SNOW!

Thursday evening we went to a Northwest Alumni gathering with Jamie (my roommate at NW) and her son Ethan. The boys enjoyed running around and playing with Ethan, and I am glad he got to meet them so that someday soon he can watch them while we go out with Jamie and Brian! We went especially to see Bobby Bearcat and Santa Claus! The boys and I were decked out in our Bearcat gear! Mason kept pointing to his shirt saying, "Bearcat, right here!" He kept talking about Bobby Bearcat and was excited...UNTIL he saw him! As soon as Bobby walked in Mason started crying! He had to stay pretty far back to feel safe. Bless Bobby...he kept trying to play peek-a-boo with Mason, but he wouldn't get any closer. If Bobby was out of his sights, he'd look around and say, "Where's Bobby Bearcat?" Then when he saw him he'd say, "Oh, there he is!" When Santa arrived, Mason had a huge smile...but as soon as we set him on Santa's lap, he cried! Zane had a great time giving Bobby "5" (per Papa Hammer's request) and talking to Santa. Mrs. Claus read "The Night Before Christmas" to all of the kids!

Ethan, Mason, Zane

High five for Bobby
Bobby playing "peek a boo" with Mason

Zane, Bobby & Ethan

The boys with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Saturday we went to City Market (some local mom and pop shops) to see the "Real Grinch!" We had been talking about it all week long and both boys would say they wanted to see the real Grinch. We got there early and there was already a line. As soon as we got close enough to see the Grinch, Mason started shaking in Matt's arms! Poor buddy! When it was our turn, he kept saying "No! No!" Matt sat him beside the Grinch and you can see what happened...and of course my one picture of Zane looking has the Grinch looking away, so this is the best we got (see below).

Waiting to see the Grinch...he can see him now...looks scared huh?

The Real Grinch!

Our "Whos" (Mason a girl?)

Decorating Grinch masks

Looking at the Steamboat wheel

After we left from seeing the Grinch, we headed to Crown Center, thinking we'd surprise the boys and eat at Fritz's (the Choo Choo Place). Our first clue that it wasn't a good idea should have been when the parking garage was full...then we got inside and realized there was a kids concert and Breakfast with Santa going on...it was packed and the line for Fritz's was curled around and super long! Somehow we talked Zane into leaving, which was good...but while there we also ran into Frosty the Snowman!

Zane with Frosty

Last night we had Erika (Jo's daughter) come over to watch the boys while we went out to watch the Northwest game. Even though the Bearcats lost, we had a fun time there and it was nice to know the boys were well taken care of! I know the boys had fun, Erika built a huge train track with them, so when we got home they were all playing with it! I hope she wants to come back lots more! When it began to snow yesterday, Zane could barely stand it...he was so excited! Lately he has been saying "why is it snowing in Iowa and not in Kansas City?" He is just dying to build a snowman and throw some snowballs! So this morning when we woke up and he happened to glance out the window, he started SCREAMING "Snow! Snow! There's snow on the ground!" All he could talk about today was getting outside and playing in the snow! First I had to go out and get him some new snowboots...I wasn't prepared...so once I got home I let him go out. He didn't stay out too long as it was FREEZING cold, but at least he got a little "snow fix!" He wanted Matt to help him build a snowman...there wasn't even enough snow for that!

Zane-isms

• We have been talking about how to be thankful for any and all gifts that you receive for Christmas, so I was telling Zane "If you open a present and it's underwear, even if you don't like it or want it, what will you do?" He responds "say thank-you." So then I said, "If you open up a gift and it's something we already have, don't say 'we already have this.' Instead, just say 'thank you' and Mommy will take it back to the store and get you something else you don't have." He said, "Or we could give it to someone else who doesn't have it!" That's my boy!
• Zane has been telling me he wants Santa to bring him a green Lightning McQueen car. I know they don't make them, so I tell him this every time. His response is always, "But Mom the elves can make it, they just have to use green paint! They can make anything! I will just tell Buzz to tell the elves to make one!" Oh my...

Mason's Marvels

• When we go get Zane at Preschool, Mason always stops and gets a drink from the water fountain. This week he got a drink on the way in and Zane got a drink on the way out. I said, "Mason, do you want a drink?" He said, "No, had enough!"