Christmas

"All my mom wants for Christmas is a Silent Night" is what Landon's shirt read Christmas Eve, and he fullflilled my wish; however, at 3:15 am I heard Lofton saying, "I hear something." I went in Lofton's room and he shot up and told me that he heard Santa. He desperately wanted to get up, but I told him that Santa hadn't come yet, so about an hour and a half later, Lofton finally fell back to sleep. Landon slept until 5:45, but fortunately, Phillip and my parents took him. I got to go back to bed until 7am when Lofton woke up again. Lofton ran in the living room and started ripping open packages. It took awhile, but he finally noticed that Santa had eaten all but one half of a cookie, so Lofton ate it while opening presents. Lofton loved all of his things, and Landon loved eating the wrapping paper. It was such a fun morning. Phillip of course made cinnamon rolls and shortly after he made a huge brunch. Unfortunately, Mimi and Pop Pop had to leave Christmas morning, but not before Pop Pop put together some toys and hung up my new picture frames. After they left, we spent the morning just playing games and playing with all of the boys' toys. Ann and her mom came over around 2:00 for a visit, and Ann gave Lofton a card with money. When he opened it, he said, "Look! We can go get MORE presents;" he catches on quickly. When Ann left, we loaded up and headed for Grandfather's house. Lofton and Landon both slept on the way there, and Lofton even slept for about another hour once we got there. Grandfather and Lofton played, and AGAIN, Lofton opened presents. Christmas was so magical this year; I hate for it to be over, but of course, I have already taken down all signs of the holiday; I can't stand it a minute after Christmas. Lofton was sad to see it be put up, but he said, "Now, is it time for Halloween?"

Twas the Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, we hosted the McConnell Christmas party. Everyone came over around 1pm for lunch and of course, Lofton's favorite- presents. Before everyone arrived, Lofton was exhausted and in need of a nap, but as soon as Grandfather came in, and Lofton realized the fun in store,and he got his second wind. In fact, he got a third and fourth too, because I couldn't hardly get him to bed. (If I did not play the Santa card, I don't know when he would've wound down.) But, back to the party... it was crazy but fun. We can't even imagine what next year holds for us; all five cousins will be walking around! This year, Maggie Leigh and Lofton were the only two walking around, and they had fun; Lofton especially loved knocking sleeping Grandfather's hat off of his head and hiding and leaving Maggie to stand there looking guilty. However, Maggie never got caught, Grandfather did not even know what was going on, and he did not know until I told him the next day. It was a whirlwind for him and everyone else.

After most everyone left, Lofton made cookies for Santa. He had so much fun licking the rolling pin and eating dough. After the baking was done, we put out reindeer dust for Rudolph, and then we slowly started winding down for bed. I had to read about six books and tell him a couple of stories, but he finally fell asleep in anticipation that Santa would come soon.

Class Christmas Party

Lofton's much anticipated class Christmas party was on December 14th. Mrs. Teri pulled out all the stops with her Polar Express themed party. Lofton and his class enjoyed making gingerbread trains, visiting with Santa, eating lots of sweets, and of course, opening gifts. Landon also enjoyed the fun; he devoured a cookie.

You Gotta Love the South

There is nothing greater than playing outside all day in 70 degree weather in December. On December 11, we enjoyed a day of fun in the sun. Lofton, Landon, and I went outside around 9:30 am, and we did not call it a day until dark. Lofton and his friends went non stop with the exception of a break for a picnic. It was great!

Happy Birthday, Momma

For my 31st birthday, Phillip and the boys took me to Kabuto Japanese Steak House for dinner. Surprisingly, it was a relaxing dinner because the boys were entertained the entire time. Lofton really enjoyed the experience; he used his chopsticks to eat french fries. What a memory!

Playing Dress Up

Recently, Ella spent a Saturday afternoon with us, and she and Lofton played really well together. In fact, they played well with Landon, too. Ella and Lofton decided to play dress up, and midway through the action, Ella suggested dressing Landon up. So, I put Landon in his Santa costume. There is one picture of Ella in reindeer antlers with Landon as Santa and Lofton as Spiderman. Ella told Lofton that since he wasn't dressed for Christmas that he couldn't be in the picture, but I suggested that Lofton was a toy to be delivered to a good boy, and she said, "That's a great idea, Carmen." It was such a fun afternoon of dressing as Batman, Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman, a train conductor, and Santa that Ella suggested that the next time they play dress up at her house, and she told Lofton that he could "dress up in her princess dresses."

Some Serious Skating

On December 2nd, Lofton went to his first skating party. Our neighbor, Presley Green, had her 15th birthday party at the skating rink, and Lofton loved it. He did have fun skating or being pulled around the rink rather, but even more, he loved chasing Presley and her friends around the rink with his tennis shoes on. It was a fun night.

Keep Checking

Hey everyone! Unfortunately, I have not been able to post anything lately because our Internet at home is down. Hopefully, things will slow down for Phillip, and he will get it working soon. A lot has been going on lately. Landon turned eight months old yesterday; I can't believe how quickly he is growing up; I'll be planning his birthday party soon. For those of you who are wandering, he is going for his second eye appointment at Vanderbilt in January. At this appointment we should know when his surgery will be. I feel much better about the situation though; we went for a second opinion, and this doctor explained things better, and I left feeling much better. I have also talked to a few parents of students who have gone through the same ordeal.

I have so many things to post; Lofton went skating for the first time recently; we had a picnic in December because it was 70 degrees, and I just have some cute pics to post, so keep checking my blog. Merry Christmas!

Here Comes Santa Clause

Saturday night after the parade, Phillip and I took the boys to Opryland Hotel to see Santa. Lofton was so excited. He got to tell Santa what he wants, which is apparently a big red Transformer. As you can see the picture that I took did not turn out too well, but I bought two great ones, and if things work out like I plan, one of them will be our Christmas card.

Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 1st was the Christmas parade in White House. Lofton had so much fun gathering candy off of the street; Well, he did not get to eat his candy, but thanks to Randy Griffin, he thoroughly enjoyed his blue cotton candy, and from the looks of this picture, Jude enjoyed it a bit more.

Trimming the Tree

This past week, Phillip pulled out the tree and Lofton and I decorated it. Lofton had so much fun playing with his ornaments, and Landon loved the lights. Lofton kept thinking me for his ornaments and when I told him that some were from Nana, Mimi, and Pop Pop, he said, "Thank you, guys." So, you got credit again this year for your ornaments, since he forgot them from last year.