Christmas Day!

Christmas day started off with Nico waking up quite early and the present opening commencing. This process did take quite some time because every time Nico opened a present, he wanted to play with the toy instead of moving onto the next one! It was so fun to watch the little man have a blast exploring through all the gifts that Santa brought him. Daddy was able to video the long present opening event, so I am hoping that soon we will be able to figure out how to share it.










We had a nice relaxing day just spending time together, playing with the new toys, eating great food that Daddy made and then driving around looking at Christmas lights that night. The challenge was for Mommy and Daddy loading all these new gifts into the car for the ride home the next day. We actually had to leave these behind at Gigi's house and will have to pick them up next month when we are back.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Eve was one in which I tried to institute traditions my mom did when my brother and I were growing up; to some degree that is. We had a nice time watching Christmas movies, like Santa Paws, taking a fun trip to the park, making and decorating Christmas cookies, and reading "The Night Before Christmas" before bed. Unfortunately, due to the wet Christmas Eve night we had, we were unable to drive around looking at Christmas lights, but we saved that fun tradition for Christmas Day.

We have discovered that Nico loves eating raw cookie dough! Although he and I have made cookies in the past, it seemed to have resonated with him this time around. He did not seem to understand what we were doing with the bowl of yummy dough and just wanted to eat it all, but after breaking out the cookie cutters, Nico became a little baker! Even more fun to watch was Nico decorating the cooked cookies with icing, candy and sprinkles! Needless the say, the kitchen was a mess and someone was full of sugar afterwards.







Dressing one's children up as fictional holiday characters was not a tradition that I was attempting to carry on from my mother (just to clarify, she did not do this); however, when Pops and I were at the mall with the little man a few weeks ago, we just couldn't resist the Christmas Elf PJ's! I mean seriously, did you think an elf could be this cute? The great thing was that Nico was excited about wearing the PJ's and it took some coaxing to get him to change clothes the next day.



As with many families around the world on Christmas Eve, we were expecting Santa's visit that night. Of course Santa would be requiring cookies and milk during his stop to deliver Nico the many, many presents that appeared under the tree. Nico was able to place some of the cookies he helped to make earlier that day on a tray to share with Santa.


Before Nico was all "nestled snug in his bed, with visions of sugar plums dancing in his head," I read him the very old story, from the very same book my mother read to me every Christmas Eve, "The Night Before Christmas."



Little did Nico know what would be waiting for him in the morning...

Extended Stay with Gigi

A week plus before Christmas, Daddy and I flew off to Jamaica, leaving Mr. Mann with his very favorite Gigi. Saying good-bye was VERY hard for me. Both Ed and I sat in the back seat with Nico, and I held his hand as Gigi drove us to the airport the morning of departure. After a tearful parting on both Nico's and my part, Mommy and Daddy left to have fun in the sun for 8 days. However, we did see each other everyday at precisely 4pm Jamaican time through Skype. Don't you just love technology? Here are a few pictures of Nico's time with Gigi.







The Walden Family reunion was a happy one, and I have to say that kissing and hugging Nico's little face when returning was the best part of the trip. And of course, Mommy and Daddy came back loaded with presents for our little man!

Breakfast with Santa at school

Last Friday, Primrose School held a breakfast for parents and their little ones to attend, with the opportunity for the kids to visit with Santa. This was the best looking and most authentic Santa Clause I have ever seen! This visit occurred before taking Nico to the mall to see Santa, so I had no idea if he would even dare get close to jolly Old St. Nick. Not only did Nico get close to him and sit on his lap willingly, but he pointed out the "moos" on the wall to Santa, in case he was not aware of them. Nico was not afraid at all of Santa, but instead was fascinated, and it could very well have been because we were at school, where Nico is comfortable.



On a side note: I seriously LOVE Primrose School and it is such a privilege for Nico to be there. I am so thankful not only that we made the decision to put enroll Nico, but that we can afford it.

Birthday Party #3 with Pops

This past weekend was Nico's third and final party as a 2 year old! Pops came into town to celebrate Nic's birthday and Christmas all at once. We started the short visit out with a visit to see Santa at the Mall. While waiting in line, Nico was very excited to see Old St. Nick, but when it was finally our turn, Nico was a little unsure, but there were certainly were no tears.



After visiting with the man in red, we walked around the bustling mall, did a little window shopping and also a little Nico shopping. Somebody always gets a little spoiled when Pops comes to town!




Then it was time for birthday party #3!!! With a Toy Story cake to boot, Nico had a blast digging right into his cake. The little man definitely know he is 2 years old now. Go ahead, next time you see him, ask him...he will tell he is "tou."












Present opening time is always a blast for this little guys now. He is an expert at ripping opening gifts. Once the new play kitchen Pops gave Nico was assembled, the birthday boy had some great fun mixing and stirring and cooking up a storm. We told Nico he was responsible for making dinner that night! Ha!