First snows and holiday preparations

We've spent the first part of December getting settled back in at home and preparing for our first Massachusetts Christmas.



The day we arrived home, we had a fun overnight visitor - Mama's friend from Corvallis, Jenny, who was here interviewing for pediatric residency positions. Of course, since Caden is a hopefully pediatrician, he and Jenny had lots to talk about (e.g. come play Thomas with me, Jenny!). Over the weekend, Mama got together with Jenny and Elise, her other close high school friend who is a grad student at Brown U. The girls had a fun night out and overnight in Boston and came to Swampscott for brunch. Everyone woke up to the first snow of the season on Sunday morning!

Caden had two stomach flus about a week apart at the beginning of the month, fortunately only causing him to miss 1.5 days of school. We set him up with a 'sick bucket' and let him veg in front of Thomas the Train, Tractor Adventure, and Wiggles DVD's. The bugs didn't get him down too much, and he enjoyed going to the Marblehead Christmas parade with Dada.

On the 14th, we joined the crowds for some Christmas shopping and picked out a Christmas tree (a Balsam fir) at a local tree stand. The tree is beautiful and reaches right up to the ceiling! Caden has been very excited about everything related to Christmas this year - Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and the Christmas tree. He helped us decorate the tree and, occasionally, un-decorates it to play with the (accessible) ornaments.

Caden also enjoyed rediscovering some of his favorite Christmas toys and decorations, including his Christmas train (photos and video to come) and the advent calendar Auntie Misty made.

Every day, Caden gets to open one advent package from Nana and Boopa, which has been a fun evening activity. Here he is in his new digger PJ's, playing with Playmobil Christmas figurines...

Last weekend, we got our first big snowstorm of the season. Just like last year, we waited at work until the flakes started to fall (on Friday) - celebrating with the students by eating take-out Chinese food - then sped home when the snow started to beat the traffic. Matt went out to measure the accumulation, and the 12 inch ruler almost disappeared - we got about 16 inches, total.

We ventured out on Saturday for some snow play, but the snow was too powdery to make a snowman or pull Caden in the sled.

Caden got quite cold but recovered quickly when we introduced him to hot chocolate and marshmallows!

Sunday, we ventured out by car to Caden's friend, Mabel's, Princess Party. Unlike our experiences last year, the roads were not well-cleared and driving was...interesting, especially since we were following directions and street signs were covered with snow. Fortunately, we made it there fine, and the snow turned to rain while we were there, making driving easier and slushier on the way back.

At the party, a Snow White-look-alike dressed the girls as princesses and boys as pirates, then coordinated stories, songs, and crafts. Caden got to be the eye patch pirate and surprisingly left the patch on.

One of the other excitements of the month was the opening of the brand new YMCA, which now contains both Caden's school and Mama and Dada's exercise facility. The center is amazing, and Caden has especially enjoyed being able to run around in the gym (and, soon, gymnastics center) when it's too cold and icy to go outside. Tuesday was the last day of school before winter break, and we went to a small party when dropping Caden off. Here he is saying 'cheese' with his wonderful teachers, Wendy...

and Christina.

Now, here it is Christmas Eve, and we are about to head over to the church near our house for Christmas carols, then to our neighbor's for an Open House. The snow on the ground has been a solid ice block since Sunday but is now starting to melt in the 45 o F heat. It looks like we will have a melty white Christmas, tomorrow!

Here's hoping Santa brings you lots of treats tonight!