Preschool Christmas Fun

One Saturday before Christmas the boys' school had a preschool Christmas morning. So, for about 2 hours they had Christmas crafts and music set up geared especially for preschoolers.

Mr. Tambourine Man enjoying some Christmas music.

Surprised Luke in mid song :)
Sweet Eli too!

Luke and Nathan LOVED the puppets!

Very sweet 5th grade boy took a lot of time with Luke after the puppet show.

Pure joy!

So, I have to include some more details, to laugh about later. Part of the activities included five or six big plywood scenes of the Nativity, you know the kind you can stick your head through and you look like a wise man or shepherd or camel? The plan was to get our pictures taken and then leave. Not quite what happened. Nathan decided to check out the back of one of the scenes and knocked it over, causing a domino effect on three or four of the scenes. Luckily, no one got hurt. The entire place went silent and all eyes came to rest on our sweet family. Let's just say we did not wait for our pictures. Fun times!

Luke's Program

This year the boys began attending the preschool at Hunter's Glen Baptist Church. It was hard to make the change from the Methodist church where they had gone to school for the last two years but it's turned out to be really wonderful. They are learning so much and so much about the Bible too. I could not be happier. One thing the teachers did with Luke this year is have a Christmas program. The three and four year old children all sang 4 or 5 Christmas songs. It was so cute! I wondered how Luke would do because whenever I would try to get him to practice with the CD as the teachers requested, he refused and told me that the music was for school! Luke really did a wonderful job. He sang (sometimes very loudly!) and did many of the motions. I was so proud of course and so thankful he is in a place where he can learn and grow and is really valued. We got great video of the performance but not many pictures and certainly not any good pictures. But, since I won't post the video, I wanted to get something in the blog about it.

Waiting for the program to start.

The beautiful sanctuary.
Terrible picture but there he is, on the front row.

So very proud of you Luke Wilson!

Christmas Parade

This year we took the boys to their very first parade. It was the Plano Christmas parade. We decided to go at the last minute and were totally unprepared for the cold weather. The boys were mesmerized and we ended up staying for the entire thing.

Eli was so cold his eyes were watering.
The favorite of course!

Lots of waving and "Merry Christmas!"

The boys were a candy magnet! We all came home with pockets overflowing with candy.

Sick Baby

In early December Eli came down with a fever and had to stay home from school all week. Fortunately, my classes had ended and I was able to work from home that week. I am sorry Eli was sick but I sure enjoyed spending all week with him. He was the most wonderful sick baby! So that Eli and I did not have to get out in the mornings, Jeff took the big boys to school for me. As you can see, they were crushed Mom was not taking them!

Sweet as can be but looks a little sick :(

Handsome boy!

Getting ready to pick up the big boys. This was Friday and he was finally fever free.
This was that same week. Nathan loves to put this candle stick in his mouth and calls it his trumpet!

Eli's Dedication

Saturday night was very special. It was the night Eli was dedicated to the Lord. Pastor Brooks did the dedication and much of our family was there. It was great to have so many of our family members there to share in this special prayer for Eli. We did not get many pictures but, thanks to Papa, got a few. Besides the prayer, Pastor Brooks said what a sweet spirit Eli has. I agree and was very pleased that he sensed it too.

Eli with Pastor Brooks.

Here we all are, during the prayer. Very cute attempt by Luke to close his eyes but still watch.
We love you Eli Cooper Wilson and so very thankful God gave you to us.

Visiting Santa

Monday is one of the days each week that I get to spend all day with the boys. Some Mondays are better than others! This past Monday was great! We were able to take the boys to visit Santa. Much to our delight (and surprise), no one cried! We had talked it up to Luke and Nathan, especially Nathan, because last year Nathan screamed when we took pictures with Santa. Monday during lunch turned out to be a great time to visit Santa. There was practically no line and the boys were able to spend a little time with Santa. Nathan did great until Santa started talking directly to him, then he got a little upset. When we walked up, I felt Eli's hands grip my shirt so I really thought we were in for it! But, he did fine. Luke has gotten to where he talks to everyone so he had no trouble telling Santa what he wants!

Before we left to meet Jeff, the boys and I made cookies. Here they are watching them bake.

The pans became a source of great fun (for 30 minutes anyway).

And, with Santa!

An after Santa lunch with Daddy.

Now I know why Eli's cheeks were so red. I ended up picking him up from school early Tuesday because he came down with a fever and congestion. No source identified but he's on the mend now.

Nine Months!

On November 23 Eli turned 9 months old! I waited to do this post until he had his 9 month checkup. It was yesterday.

First, his stats:

Weight: 16.4 pounds (3%)

Height: 28 inches (45%)

HC: 45.2 cm (50%)

So, we still have a light weight on our hands! I was happy to see that his height is fine. Eli's doctor (Uncle Jimmy!) said if Eli continues at this pace, when he reaches 18 years old, he will be 5'9" and 120 pounds! Ha! Hopefully Eli will put on some weight in the coming months and years!

Eli is still a wonderful baby. I really could not ask for more from him. Sometimes I wonder if he is so much easier than the other two boys because I have more experience. I think really it's a combination of things. I'm more experienced, Eli has a lot of entertainment and he's just a good baby. As far as development goes, he's making more sounds, adding the nananana sound to his repertoire of mamamamama and dadadadada! He is sure to put in his two cents when other people are talking! Eli loves to pat Nathan's head when Nathan puts his head in Eli's lap. Eli loves peek-a-boo and being startled. He will play with most any toy the big boys put in front of him but especially loves the Little People fire truck and bus. He's getting to be more mobile now that he can turn all the way around on his bottom, rolls easily and gets on his tummy to reach for things. He's even made a few attempts to pull up on his own. I try to imagine what it will be like when he's mobile! My life has become a series of phases, good or bad, and I try to remember that when we are in a tough one! The thing I like most about Eli is that even though he is easy going, he's not a push over (although he does get pushed over by Nathan several times a week). Unlike the other two boys at this age, when someone takes a toy from him, he gets really upset and lets you know it! I love it! He will be one tough little boy. Eli is becoming a real litlle person and it's so amazing to watch him and see who he will become.