Deck The Halls

We put our tree up over the weekend. Yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet. You can see my previous post for my justification. :)

When Adam first opened the big box we keep the tree in, Jay got excited and said "tis tis tree!" I couldn't believe he knew what it was. It wasn't even put together yet. And I didn't think he knew what a Christmas tree even was.

He wanted to help through the whole process. When Adam was putting the stand together Jayden was carrying heavy tree pieces across the room. He was signing build. He brought the top part over and told Adam it goes on top.

When Adam put the first ornament on the tree, Jayden ran to the kitchen and got a dish towel to hang  on it, which I found hilarious.

We gave him some soft ornaments he could put on the tree. 

But he got bored pretty quick and went up to this room and got his tunnel out.

And played with his parking garage.

And then there were snacks.

And he found the Nook.

 

And by that point he had really forgotten all about the tree. 

Since then he has left it alone for the most part. Except for crawling under it a few times to get to where the cat was sleeping. The first time he did it, I had no idea where he was. I could hear his muffled voice and then I realized he was behind the tree saying "Mommy! Stuck! Tree! Cat!"

 

Christmas Starts Now

I know I am supposed to complain that radio stations are already playing Christmas music and the stores are flooded with holiday decorations. Grumble, grumble.

But, I love it.

I am so excited for Christmas this year!! I feel like a little kid again.

Last weekend was our big leaf raking weekend (okay, so Adam and Jayden raked leaves and I worked on Etsy orders.) I could not stop thinking about Christmas the whole time so I asked Adam what he thought of putting the tree up early. He said we had to deal with the massive amounts of leaves in our small yard before dealing with the Christmas tree but we could do it next weekend. I was surprised he didn't give me a hard time about waiting until after Thanksgiving.

So the time has come! We are putting our tree up this weekend!! I am so excited. I can't wait to see what Jayden thinks of it all. I can't wait for him to see it all lit up and help put the ornaments on the tree.

Also, our Christmas cards came in the mail this week! I got a good Groupon deal but part of the deal was that I had to use it in the beginning of November.  We didn't get pictures done professionally this year so I just brought Jay out in the backyard and took some pictures with my (old/not very good) camera. You can tell the pictures weren't done professionally, but the cards still look really cute and I can't wait to  mail them.

I've also been putting a lot of thought into Christmas shopping and Black Friday deals. How many of you go out for Black Friday? I am on the lookout for Lego sales because I want to get Jay a couple Duplo sets. 

The other morning when the toddlers I watch got dropped off, their Dad asked if we are "those people" because Adam had put Pandora on the Christmas music station. Haha, yes, we are those people! Just wait until he sees the tree up when he comes on Monday.

But, don't worry, we are not forgetting Thanksgiving. I have photographic proof:

Our front door-

 Our fireplace mantel-

Oh, and I can't forget the turkey Jayden painted-

Yes, I Know It Is February

I didn't blog about Christmas because of all of the job related bad news that happened right after. I just wasn't in a good place and couldn't do it. But, now I want to. Yeah, I know it's February. :)

Ben and I hanging out.

Grandpa as Santa's Helper!

Cousins

I love how Ben is all turned around and stretching to see Jayden.

DANCING

Jayden kept everyone entertained with his dancing.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Jayden was actually interested in opening his presents. It was so fun to watch him ripping the paper open.

Once you take the toys out, this box makes a nice canoe.

Hehe. Look at Ben's face.

Signing "baby." He signed baby everytime he saw Ben. Especially if Ben cried- he was very concerned that someone needed to take care of the baby.

Jayden loves hanging out with Uncle Eric.

Ben got one of those frogs that holds bath toys. Jayden has the same one and he was so confused why Uncle Arthur had his bath frog. He kept signing that he wanted his bath toys out of it. Finally Grandpa took him into the bathroom to see his frog and pick a toy out.

This picture if from Halloween. He loved this Frankstein. You press it down and he pops back up and makes a noise or says Happy Halloween.

My Mom got this doll for him for Christmas and as soon as he opened it, he tried pushing it's head down. I didn't understand what he was doing at first, but then we realized the doll has the same hair as Frankenstein. When he saw the hair, he must have thought it was the same kind of toy. I also got him a doll, but he only does it with this one. He still tries it every once in a while.

*Note- Usually the pacifier is only allowed for sleeping, but he was sick and it was late by the time we opened presents, so we made a pacifier exception :)

I love these pictures my brother took, but you can really see how sick he was over the holidays.

Aunt Christy reading The Monster At The End Of This Book on the ipad. Jayden loved it.

In this picture Jayden has an ipad, a blackberry, and an iphone. Uncle Eric is the coolest.

Dancing on New Years Eve

He actually has a wide variety of "moves" but I think he was a little overwhelmed by everyone! Still a cute video :)

Thank you for letting me blog about Christmas in February :)