Luke's Newest, Most Favorite Game: Buckethead!

Ice Skating Lessons

So I did take Jackson ice skating over Christmas break, as promised. We both had fun, but Jackson was disappointed that he couldn't really skate. At first he could just sort of stand there, sometimes. Sometimes not. He had a little goose egg on the back of his head from the "sometimes not".

By the time we were done, he did make it across the ice without falling, but he would only do it holding my hand, which was good enough for me but Jackson really wanted to be out there skating.

I'm glad we went skating when we did because after our adventure, I looked into skating lessons and found a class that started in just a few days. Great timing on my part, or do you think these skating acadamies know that lots of people try out ice skating over the Christmas break and may be interested in learning to skate after that? Hmm. I like to give myself credit whenever I can, but it looks like these skating teachers know what they are doing.

But, I do get credit for finding him a pair of ice skates on clearance for the same price that it would have cost to rent his skates for just this one 8-week class. AND, the skates are adjustable to 3 different shoe sizes, so we can probably get some use out of them. Pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Anyway, here are some pictures from his first lesson. I thought there might only be one or two other boys in the class with him, if we were lucky, but I think his class is actually evenly split - 4 girls and 4 boys.

Because my family is totally brutal and falling is part of learning to skate, I was definitely going to post a picture of him laying on the ice, but none of them really turned out. He was either on a bad spot on the ice or someone was in the way and you can't tell it is him. From the looks of things though, I'm sure he'll hit the deck again next week. And, I'll have my camera ready. Maybe even some video! :)

Fun on Christmas Break

Even after all the Christmas festivities, we still had another week and a half of days off to spend because Jackson was out of school. Luke's daycare wasn't closed nearly as long, so he only got to do a few of the outings, but he doesn't know what he's missing anyway.

Jackson, Luke, and I visited the Children's Museum the Monday after Christmas, which I guess was the 27th. It's a busy time of year there, but we went right when they opened and it was no problem. Luke hadn't been to the museaum in quite a while and he really had a grand time. It was fun seeing him get so excited to be able to do things that he was too young for the last time we took him. The obligatory carousel ride is always fun.

Of course, he was soaking wet and cold by the end of this activity., but he supposedly leaned something, right?
I dunno what this ball machine is called, but all the kids just love it.
Winter Wonderland: ice fishing, ice castle slide, and penguin sliding.

The next day Chris took Jackson to see Yogi Bear in 3D at the movies. Why do all of these movies have to be in 3D? Ugh. Glad I didn't have to go. We also visited Incredible Pizza Company during our break, which is WAY nicer than the Chuck E. Cheese's Jackson had suggested. We attended a 2nd birthday party for Auggie, who still claims to remember that Luke bit him on Labor Day weekend. It was too traumatizing to forget I guess. Ice skating is still left on the agenda - we'll try to tackle that tomorrow. I'm always glad to put that senior-year U of I class to use! I can still skate well, but I'm more out of shape and more sore by the end of it! I just remember my feet killing me last year.

Today, we went bowling in between running errands and I totally *killed* it. Good thing I told Jackson that he was playing the kid game and I was playing the adult bowling game, or he'd have been crying from the beat-down. :)

King of the Hill

2010 Preschool Christmas Program

I've tried to get the video of the program upload several times, but I can't get the stupid thing to upload here for some reason. Ugh, it's frustrating. I guess you'll just have to trust me when I say that it's cute. What's not cute about forty or forty-five 3- and 4-year olds singing and doing hand-gestures?

Singing.


Hanging with his buddies Bosco & Max after the big performance.

Polka Dots

Polka Dot Wishes Holiday

Turn your photo into this year's holiday party invitations.

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Santa & The Boys

Santa paid his annual visit to the Kelly Christmas Party last weekend. And, as usual, Jackson had no problems saddling up to the Big Man, dutifully telling him that he wanted a penguin Pillow Pet for Christmas, and posing for a photo.

Luke was a different story. He didn't want anything to do with Santa. Chris had to carry him up there to get his gift and Luke cried the whole way. Once they made it through the crowd, Luke (still crying) threw his hands up to his face and covered his eyes until they were a safe distance from Santa. I don't think Luke quite gets the concept that just because you can't see him, doesn't mean he can't see you.