christmas eve crazies

    Despite his sinus infection ( diagnosed this morning at a walk-in clinic in Puyallup), Cooper still got excited about all the presents under the christmas tree. Pumpkin was just excited about the tree itself. The three of us (and Boo) had the house to ourselves for a few hours Christmas Eve. Everyone else went to the Christmas service at 1st Prez.

A Busy Sunday

Cooper on the first night of a virus that eventually led to spending Sunday morning at the Mary Bridge Hospital ER with a temperature of 104-degrees. He's okay now. But it was a little scary to see him shivering and so lethargic. His fever would come and go suddenly.

 In the meantime, Camden and her Grandpa got to build a snowman in the front yard.

Holiday Party in Camden's class

   

Camden had a holiday party in Kindergarten today and she got a special surprise when both her Mom and Dad showed up. They couldn't get into work because of the snow storm. In case you can't  tell, Camden's teacher, Ms. Stewart, is just about her most favorite person in the world.

    And a little bit below, a short video, starring Camden & good ole Emily Drum, that shows what happens when you give School-Agers too many cookies at one time.

Cooper stars in "Ring Them Bells"

    At church on Sunday, Alison, Camden and I looked up from our hymnals and were surprised to see Cooper on stage and ringing a bell for the Christmas pageant. Surprised because this was only our 2nd consecutive visit to First Pres. We can only imagine Cooper's reaction. He's dropped off for some Sunday pre-school playtime. He's happy because they have so many trains to play with and the next thing he knows he's performing for a hundred or so people in a huge church. Didn't faze him in the least. 

   (The picture was taken after his performance when kids Camden's age took over and did a fine job even without Camden who spent the rest of the service crying. Not because she was moved by the story of the baby Jesus but because she couldn't be one of the angels in the pageant).

Snow!

   Of course Camden and Cooper rushed outside this morning to check out the snow that fell overnight.  There wasn't enough snow to make a snowman or even a decent snowball but it's still a magical thing to see your home turned into a winter wonderland.

SNOW! Cooper has an AMAZING time sledding

Something New in the Tree This Year

   Do you see it? Our new decoration. Yes, pumpkins do have a place during the Christmas season. But Daddy doesn't think that "place" is in the tree.

A Sunday with Cooper

  After a Sunday morning service at Tacoma's Romanesque First Presbyterian Church, built in 1925, Camden had a playdate with good ole Emily Drum and Cooper went shopping with Mom. He got a "new" trike which he rode around the block 6 or 7 times at high speeds. Earlier  in the morning he stopped playing with trains for a moment and actually asked to have his photograph taken ...so here it is.

Camden's Kindergarten Report Card

       From Ms. Stewart:

       "Camden is a well-liked student, who's  a pleasure to have in class...While I'm instructing, Camden sits criss cross, hands in her lap and pays attention to each lesson...(She) is very artistic and loves to be creative. She is also very bright and I can count on her to help other students with their work...Camden enjoys reading group and is achieving above grade level."