Post-Christmas

Partway into January, I received this email from the mother of one of Robin's preschool friends:

"Hi there,

Just wanted to let you know that Robin taught C how to write the word "bear" today so C has been making books about bears and writing the name down all afternoon!  You have a little teacher there-- very cute!"

This made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, knowing that Robin is having a positive influence on other kids.  Especially so, because this mom and I had discussed our kids' interests in educational matters, and C hasn't been very interested in letters or writing.  He hadn't even been interested in writing his own name yet.  So I'm glad that Robin has helped his friend garner some enthusiasm.  My kid is helpful!

Robin got an easel for Christmas, and really wanted me to set it up for him.  Then he went to town painting pictures for our walls

We went to my parents' house a few days after Christmas to visit further with Great Nana.  They still hadn't shoveled their snow from Christmas, so Robin decided to help Poppa shovel.  It began to snow again while they were out there too.  Now, we hadn't brought boots or snow pants with us, so Robin got thoroughly soaked.  We tossed his clothes in the dryer, and he wore one of Poppa's sweatshirts for the duration.  I think he looks like an Oliver Twist-style orphan wearing this.

A nice family shot

Four generations

Sitting together in the sensory bin

"Mama, will you take a picture of us?"  I love to see them being all brotherly

Dean got to go to a Broncos game at the end of December.  It was freezing, but they won and he had a lot of fun

Robin decided to put on his Crayon costume from 2011's Halloween, fill his green blanket with toys, and wear a Santa hat.  He's Santa, of course!

Remember how I love to see them be brotherly?  Yeah, I'm seeing this a lot lately.  *heart swells*

All bundled up for a very cold night at Zoo Lights

We went on the very last night.  It was absolutely frigid, but by renewing our zoo membership we got free tickets, so we wanted to take advantage of them.

The two pairs of socks, pajama pants used as long underwear, shirts-sweaters-coats, mittens clipped to coats, hats, hoods, and blanket kept everybody functional until right at the end.

We'll go earlier next year, so we can choose our day more wisely.  We'll also bring hot cocoa next time.

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The zoo had ice sculptures this year!  I don't remember that from years past

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The museum with a friend.  The "C" I mentioned at the beginning of this post, in fact

The boys all measured their strides on the motion capture camera.  Liam, Robin, and C.

The boys got an RC car from my uncle for Christmas.

I didn't want them driving it on our street, so we took it with us to storytime so we could drive it outside the library one day.

They both loved watching it zip around.

And Robin, in particular, loved figuring out how to drive it.

Liam's still a little young.

He still likes pushing buttons though.

I told Robin to be careful not to step on the thing, because I'd had one of these as a kid and the neighbor across the street ran his bike over it, and it never ran fast again.  Then I had to repeat that story over and over again, because Robin was fascinated with the concept for some reason.

Everybody had fun with this.  Thanks, Uncle Glenn!

In conclusion, here are some videos of Liam talking. I was working off of memory so I didn't get all of his words, and he's continued to add more nearly every day since I took these, but this gives you an idea--and lets you hear his sweet voice, if you're far away and haven't heard it.