My Favorite Things

I don't know who actually lists raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens as a few of their favorite things.  Our favorite things are more centered around two little boys. 

Growing up, one of my favorite things was decorating cookies with our friends, the Fairs.  We got together with their family and had a blast frosting and decorating cutout cookies.  This year, we shared this tradition with our friends from West Point, the Ahlers.  Bronwen and Thomas had fun frosting and eating cookies.  Mama Ahlers and I also devoured more than our fair share of cookies.  Hopefully, this will be something that Thomas lists one day as a fond memory and one of his favorite things too.

Careful and deliberate

Bronwen also loves frosting

This year, our schedule didn't really work for decorating cookies at Nana's house.  Erica sated our creative needs by bring home make-your-own-reindeer ornaments.

Erica lists this sweater as one of her favorite things!

Finished products.  Can you tell who made which one?

As Ryan approaches five months, he really has few favorite things, but among them, I would list solid foods.  He's tried a handful of fruits and rice cereal with great success.  We've got him on the fast track now and started feeding him whole apples.

One would assume that gifts would be on a three year old's list of favorite things.  Strangely, and gratefully, Thomas is much more focused on the people than the things of Christmas.  We talked about giving a gift to Ms. Laura and Ms. Neyda, his pre school teachers.  He was more enamored with the balloons and singing than the gift, which has become one of my favorite things about him.

Thomas, front and center, in red sweater

I don't remember my mom reading me books before bed, but hopefully Thomas will.  It's an instrumental part of our bedtime routine.  When time allows and the stars align, Thomas invites Ryan to read with us.

What I do remember is my mom singing to me when I was in bed.  This has become one of Thomas' favorite things.  Current favorites on his playlist are "Little Bunny Fu Fu" and an original Kristen McCollum piece, "The Window."

Aunt Erica and I list plaid as one of our perennial favorites and it happens to be in style this year.  I am working on convincing Ryan at an early age that it should be one of his favorite things too.

The year Thomas turned two, Aunt Erica made a name for herself wrestling on Nana's bed.  For a three year old, Thomas has a long memory.  One of his favorite things is wrestling with Erica on the bed.  Pretty sure it's not on her list of favorite things, but she's a great aunt and obliges most of the time.

 NOT on the list of anyone's favorite are two sick boys.  Poor Thomas came down with a cold and had a quick bout of stomach virus.  Ryan is also suffering from a stuffy, yet runny nose and a cough.  They are champs though, these boys, and find the resolve and energy to party and do our favorite thing, be with family.

Checking out Nan's ornaments

Christmas Love