Harlem Globetrotters....

Ben being as into basketball as he is (and Simon following close behind), I leapt on a Groupon that circulated a couple weeks ago for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Turns out, when you buy Groupon tickets to something, the odds of ending up in seats they created at the venue JUST for the Groupon (read: really crappy seats with an obstructed view) are very high.

But, as it turned out, the kids had a decent view (better than the people two seats down whose view was entirely obstructed by the basket... boy were THEY ticked....) and they really enjoyed the whole thing. Ben probably more so than Simon. Even Jonathan thought parts were funny.

All in all it was a fun experience and the kids were happy. I was just sort of frustrated that Groupon sold these seats for $40 when they really should have been maybe $15.

The boys tried their first funnel cake while we were there.... Ben, declared, as he licked the plate clean, "Next time we go to Disney World, I'm TOTALLY getting the funnel cake."

Christmas 2013....

As I say year after year.... we came. We saw. We Christmased.

Christmas Eve we went to church at 3:30 in the afternoon at the church where we have been members since Simon was born, but haven't gone to in forever. The church closest to us which have tried a few times wasn't having their service until 5:30 or 6 and we had plans at 6 with Tom's grandparents, so 3:30 it was.  Turned out to be a perfect service for the kids, complete with electric candles for them for the candlelight part, cute videos about Christmas the kids had mad and kids leading the singing. They loved it... even Jonathan. The music and the candle kept him entertained the entire time.  REALLY have to try to get back in the new year. (It's hard when you have three kids in a row with debilitating separation anxiety.... but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel there....)

We stopped at Panera to kill some time afterward.... the boys each had a cookie and a drink... then we headed over to Tom's grandparents' house.

Babby had set up a light-up bowling set for the kids and they went nuts over it. I love how she keeps a few little toys at her house for when they visit. They remember and look forward to this too. :)

Eventually, Tom's aunt showed up with cousin Rachel.... and Nanee, Pap, Uncle Taylor, Aunt Sarah and Cousin A.

Rachel showing the boys funny cat videos.... LOL. 

Babby gave Simon a "Simon" and it was the hit of the evening.....

Attempt at a cousins pic...

We got home around 8 and everyone got in bed and fell asleep in record time!  After they were asleep, Santa came!

Everyone on the bridge upstairs Christmas morning....

And here's the running down the stairs pic!

Gift opening ensued....

Poppy helped Ben put together his telescope and get his microscope up and running....

There was a concert.....

Davey Jones got a present from Jonathan....

More Simon was played....

Pictures were taken....

Simon got a desk from Grandmom, Poppy and Aunt Deb..... and I think it's his favorite gift ever....

A mess was left....

And we left the mess there and headed over to Nanee and Pap's for more Christmas!

The family is getting HUGE. And there is another cousin on the way anytime now!

Ben hung with the toddlers some more...  he is going to make an awesome babysitter in the next few years!

Hard to tell these two apart from the top and the back... LOL! Lots of blondies in this family....

Lots more gifting happened.... food was eaten... kids melted down. 

In the end, it was a lovely day.... we all went home and crashed! And another Christmas has come and gone.... on to 2014!

Visit to Valley View....

Cramming in some last-minute Christmasing this weekend at Valley View Farms! The boys were initially not thrilled about this idea, but ended up loving it. Ben looked high and low for a taco ornament (he's obsessed with tacos right now) and found everything but. LOL. Oh well... next year!

Oh and did I mention it was about 70 degrees yesterday? Wacky!

2013 Christmas Card....

Our 2013 Christmas Card... keeping the tradition alive..... LOL.

Preschool Pageant #5....

Friday was the annual preschool Christmas pageant. We had a year off last year because the 2s don't participate, but this year, it was back to the fun. Jonathan chose to be a star early on in the preparation stage and stuck with it even though I kept telling him he should be Joseph. (Joseph and Mary get the most stage-time and photo opportunities for parent paparazzi.) ;)   We've never had a Joseph in our family.... we've had an angel, another star and a couple kings, if I remember correctly.  ;)

As the kids filed in, I heard a familiar crying sound. I stood up and could see J was hysterical in the back. I knew it would be hit or miss but I had heard he'd been really into it during the rehearsals, so I was hopeful. I was actually just about to go back and get him when he stopped.  He ended up filing in with the other stars and standing next to another crying classmate. He didn't really participate, but he stood there with his teacher and didn't cry, so that's something. LOL!

It was short and sweet, as usual. Got some cute pics and went down to the classroom for the little party. Jonathan was thrilled to be sprung from school early, of course!

On stage

My little star. :) 

This was afterward and he just wanted to get the heck off the stage... LOL!

Sweet little class.....

Having some ice cream for breakfast! 

I was so looking forward to this little Christmas gift I knew was coming! :) Ben made one when he was three and I bring it out every Christmas. 

Jonathan and Mrs. P

Cookie Day and Tree Decorating at Nanee and Pap's....

Snow thwarted this for a day... but it worked out in the end. :) We missed cousins Alek and Anastasia who were there the night before for a sleepover.