Heidi's PCOE Christmas Party

Today we went to the Placer County Office of Education's annual Christmas Party. There were lots of kids there this year and Ben and Heidi had a good time participating in the activities and talking to Santa. Last year Ben would not get within 10 feet of him and this year he kept asking me to go back and talk to him some more. Heidi stared at Santa for a long time and then decided it would be okay to stand a little closer as long as she was next to Ben. Heidi's favorite part was the snack table and kept going back to fill up her cup with more Pirate's Booty. There was a little boy Heidi was playing with who also had in hearing aids and Heidi kept asking him, "Those Heidi's hearing aids?" I don't think he understood what she was asking, but it was good for her to see other kids wearing them. It's a really neat get together because there are toddlers with all kinds of disabilities and the kids don't even care; I wish they could stay that non-judgemental and innocent forever!

We have GRASS!!!!

Last weekend John made great progress on our yard project with the help of our dads and Phil to whom we are very grateful! On Friday, John came home from school and finished the irrigation before Luke's birthday party. He told me that we would have grass by the next day and I thought, "Yeah, right!" But we did! He cleaned all the Home Depots in the area out of sod and even drove up to Lincoln Saturday night after we got our Christmas tree to get the last rolls and then carried them all down the steps so he could finish in the morning. It looks great!!!

Costco Christmas Tree

Saturday was a very busy day! After a long day of yard work (for John), we went to Costco to get our Christmas tree. Grandpa and Grandma came with us which was great because it was really busy and it was nice to have some spare hands and eyes! Most of the trees were still wrapped so of course I made John unwrap one and then we ended up with one that was already open. The best part was that Ben got to help wrap it up! It's still in the garage and hopefully it'll make it in the house tonight, or maybe tomorrow!

Sweet Heidi

Heidi loves her babies and stuffed animals and is always very busy with them. She cooks for them, changes their diapers (with lots of Kate's wipes), feeds them bottles, puts them in Kate's swing tucked in with blankets and a bottle, puts them to bed, takes them on walks and talks to them constantly. She entertains herself well, and it is so fun to watch her play and see her pretend play developing.

Santa visits our neighborhood

Waiting for Santa on the firetruck

Ben was telling Heidi that she should get some lists ready to give to Santa

Ben patiently waiting

Heidi climbing up and down the stairs

Santa's finally here!!!

It is amazing to me that Christmas is already here! I was reminded last Monday when Santa visited our neighborhood in a firetruck. Our sweet neighbor down the street called around 6:30 to let us know that he would be coming sometime before 8. Ben and Heidi were so excited! We got them bathed and in their Christmas jammies, of course, and Ben even dug his Santa hat out of his closet. Had I known it would really be 8 by the time he made it to our street, I would have waited to tell them because Ben waited by the front window or outside the whole time! He insisted on waiting outside for awhile because he was afraid we wouldn't be able to hear him from in the house. Heidi must have climbed up and down the front steps 50 times while we were waiting. I finally made them come back inside because it was freezing. We cracked the windows so we would be able to hear the music. Ben had his lists in his hand the whole time to give to Santa, but unfortunately he was in a sleigh on top of the truck and did not come down, so we just got to wave. He was a little disappointed after all that waiting, but I assured him we could send the lists to Santa. Heidi was really mostly excited about her Santa jammies!

Ben learns to PUMP the swing!

We have been working with Ben for over a year to teach him how to pump himself on the swing. He usually gets really frustrated and upset, but on Sunday when we were at Allie's dedication party, Ben hopped on the swing and started pumping himself! Way to go Ben!

Allie