ornaments.)

 (Ben and I choose an ornament to hang.)

(Ooooh...Christmas tree)

(This one goes here...)

What we all really loved was seeing the tree up and decorated.  Since its been sitting in our living room Ben has stared at it, Ripple has chewed at the little reflections made by the ornaments on the ground, and Evan has thoroughly examined all of the ornaments hanging under 2 ft. high.  While all of the ornaments may not be color-coordinated and match, while each ornament may not hang in exactly the most visually pleasing location, it is beautiful none-the-less.  The tree means more than looking pretty and serving as a decoration.  To me it represents my family that decorated it, and each of the ornaments represent a piece of our lives together.  Each year, we add more ornaments to the tree and more wonderful experiences in our lives as a family. 

 

(This one is for our favorite team...)

(This one is a little piece of history...)

(This one was found on one of our adventures...)

(And this one just reminds us of something we enjoy...)

 

(This one marks an addition to our family...)

(So many stories on one tree!)

S*N*O*W

The holiday festivities have been in full swing at the Davis household.  We've been enjoying all kinds of fun holiday activities from reading holiday books to decorating the house to getting the tree, but more on that later.  We didn't know what could possibly happen to get us even more in the holiday spirit.  Then, we looked out the window after we had brought home the tree.  There were little snowflakes falling from the sky!  This is the second time in Evan's short life that it has snowed on the day he decorates the Christmas tree.

They were both napping when the snow started to fall, and I was afraid that it would stop before they woke up, but luckily they didn't nap for very long and the snow continued to come down.  After they woke up, we bundled them up in their winter woolies and went out to explore.  Ben loved just watching the flakes fall and tickle his nose while Evan just wanted to kick and throw and run through the snow. 

(The snow starts to fall...)

 (Rip explores the snow...)

 (Ben hitches a ride on Daddy...)

 (Fresh snow...bright eyes!)

(Show me more...)

Once we came back inside we warmed up, cleaned up, and moved on to some tree decorating, but that is a tale for another day...

Infant Scientist

Like father, like son.  So, we received a call a few months ago asking if Ben could participate in an infant research study at Duke.  Being the good science family that we are, we of course consented.  Last Friday was the big day.  We drove up to Duke.  We were even in a building directly across the street from where Ian did his science for so many years.  I filled out some paperwork, Benny got a picture with Pooh Bear, and we were ready to go.

His job was to sit in a room for about 10 minutes watching a couple of television screens.  They were studying infant's conceptions of time.  The screens both had dots on them.  On one screen, the dots varied in number, on the other they varied in size.  They wanted to see which screen held his attention.  He worked very hard, and did a great job.

We finished up.  They gave me $10 and Ben some toy keys to chew on and take home.  They even sent him home with an official certificate which you can see above--"Infant Scientist" -- Dad was so proud!

The Santa Train

Last year was our first Christmas in Durham as parents, so we were clearly out of the loop on some things.  One afternoon, I was in a Kindermusik class with Evan, someplace you're really not supposed to bring your cell phone.  However, I brought mine in that day because I was awaiting news about the arrival of my first nephew, Jack.  One of the other mothers saw the cell phone and heard that I was awaiting an important phone call.  "Oh, you must be waiting for a phone call from the Santa Train, right?" she said.  This was the first I'd heard of the infamous Santa Train at the Museum of Life and Science.

There's always a train at the museum, and Evan loved to ride it.  Well, in December they decorate the area and send the "Santa Train" to the "North Pole" to visit Santa.  The Santa Train runs in the evenings, and for some reason, this seems to be the most popular event for families in the area over the holidays.  Tickets typically sell out really quickly, which is, I guess, why the woman in Evan's music class thought I would be using my cell phone to call for tickets during class. 

Since we were members of the museum this year, I decided to take advantage of the fact that we could purchase the Santa Train tickets early, and we got our tickets.  We told Evan all about it, and boy was he excited.  As I said earlier, he loves trains.  So, on December 1, just after the weather had made a distinct turn towards winter, we headed on up the the museum.

(Evan gets very excited about trains!)

The first thing that I noticed, other than the fact that I had forgotten my coat, was the fact that they had lights and holiday decorations everywhere.  Evan loved looking at these, especially the inflatable train.  He kept wanting to ride it, and we had to inform him that this train was not actually the Santa Train.  We headed in and did some crafts that they had set up to do while we waited for our specific train time.  Evan was a bit preoccupied and overwhelmed by the whole set up, so Ian ended up making most of the "reindeer food" and tree topper.  He would, of course, have nothing to do with the face painting.

(Evan and Ian make a tree topper.)

(Ben checks everything out.)

So, we headed on over to the main attraction, the line for the actual train.  During all of this time, Benny had been happily riding in his stroller.  We had brought a bottle for him which he had been happily refusing, but Ian doggedly continued to try as we waited for the train to come.  When it finally pulled up, twinkle lights shining, everyone cheered.

(Benny enjoys his bottle while we wait in line.)

(Somebody borrowed by gloves!)

We hopped on for what we were sure would be a chilly, but thankfully short ride.  I happily snuggled down with Evan on my lap really wishing that I had remembered my coat, and Ian held Ben.  I don't think six months is the optimal age for train rides because Ben screamed most of the time.  We headed down to the train's turnaround point, just a couple minutes ride.  At that point they had set up a little "North Pole".  We didn't leave the train, but an elf came by and handed us a candy cane while Santa visited each child individually and asked what they wanted for Christmas.  Evan was a bit shy, but he told Santa what we wanted (and fortunately we have already purchased it and it is waiting in our garage).

(On the train)

(The North Pole)

(SANTA!)

After the quick greeting, we breezed back to the train station, catching a brief glimpse of Rudolph and his red nose dancing in the woods (a laser light).  Once we got back we headed straight for the hot chocolate station and enjoyed it under a heat lamp.  It was the perfect toddler-sized outing.  Evan had a great time, Ben came around and didn't have a terrible time, and we all thought it was a great way to start off the holiday season!