Jumping Cousins

We had lots of fun the week after Christmas when our cousins were in town.  Malachi and Alex are the best little friends!  I was amused at this series of pictures of them together, alike as two little peas in a pod (right down to the stuck-out tongues).

My other favorite picture: Daisy adoring Andy

Things Ky says

This four-year-old just keeps saying cute things.  Some recent gems:

Calling highlighters "Delight Markers"

(Smacking himself in the forehead while reading his Bird Book): "Ohhhh!  I forGOT about the Painted Bunting!"

(Recounting an earlier conversation with Daisy): "First we started talking about coliseums, and then we went straight on to cranes!"

"Because my tummy hurts, I think I'm just attracted to drinks right now!"

Everyone loves him.  We just can't help it!

Velvet

Seb has always been a Monkey Man, as you know, but in his school class this year he has a pet bunny named Velvet.  (Seb's teacher reminds her class that Velvet has very sensitive ears and that things that are loud to us are extra loud to a bunny.  If the class is too loud, Velvet can't come out and hop around the class.)  Sebastian LOVES Velvet.  When he comes home from school he tells me all about what Velvet did that day, he plays Bunny, he builds bunny cages with his blocks, he hops around the house and nibbles things, etc.  It's really so cute!

We got him some little toy bunnies for Christmas, which he loves, but best of all is:

His own little "pet" Velvet (puppet)!  I love to see Sebby stroking him and snuggling with him and hopping him around the house.  So sweet!

Glowing

 It was a happy Christmas Eve and Christmas.  We loved our dinner by candlelight

and our Elf Olympics.

Everybody liked their glowing finger-lights.

Junie happily ate this superglue package

Daisy placed her new post-it notes carefully all over the house

The boys built the first few of what will be many, many marble tracks with their blocks.

Clearing Out

She eats!  She has a great appetite and is our cleanest eater yet (waves her arms elegantly to the sides as she eats rather than grabbing the spoon)

Abe Dances, Seb Sings

Christmas lights at Riverwoods---so pretty!  I like this lower picture: Sebby gazes enthralled at the fire, Daisy warms her hands, and Sam tells everyone (unsuccessfully) to "Look at Mommy!"

Cold and Rosy-cheeked (and Sorry, Sam)

Do these people go here?

Do these people go here?

Much Excitement and Running To and Fro over the insulation truck which came to blow more insulation into our attic

Sebby loves the pipe organ

Daisy puts Junie in the doll stroller

J'adore Four

Mr. Malachi turned four last week, to universal acclaim.  He is the funniest, sweetest, cutest, smartest little four-year-old you'll ever meet!  He requested butternut squash soup and wheat bread for his Birthday Dinner, with Sebby Cake for dessert. Here are some (slightly blurry---he moves fast) pictures of him on his Happy Day. 

(explaining something)

Festive

 We got our Christmas decorations (mostly) up and have been enjoying the festive atmosphere they lend.

Juniper loves the Little People Nativity, as every baby has and does.  This is one of the best presents we've ever gotten (thank you, Sheila!).

She was really playing with it, putting the animals in the stable and so forth.

She was slightly put out, but resigned, when the inevitable happened (i.e. Daisy came and took over)

The kids got some new pajamas, which I decided they should wear all month instead of 

waiting till Christmas Eve.

Matching gingerbread babies

Our rainbow Christmas tree