365 Days of my Life: Come here everybody! I am Santa Claus!

It has been pretty lively in our house the last few days. Between a STILL teething Carter, and a toddler/preschooler with an imagination kicking in like crazy, it has been non stop fun. I have loved every minute of it.

And I really need to give Pierce some credit on his increase of patience level. We had to go to the hardware store yesterday to buy ice melt so we could chip away the ice in the driveway. I have started making him get his own socks and shoes on, since he is more than capable. However, with said ice, I wanted him to have his boots on. I watched him struggle, but I am really trying not to step in unless he asks for help, since he is all about that independence. Normally, his ask for help is a scream of frustration. This time, he looks at me and in a very stern voice says, "Momma, I am so frustrated." No stumbling over words, or anything. I thanked him for using his words, and we got the boots on together.

Another example of the new patience level is while I was chipping away the ice. I was obviously not very happy about it, since I would have rather played in the snow with my kids. Pierce waited around for about 5 minutes, asked me a few times if I was almost done, and when he figured out I was going to be awhile, he says, "Well, then I may as well go nap." He walked into the house, upstairs, and straight to his bed. He and Carter slept for a solid 3 hours, and I worked on the driveway.

Both Carter and Pierce had a blast today at the New Children's Museum in West Hartford, CT. It has been completely remodeled, and the boys LOVED every bit of it. We had to drag them out (we did not want to be caught in another snowstorm), and they are already asking to go back. Little do they know, there is another trip planned for next week with the person who purchased the pass for them. They are going to be so surprised! When we recapped our day tonight, Pierce was telling me all about how he pet a ferret, saw turtles, got to race cars, fly an airplane, and see snakes. Carter was thrilled with the light board, and Pierce found a new love in making shadows. Carter even said SNAKE for the first time. Ewe. Totally worth the 30 minute ride there.

Carter is all into racing cars the last few days. I have found more matchbox cars all over the house than I ever have before. And everything is a race track - there is nothing sacred. My legs were a race track tonight as I made homemade meatballs, my mom's arms were a race track on Christmas day, and even the dog has been turned into a race track. It was awesome watching he and Pierce taking turns with this one particular car that you shake and it goes. Carter was at one end of the hallway with Pierce on the other. When Carter was stuck, Pierce would walk up and say, "Here Carter, let me help."

Pierce has not adjusted to Buddy the Elf not being here or to Santa being gone for a year. So, his solution is ringing the bell and pretending he is Santa. He always starts with Carter first, "Come here Carter! I'm Santa Claus!" Followed by Carter becoming all smiles and running to Pierce for a hug while exclaiming, "Santa!" Then he asks what he would like for Christmas, and since he has no idea what Carter is trying to say, he always says, "sure Carter, I can get you hot dogs." Then it is my turn, then Dada's turn.

It is time for me to go to bed. Not only do I have to be to work for 4 am, I have to drive a pick up truck I have not driven in years, that is stick, on snow covered roads. It was the only vehicle we could get out of our driveway. Have I mentioned, I will never own a house, and I will only buy a condo? :) Good night everyone!