Wednesday is Garbage Day

We always look forward to garbage day at our house. It matters not what the boys are doing -- when they hear the truck coming down the street, they drop/stop whatever they are doing and run to the window to watch!

A Day Last Week

Sundown Last Night and Sun Up this Morning

So, Happy Hanukkah! We celebrated last night by lighting the candles. Of course, Sam was so sure they were going to set off the smoke detectors that he spent most of the lit-candle-time on the front porch eating popcorn. Periodically, he'd stick his head in and say, "Are they out yet?" Finally, we convinced him to come in and watch the pretty candles. And, the smoke detectors stayed silent! So, tonight we lit the candles again and he was much more participatory and really enjoyed watching the candles burn.

Gus is pretty much oblivious to the candles, but I'm okay with that. An almost-2-year-old and an open flame are not my idea of a good combination. Here he is running AWAY from me trying to take his picture with the candles and yes, those are Sam's feet running away too.

No presents yet, saving those for when Grandma Carol arrives Wednesday. Don't tell, but the boys are getting a train menorah! It's so cute! They'll get some chocolate too. I mean, really. What's Hanukkah without a little chocolate? Gus has already started on the chocolate! He's got a mild brownie addiction that I'm pretty sure he gets from both sides of the family. Here he is with his brownie pack that he demanded by saying, "More, more brown, brown."

This morning we ran another 5K race. The Reindeer Run!

Ozzie had a great time of 30:13. I was a little slower which is frustrating seeing as I'm the one who actually runs on a (semi)regular basis and he does not. At all. But, good for him and I'm glad he's going to races with us. It's so nice to have something the whole family can do together. Grandma pushed the kids in the stroller again and at the end both boys got out and ran across the finish line!

Sam even wore Grandma's number pinned to his shirt:

AND they came in third place in their age group so they got a medal! What a hoot! Beth and Michael were there today too. Beth ran and bested her last time by 10 minutes! Fantastic! Michael spectated.

The Family that Runs Together...

Forgot to mention that we all did the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Ozzie and I ran and the boys rode in the double stroller with Grandma at the helm. It was a great way to start the day and reminded us of how much we have to be thankful for...

Perfect Teeth

So, Sam and Gus rang in December with trips to the dentist. Gus had his first ever check up and he passed with flying colors! Seems my boy has perfect teeth. Excellent spacing -- which, I've learned, is fantastic for avoiding cavities. No need to floss, the dentist said. GREAT! Got to love a dentist who tells you not to worry about flossing.

The next day was Sam's turn. Sam's an old pro at going to the dentist at this point. He's been for three or four check ups and for an emergency trip due to some tooth trauma -- he knocked one of his front teeth back behind the other on the side of his bed. Ouch! But this was just a check up and it went as well as Gus's. He hoped up in the chair (with a little coaxing) and let the hygienist clean his teeth. The dentist came in and proclaimed that Sam has perfect teeth too -- I've heard this before, but never tire of it. Again, don't have to worry too much about flossing, but a little more with Sam than with Gus as Sam has more teeth and presumably eats more. Ha! If we're basing our need to floss on food consumption I may better reconsider the flossing policy for Gus.

Gus Makes a Bad Day Good

This morning didn't start out so well. Sam didn't want to get dressed for school and Gus didn't want to do anything but distract Sam. By the time we got out the door a half-hour late, we were all frazzled to say the least. In the driveway Sam refused to get in the car and Gus was spinning circles in the -- to make himself dizzy. It worked because he fell. Flat on his face. Poor guy emerged from the rocks with cuts and scrapes all around his eye. He was fine, but mad as a hornet. Finally we got Sam to school and instead of going to the park to run like we normally do, I decided I'd take Gus and my bad mood home. I hoped Gus would play quietly while I took a break. Gus loves to be the only kid home and have free access to the toys. I got him settled with some golf clubs and a ball and found myself a fudgesicle in the freezer and sat down on the couch to enjoy the fudgesicle and the (relative) quiet. I zoned out until pretty soon Gus was standing in front of me saying "Bite? Bite?" with the sweetest, most hopeful look in his eye. So, what could I do, but share my fudgesicle. He stood there enjoying the fudgesicle and between each lick he said, "Bite?" At one point he said, "All gone" and walked away. But instead of walking all the way away he walked around the coffee table to the other side of me and climbed up on the couch and backed himself in to sitting right up against me. He looked up at me and said, "Kiss" and gave me a big, fudgesicle smooch, smiled and said, "Bite?"
I couldn't help but laugh. I kissed his sweet curly-haired head and felt the bad day turn good.

No School Today

This morning, Sam woke up excited there was no school and ready to take his allowance (for keeping his jammies dry -- GO SAM!) to Target to buy a tank (don't ask). Sadly, Sam soon learned that in addition to and before going to Target he would have to come to exercise class with me and then go get a flu vaccine. He's not pleased and has since taken to my bed.