With no official plans today, the boys spent their day getting into the holiday spirit with lots of different activities: menorah making, letter to Santa writing (with the help of a template mom found online), and then hot chocolate drinking and tree decorating once dad got home. As seems to be the theme this year, Colton was completely excited about every activity...it's hard to say which was his favorite. And even though Levi couldn't really assist too much with the menorah (although he did add some colors to it) or Santa letter, he was very enthusiastic about the hot chocolate (he got a couple tastes off a straw dipped in) and the Christmas tree decorating (even after a little run-in with the stool that scared his Daddy).
Oh, and for those curious, Colton told Santa he wanted a choo-choo track, dog, and Mickey's House. He also had to list three nice things he had done this year. He said he was nice to Levi Shane (questionable), nice to his dee (his lovey), and nice to his chalk (we were playing with it right before we wrote the letter).
With a month to go before he is officially a toddler, Levi is certainly mobile, making it pretty difficult to get a picture of him in front of his calendar! Instead of posing like in months past, this month's picture turned into more of a chase Levi with the calendar, but alas we arrived at...
At 11 months, Levi:
- has taken a few steps at different times and cruises around with furniture or other assistance easily, but is not walking on his own quite yet
- says mama and dada to mom and dad...not just babbles anymore
- enjoys imitating sounds his brother makes
- is very ticklish
- sits at the table in his booster seat
- sleeps through the night (FINALLY! fingers crossed even as we type this)...wakes up around 6:45...HALLELUJAH!
- loves goldfish crackers and Colton's juice cups
- loves dancing with mom, jumping up and down in delight...
Colton began his day at school, while Levi joined mom for some Hanukkah shopping. After the boys came home, rested up, and got some play time in, the whole family headed to the annual train show (despite Colton telling his teachers earlier in the day that "me no like choo-choos"), a tradition that was started last year! Colton was completely fascinated by the trains and kept making his train noises to show his approval. Levi was pretty into them as well and was not interested in being held, but instead insisted on being up close on the floor to see them (although we had to be very careful to catch him a couple of times when he tried to make a beeline for the tracks!).
Colton seemed to be feeling better today, so headed out cautiously, making the first stop of the morning at the JCC. Since Colton had missed out on the Hanukkah store at school the day before, he made a quick trip to the Dollar Store where he picked out some very special Hanukkah gifts (forewarning he refused to leave the toy aisle...). With the shopping accomplished, the boys joined mom for a grocery store trip and then were rewarded with a quick trip to the park for being such good boys all morning (and to get out in the beautiful weather!)
PS: We know today was Levi's 11 month birthday, but he was not in a cooperating mood when it came to picture time, so we'll have to try again tomorrow.
The day started off like a typical Monday...until about 7:15 when mom went into Colton's room to get him up and noticed he had gotten sick in his bed at some point. Thinking it may have been just a fluke (although we were fairly certain it wasn't after gigi called to say she and Nene were home sick too), we got dressed, ate breakfast, and were about to head out the door to school when Colton got sick again and it was clear he would not be going to school after all! The boys hung around the house for a bit and then Colton decided he wanted to go hang out with Gigi while mom and levi ran a few errands. Colton still seemed pretty miserable until about 30 minutes after his nap, when he made a pretty quick turn around that we're hoping lasts! For his part, Levi has a bit of an upset belly (although at least it's not the throw up kind...mom can't stand that!) but seems to be weathering it pretty easily!
Saturday was a busy day for the boys as C's baby shower was taking place at their house in the morning. Colton left with Daddy to join "all guys" at the ODU tailgate and game, while Levi stayed behind with the ladies at the shower. Levi got to enjoy even more girl time with some lunch/drink out and shopping once the shower was over. At night, the boys went out to Wild Wing with mom, dad, Gigi, and Aunt Erin.
On Sunday, Colton and Levi went out for breakfast with Gigi and Aunt Erin before running a couple of errands, including a trip to pick up our "ho ho tree." Colton was super excited that the tree was coming home with us, while Levi didn't seem to really care too much about his first tree getting experience. After naps (or pretend nap in Colton's case), the boys helped mom cheer the Steelers on to their big win...it must have been all of Colton's "go Charlie."
Colton seemed to be feeling better today, so headed out cautiously, making the first stop of the morning at the JCC. Since Colton had missed out on the Hanukkah store at school the day before, he made a quick trip to the Dollar Store where he picked out some very special Hanukkah gifts (forewarning he refused to leave the toy aisle...). With the shopping accomplished, the boys joined mom for a grocery store trip and then were rewarded with a quick trip to the park for being such good boys all morning (and to get out in the beautiful weather!)
The day started off like a typical Monday...until about 7:15 when mom went into Colton's room to get him up and noticed he had gotten sick in his bed at some point. Thinking it may have been just a fluke (although we were fairly certain it wasn't after gigi called to say she and Nene were home sick too), we got dressed, ate breakfast, and were about to head out the door to school when Colton got sick again and it was clear he would not be going to school after all! The boys hung around the house for a bit and then Colton decided he wanted to go hang out with Gigi while mom and levi ran a few errands. Colton still seemed pretty miserable until about 30 minutes after his nap, when he made a pretty quick turn around that we're hoping lasts! For his part, Levi has a bit of an upset belly (although at least it's not the throw up kind...mom can't stand that!) but seems to be weathering it pretty easily!
