We had a wonderful Holiday Season. It feels like it was already ages ago, but in reality, it has only been a couple of months. With the twins coming, it really makes time fly by. Grad-o loved hanging with the cousins, grandparents, and aunts/uncles. He almost likes them as much as he likes himself a good craft. Sadly, he spends so much time with his mom on pinterest, that he's picked up some good Thanksgiving craft ideas. He is hoping to be a young women's or relief society leader soon.
Camille's parents rented a little condo so that we could fit the entire family. Adam, of course, stuffed his face none stop, while Camille's dad seemed to be toasting to Adam's ability to consume large amounts of food.
After we got over being uncomfortable from eating so much food, we decided to continue to help Grad-o and his passion....CRAFTS. We made some gingerbread houses. Grad-o was in the thick of it all. He kept telling his mom that this is just like her "pewter" (Pewter is a Gradism for 'computer').
The sad part of our Thanksgiving Holiday was a trip to the Emergency Room. Grad-o was so sick!! He kept coughing like a seal and had a minor fever. He also was super tired, had no energy, and ate nothing. All he wanted to do was dress up like a pirate and lay in bed. Can't blame the kid for wanting to be a stylish sick kid. Note: This marks two years in a row that we have spent thanksgiving with Camille's family in the ER. Both times we had the same doctors and nurses. Last time it was for Adam and strep throat. Camille is hoping not to make the ER list in the coming years.
Christmas was more magical this year because Grad-o was fully aware of Santa Claus. In fact, he was so aware that he became obsessed. And by obsessed we mean STALKER. Grady would dress up, all day, every day, like Santa. His Santa outfit consisted of his snow suit, which was red, and a Santa hat. He would then pull his sled all over the place...including the house, the tub, the bathroom, out side, and his room. At one point, he had recruited his two little friends, both of whom were girls, to be his reindeer. He had them pulling his sleigh around and he would scream "HO HO HO". He will be a good supervisor someday.
Adam's mom provided the perfect crowning piece...a beard. Which was worn none stop on Christmas Eve.
Santa cannot be Santa without the addition of mittens and a belt. The mittens are winter mittens, and the belt is an accessory from Woody of Toy Story. At times Grady would run around and play so much with his Santa gear on that he would sweat through the suit. We were worried he would pass out from heat stroke. We would try and take it off, but he would cry and pitch monster fits. So, we let him sweat it out.
We finally were able to free him from Santa for about ten minutes to reenact the nativity scene. Adam, Grad-o, and some of the cousins were wise men. Adam thought his hat was particularly hot. The Nativity was interesting to say the least. There were two Josephs, one Shepard, two Jesus's, and many sword fights with the wise men and Shepard's staffs. Quite the night.
We enjoyed opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa.
Christmas morning was, as expected, magical. When Grad-o saw what Santa brought him, he couldn't stop jumping up and down. He got a kitchen, table, pirate ship, pirate dress up, basketball jersey, books, and star wars guys. He loved it all so much.
He loved it so much, until he remember that he was a Santa Stalker and needed to have his gear on. He demanded and demanded, until his dad finally gave in. You can see the happiness on Adam's face. You can also see the Star Wars guys lined up, and Grady ripping through his stocking. Note: There were large amounts of sweat pouring from Grad-o the stalker's stinky body.
At the end of the morning, Grady was so hot and he refused to take off his Stalker suit, that Adam told him to go and lay in the snow. Grady-o happily obliged, and then decided to make some snow angels, while singing Jingle Bells. It was a perfect Christmas.
