Snow in NC brings sentimental puffs

We're in a winter weather storm advisory for pretty much all day today. Not to worry, the snow won't stick around for long. It's Sunday today and the temperatures are projected to be in the 60s by the end of the week.

There isn't a better feeling than being at home with those that matter the most and not needing anything. We're downstairs with the space heaters running, watching movies on Netflix instant queue on the Xbox and Caleb is busily playing with all of his toys that Santa brought.

Hopefully one day, Caleb will read this and realize how much thought we've put into this. Jay was not raised believing in Santa. In his world, his mother provided everything. In our childhood, while there were definately years where we knew but went along with the magic anyways, we believed that if we stayed up late enough, we would hear the bells from Santa's sleigh on Christmas eve. We would wake up really early and go downstairs to see the presents under the tree before our parents woke up. Michelle and I would attempt breakfast (which always included pancakes and eggs) and then would rouse our parents to begin the day of presents.

Yes, presents were not supposed to be the highlight, but to us, it represented just how well we knew each other. My mother would be pragmatic and hint at stuff that she liked. My dad was never happy unless we got a really good deal on a gift. Otherwise, he would scoff "don't waste your money on me. Save it and buy something that you really want". To this day, I register surprise when I realize that my sister may know me better than I know myself (at times) even though we are so far apart.

So while Jay and I are in opposing views on the belief of Santa and exactly how much we should support the fantasy, we both agree that it's an important part of his childhood and his happiness and the memories he needs to sustain him through life is the most important thing.

So now I'm sitting in our living room watching the snow outside and I'm thankful for all the things that we have and am just enjoying the company. The year has flown by, largely influenced by my recent job change to IBM, I feel like I have to constantly remind myself that no matter how important work is with all the energy it takes to stay on top of things, Caleb's happiness and growth is the ONLY thing that matters.

Let's chalk my nostalgia to being lucky enough to have so much time off, the pondering of new years resolutions, re-prioritizing, and the re-examination of our own personal goals. I now have begun a big ol' sentimental puff.

Kristi's Shower

Kristi's baby shower! All of us 'co-hosted' the shower for Kristi...Angela made that cake!

Halloween at the Sennet House!

This year we threw our first Sennet Halloween Costume Party! All the adults got into the spirit (why should Halloween only be for little trick or treaters?) and we ended the night playing American Idol and Rock Band. I was so happy to see everybody....it's been awhile since we were all in a group together.

Halloween Party

We went to a Halloween party last weekend and it was a hoot! We (as in the adults) had so much fun! Jay was a "pimp" and I was the cop that was on his payroll, and the Styon's were the "Cullens" from Twilight.

State Fair 2010

As per our annual tradition, we all went to the State Fair last weekend. We didn't overdo ourselves this year with the food and Caleb had 2 ears of roasted corn and fried chicken gizzards! (To be fair, Caleb had no idea what they were and I supplied generous doses of ketchup...)

Olympic Torch!

We went to the International Festival in Raleigh this past weekend and they had a Canadian booth there....with the Olympic Torch! Too bad Caleb's eyes are half-closed but he did get to hold it!

Braids!

Our neighbor braided Caleb's hair for the first time today and she said that he did so good! He looks a little glum in that picture because his scalp was still sore and he wanted me to "make it like before"...

We convinced him that he looks so handsome that way and that his preschool teacher wanted to see his hair too so he reluctantly let Jay put on a skull cap on him so that he can sleep and the braids won't come undone.

After we were home for awhile, he made it upstairs and started checking his braids in the mirror. He was so pleased with himself and now he's agreed that he likes them too. (We'll see :))

It's a welcome change from the 'crazy' hair that he had been sporting :)

Zoo Visit!

A group of us went to the NC Zoo today and had a very exhausting but very fun day. It was our first time there and we were surprised at the variety of animals that they had there. The group consisted of the Styon, Wallace and Sherron family. We also brought along our new neighbor, Jacob who played wonderfully with all the kids.

An outing like this reminds us of what's important in life is to be able to do and enjoy the company of all our friends and family. We've grown close to this particular group this past year and I look forward to many more outings!

Weekends

One of our favorite things to do on the weekend is breakfast. Caleb loves pancakes, waffles and eggs and it gives us time to eat together as a family. Weekdays are so rushed that we hardly ever do dinner at the table anymore

And this is Caleb being a goof. :)

First Flag Football practice and game!

Today was Caleb's first flag football practice and game! It was crazy hot out there and the coaches were super cool with the kids as they ran off and started drifting away. I was surprised at how they actually were able to organize a game for this age group.

Caleb cried for the first while....he usually reacts like that when put into a large group and unfamiliar with the setting. Plus, he had never had a mouthguard on and since they don't let you on the field unless you had a mouthguard on, he kept taking it out and putting it in his pocket saying that it was choking him.

I remember my Mom putting me into all sorts of classes to expose me to other kids since I was so shy. I guess it all worked out. :)

I love this picture...it's worth the 2 hours we had to sit out in the full sun on a saturday morning :)

M&M

We ran into Krogers to get eggs (3 18count cartons for $5!) and there was an M&M display that Caleb really wanted a picture with....so here it is...

btw, we have been depressingly low on pictures. The reason is that my kodak easyshare camera is on its last legs. We brought it in to BestBuy and Wolf Camera and they both said that repairing it would not be worth the cost...so I'm settling for pics from my phone in the meantime. :)

Playing Dress-Up

We got a chance to dress up for Luke and Maria's NC wedding receiption. We took a picture with the happy couple as well (but it's really blurry!)

First Day of Pre-K

Last Friday was Caleb's first day of Pre-K at Kindercare. For the next year, he'll be getting used to the schedules and rhythms of Kindergarten before he actually starts. It's a 20 to 1 count (between kids versus teachers) and he'll be exposed to many many more kids his age.

If only he knows how for the next 20 years, he'll be in school! :)

Moving to Building 060

Moving day from building 203 to 060!

Night Out

We had a date night on Saturday where we went out to eat and went dancing....here are the pics. Caleb spent those hours at our neighbors' house and when we rolled up around 1:30am, a second later he was walking down the driveway. He already had his shoes on and everything. I was so surprised that he was awake at all! This Friday Caleb starts Pre-K at Kindercare. My little boy's getting so big!