Merry Christmas #2

We had a great Christmas this year. We weren't sure what to expect, but as always the Lord provided us with good company and fun times. We went over to a friend's house for dinner on Christmas Eve. Axel was a champ. He wasn't able to sleep during his nap because he was so excited that Santa was coming. He spent almost the entire hour and fifteen minutes he was lying in bed singing at the top of his lungs, "Santa is coming to town!". It probably didn't help that we had him open a gift on Christmas Eve morning. We were hoping the classic Christmas movies would entertain him while we were at dinner. The only problem was that we couldn't say no to Axel watching one movie in the morning. He watched "Santa is coming to town", if you couldn't guess by his singing and chanting at nap time. He absolutely loved to learn about good old Kris Kringle and how he started delivering toys to children.

We attempted to go to church as a family, but Axel's lack of sleep resulted in a total melt down about half way through the service. The place was way too packed to deal with a screaming child so we decided to leave. We stopped by the house to pick up the pack n play as well as Axel's pillow and blanket thinking he might want to crash early at our friend's house. We were pleasantly surprised by Axel's angelic behavior that lasted until 10:30pm! We told ourselves that we would leave as soon as he started to melt down, but it never came. It was such a blessing to be able to share a nice meal and time with friends without having to worry about Axel.

Axel did struggle to get to sleep, but I do believe he was in dream land just about 11pm. He woke just after 7am, which was a bit early for him considering he went to bed so late. Here is Axel on Christmas morning. It took him a few minutes to become his happy self. He was excited to see Mark, his elf, on the Christmas tree, and the plate of cookies for Santa empty. He knew that Santa had come and that Mark would be going back to the North pole until next year.

Axel was a great little helper as he climbed under the Christmas tree to reach the presents that were deep underneath.

Axel opened Santa's gifts first. He loved the train tracks that Santa sent him so much that we had to bargain with him to continue to open his other gifts.

We did give him amble time between gifts, but we realized the little guy really only needs a couple of presents. The difficult thing about that is he is loved so much by all of his family that EVERYONE sends him gifts. Hopefully our house will not be overtaken by toys. I already stored a few toys in the attic to make more room :)

To back track. On the Thursday before Christmas Axel was able to have another play date with our neighbor Rishaan. They just happen to both wear Mickey Mouse t-shirts that day. They are the cutest kids ever. One game they played for almost an hour was the sleeping game. They would run into Rishaan's room, lie in his bed, pull the covers up and giggle. They would then run out of the bedroom into the living room and repeat x 100 times. Hema was able to grab a picture of them as we opened the door quickly and caught them lying still giggling. I will have to post that once she forwards it to me. I only managed to get one photo on my phone. It is not very good, but you can see the Mickey Mouse shirts and how much taller Rishaan is than Axel.

On Christmas Eve morning, Axel and I raked the front yard and played in the leaves. Axel loves leaves.

He played in the leaves over the weekend when daddy and him raked as well. He actually told me that we needed to rake because there was too many leaves in the front yard. Here are a couple of pictures and yes, he likes to go into the yard waste bin. What can I say, boys will be boys!

Axel continues to amaze us and we feel so blessed to have such a wonderful child. He seems to be growing as he feels heavier and he looks taller compared to the dining room table. He loves to sing at the top of his lungs, no matter where we are. I really need to get a video of him singing, but he tends to claim up when he knows I am recording him. He loves to help and do what mommy and daddy are doing. He rather help do chores than play on his own. He is becoming more and more articulate and smarter by the minute. He loves to extend his bedtime and naptime in whatever way he can. He loves to fix things and take care of others if they are injured. For example, today he got a bandaid for me when I scraped my knuckle on the corner of a cabinet. He put it on me and said, "are you all better mommy?" I will leave you with a picture of Axel "fixing" his bike.

Merry Christmas #1

We had a small Christmas celebration on Saturday. I made chicken enchiladas and Spanish rice from scratch. It was not to bad for my first attempt. Everyone was really nice and pretended like they liked it :)

Desert was a bigger hit with the chocolate vegan cake (for baby Jesus), the persimmon cookies and the "to die for" pumpkin ice cream.

After everyone de-stressed from their travels and after eating dinner we got right into present opening. Axel was such a big helper. He carried all of his presents and then handed out everyone else's presents. Here he is carrying his super big present from Auntie and Uncle. This was his first present of the day. It was a giant cardboard space ship that is designed to be colored or painted.

Axel really wanted to put it together right away, but we were able to convince him to keep opening the other presents. Here he is with present number two. See how big and strong he is?

Guess what this heavy big present from Grandma and Grandpa is....yep, a big motorized truck! Here is Grandpa teaching Axel how use it. He did quite good considering it says for ages 6+ on the box.

Because of the present opening Axel missed his nap. He started getting a little cranky around 3pm. He decided he wanted to take a "nap" in his new space rocket. Here he is during his 60 second nap, smiles and all.

We had so much fun visiting with Great Grandma, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Brian, Auntie and Uncle Ryan. We were said to see them go, but were so grateful for the time we had to spend with them.

