Luke's Christmas Program

Luke's preschool class had a really cute Christmas program! Between trying to keep Brad occupied and encouraging Luke to be brave and go onstage, I didn't realize how blurry my video was.  I'll post it anyway in case you really want to try to make it out.  Some parts are clearer than others but basically, Luke stood there for most of it and by the end was doing the hand motions on a small scale.  I was proud that he got up there and tried, that was a big enough accomplishment for his sweet little shy guy heart.

So you can at least see where Luke is located there in the front row in his greenish attire.  That will be helpful if you choose to watch the video.

Luke sang and sang these songs for weeks both before and after this performance.  His teachers told me in music class he was one of the loudest voices, just doesn't translate to stage performances with an audience.

Brad's crawling

Oh this takes me back.  So at Brad's 12 month check-up we were referred to physical therapy because little Brad wasn't pulling up or crawling on his hands and knees.  Here is an example of how our little guy had figured out his own way to get around!

 

 

In mid December, we started taking Brad to PT and their first goal was to get him to crawl the "right" way on his hands and knees.  I was ready to just skip ahead to walking but learning how to crawl this way was important for both muscle and brain development.  At our initial evaluation that PT did with Brad in early November they found he had low muscle tone in all four extremities so he needed the practice building strength before he could progress to walking. 

After just a couple of PT sessions Brad could do this:

 

It would still be another 6 weeks until he took his first steps but boy oh boy was it cool to see him get up on his hands and knees!

 





Not a fan

I thought Brad might be our brave one when it comes to Santa. In 2010 I guess he was too little to really know what was going on, but when we encountered a free picture with Santa opportunity at Home Depot one Saturday morning before Christmas, I thought at least Brad would go for it. Luke looked on curiously, but stayed far away. I brought Brad to Santa and well, he wasn't so happy that I left him with Santa.






Maybe this year??

Trying for the Christmas card money shot. Alternate title: why I am not a professional photographer

Every year I try to get the perfect Christmas card picture. I'd settle for just a pretty good one, but it never seems to materialize. That is why you'll recall our 2011 card featured two Gator clothes wearing boys instead of one of the below attempts at pictures with a Christmas flare.

































Finally, a cooperative subject.





Oh, apparently if you give him food he'll look at the camera and smile.

Thanksgiving

Seeing as how we are nearing 2012 Holiday season, I guess I should hurry up and write about 2011's!

Luke had a Thanksgiving celebration at school. I was supposed to co-lead it with another mom, but we never were asked to do anything so that was the easiest party I ever co-led!

Luke in his classroom



Me and Brad (I am wearing the hat they made for the kids to wear but Luke wouldn't wear it. Luke and I have the same hat size...)



We had visitors the weekend before Thanksgiving! Thanks Marc and Melissa for joining us for a fun weekend! It sure was nice to have you visit. Luke still asks about Logan all of the time! I can't believe I didn't take more pictures, I have none of that cutie pie Graham :(

Logan and Luke watching a movie in the playroom.



We had a quiet Thanksgiving, what would turn out to be our last one in Atlanta.
Clearly Luke and Brad are exctatic for the meal.



My mom and dad joined us to celebrate.



The boys were a little happier with full bellies!

What is new?

A lot is new! Since May the Elliotts have moved to Florida! The boys and I moved Memorial Day weekend and Josh joined us in July. He had to finish out his committment at his job before he could join us. We purchased a house this past week but we are still living in our rental home until the remodeling is done. We are anxiously waiting for the remodeling to begin so that we can get in our new place. I start work next week, after 21 months staying home with the boys I am headed back to work. I'll be an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida in Tampa. I am both sad and a excited at the prospect. I hope things go well and that the boys, especially Brad, adjust to school. Josh has a couple of more weeks off until he starts back to work with Hess Pediatric Opthalmology Specialists here in St. Pete.
Its been a crazy summer, we are looking forward to getting fully settled here and starting the next chapter in our lives!

Now back to the regularly scheduled way behind posts!

Halloween!
Superheroes are really big around this house. Luke has his next 4 Halloween outfits planned out. Halloween 2011 he wanted to be Batman! He got to wear the costume for school and we trick or treated at home as well. Brad was a ninja! We went with a mask since I didn't think he'd keep a scarf over his mouth on. He may have looked more like the Hamburglar but he was cute.











In early November 2011 I wanted to try and get a good picture of the boys to use for Christmas cards. Going the cheap route I took the pictures myself. Thankfully, it only took 6 tries to get one this year!

One of the outtakes...


The picture we used for the cards

pirates!

As part of Luke's 4th birthday present, his Uncle Neil and Aunt Ansev took him to Legoland. He had a great time and came back with lots of good stories and gifts!
Here he is trying out his pirate gear with his Nana.