Merry, Merry!

Christmas was made of memories this year.

We started celebrating about 3 weeks ago, but the festivities were kicked up a notch in the past 48 hours. We had front row seats at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve mass where Jane sang "the people of the bus go up and down," most of the mass and, as Lizzy pointed out, people in church do go up and down.

Jeni May joined us with Matt's family after for a chili party. A tribute to Frannie Carto, my neighbor from Mansfield who always hosted the most wonderful Christmas Eve celebrations.

After the party we were busy elves and then, with a night shorter than we would hope, we were onto Christmas morning! Turner was adorable in exclaiming, "It's just what I always wanted!" and Jane made us laugh with a big "ho, ho, ho."

We traveled out to Shrewsbury for the day, first stopping at Nana's nursing home for one of the most touching Christmas moments I've seen: A room full of song and cheer as she clapped and sang along in her 95th year.

Finally, an afternoon full of Christmas movies, jogs, games and a delicious meal. Hank's been a little under the weather, but in true Hanky fashion was happy to be dragged around and held by many loving hands. These pictures capture some of the highlights from the past few days! Merry Christmas everyone.

Snow is one of our favorite things especially when it falls through the night and you wake up to a blanket inviting a sled ride to D&D!

Christmas is on its way - and especially this year it has been a slow building crescendo. We enjoyed our yearly tradition of the Nutcracker at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts on Thursday. The audience laughed pretty hard when Janey let out a big "oh-oh" when the Mouse King and "Nut caaker" fell. Turner loved the scene with the boys and swords and although he grew a little restless in the last duet, the next day asked 'Can we go again tonight?" Here are some pictures of the after party with the Dullea's and friends.







Finally, Jane's language continues to grow and recently she has learned two qualifying terms that are adding a challenge to our days. The words, "that" and "both," seem insignificant until you consider them coming from a 2 year old. For example: Jane, we've got to go this way - "No, THAT way." Jane sit down, "No, THAT chair." Jane, Turner was playing with that, would you like to play with the blocks or the legos? "BOTH."





Perhaps the biggest gift of the snow is the invitation to stay warm and cozy inside! I've realized recently that I can be as busy or not busy as I choose to be - in some ways :) - so today feels like a gift to sit, sleigh and sip instead of rush. May these final days of Advent be a blessing to you!

A few short stories

My anatomy & physiology final is tomorrow and my mind feels like there is a massive sorting game happening inside of it - I'm taking a break tonight and as I drift off to sleep here are a few stories from this week...

Jane and Turner building legos:

Jane gives Turner a lego piece and coaches him, "Say 'Yeah, Yeah' Nurner."
Turner says, "Thank you Jane. I say it differently than you do. You know, we speak different languages. You speak Naney and I speak American."

She also chased him around the house yesterday demanding that he put the hat back on the lego man who was driving a car that he'd built. "Hat guy, hat guy, hat guy, hat guy." She repeated this over 200 x's as I signed the contract to have our sky light fixed - the look on every contractor that we've had in here is priceless. Turner, as sweet as ever, finally broke down and rebuilt the car so that it would be tall enough to fit the guy in with his hat.


Oh - and as promised, here's a picture of Desperado - the rat I had to dissect for my muscle final -

Happy Birthday Gamma!

and as a special treat, Matt shaved his dreadful beard just for you (okay maybe for me.)



We love you!

SNOW!

We had a great time for 45 minutes in the snow - plus Matt had a 1/2 day b/c of a snow day at the school. We love snow - and the hot chocolate that follows.

Turner

I've had quite a few internal smiles over the past few days about Turner and thought I'd share. It's moments like these where I can see him becoming -

As we watched the Nutcracker (preparing for our annual outing next week) - I'm scared! Mom, is he going to get him? How do you know how it's going to end? Did the mouse king wear pads so he didn't get hurt?

When the first snow fell, Turner came out of his room and said, "I'm sooo glad that winter came."

To Jane the other day: "Janey, I hope you never learn too much about wars - they are very serious."

He played weeble wooble hockey yesterday in his room for almost an hour - raindeer vs. santa with a toy car as the puck.

He's started writing his first letters - over thanksgiving he made ornaments for people and figured out to spell Aunt Marty - ant mt and yesterday during quiet time he made a sign for me "no coming into my room." very funny.

He cheers for "Hanky" whenever Hank spits up, rolls over, grabs onto something.

He came bounding out of his room yesterday at 7:05 with his new boots on - all dressed and ready for the day! I was still sleeping and he says to me, "Mom, Jane and I are awake."

And yesterday, "Mom is God making you a new baby?" Only the oldest can get away with a question like that :)

He is adorable as he explores this time in life!

Christmas is coming...

the goose is getting fat! - This song is in my head all day long because Matt keeps singing it :).

We had our 2nd annual tree outing today with Jim and Katie from downstairs. I have a new respect for loggers - ouch! said my biceps. Jane was weary of Santa - keeping a safe distance from the loud man in the white beard unless I was with her. Turner was a pro this year - stating directly what he would like - football gear and a patriots helmet. Last year you might remember that he choked when it was his turn and said that he wanted a train. Moments later he realized that under the pressure he had recycled his 2 year old answer and was very disappointed. Thankfully, Santa heard his 2nd answer for star wars figures too.







Also, last night we took Turner to see the Black Nativity at Boston's Temple Church with the boys from Matt's school. It was written by Langston Hughes 40 years ago - impressive to think of the history in Boston at that time. A special night it was being with just little Turner. He fell soundly asleep just after Jesus was born.