On a side note, Grandma Carol sent Axel a new hat and Louis a new sweater. We all absolutely love them both. She did such a good job knitting them. Here is Louis in his new sweater. I think it is the cutest sweater ever! I would wear it if it was big enough :)

And here is Axel in his super cute new hat.

I totally want it. Can you tell? I think it fits me perfect! Axel was kind enough to let me wear it for the picture, but since then he lets me know that it is his. He wears it all of the time, in and out of the house!

Sorry for the delay in posting this....the days seem to be running all together. Check back soon for pictures of this coming weekend and until then.....
Merry Christmas! May we all enjoy this special time of year as we celebrate the birth of our wonderful and mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
God Bless you all!!!!!!

Santa and Lights

Axel and I have had a fun filled couple of days, despite Axel waking with a cold and small fever on Thursday morning. Most of the day was mellow with Axel resting at home, but his fever and cold couldn't stop him from going on a "chu chu train" to see the Christmas lights at Vascona Park.

I got Axel all bundled up as if he was going skiing. He was so overheated by the time that we were back in the car he immediately started stripping. The successful thing was that he didn't mention being cold once, which allowed me to feel good about taking my sick child out in the 40 degree weather to see Christmas lights.

After riding on the train around the park they offered a free carousel ride. This was the first time that Axel actually make it without crying or getting off before it started. This was also the first time that I took him to a place that allowed the parents to ride with their children. He had so much fun he kept telling me he wanted to ride a camel again in the future. The funny thing was this carousel is composed of only horses.

The following day while we waited for Santa Claus to park his sleigh and rein deers on the roof of Westgate shopping center Axel rode on Clifford for the first time. It is really fun for me to see how much more brave he is becoming and that he is starting to enjoy rides like this. I can remember how much I enjoyed them growing up so I hope he continues as well.

Santa arrived walking slowly with his cane. Axel quickly became his shy self. We were the first people of the day. Santa spoke with a soft gentle voice as he asked Axel what type of train tracks he wanted. Santa said he would be sure to tell his elfs to get started on making them and kindly gave Axel a candy cane. Axel then did a great job of consuming his first candy cane ever, with little instruction from me. I told him these candies are easy to choke on and that he needs to lick or bite through the hard candy. He then took it gave it one lick and bit right into it saying, "mommy I won't choke on it." he is just like his daddy in the sense that he can chew hard candy like that.

We have dinner plans with our neighbors again so Axel gets to play with his new friend Rishaan. Tomorrow we have another little party to go to so the crazy holiday fun continues. It is hard to believe Christmas is almost here. Next week we are having our Christmas gathering with Auntie Shannon and Grandma Susan and Grandpa Brian so for Axel gift opening starts next week!

Check back soon for more fun filled moments of little Axel!

Funny Axel

Axel has become quite the funny little man. I have mentioned his humor before, but it continues to grow and blossom. A few examples of what he has done this past week for laughs are as follows.

1.



Need I say more?

2. Putting a huge container on his head at a birthday party today and trying to walk around with it balancing on his head. I was unable to take a picture because I was worried that this container full of interlocking toys was going to fall on another child.

Yes....Axel really thinks he is funny. He is constantly saying. "That is funny mommy," "Axel is funny".

The funny thing about it is I laugh the most when he is not trying to be funny because his expressions and responses are extremely hilarious.

He will whisper in my ear "mommy is it morning time?" Or say, "Daddy you are squishing me, I am trying to sleep right here!" or, "mommy, do you want to go memorize the Grinch songs with me". They may not seem funny to you, but the big words, thought out phrases and facial expressions he has are what really get me.

We had our new neighbors over for dinner and Rishaan and Axel had their first play date. Axel and Rishaan were great friends by the end of the night, although they struggled initially. Axel wasn't very good at sharing. Luckily, Rishaan is super laid back and kept going to other toys. Axel had a blast playing "horsey" on Muhesh's(Rishaan's father) lap. His laugh is extremely infectious. It is almost impossible not to laugh along with him.

I tried to capture this on video, but the video doesn't do Axel's laugh justice so I will have to work on this for a future post.

Axel and daddy did yard work this morning in the freezing cold. Temperatures got down to the high 30's. Axel was so cold that for the first time in his life he said that he was cold and that he had to go inside to get warm. This is a huge break through since I don't think Axel has every admitted to being cold. He has taken many a cold bath and prefers to wash his hands in ice cold water rather than warm or hot water.

He was so cold that even an hour later he wanted to be wrapped in his blanket in the house and in the car on our way to Mason's birthday party.


Axel had fun playing with Mason's toys as well as the balloons. I wish I would have taken more pictures but just like usual now I don't seem to have my phone or camera next to me when Axel is doing something especially cute. Typically by the time I get the camera set up that moment is over.


Last night we purchased the elf on the shelf for Axel. He named his elf Mark. If you are to visit between now and Christmas be sure to ask about Mark. Mark goes to the north pole each night to tell Santa how Axel behaved each day and to relay to Santa Axel's Christmas list. Each night when Mark returns from the North Pole, Axel has to find where he is in the house because he always changes locations. I hope it is a fun tradition that Axel will like over the years.

Well time to start playing since Axel is up from his nap!