December

We have had a busy month and I haven't had time to update the blog! Here's a recap of what the kids have been up to these past couple of weeks! Carl and Ben had their first overnight campout. The didn't venture too far (the backyard) but both had a great time! They raked up pine needles and leaves before pitching the tent and Ben had fun running from one pile to the next! Ella and I joined them for hotdogs, Smores, and campfire songs, but opted to sleep inside the house! Fortunately, Ben didn't seem to mind that we were gathered around the grill instead of a fire!

Despite rain, the boys slept in the tent all night long! Ben woke up once and Carl asked if he could hear the rain. Ben told him that it sounded like an airplane and then fell right back to sleep. The next morning, I asked Ben what his favorite part about camping was and he replied enthusiastically, "the marshmallows!!" My mom came back for another visit the first week of December. We missed my dad, but he was unable to get away from work due to the crazy farming season that they are having in Illinois! The kids loved being spoiled by Nana and I was able to get many errands run and projects finished without kids. It will be so nice when we have grandmas (and aunts and cousins!) readily on hand when we move back!

My mom busted her lip while trying to retrieve something from my tiny excuse for a pantry. When Ben saw her holding the ice up to her lip, he thought that he needed to "eat some ice", too. As they sat at his table, Ben would periodically lean over and say "How ya' doin' Nana?". Ben loves holiday baking! Between cookie exchanges and Carl's presentations at school, we have been in the kitchen a lot lately! Luckily, Ella likes to sit in her bouncy seat or excersaucer and watch what we're doing. I will explain to Ben what ingredients we are putting in, and then he will turn around and let Ella know what we're doing!

Ben knows that he is not allowed to get out of his bed during naptime. This is how I found him the other day!

Ella is loving her early Christmas present from Nana and Grandpa Nelson. She has figured out how to spin herself around in circles and likes playing with all of the different toys. She is also sitting up well with a little support from the Boppy pillow. She looks so grown up when she is sitting and playing with Ben!

A new favorite past time for Ben is having dance parties. He usually requests Classic Rock, and Carl has taught him how to play the air guitar. He also enjoys a little Michael Jackson or Black Eyed Peas when he's ready to change it up a bit! While we were in the car the other day, I told him that we were listening to Christmas Classic Rock. This obviously did not fool him because the next time I put him in his carseat, he said "I want to listen to REAL classic rock this time, Momma".

Both kids have enjoyed walking around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. Ben is also very excited about riding the airplane tomorrow. He knows once we get to Illinois he gets to do laundry with Grandma! I'm a little concerned about how he will feel about the weather in IL right now. I took him to the grocery store the other night and when I opened his door he said "Momma, roll down my sleeves, it's FREEZING out here!!". I looked at the thermometer and it read 61 degrees!

We are all packed and looking forward to our trip back to IL!