Santa Claus came to our old town

Mrs. Claus brought Santa because he doesn't drive, he only rides sleighs I Christmas Eve- to visit our friend and ex-neighbor Wendy Hackney's "holiday open house". They get to watch the neighborhood kids grow up, and this year Lincoln got to experience a magical Christmas w him.  He was concerned about whether Santa had him on the naughty list, thankful for his potty sticker chart, and thrilled that Santa gave him a sleigh bell and a light up Rudolph nose.  It was so exciting for me to watch.  All that elf work really prepped him for Santa.  

Toward the end of the night I asked L to go potty, that I would hold onto his bag and drawing.  He said he liked it so much that he wants to "tell Santa thank you but he's gone." I said he's in the back and L gave me his things and told me he'd be right back.  He went outside and told Santa thank you for the presents (and also asked him if it was him at the Children's museum.  More on that later.)

When I told Chris Nguyen, he said, "oh what fun it is to be a child," or something to that effect.

As Santa was leaving, Carter hugged the back of his legs, and said "Santa Claus come to town!"  Earlier he was the last to get dressed for the party, and I could tell he was wondering if he would get to change into nicer clothes too.  Then at the end of the night he didn't want to take off his sweater.  I guess he liked feeling handsome and all the compliments he got about his sweater... And hair.  :)

Thankful for the Scarlatellas and the Hackneys for making this experience possible.  And of course, Melissa the photographer and the Clauses.

Tonight ranks right up there with traveling w the kids to London & Paris.

Wendy hired her wedding photographer to come set up a green background and we were able to capture some fun shots!

This is our favorite:

Lincoln reads his first book!

Lincoln came home with a book in his take-home folder.  He took it out while he was having a after school snack at the bar stool- and eagerly read it to me.  I enjoyed every word, and he was so proud of himself.  He carefully read each word, trying not to look at the pictures on the page, but sounding out each animal word.  We took pictures!

He then read it to Daddy when he got home from work.

We received an email from Mrs. Lizzie just now- he wanted to read it to us so she allowed him to take it home.  How special!  

We also need to work on "high frequency words", he's at a DRA level 4 (beginner first grade).  

Jack-o-lanterns

Day 1:

Jojo's house.  His mom bought a pumpkin for us for Ms. Wendy's annual pumpkin carving party that night.  Together, we gutted 3 pumpkins.  We brought them to carve, but had so much fun inside eating bad talking to friends that we just took our pumpkins back home.

Lincoln & Carter's pumpkin is the first one.

Got our guts digging gloves on!

My favorite part:  first look of the guts!

Carter us getting a good feel of his new hands.

He's having trouble pulling out the stringy mass... Izzy keeps going!

Lincoln is grossed out.

See?

Day 2:

John invited us over to his all boys no-girls-allowed pumpkin carving party.  We almost ran out of time, but did get the deed done.

Ms. Joelle served mummies!

John has lots of Legos!

The boys played with them the last 30 minutes...

The parts are too small for Carter.  

Guess what he played with instead?

Meanwhile, Mommy is carving the pumpkin.  Lincoln picked out the stencil. Stencils make it easy!  Had to do it quickly bc John had to leave gut Art class...

The boys really enjoyed all of the Halloween decorations.  Creepy spiders, scary skeletons, sticky ghosts, and...

vampire teeth as party favors!  What more could a kid want??  Here they are trying to scare Ms. Porchia at our house.

Now we have our own pumpkin sitting on the table on the first floor waiting for some love!  Maybe it'll get done on Halloween...

Trick or treat!

This year we went as Star Wars characters:  two Jedi's, Yoda & Princess Leia 

Lincoln had a book character parade at school first thing in the morning.

 

Carter could feel the excitement with all the parents in the hall.

He took a picture with Ms. Cindy!

Lincoln's class went first!  He looked a little distracted but smiled on command.  I have the force!

Then he got to go trick or treating in his little pre-K pod.  After school, the first thing that cane out of his mouth was:  mom, can I eat my candy now?  

Picture first, then wait until you get home.  Ofcourse, he brought the vampire teeth from yesterday to school today.

Lincoln tore open his bag as soon as he got home!

Our new babysitter, Paige came by for an interview/tour.  She is a UH optometry student and seems to like the kids!

Joell & John met us here and we went trick or treating.  

First house:  Mrs. Porchia.  

Second house:  An apple from Ms. Bess

Third house:  first house on Norfolk (pictured)

Fourth house:

Kodrutza & baby Thomas dressed as a chicken.  Lincoln wore his cape to exactly four houses.  We went to a few but many pp weren't home yet so when the dads cane home we went back inside.  After dinner, we met up again on M---.  But we only saw each other breifly.  (We went drive to the children's museum but the line was too long.  Maybe we will go after school next year.)

The break have me a chance to teach Lincoln to say thank you and take what he's handed regardless of whether he likes it, if offered then he should take a piece of candy on top, take only one and if they say he can have ore then to say no thank you, and to wait for Carter.

They both did beautifully and earned lots if compliments.  Several neighbors complimented out costumes also.  By the end of one block the kids were tired.  Carter pleated to be held and Lincoln said his legs hurt.  Being a kid is tough!

An after shot:

My first pet... Snail

Named Christian 

Lincoln's at school, meanwhile...

Carter aka Master Yoday goes to the children's museum!

First, breakfast 

Daddy's flex Friday.  C runs downstairs to greet him (after dropping off Lincoln).

On the way in, in costume.

Already a Popular guy at the entrance 

At the train 

Driving the truck 

At the market 

Snacking on the way to lunch 

Cafe express 

Nuoc! Outside the cafe

What a day!