Ben's Christmas Program

Our first experience with a Christmas Program at preschool was last year, and it really didn't go well at all.  He sat down for most of it, didn't sing, and the worst part for mommy and daddy was he looked scared up there :(  This year he is one year older and is doing much better in school so we were hoping the Christmas program would go better as well.....and it did despite a trip to the doctor that day!  Ben woke up the night before and said his ear hurts.  The next morning he woke up and said his ear hurts again, but no temp, so I sent him to school so he wouldn't miss practice.  When I picked him up from school, he wasn't look to good so I took him to the doctor and she confirmed he did have an ear infection.  I gave him some tylenol and put him down for a nap and crossed my fingers.  When he got up he was doing much better.

That night I showed up early and got a spot right in front so Ben could see us.  It started a little slow....the first two songs Ben just stood there and didn't sing.  He looked around a little to see what the rest of the kids were doing.  Eventually he started doing the "actions" and then started singing by the end.  Guess he just needed a little warm up!  The girls loved watching Ben sing up on stage.  Hard to believe they are going to be up there next year too!!

Video is on the bottom....my first attempt at a little video editing!! 

Singing

Ben has always loved singing.  His memory for songs constantly amazes me.  Although he likes to make them up as well :)  This year my parents introduced the kids the "Muppets" and the muppet songs are their current favorites.  Ben's favorite is the "Rainbow Connection".  I have to say the sweet way that he sings one of the songs from my childhood really gets to me :)  The girls enjoy singing as well.  Whenever I put the girls to bed we always sing "You are my sunshine".

Flashback Santa 2011

Visit to Santa 2012

Last week we took the kids to downtown Macy's to visit Santa.  I had talked to the girls about sitting in Santa's lap and telling him what they wanted for Christmas, but all the while wondering if they would actually get on Santa's lap.  The girls did not want to sit on Santa's lap or even sit next to him unless mommy was there, but at least they weren't screaming like last year (a big improvement).  Ben told Santa he wanted the Polar Express train and "Blue Mountain Mystery" a Thomas movie.  (check and check).  Samantha and Allison asked for "pink" toys and "orange and purple" toys respectively.  Their favorite colors.  I think I have the pink and purple covered but where Allison came up with orange as her favorite color is beyond me.

Each year gets more fun with Ben.  We have been doing a countdown to Christmas/when Santa comes, the Elf on the Shelf tradition was started and they love to go look for him every morning and see where he has moved too, we have been watching lots of Christmas movies and reading Christmas books.  Ben over the last day has been asking questions about if we have a chimney and how Santa is going to get through the glass that is on our fireplace :)  One time he just stood there looking at it and you could see the wheels turning in his head trying to figure it out.  I never knew how many white lies I was going to have to tell him about this whole Santa bit :)  We are almost ready for Christmas next week!  

Staloch's in Santa's workshop

Snow Day!!

We took the kids out in the snow on Sunday morning.  It was so beautiful out.  We did some sleding, made snowballs, and made a snowman.  Allison was ready to go in first so I took her in while Ben and Samantha played outside with daddy.  Eventually Samantha wanted to come in too, but not Ben.  He stayed out until I made them come in for lunch.  We told him if he took a nap he could go outside again, which he did with Chris after supper when they cleaned off the driveway.  In total he was outside in the snow for 3 hours!!  It was so fun to watch them all.  Ben looked older somehow playing out there in the snow.  I did have to get him a new snow coat and pants.  He must have grown since September when I had him try on his pair from last year.  The first time he was out in the snow the pants weren't long enough and he kept getting snow in his boots!   I hope we get much more snow than last year so we can have lots more days of playing in the snow!

Ben turns 4!!

Ben's birthday was the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  On his actual birthday we took him out for dinner to a restaurant, which he loves, and he ordered what seems like his favorite food...pizza (takes after daddy I guess).  Then he got a cupcake with a candle for dessert.

On Sunday we had a small gathering of family and Ben got to open some gifts.  He was very excited for that part and the cake :)  I had asked him what kind of party he wanted and he said a "blue" party and he wanted a blue cake.  Since I can't order a cake (because of Allison's allergy) I made one and did some blue frosting with a train on top.  Ben loved it :)  

Happy Birthday to my wonderful boy Ben!  You get more fun and amazing every year!

Ready to open his presents 

Cool truck from Uncle Ryan

A little help from his sisters

Cake time!

Serious about his blue cake