Merry Christmas!

From our house to yours.

Messages in the Snow

As I'm sure you're aware, we've had lots of snow for the past ten days. It's beautiful but I do admit to experiencing a bit of cabin fever.

A couple days ago Geary called me to window to look at this car:

I thought it was pretty funny that someone labeled their car. And then I noticed the car parked directly behind Mike's:

In case you can't tell it says, "IS FAT."

I don't know if Mike ever got the message. Both cars were completely buried in snow within an hour.

The Naked Truth

It all started yesterday afternoon. I was trying to finish up a Christmas gift and make lunch at the same time. Noah was begging to go out to play in the snow, and Tobin was practically in tears saying, "Ni-ni! Ni-ni!" (which of course means he wants a nap).

I put down the gift, checked on the bread I was thawing in the oven, instructed Noah to bundle up, and scooped Toby into my arms to get him ready for a nap. Hoping that the bread wouldn't burn, I removed Toby's wet diaper and cleaned him up with some baby wipes. That's when Noah whined for the 100th time that he couldn't find his pants. So I quickly stood Toby, pulled his pants back up, kissed his adorable cheeks, and deposited him in his crib. "Ni-Ni, Mama," he whispered and instantly fell asleep. I would have lingered over his preciousness but Noah was on the verge of meltdown because he still couldn't find his pants.

I closed the bedroom door and quickly found Noah's pants on top of the laundry pile. The sniff test revealed that they were clean enough to wear so I tossed them on his head and hussled over to oven where the bread had nearly become toast.

The rest of the afternoon passed by quietly. After lunch Noah watched a cartoon as I finished the gift I was making and started a new one. Geary came home from running some errands just as Toby started to stir in his bedroom. "I'll get him," Geary offered. I nodded and murmured, "Thank you."

About a minute later I heard Geary explode into laughter. "What! What's so funny?" I called from the living room. Geary, still chuckling, came into the living room with Toby on his hip. "His diaper leaked. What kind of diaper did you put on him?"

"I don't know...I thought it was Huggies. Whatever was in the drawer."

"Are you sure it was Huggies?"

"I thought so. Did it have Mickey Mouse on the waistband? The only way to tell is to look."

"Okay, I'll show you."

Geary set Toby down and pulled down the back of Toby's pants to reveal..his bare bottom! In all the chaos of my multi-tasking I had forgotton to put on any diaper at all! We all dissolved into giggles. "Oopsie!" I grinned.

Dialogue with Kermit THE Frog

Jeana: Hey, that new Muppet Christmas movie is on tonight.

Geary: Oh yeah? We should watch that as a family.

Noah: What's a Muffet?

Geary: Muppet.

Jeana: It's like a puppet. But better.

Noah: A Muffet is a puppet?

Geary: It's Muppet. Mup. Pet.

Noah: Mup. Pet.

(upon seeing Gonzo for the first time)

Noah: What is that thing?

Geary: People have been asking that question since 1975.

Noah: I've seen some of these Muffets on Sesame Street.

Geary: Muppet!

(after the movie)

Geary: That was fun. It was strange to hear different voices though.

Noah: Is this going to be on tomorrow, too? Are there more Muffet movies?

Geary and Jeana: MUPPETS!!

Dad Advice

Noah: Some kids are laughing at me during recess. Older kids. They ask me questions and then they laugh. What should I do?

Geary: Hmm. Well, what do you want to happen?

Noah: I want them to stop laughing at me! I want to be their friend.

Geary: Okay. Then this is what you do: Go up to them and say, "Look! Do you want to be my friend or not?" If they say, "Yes," then tell them that friends don't make fun of one another.

Noah: What if they say, "No,"?

Geary: Then you just go like this, "Pffft...Amateurs!" and walk away.

Better Late Than Never

My mother-in-law requested this list, oh...two weeks ago? Sorry! Here is the annual Johnson/Linhart Christmas Gift Ideas List. A link will be up in our side bar for the next few weeks.

Birthday Recap

Noah was a lucky boy this year and got to celebrate his birthday three times! On Tuesday Grandpa Bob and Grandma came over to deliver a birthday gift for Noah--a new bike! Then they took us out to dinner where Noah got have a special ice cream sundae dessert.

On Saturday, Lila, Nila, Hank, Debra, Granny, and Uncle Jared came over for robot cake and presents. Noah was thrilled with all the gifts and we all had a great time playing with them. Thank you all for your generosity and for also giving your time to our son. It's so precious to us that he has relationships with so many adults in his life who love him with such joy.

On Sunday, Noah invited a friend from kindergarten to see a movie with him. We ended up seeing Bolt which was cute and fun but maybe a little more violent than I was expecting (lots of explosions and bad guys falling off motorcycles and stuff).

All in all, I'd say Noah felt thoroughly celebrated. Thanks to everyone who sent cards, gifts, emails, and birthday wishes. As I said before, it's a huge blessing to know that our son is loved with many, many open arms.

Noah, we love you and we're so proud of you. May your 7th year of life be filled with learning, laughter, and love. You're the best, kiddo!

Thanksgiving Recap

Thanksgiving was a great day. It was our second year hosting at our house and it such an honor to be able to open our home in this way. The food was delicious and we had a great time just being with family. My favorite part was playing Mexican Train Dominoes after dinner. Thank you Lila, Eldred, Nila, Debra, and Hank for making Thanksgiving such a wonderful day. We love you all!

Hank and Noah "hanging out"

____________________________________________________

Toby and Geary entertaining us with a rousing rendition of Patty Cake

______________________________________________

And I just wanted to show off the cute place cards I made.

Noah thought they were tickets for pie.