Birthdays and Other Festivities

Work is still too busy.  :-(  I don't have enough energy to write much.  

After the whirlwind of the fall, it was nice to get some much-needed relief after the applications of 11/1 were submitted.  Then it was immediately on to preparing for the boys' birthday party.  But that was fun!

We had a small group, but it was great.  It was just close friends and neighbors.  There were very few kids, but it they all played so nicely together.  The boys had a great time.

Of course, they had a piñata and loved it.  Every year, it's a great way to off load some of the Halloween candy on other kids! ;-)

It was like Christmas morning the day after the party.  The boys woke early and ran into the living room (where the presents were) and played with everything.  They didn't want to go anywhere all day long because they were so busy playing.  They got light sabers, Star Wars PJs and walkie talkies, a fort-building kit, some huge dinosaurs, paint with water and cute shirts, Charlie Brown slippers, remote controlled light-up cars, and lots of other great stuff.

After the party, we decorated for Christmas to have everything up for hosting Thanksgiving (and to enjoy it as long as possible!).  I love hosting Thanksgiving.  Adi was so thrilled to wear his turkey hat! 

The boys have not wanted to take off their Star Wars Halloween costumes since 10/31.  

We made our annual pilgrimage to The Christmas Place in Abington.  The boys love looking at all the stuff.  The tree room was their favorite this year.

They were both wiped on the way.

Just some ridiculousness one morning after breakfast.  We lit a fire and played with toys in the living room.

Then, on the 25th, we had yet ANOTHER birthday celebration for the boys since it was their actual birthday.  Carlos took them to Market Basket and let them pick out a cake and candles.  This year it was Cookie Monster and cupcake candles.  Mini and Grumpy came over to eat cake with us.

Carlos's face seems a little out of proportion with whatever was happening!  ;-)

Here's the outside of the house decorated.  We have a new inflatable Santa we bought for half price after Christmas last year.  The boys love it.  And Papa fixed Frosty so his head doesn't fall off anymore and he lights up all over.  So no more Frosty accidents like last year when his head fell off and the boys saw it and were upset by his decapitation...

About a week ago the weather was SO NICE that it was 70 degrees.  Everyone was out.  That was when we finished the decorating, Carlos mowed the lawn one last time, and I did some major weeding.  The boys helped...

Adi and I built Star Wars cities one day.

We went to see Maria to get our hair cut.  Sebastian insisted on wearing his Darth Vader costume.  He was good about taking off the mask so that Maria could cut his hair.  In fact, both boys were angels.  When they were done, we took a picture of Vader in Maria's chair.

Last Sunday morning, we braved the crowds at Bass Pro Shop for this year's free photo with Santa.  I was too late trying to sign us up for Breakfast with Santa again :-( so we missed that.  Bummer because that was a great time last year.

Adi dressed up in his Vader hat and sweatshirt...the boys are OBSESSED with Star Wars!