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"

Happy Know It

"Happy Know It" is Thomas' favorite song.  Most of us know it as "If You're Happy and You Know It," but here in our house, it's "Happy Know It."

This Thanksgiving, the VanDusen half of our family came to visit Thomas.  Everyone was happy and we knew it, but we also knew that we ran out of GB for pictures on mccollum3.blogspot.com.    As a result, we're happy to announce this as the new home for our blog. 

 In preparation for our guests, Thomas poured some of his favorite treat for us....all over the footstool.  I would recommend you think again before eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch at our house.

CTC straight from the spatula

Picking up every last one

 But hey, he tried and he's happy and he knows it....and it's well documented.

A few of Thomas' favorite people came to play with him, which made his very happy and we all knew it.  Thomas screamed for Caca and her dog Chuck upon their arrival; he screamed for Papa when he woke up in the morning and from his naps.  He said Nana and Laura with such force that you would think they were celebrities.  They made him happy and they knew it.

"Caca!!!"

Papa's hat

Mama was happy and she knew it because she got time to pick every last morsel of meat off the turkey while others entertained (distracted) Thomas.  What a treat!

8 c. of turkey later...

Everyone  felt they got the good end of the deal when Caca, Daddy and Mama went out for morning exercise on Thanksgiving morning.  Mama was happy to do a challenging loop without a stroller and 30 pound bundle of excitement; Caca was happy to sport her new shirt; Daddy was happy to get out there and get some fresh air; Nana and Papa were happy to stay behind with Thomas and Chuck; Thomas was excited to get left behind with Nana, Papa and Chuck.  Nobody clapped their hands or stomped their feet, but all were happy and they knew it.

Maybe Chuck wasn't as happy...

All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving and we were happy to host a terrific crew.  We put up our Christmas tree right after they all left.  So far, Thomas has reorganized the ornaments at least 500 times.  Mommy is not happy about this and Thomas should get the picture (know it), but clearly he is happy and I do know and appreciate it.

Repositioning the guitar