Thanks to Thanksgiving being so early this year, it was a fast and furious week before Christmas vacation. I went out three nights in a row--Bible study social Monday evening, team dinner Tuesday evening, and MNO (Mom's Night Out) Wednesday evening. In between events, I had to finish Christmas shopping, finish my classes' Christmas craft for their families, pack, bake (I finally just gave up on that one), and wrap presents. I was totally and completely exhausted by the time we headed to Conroe on Saturday, but it was so worth it. Grumpy got a surprise greeting first thing.
"Hmm...what was I doing?"
"Oh, yeah...tackling my cousin Alex!"
Reid enjoyed a tractor ride with Ben, then drove it all by himself. I took video, but it ended up being really long so it would take forever to post. He did seem awfully proud of himself, though! Then he enjoyed some drawing time with Grumpy and the sidewalk chalk.
We went to hear Grumpy teach Sunday school on Sunday morning. It's rare to get everyone together, so Grammy attempted to take a picture of the kids and grandkids. Of course, everyone did very well except our little wiggle worm. This was the best he did...
All the cousins that evening, having fun away from the adults. It quickly turned into a game of "jump from cushion to cushion," a childhood favorite.
We took Aunt Lala's car to look at Christmas lights, a holiday tradition. We found some beautiful houses, including a favorite in Grammy and Grumpy's neighborhood that plays the light show to Christmas music. I looked over and Reid had helped himself to one of his cousin's water bottles that looks similar to ours.
Sadly, the paper reported that this is the last year this River Plantation family will be putting up their lights. I'm sure it's because it has cost them an arm and a leg to pay the electric bills and put up/take down this veritable "Disneyland," as we'd lovingly dubbed it.
The next day we enjoyed lots of food, fun, and festivities. Ben had been dying to open presents (Reid still didn't have a clue this year) so we decided to let the kids open all of theirs. Reid needed help to open his presents again this year. Once he got going, he enjoyed it, but he'd still rather have us unwrap so he could see what's inside even faster!
Part of the paparazzi...
Alex, showing off his Aggie nutcracker
Reid loved the first present he unwrapped so much (Ramone and Mater from Cars) that we had to convince him to stop playing and see what else he'd gotten.
He seemed more delighted with each one...diggers, Matchbox cars, cute books, and lots of other goodies...
...and even his first harmonica! It was hilarious to watch him try it and he kept handing it to me to hear more music. Once he got the hang of it, he'd blow in and out to make his own tunes. The funniest part came once we got home, though. Last night, we were unpacking everything and he sweetly took his harmonica over to Dixie, gently set it down, and smiled. "Here, Dixie!" I was laughing as I told Jason and said, "He thinks Dixie can play it." Reid looked at me with a "hello!" look and said, "Dixie can play it!" Then he kept going back for the next half hour to see if she'd tried it out yet. At least he's learning empathy...not really the way we expected it, but it was so cute!
AND then came the one present he was not excited about. I have been trying to get him a Buccee's shirt for years, but they apparently don't make onesies or very small shirts. But Grammy and Grumpy got him his first one...an XS that matched his cousins. Reid was not a happy camper when we put it on, and it became funnier and funnier to us adults as we attempted to pose him with the other boys. Ben and Alex were sweet and patient as we took picture after picture...and Reid slid lower and lower...and cried louder and louder.
Time for a Christmas tale, one of my new, nontraditional favorites called Moostletoe. I hope Ben and Alex like it as much as the kindergarten teacher in me does :) Reid bounced around the whole time.
Reid wasn't much of an eater, as we had anticipated, but he did pretty good on a meal one night, so he got his favorite treat, M&Ms. It shocked us that he was willing to share them with Grumpy.
On Christmas Day, we headed down to Katy for a feast with Laura, Matt, and the Kirkhams. It was fun to catch up with everyone and to see their beautiful new dining room furniture.
All the boys had fun, too. This picture cracked me up because everyone was doing their own little thing. Reid is always in heaven at their house with all the toys. He did shock me...went right over to the LeapPad, turned it on, said, "Diego!" and acted like he knew what to do. I don't know anyone else who has one, so I'm not sure how he knew to do that or if it was just a fluke...
It was a fun day in Katy, but we still had more family to see! Northward and onward to Papa and Mamere's house on Lake Conroe...entry coming soon... We hated the drive, (and weren't sure it would all fit in the car!) but the family time makes it all worthwhile :) We are thankful for God's gift of our wonderful families.
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