Daddy’s View

We had our first snow of the season!

Eric could hardly wait to get to work shoveling the sidewalk with his new snow shovel from Santa.

It’s been a busy month!

We celebrated Mommy’s birthday and Jesus’ birthday.  Parties, shopping, visiting, family, friends…whew!  So much activity, excitement, and love!  Eric really enjoyed this month.

As I said, it’s been busy and still is.  I will be brief with this post, but I have several photos to share.

Eric and I enjoyed watching TV together on a lazy evening before bed time…

We went to have our annual family photo taken.  Eric was again very cooperative with the photographer.  He really like her.  The photos turned out great!

We visited with Grandma D and Grandpa D the week before Christmas.  All of the family was there.  Eric always enjoys visiting with family.  He loves his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparent so much!  He enjoyed his usual role as Grandpa’s helper passing out gifts to everyone.

When we got in the car to go to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house, the first thing Eric said, “When we get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, I’m going to go in the basement.”  I asked, “Why?”  Eric replied, “Because I want to!”  I probed further, “What will you do in the basement?”  I already knew the answer, but Mommy and I were amused at his attempt to sneak around the issue.  Eric boldly stated, “Play with Grandpa’s train!”  And that he did.  He was practically glued to Grandpa’s trains under the Christmas tree.  He played for as long as Grandpa or I would sit with him.  Eric took over the role of conductor, so he was declared “the boss” by Grandpa.  Grandpa told him, “You can tell Daddy what to do!”  Eric smiled a little too big at the realization of what that could mean, so I quickly added, “But only for the trains!”

Before we left to come home the next day, Grandpa gave Eric a train station and a church from his train set.  Eric was thrilled!  When we got home, he immediately asked which bag had his train station.  We unpacked it and placed it under our tree with Eric’s train.  He was so proud to have Grandpa’s station and church with his own train.

This year was the year for trains apparently, because he also received a gift of a wooden train set.  He played with it also when we got home.

On Christmas eve, Mommy’s family gathered at our house with some friends to celebrate.  We exchanged gifts and enjoyed a wonderful holiday meal.  Eric spent some time playing Angry Birds on Aunt Carol’s iphone…

Before bed time, Eric carefully set out some cookies and milk for Santa.  He also left some “magic” reindeer food and a carrot for Santa’s reindeer.  Eric was surprised and amazed when he looked on Christmas morning at the plate, empty except for a few crumbs and a piece of carrot.  The glass of milk was empty, too.  What impressed him even more was the “Thank You” note that Santa left for him.

When Eric woke up this morning, Mommy went into his room to tell him that he could get out of bed.  When she said this, he jumped out of bed, pushed past her, and ran down the hall to see if Santa had come to our house!  He ran into the living room and exclaimed, “I have a new motorcycle!”  He was overwhelmed with all the toys and gifts from Santa and from Mommy and Daddy.  He spent the better part of the morning riding his new motorcycle around the living room and up and down the hallway.  After breakfast, he and I got dressed and went outside to ride his “motorcycle” up and down the sidewalk.

After the weekend events, including meals and a very sticky breakfast, Eric was due for a bath.  Of course, to dry off, he wore his new bath robe.  Mommy and I bought the robe for him.  Seeing him wear it made me think of little Ralphie from A Christmas Story.  When I finally stopped laughing, I agreed that it was very cute!

Merry Christmas to all!

Eric loves the new train under our Christams tree!   He plays with it every day…except Wednesday when the batteries were dead.  I replaced the batteries promptly on Wednesday night…whew!

Eric loves going to preschool!  Every day the teachers have fun activities and games for the children.  This week, the children decorated their own ginger bread houses.  Eric did a wonderful job.  His house looks very neat and festive!  His teacher made a point to mention to Mommy how carefully and meticulously Eric decorated his house.  His teacher was impressed.  Mommy and I are very proud!