Using his viewfinder.

Henry at lunch, explaining how to wink.

A few Christmas photos

We didn't take nearly enough photographs this Christmas. I think everything just flew past us, trying to keep up with Henry-rapid gift unwrapping extraordinaire-who will open all gifts, with no concern for whom they belong to, in the blink of an eye. I think other family members might have more photos.

Henry enjoyed Christmas. We left treats out for Santa and his reindeer and when Henry found Santa's note in the morning he was pretty excited. Gigi and Grandpa gave him this horse which he has named "Cinnamon Sugar". He got some other pretty great toys and clothes and books...enough to keep him busy for quite a while.

Happy Holidays

I didn't get around to sending my holiday cards this year but click here to receive our Christmas greeting. (there is sound)

Mama at 2

I was feeling nostalgic earlier this week and decided to look for old photos of Christmas Eve at my Grandparents house. While searching I found this photo and saw a little of the Bean.

The stockings were hung by the chimney

I finished Henry's stocking last weekend. I think it turned out pretty good. I did make a few changes (big surprise). Along the top the pattern had big peppermint candies in addition to the candy canes, stars and flowers. I didn't add those but instead just made three extra flowers . It still looks a little cramped, but not nearly as busy as the original design.

It has taken almost two months for me to make this stocking, much longer than I anticipated. There was a lot more bead work and embroidery involved, I think I was expecting everything to be stamped on. In the end the embroidery looks much better than a stamp. Here are some photos of the details.

Henry's favorite part is the candy cane that the snowman holds. He likes to pull it out and hang it on the tree or pretend to give it to Santa.

Henry's explanation for why we did not have power in our house for 2 days-

Needs new batteries Mama.

Exactly

We put up some Christmas lights outside this afternoon. Before we went out Henry and Wade checked to make sure all the lights were working. Wade plugged in the star with blinking lights. Henry looked at it for a minute and then told Wade
"That tickles Bapa."

Snow

We put on our boots, mittens, hats and coats and headed out to stomp in the snow. The first thing Henry did was grab a handful of snow and throw it at me. We stayed out until our noses turned red and the snow stuck to our pants. We came into the house, drank soy nog and Henry sang Walking in a Winter Wonderland for the rest of the night.

Be Happy

We put up our Christmas tree today. Henry was curious. He loves Christmas music and has surprised us twice, the first time when he started singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" on the way home and the second time when he started singing "Jingle Bell Rock" while we decorated the tree. We played with the ornaments, danced, drank Soy Nog, pulled strands of lights around the house....it was great fun!
I finally got around to making a stocking for him (it's only his 3rd Christmas!) which I will post pictures of later, my camera is a little iffy right now. Henry doesn't understand what this stocking business is all about, but he loves his stocking. It is Santa hugging a snowman, perfect for the little boy that loves to give hugs. Tonight he asked to see his "docking" several times. He first removes the candy cane that I have not attached yet and then he says "Hello Santa. Hug?" and he gives the stocking a big hug. Tonight at one point he even told Santa that he loves him. He seems to be getting a better idea of what all this hugging and all the I love you's are all about. He watched the last 10 minutes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas the other night and in the car tonight he told us "Better not touch Grinch, Mama. He too grumpy." A moment later he said "Grinch be nice, needs a hug. Henry hug Grinch. Be happy."

{Sorry the photos are so blurry, I only got in two before the camera died, so this is the best I could do. We have more ornaments to put up so I will try to catch more later. }

Reach it

The sun was setting and the sky was full of pinks and yellows. Henry said

Looks like ice cream Mama.
Henwe eat it.
Need stool and spoon please.

Wind

Feel the wind Mama?
I put him down in the grass. He stood up very straight, reached his arms on either side of his head, opened his hands and spread his fingers out.
Hello Wind.
How you doing?
I good.
What you doing Wind?
Blowing?
Henwe play with choo-choo train and go nigh-nigh.
Okay.
Bye Wind.
See you later.