Callum very proudly identified this large, blinking letter C. "C is for Callum!" he shrieked. 
Jude loved it, too, even though this picture doesn't really illustrate as much.
The trouble is, romping around learning science is really tiring. It means you have to put on your shades (a new, completely perplexing thing.) and nap in the car on the drive home.
Now, we are gearing up for the countdown to a new year!
Grandma Crowley's birthday is on Christmas Eve but we celebrated with them on Boxing Day (otherwise known as the day after Christmas). We also got to open more (!!) gifts. 
I played soccer with grandad.
And, sang Happy Birthday on my new cd player (that I'm crazy about!).
And, I thoroughly enjoyed my new bean bag chair (which is also an ocean, and a teacher's seat, and a parking garage in case that isn't obvious.)
Papa was determined to build a snowman despite the fact that the snow wasn't very packable. 
He talked to him at great length and gripped his stick hand. He also insisted we sing to Malcolm before 'leaving' him outside alone. 
Unfortunately, the rain washed him away a few days later but Kieran told Cal that he left, to go to his home with other snowman so everything is ok.
There is a whole lot of watching. And, we see it. We're watching him, the little brother, watching his older brother. So intently and so eagerly.
Sometimes he finds it funny and sometimes...
with fierce concentration.
And, then we see him try to hurry up and BE like his older brother. There is no rush, baby, no rush.
lots of yakking,
lots of chocolate,
lots of time enjoying the snow,
lots of fun new books and
LOTS of crazy, goofy time! Wonderful Christmas.
We had a glorious snow last weekend and awoke to a snow-covered world. Cal was happy to don his snowpants and firefighter boots and make merry in the snow. And, so were we! Everyone was also happy because it ensured a white Christmas. 
Hi! 
Cal wore his firefighter costume pretty much the whole party. We don't like it during Halloween but we pretty much want to wear it at all other times!
You start with hot cocoa...
Then, read (or eat) a holiday book...
Then, one ornament at a time you decorate the tree...
And, eventually, turn on the lights and enjoy! Welcome December.
Not really. But, we did struggle to pull him away from the computer...oh, the next generation.
