Heck of a Year

2012 was such an exciting time to be with Thomas.  This year, his personality really shined through...assuming you didn't see him at daycare or the gym co-op, where he was another child completely.  At these two places, Thomas admits that  in these places, "Thomas shyed."    He stood quietly in a corner and intently watched other children play and push and talk.   At home though, was another story altogether.  Our little Thomas Sidney really blossomed into a fun and wonderful little boy.

A brief recap of 2012:

There was a lot of yard work going on this year.  Last New Year's Eve, Thomas was out in the yard raking leaves.

This year, New Years yard work looks very different.  Despite the snow, Thomas insists upon mowing.

Fortunately for us, Thomas loves mowers and blowers and weed whackers and saws.   We put all to good use throughout the last 12 months.

Confident mower and his dad

Bundled up this time

Ready and able

A family affair

Getting everyone in on it!

This was also the year Thomas got into many different sports.
Of course he was exposed to tennis from the very beginning, but he puts mom to shame with his forehand.

Never leave home without the mower!

Lessons from The Greatest via tv.

The best looking Ready Position I've ever seen.

Thomas became a great fan of Army football as well as a fabulous quarterback who moonlights as a kicker.

"Go Army!"

Enjoying Army football with his friends Colton and Eli

Really enjoying the game day food!

"Hike!"

He also enjoys soccer, hiking, wrestling, golf, and is making very slow progress with water sports.

Lessons from Papa

Shallow tubing at Lake George

Storm King Highway hike with Mom

WWE moves with Aunt Caca

"Out."

Soccer?

Thomas added to his travel dossier this year with trips to visit both sets of Nana and Papa in Florida.  There was no shortage of fun or love in Spring Hill or The Villages.

The Villages golf pro, Papa McCollum.

Ocala horse farm duties

Driving with "Papa Wuff" (he made the mistake of barking like a dog at Thomas and has since been Papa Wuff)

Sea gazing with Papa

Driving with Nana, who turned into "Nannie" this year.

 Thomas also took a few trips up I-87 to visit Nana and Papa VanDusen when they were up north.

Plenty of road trips with Nana

This was also the year that Thomas developed a pretty big sweet tooth.   He delighted in treats from anyone and everyone.

Cupcake from birthday number two

"Ice cream!"

Christmas cake at Nana's house

Making his own cinnamon rolls

Straight from the carton, but who are we to judge?

May we all be blessed with as wonderful a year in 2013 as we had in 2012.

 

Mare-uh-ee Kwriss-miss!

Thomas is in full swing with the Christmas spirit.  I thought it would be most accurate as well and most entertaining to provide you with some quips and pictures from our holiday.

When we talk about Santa, Thomas knows that Santa brings presents and "say-z" (says) "Ho, Ho, Mare-uh-ee Kwriss-miss!"  That doesn't stop Thomas from being utterly terrified of him.  In our two encounters with Santa this year, Thomas has nearly broken into tears and said, "Thomas scared" and crawled into the nearest relative's arms with a death grip on that person's neck.  This is often followed by "Thomas sleep now."


"Daddy talking Santa?"

"Mommy hug Santa?"

 

"Caca talking Santa?"



"Presents Santa, Laur?"



"NO NANA!"

Despite his relectance to go within ten feet of Santa, there was one VERY tempting thing about him.  Santa brought "can-nee!!!" (candy).  Thomas still has quite a sweet tooth and despite the very fun little remote controlled bike he brought Thomas, the candy cane clearly trumped the presents.  There are no pictures of candy consumption since he devoured pieces in record time.  Other feasting, however, is well-documented.


Thomas loves Nana's cake

 

And the mini "sa-nitch-chiz" (sandwhich) Papa made for him, complete with accompanying pickle, one of Thomas' favorites

  Thomas enjoyed his time playing with Daddy and some presents, but loved bringing "Charlie Dog" along on his adventures.  "C'mere, Charlie Dog!"  "Good Charlie Dog," "No, Chuck.  Mine!"

When it was too cold out "Baby, cold outside!" or too dark "Dark outside," Thomas dragged numerous VanDusens down to the "si-yur" (cellar).  Papa was a favorite since they built things "down 'ere" (down there).

When all else failed, we took our Christmas dance party on the road to a Lake George park with a bandstand that had some lights.  The few lucky walkers by got a real treat!



Dancing with Daddy



Thomas is always on the lookout for new adventures and new things to talk about. 

Peeking around every corner

With a healthy gleam of adventure in his eye

Crazy Weeks

Dear Reader:

So sorry to have kept you waiting and checking (some of you daily) for another post.  It's been a crazy last few weeks.

Since Thanksgiving, a lot has happened.  I got a head cold that lingered and lingered.  If you have been or are a stay-at-home mom, you know there is no rest for the weary.  Thomas got a little taste of a cold, but thankfully nothing too bad.  He still had many adventure in this two week span.

Nannie and Papa McCollum came to visit for awhile.  Thomas had lots of fun taking little field trips to the grocery store, McDonald's, True Value, as well as playing with them and with the presents they brought.

Attacking the cookies from the hotel first thing in the morning.

Lunch at McDonald's: 4 chicken nuggets, most of the fries, apples and...

ICE CREAM!!!

Dad joins the fun with the new toys.

Thomas' new Dyson!

 Mom tried to get some rest while Nannie and Papa were here, but the Army-Navy game was too exciting to pass up.  Army BARELY missed the win this year.  Thomas watched the game on tv with Papa and was saddened by the outcome too.

When Nannie and Papa left to go home to Florida, other reinforcements came for a quick visit while Dad was away in California for business.

They came bearing sweets, which Thomas has quite an affinity toward.  Thomas enjoyed their pie and cookies as well as some quality time dancing the Christmas Dance and playing tackle football with Nana VanDusen.

This is what happens when you eat too many Christmas cookies.

Dancing at a restaurant when we went out for burgers.

The Christmas Dance (Nana's hat provides the music at the push of a button).

After a few crazy weeks, Mom is starting to finally kick the cold, Daddy is home and we're starting to get back to a our normal routine now that our VERY helpful grandparents have gone home to their respective houses.

Field trips to see Dexter the dog at True Value,

Our "Normal"