2 SHOES!

How different can 2 kids be? Here is an example.

We were getting ready to leave the other day. After Beckett (FINALLY) was dressed, I asked him to go and get his shoes. He came back with one blue shoe and one white shoe. I said, "Beck, these are 2 different shoes." He responded "I know." OK, whatever, we need to go. So Beckett left the house in the following outfit - a lime green NERDS shirt (his pjs from the night before, he wouldn't take it off), covered by his black Spiderman shirt, black running pants, and one blue shoe and one white shoe. He was VERY pleased with himself - kept saying "2 shoes!". And Grant would respond with "Beck - your shoes don't match. Your shoes are supposed to match."

Another example. Grant and I were doing one of his Christmas ornament kits. This one was a mosaic of sorts made from tiny pieces of colored foam. Basically, you match the color with the number on the ornament. So, the ornament was of a penguin with a snow hat. On top of the hat was a little spot for a piece of foam - the ball on top basically. Grant had already placed the correct color foam there - white. I noticed that we had extra silver so I suggested that we use silver to make it a bit more snazzy. Grant's response was as follows:

G - Why? Is the number 4? (4 was for silver)
M - No, it's 3 (3 is for white). But I thought it would look nice.
G- But Mom, that's not what the number is. That's not following the rules.
M - True, but don't you think that silver might look nice.
G - No mom, it's number 3, not 4. You aren't following the rules.

Classic!

Christmas Activities and More!

I thought I would post a few pics from the past couple of weeks.

We have been busy getting ready for Christmas. Grant did a great job decorating the house (he LOVES to do craft projects) and making Christmas cookies. Beckett also enjoys those things, but unfortunately he's been battling some kind of bug and so he really hasn't been himself.


 Beck and Grant both had cameras one day and here are Grant's pictures. I don't think I have checked Beckett's camera yet. Always interesting.

I bought the kids an advent calendar with chocolate behind each of the doors. So every night, after dinner, they have to sit on the bench, patiently, to get their next piece. And every night, this is what I see - Grant with his eyes closed looking at the ceiling and Beckett peeking at me with a big smile on his face. 

My mom got me a new mixer for my birthday. And while it does a GREAT job mixing, the beater is a bit difficult to lick! :-)

A BIG thank you to Grandma and Papa for our new footed pajamas. Superman and LEGO Star Wars haven't left their bodies...especially post naps and first thing in the morning.

 Their superhero pose (hands on hips). Unfortunately the pic was really yellow (no flash), so I thought black and white might be better...not so sure.

Go Boilermakers!

Last month, Roger took Grant to his first Purdue football game.

They had a bit of a rough start (Grant got car sick all over his carefully planned Purdue outfit) and so they were running a bit late. In the end, they got there just in time and Grant LOVED it. He especially liked the marching bands and enjoyed cheering for everything that happened.

When they got home I asked him how the game was - "GREAT!" Who won the game? "Purdue." Sadly, no they didn't win and maybe he doesn't quite get it yet. But who cares when you get to snack on popcorn, hot dogs and have 2 hot chocolates because you are so cold? :-)

Christmas Sing-A-Long

This morning was Grant's school Christmas performance. The kids have been practicing since Thanksgiving and we have had our own private concerts every night. He was super excited this morning (Mom, I look so nice and Christmasy.)

In case you can't tell, here are the songs, in order of performance:

1 - Happy Birthday Jesus
2 - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
3 - Mary Had A Baby
4 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
5 - Feliz Navidad
6 - Joy to the World

They seemed to hit all the biggies and a few that I hadn't heard before (esp the Kindergardeners)...although Beckett was disappointed they didn't sing Jingle Bells (his personal favorite).

Here is my video of the concert:

Beckett also had a camera (actually it was my iPhone). So if you are up for it, here's his video. :-) It might make you a bit dizzy, but there are some funny parts. He just had the camera in his hand and shot whatever was around - mostly the floor and my feet. :-)

 On our way home we stopped at the store, so here's Beckett on the store's penny horse. It's his favorite store because they also hand out free lollypops. :-)

 Cute pic except for the antler going up his nose. :-)

Well, we finally did it!

Beckett is finally in a big boy bed. We were going to move him Thanksgiving weekend, but he came down with croup. Ever since there we have just been dragging our feet. Afraid of how he would react, afraid of the fights keeping him in bed, etc. Well, I am happy to say that we finally did it.

Poor Beck. He's been too big for the crib for awhile. But honestly he's also been very happy in the crib. He likes to just sit and play in there and have conversations with his animals. But last night and then today during naptime, I heard him saying Ouch...I think that his arms and legs were poking through the crib slats.

He's very excited about all things "big boy" and the bed was no exception. He came downstairs to get the screwdrivers, he helped us move the crib out and then move the bed in.

