Telescope

Jessica and Andy gave us a telescope. Christmas evening Andy set it up outside with Richard and Julien. Julien swears he saw some aliens on Mars. While Richard was reading a night time story, I took a moment to look at Mars and the craters on the moon.

Christmas crackers

After Christmas dinner we had traditional English Christmas crackers, complete with tissue paper crowns and incomprehensible jokes. My family first used Christmas crackers when we were in London during my eighth grade. I am always happy when I can find them in the United States.

Playing

After all the presents were opened the kids played furiously until Sebastian and Benjamin crashed out.

Opening frenzy

Presents, presents and more presents.

The calm before the storm

Stockings

The Stockings were opened quickly.

Santa and his elves

On Christmas Eve, after setting out cookies and milk for Santa, Julien hurried to bed, worrying that he would run into Santa. Santa and his elves were up very late wrapping presents and stuffing stockings.

Margot, Malia, Claude and Ella

On Christmas Eve Margot and Malia (Jessica's friends from college) and their two kids, Claude and Ella, came over in the late afternoon and evening. The kids got along wonderfully, creating x-rays with binoculars (diagnosis: broken ribs), dressing up as Darth Vader and rescuing Princess Leia, and generally freaking about. They were visiting from Ohio for a trip centered on the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. We were overjoyed to see them.

Christmas together

Jessica, Andy and Benjamin visited us for the week of Christmas. It was fun to have all the kids together. We hadn't seen each other since last Christmas! Benjamin and Sebastian had changed so much. Benjamin was overjoyed by all the toys and commotion. Sebastian was a bit wary of Benjamin and territorial of his belongings, but in all, enjoyed Benjamin's company.

Decorating the tree

We decorated the tree in preparation for Jessica, Andy and Ben's visit. Julien chose the cat head (that I once made with the intention of making a puppet) for the top of the tree. Sebastian had his first candy cane, a big, sticky mess.

Snowmen

I loved Julien's snowman on his classes bulletin board. He said it was covered with egyptian writing. His snow man is saying, "I'm going to throw a snow ball!"

Rise of the Cobra

During the last week of Kindergarten before winter break Julien's class had a holiday party. Kids that play instruments were invited to perform for the party, but since Julien does not play an instrument (at least officially) I assumed he was not performing. However, at the end of the performances, after "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the keyboard, "Twinkle Twinkle" on the cello, and Frosty on the guitar, Julien went up to the front of the class and performed "Rise of the Cobra" on his friends keyboard. True to form, Julien performed a complete invention.

Handprint

Julien gave us a plaque of his handprint that he made at school. He presented it with a recitation of the handprint poem. There's nothing like having your kid recite a poem to you. It was very cool.

Snow

There was lots of snow, sleet and rain during Bill and Jan's visit. Julien loves the snow. Sebastian, on the other hand, is not a great fan. Mostly he just stood still or sat still in the sled as I pulled him.

On the second day, when there was real true snow, we went to the park to sled. We ran into other kids from the neighborhood, including Joelle from his kindergarten class. Her dad told us that every day they get a Julien report. His impression is that Julien is "the charismatic one."

The Fort

Bill built Julien a fort out of a large cardboard box. Julien was very particular with his instructions. Meanwhile, Jan helped Julien make some pokemon cards. Julien loves the fort and has been playing with it every day. Sebastian enjoys it too.

Reading books

Sebastian LOVES to have books read to him. One of his new words is "read." He was very comfortable with Bill and Jan.

Knights

The boys were inspired to play knight. Julien is thrilled to be able to have his brother really play with him now.

Puppet show

Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jan came to town this last weekend. It ended up being a slightly longer trip than planned because all the flights to Boston were canceled. Although we were happy to see them longer, it was unfortunate they couldn't make it to see Jessica Andy and Benjamin.

They gave Julien a knight and dragon puppet and a knight shirt which led to several family puppet shows, much to the delight of Julien and Sebastian.

Ada

Kevin and Lane with little baby Ada. Don't they look cute and stylish? Ada was ready to go home.

Crafts

Malcolm, a fellow BABS board member, led crafts for the kids, including bird seed ornaments, which, of course, Julien loved. Sebastian liked getting in the middle of things.

Jumping for joy

We went to a holiday pary at BABS this weekend. The kids had a blast.

Hotel Pool

Some of you may remember my friend Amy from high school in Ann Arbor. She is now a co-director of Headlong Dance Theater in Philadelphia. This is a video of one of their dance pieces, Hotel Pool.

Cornered kitty

Sebastian continues to follow the cats around the house pointing and saying "kitty!" with a gleeful smile.

Sebastian uses a fork

with a little help...

Eating with a toddler can be a bit unappetizing at times. When Sebastian spits out his food at the table, Julien does a dramatic fall onto the ground moaning "eew! Gross!"