Christmas

Christmas has been a little different for us this year, but still quite nice. We went to my parents' last week for an early celebration, and we are so glad we hadn't planned to travel this week when the blizzard hit.




This week, Jon also continued the Kroesche family tradition of making sugar cookies with Jeremiah. It was something that his dad always did with them. Though I should clarify, Mom actually makes the dough, and Dad cuts out the cookies with the kids. When I tried to add frosting and decorating into the mix, I heard some protests. But I prevailed--for a little while at least.



On Christmas day, we didn't go anywhere, due to the blizzard conditions and 11 inches of snow that we received. We loved celebrating at home for a change, and it was a lot of fun watching Jeremiah wake up, get excited about the presents under the tree, and then open them and try to decide what to play with first.



Jon's cleared our driveway and walks at least 3 times, and we're getting some more snow as we speak. He had a trip today and on his way to the airport, he almost got stuck on our street (which will probably not be plowed for several more days). There's no way the Vue will make it out, so I'm not sure what's happening for church tomorrow, as Jon as another trip in the morning. But we're warm, we have more than plenty to eat, and I'm not experiencing any cabin fever at all!

Come on peoples!

Last week was the Star City Parade in Lincoln. Since Jon was out of town, I opted not to go. Instead, Jeremiah and I did some Christmas shopping and met a friend for lunch.

On our way back through downtown Lincoln, the parade had just ended. Marching bands and people in costume were making their way back to their cars. Plus, the giant balloons were being led back to a parking lot in order to be deflated.

Jeremiah loved these balloons. We got to see a giant Kermit the Frog and a basketball. We were several blocks away from Kermit, and I said, "Maybe if the cars move some more, Jeremiah, we can get closer to the froggy."

Up to this point, traffic had moved fairly well, but then it got very congested and we were barely moving. Kermit continued to move past the point where we would be able to see him up close. Then I heard from the back seat, "Come on peoples! Let's go!"

Now I wonder where he ever would have heard something like that?

The Ups and Downs of 2

The age of 2 is an interesting one. There are a lot of things that I both like and dislike about this stage. I dislike temper tantrums, I dislike that ears seem to shut off when you're trying to tell them something (maybe that's all ages), and I really dislike dirty diapers being taken off and dumped in the middle of the living room floor.

But there are lots of things that I like, and just plain love, about this age, too. I love that Jeremiah still wants to cuddle with Jon and I. I love hearing a "I love you, Mommy," out of the blue. I love his excitement and wonder over little things.

And even though it's sometimes embarrassing, I love that he wants to share his excitement and whatever is going on with him that minute with the entire world.

Two examples: Last week, we were out shopping and I picked up some vitamins for Jeremiah. Now, these were his very first vitamins. Jon and I had decided that since he was so fascinated with our vitamins (and had even gotten a hold of some of mine a few times and popped them in his mouth before I could stop him), maybe it was time for some of his own. Jeremiah was quite excited about this prospect and even more so when I found some Toy Story vitamins on the shelf. As we continued our shopping in Target, I let Jeremiah hold the box. He was shaking the bottle and telling everyone who passed by (definitely not in his inside voice), "These are my vitamins. Peoples, these are my vitamins!"

Then last night, Jon took Jeremiah Christmas shopping with him. Not only did Jeremiah get to ride in Daddy's truck (a matter of great excitement at our house), he got to eat at the mall food court. Evidently shoes had come off a long time before the eating commenced and pasta sauce managed to somehow get on Jeremiah's sock. Jon said from that point on, Jeremiah loudly proclaimed to all within earshot, "I got pasta on my sock! I got pasta on my sock!" all the while holding out his foot for them to see.

I'll miss these stories later on, I know. But I'm definitely looking forward to not finding diapers on the living room floor anymore.