It's Christmastime

Christmas Eve

In our little family of four, we have managed to create and maintain certain traditions.  It is particularly special this year because Dylan is just so mesmerized and excited about everything Christmas.  For the last couple of years, we've managed to do the same thing on Christmas Eve:  get dressed up for church, order in for dinner, get in our pajamas, bake cookies for Santa, leave carrots for the reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa, and, of course, take lots of pictures.

As soon as the kids went to bed, Mommy and Daddy turned into Santa's helpers and got to work.  We made sure the house was prepped for our early risers - presents from Santa are right by fireplace, cookies, milk and carrots are partially eaten, and presents from Mommy and Daddy are ready to be revealed.  It's a lot of work but we are rewarded with the looks on the boys' faces and all day of hugs and kisses.

Ready for Church

Having our Christmas Eve dinner

While Dylan and Mommy were making cookies for Santa, Logan was stealing M&Ms from the Gingerbread house

Writing a note for Santa that read:  Santa, Thank you!  Dylan and Logan

Before Logan went to bed - he has excited when we told him Santa will be coming while he's sleeping

A note for Santa with Milk and Cookies for Santa; Carrots for the reindeer

.  Dylan set it all up.

Our annual pajama picture:

Merry Christmas to all.. and to all a good night!

Allergies Update

When Logan was born, we decided that it was probably best to treat him as if he has peanut allergies.  At that time, especially at Dylan's age,  it was best that we kept both of them away from anything with peanuts.  After a long overdue visit to our allergist, it was confirmed that Logan is indeed allergic to peanuts.  The good news is that with all of the common allergies they tested for, peanut is the only thing that came back positive.  As we suspected, Dylan still has his peanut allergies (which he most likely won't outgrow anytime soon) and has added fish to the list.   

  

Dylan (L) and Logan (R) with their skin allergist tests.

Monkey see... monkey do...

Every since we can remember, Logan pretty much mimics everything Dylan says and does. If Dylan wants water, so does Logan, thirsty or not.  When Dylan says "thank you", Logan says "tink chu".  If Logan doesn't want to put a certain pair of shoes on, we just say, "look, Dylan has the same shoes on".  Done!  Logan gets excited when they are both wearing the same thing.  Whatever Dylan plays with, Logan is right there behind him.  It's actually an amazing thing to watch.

Today we discovered that it doesn't stop there.  Dylan is allergic to peanuts.. so why not Logan ?  Yup, we found out that our little one also has peanut allergies.  We're sad about it - just as when we found out about Dylan's allergies.  But looking at the bright side of things - at least it's the same allergy as Dylan's so we just have to continue doing what we've always done.  We are so glad we assumed from the very beginning that Logan would be allergic to peanuts and kept him away from it. 

Christmas in the city

Since Mommy and Daddy can remember, one of the things they love to do is see the Christmas tree in the city.  One year we even went to watch the lighting of the tree.  We have managed to carry on the tradition even with the little ones around.  It's one of our favorite things to do during the Christmas season - even if we have to brave the cold winter weather.  In addition to seeing the tree, we have added a visit to FAO Schwartz and Toys R Us and staying over night at the Sheraton in Times Square which is probably the kids' favorite part.

This year, we went on a day when the weather was bearable and was not painfully cold for the kids.  First, we drove to Chinatown for a delicious lunch and a little bit of food shopping.  After checking into the hotel, our first stop was the LEGO store where the kids go to make their own Lego men and admire their amazing displays.  Since the store was just right next to the Rockefeller tree, we took a glimpse of it during the daytime and got some great shots.  Then off to FAO Schwartz - the biggest toy store with just about every toy you can think of.  Dylan and Logan went around the whole place adding to their Christmas wish list.  They'd ask us to take pictures of the toys they want so we can show them to our Elf Brody.  After walking around the toy store for a couple of hours, they got a little surprise from Lolo and Tia Nor who met up with us at the toy store.  Then we all walked over to the Tree to see it at night - just beautiful!

 

Santa Train

All year round Santa Train (Polar Express) is one of the most viewed movies in our house.  The boys pretty much have the movie memorized and even Logan recognizes all of the songs and characters.  This year we bought our tickets early (in AUGUST!) because they sell out pretty quickly.  (Last year by the time Mommy checked out the tickets in November, it was already sold out!). 

We didn't tell the boys about the ride and they were extremely hyped up when they realized where we were going.  First we took a school bus ride from the parking lot to the train which in itself was a special treat for the boys.  Then we boarded the train and met up with some friends.  As soon as Logan saw the train, it was non-stop "ALL ABOARD".  The train ride took about 2 hours and we were entertained with readings, songs, and characters from the movie.  The kids even got their own hot chocolate, cookies and jingle bells.  They also saw Santa and took pictures with him.  This time around, Logan was so happy with the whole experience that he quickly sat on Santa's lap for a nice picture.

It was such a special treat and seeing their little happy faces light up made the experience so magical for Mommy and Daddy.

Logan loved the school bus ride

In their jammas heading to North Pole in the Santa Train

 Waiting for the train to leave the station

 Ticket!  Ticket!  (just like in the movie)

looking out the window and enjoying the scenery

having a few words with Santa

a fun family ride

with friends Gabby and Lilly

Hello Santa!  See you again at Christmas!

Friend's Christmas party

For the past three years we've attended a Christmas party with lots friends from our area.  The Santa comes to give the little boys and girls a present for being good.  The kids always have a great time and even Mommy and Daddy enjoy catching up with friends.

Dylan spotted Santa as he came in the room

Logan getting his gift from Santa - but no sitting down on Santa's lap

See that big smile - Dylan was SO very excited to get a present from Santa.

 

 Can you tell he likes what Santa gave him?  It was one of the items on his list.  We wonder how Santa knew?!

 

Our little chatter got toy phone which he loved - So far he's called Mommy, Daddy, Didi, Lolo, Lola and Grandma

He had the Transformer mask on the the whole day!