A Very Crumb Cruncher Christmas

Bryn was delighted with her princess kitchen. The boys have played with this more than I would have thought.

She also quickly took advantage of her new princess dress up box. Fortunately, the boys have left this one alone.

Grant got exactly what he asked Santa for: Walkie-Talkies!

Cole was visibly pleased with his Harry Potter Lego set.

And a little yuletide swordplay just made the day perfect.

Polar Pen Pals

The boys left notes for Santa next to a plate with some crackers, M&Ms and a cup of eggnog. I particularly like the use of the Star of David in the accompanying pictures.

Cole's note:

Grant's note (see the interpretation below):

"From Grant to Santa. Thank you for the presents. Thank you."
For those of you who haven't spent time reading notes from a 5 year old, thank you is spelled "faing cyooe". The figures with hats are all various representations of Santa.

Santa's Response:

That's right, a personal response for the big red guy himself! We're all thrilled.

Shepherds Abiding in the Living Room

I don't know what the actual shepherds mentioned in Luke wore.

However, I'm reasonably certain they didn't have T-Rex t-shirts.

And I doubt they stacked their sheep.

But I'm sure they visited the baby Jesus, just like the Bible says, and I'm also sure they didn't get a picture of it. Well, that's the one part of the story we matched perfectly.

Rare Who Roast Beast

Then the Whos, young and old, will sit down to a feast.

And they'll feast!

And they'll feast!

And they'll FEAST!

FEAST!

FEAST!

FEAST!

All I Want For Christmas

Christmas Bells

The boys wowed the audience at our church Christmas party by performing a violin duet of Christmas Bells are Ringing. Fortunately, Santa was on hand to watch their performance and listen to their Christmas desires.

Bryn wouldn't touch Santa with a 10 foot pole.

Good Night, Gracie

While riding in the car, Grant is mad at Bryn for... well, it doesn't really matter.

Grant (trying to sound authoritative and preparing to deliver a withering riposte): Are you talking to me?
Bryn (quietly): no
Grant (still authoritative, add annoyed): Are you talking to me?
Bryn (quietly): no
Grant (more annoyed, more bossy): Say it louder. Are you talking to me?
Bryn (quietly): no
Grant (more annoyed, louder): Are you talking to me?
Bryn (quite loudly): NO!
Grant (with faux patience): Don't say it like that. Say it like this: "yes" or "no".
Bryn: ...
Grant: Say "yes" or "no".
Bryn (without a hint of guile): Yes or no.

We almost missed the punchline because we were laughing so hard from the set up.
That girl is on her way to being a world class tease. And Grant plays the straight man perfectly, if inadvertently.

Our Baby is 3 Today!

But as her brothers like to remind her several times a day, she will never catch up to them, and they will always be older AND bigger.  (But a little sister can dream, and even wish - while she blows out candles.)

Feeling all special while being sung to.

Munching cake with her best buddy from a few houses down.

Best of all, it was a day full of princessy goodness.

And as far as we know, all her dreams came true and she will be living happily ever after. 

The boys, hiding from all the new girl toys.

How Do You Like Them Apples?

Having a magical Halloween is all about having the right neighbors. Cool neighbors, just a few doors down, with kids the exact same ages and genders as our own.  Plus lots of apple trees,

plenty of space,

a cider press to put those apples into,

which all the boys agreed was the most miraculous contraption ever created, (juice comes out!)

a huge garden in which to find the perfect pumpkin,

everything to decorate your pumpkin, and your clothes,

Someone to go to the school carnival with (that's just our Cole on the right - Grant was sacked out with a high fever on the couch, and Bryn was opposed to the photo op)

And all of this got our little vikings in the appropriate character,

(I think they're going for tough and threatening, here)

for the BIG NIGHT!  Happy Halloween to our little Crunchers!

(Bryn is a viking princess.....just use your imaginations - we couldn't get her to take off the tutu and yes, that's a tiara on her horned helmet.  Oh well, she still got lots of candy and quickly decided to get rid of all the chocolate, which is "yucky" in her opinion, so Evan and I had a VERY happy Halloween.  It gets more fun every year.)

My Family is Forever

5 going on 15

Grant:(5yrs old)  "Mom, when will I be old enough to have a phone?"
Mom: "I dunno - maybe 14."

Grant: "How 'bout a pocket knife?"

The Art of War

Epidsode 1:
    Cole:  You started it!
    Grant:  Well, you MADE me start it!

Epidode 2:  (in the bath)
    Grant:  YOU started it!
    Cole:  How did I start it?
    Grant:  Well, you [insert generic accusation]
    Cole:  That's not starting it!

The Right Stuff

Since NASA has decommissioned the space shuttles, we thought that they might be looking for replacement crews.

Crew Member: Bryn
Age: 2 years 11 months
Specialties: giggles, princess wrangling, soft and slightly damp kisses
Award: Miss Congeniality

Crew Member: Grant
Age: 5 years 7 months
Specialties: counting (up and down), launch control
Award: Highest Counting (900+)

Crew Member: Cole
Age: 5 years 7 months
Specialties: rocket retrieval, launch preparation
Award: Fastest Retrieval

Now a few pictures of our crew under launch day conditions:

Prepping rockets for launch.

Keeping everyone's spirits up.

We have liftoff!

Scanning the range for signs of re-entry.

The retrieval team in action.

The cheer squad in action.

We wish you a fond farewell as we blast off into the sunset.

Crew wardrobe provided by oakiwear brand outdoor clothing.