New Years Eve

Jakob and Mommy were the only ones home this year. Daddy celebrated the new year many hours earlier in another country. Jakob and I made our traditional "big" cookie with lots of decorations. Jakob had his first experience with silly string (he loved it) and we had horns to blow before he went to bed. He was asleep by 7:15 PM and will bring in the new year with sweet dreams. Mommy will too!

Wishing everyone a prosperous new year. Enjoy 2008.

Chirstmas Day

Jakob was up at 7 AM to see if Santa had come. He did and left a little bit of a mess on his plate. After opening all his gifts he asked if there were anymore. We informed him we thought there was plenty and he said, "I was just checking." He loved everything and played with a few things before our company arrived.

George's family came down from New Jersey to celebrate the day with us. We had a lot more gifts to open and Jakob played with his cousins until dinner. We had Jakob's best friend, Matthew, and his family over for dinner. After dinner we had a small get together for dessert and drinks. A very long day with lots of friends and family. A wonderful Chirstmas.

Christmas Eve

Decked out in our Sunday best we made our way to Christmas Eve Service at the Presbyterian church. They had a wonderful children's service at 5:30 PM which lasted only 45 minutes. There were lots of duties the children had during the service, from holding up pictures to passing the flame for the candlelight rendition of Silent Night (they provided penlights). Jakob did great. Once we got home we opened one gift and set out cookies and oatmeal for Santa and his reindeer.

Parade of the Magi

Today Jakob had his preschool Christmas Party. They all dressed up as Kings (Magi) and presented baby Jesus with gifts (food for our local food bank). Then, they sang some wonderful songs for the parents and guests. They were all so perfect. After the show we went back to their classrooms for cookies and punch.

Jakob's Winter Break will last until Jan. 4th. We hope to fit in some fun day trips during the break. Jakob really wants some snow so he can make a snowman.

Pictures with Santa

Today we went to Fairfax for a picture with Santa. There is a beautiful outdoor mall with an awesome toy store there. The toy store had a visit from Santa this morning from 11 to 12. Jakob was a little apprehensive about sitting on this strange guys lap but did a great job. When asked by Santa what he wanted for Christmas, Jakob was speechless. We think he was probably saying to himself, "Get me away from this strange bearded guy." Santa understood and let him go.

We also saw the new Smart Cars, the ones that are so tiny you can park two in a normal side street parking spot. Jakob thought they were great, but said we couldn't get one because he wouldn't fit. Smart kid.

First Snow

Wednesday was our first snow of the year. Only an inch in our area, but enough to close schools the NEXT day. Those of you in Wichita would be shocked at how fast they close the schools and businesses here. If snow falls overnight (even flurries) there will NOT be school the next day and the DC area is on a delay for getting to work. If there is substantial snow fall, say over 3 inches, they will run a reduced manpower in the DC area and only those people with really, really important jobs go in. CRAZY.

So, because the snow fell in the early afternoon, Jakob had preschool. However, all after school activities were cancelled along with the next day school closure. There was literally an inch of snow on the ground.

Jakob wanted to make snowballs, more like ice balls by Wednesday morning. The last picture is of him trying a cartwheel. Lots of fun.