Here is a quick video and some pictures:

 Here Dad - I got some screwdrivers for us.

 Let's take this one out next.

 Man, look at this bed.

 He looks so little.

 And smaller still.

Grant's pic of Beck in his bed.

Jolly Days

Today we went to the Children's Museum for a music class and to explore the Jolly Days exhibit (their winter/holiday exhibit).

Going into the class, I thought Beckett would enjoy the class - he usually loves music and dancing - and that Grant would be wondering when we were leaving. Well, it was the exact opposite of that. Grant and his friend Isaac were singing and dancing along and Beckett was wandering around the library pulling books down and playing with the computers.

Video of the kids singing and dancing along:

 Beckett and Isaac

 If I remember correctly, the teacher just asked who has trouble sharing their toys?

 Beckett enjoying a book instead of the music. 

 Grant and Isaac dancing along to the music.

After the class we headed to the new Jolly Days exhibit. Unfortunately, it was really crowded. There was an ice skating part where kids slide around in their socks, an ice fishing section and then a corner with a big oven and cookie sheets. This seemed to be their favorite part - pretending to cook all sorts of cookies and cakes.

 Beckett "fishing."

 Ahh...there you go Beckett.

 Grant's big catch of the day.

 My little cheeseballs in the ice castle.

Beckett and Isaac making cookies.

Jingle Bells are here!

The busy holiday season has definitely hit the Simmons household. I haven't adjusted to the school schedule yet and so I am still running Tuesday and Thursday mornings getting lunch, backpacks, homework, and show and tell items together. Maybe I will learn to plan ahead....someday. Oh and did I mention that now Beckett wants to have a lunchbox and backpack and show and tell items? So it's double duty. :-) Very fun though and especially cute to see Beckett following Grant into the school building with his own backpack.

The weather is beginning to be more Christmaslike, but luckily for me, I think that we have one more warm weekend this weekend. We still have a few lights to hang outside. Grant and I decorated inside last weekend and the tree is going up this weekend. Beckett is still trying to figure it all out. He asks almost every day to go trick or treating.

Grant LOVES school and can't wait to go back each week. Grant's classroom is well organized and seems to be a fun learning environment - so far they have had hat day for "h" week, pj day, and turkey races. Mid-December is his Christmas Sing-A-Long. His class is singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Mary Had A Baby. Each has little movements and so far he only knows the moves and only a few of the words. Should be entertaining.

Funny Beckett story. Everyday he impresses us with his verbal skills...he talks more than some 3 year olds I know. The other day he saw a lollypop on the counter and here is the conversation that followed:

B - Can I have that lollypop?
R - Not now, mom said you can have it when you go to the store.
B - Can I have a little taste of that lollypop?
R - No, you need to wait.
B - Can I have a little lick?
R - (Laughing) No, you need to wait.
B - Can I hold it?
R - No.
B - Can I put it in my pocket (holds out his pocket).
R - No Beck...you can have it later.
Roger gets ready to go back to work. Beckett gives him a kiss goodbye.
B - Daddy, I gave you a kiss...now can I have the lollypop?

 Grant is always exhausted after school and we are trying out "no nap days" to help us with the night time routine. He also LOVES his Batman costume. So here he is zoned out in front of the TV in his costume. :-) 

 This is another of his favorite outfits - some kind of fireman superhero I guess. And yes, those are Spiderman swimming goggles. :-)

 The boys exploring the woods Thanksgiving weekend.

 Grant's most recent picture...maybe he's a future photographer.

 Tonight we went to a gingerbread house building activity at the YMCA. The kids had a great time, Santa even made an appearance. As you can see, I've never made a gingerbread house before. So smearing the icing all over seemed like a great idea. Then I looked around and saw some very nicely designed houses. Oh well...every bite of ours will have icing and candy. :-) Our roof is already caving in because Beckett spilled water on one of the roof pieces. Not sure it will make it through the night.

 Sorry. I can't get this one to flip around...

 Santa might be short lived with our little investigator. Tonight he saw Santa come in and he said "Mom, that's not the real Santa." When I asked how he knows that, he said, "Look at his belt, that's not Santa's belt." I will give him, that the Santa was not great, but REALLY? Roger said that we should probably avoid "cheesy" Christmas events...I mean really, he's only 4 and he's already noticing these things?!? Geez.
Beckett wouldn't go near him....well, actually he did give him a high five, but wouldn't hand over his mint that he originally said he wanted to give to Santa. 

 Roger proud of his finished product.

 Notice the green icing on his chin - I had just stopped him from sucking it out of the package.

The concentration is palpable.

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season. We are busy getting ready. Luckily almost all of our shopping is done. Whew. We head to Texas on the 26th!
Christmas cards will be in the mail soon - Love, JRG&B