christmas tid bits

We bought the Polar Express in 3-D, and the boys had fun one night watching it in the basement with their neat glasses.  Silas kept them on long enough for this picture.  I think the paci really makes the outfit.

Eli was pretty serious about it, and kept them on for the whole movie. 

Eli decided to be backwards, inside-out Spiderman one day at home with dad.  That costume has gotten more use than most of his clothes.

This poor Rudolph’s nose stopped glowing.  Eli was insistent that it could be fixed with a new battery.  Well, this toy didn’t have an easily accessible battery compartment.  I told Eli we could cut it open and try to fix it, or leave it as it was with a nose that didn’t glow.  He chose the more aggressive approach, and we did a little surgery(thankfully most of Mom’s surgery subjects don’t end up this bad).  Needless to say we were unsuccessful in fixing it.  Eli wasn’t too sad, and I wasn’t too sad about losing a stuffed animal – there are many replacements in the boys’ rooms.

Fun in the tub.  It’s a lot of monkey see, monkey do in our house these days.

This was an interesting day.  I decided we better get the boys to Santa before it was too late(it was the 22nd).  I already had a busy day planned, as I needed to pick up a friend at the airport.  We made it to the mall with just enough time to see Santa and get to the airport(so I thought).   Thankfully I had asked aunt Sarah to help out, and she met us at the mall.  The boys hadn’t had naps, so I knew I may have my hands full alone.  As soon as we got in line, Santa went to lunch.  By the time Santa returned, I realized that we were going to have to leave to make it to the airport in time.  We gave Eli the choice of waiting with Aunt Esa(Sarah) or leaving the mall and returning the next day to see Santa.  Of course, he wanted to stay.  Silas and I went to the airport and Eli and Sarah stayed in line. 

Eli got a little crazy in line with Sarah.  Apparently, he was confident he was on the ‘good’ list already. 

Finally, the moment they waited for.  Eli told Santa he wanted Spiderman gloves and boots to go with his Spiderman costume.  At least this year he didn’t leave disappointed that he didn’t get all his gifts from Santa in person.  What understanding a year can bring. :0)

holidazzle via the polar express

A couple weeks ago, we headed to downtown on the newly opened Northstar light rail.  We’re lucky enough to have the light rail come right to us in Big Lake.  It took us to Target Field, then we hopped another light rail train to Nicollet Mall.  The boys were so excited when the train took off.  We pretended we were on “The Polar Express.”

The train horns were a highlight – not as loud as a regular train, but still train-like.

We pulled out the snacks in an effort to keep Silas sitting.

Food always makes trips more fun :0)

Our train with conductor outside.  During our ride, the conductor was walking around the train checking on passengers.  Eli said, “Mr. Conductor, who’s driving the train?”  The conductor explained that the train drives itself!  Well, sort of.  Apparently the Engineer was controlling it.

Dad and his buddy in the skyway.

We found some people we knew in a downtown hotel.

Mike’s family and siblings stayed downtown for the night, so we met them at their hotel and they joined us for the parade and Macy’s display.

 

Waiting to see the 8th floor Macy’s display.

Waiting with Paige – they held hands the whole wait.

 

The guys(and momma) were tired after the 40 minute wait to get in, but we made it through the display…it was neat(a repeat from my childhood, I believe).  The highlight for Eli was reindeer trying to push their way out of barn doors. 

Elves makin’ cookies.

Dad and Eli ready for some Holidazzle fun.  We bundled up, but it really wasn’t too cold.

 

Si hanging on my back – kept us both a little warmer.

Little Red Riding Hood was a highlight – the wolf came right up to us.  Of course Eli’s favorite was “The Wizard of Oz.”

A tired crew on the way home.  After all the walking, playing and no napping, we were beat.  What a fun, Christmastime day with our boys and family.

season of giving

Tonight, Eli had his shirt pulled up around his neck and was checking out his chest.  He pointed to his nipple and said to Silas, “Buddy, you want me to feed you?” 

We’ve been reading “The Night Before Christmas” book for a couple weeks.   Eli and I were in Home Depot the other night and there was a Christmas set up with a tree and electric fireplace with stockings hanging on it.  Eli  noticed it and said, “Mommy, there’s the chimney with cares!”

eli(aka bruce wayne) turns three

I’m going to borrow an idea from a friend, and share Eli’s birth story. 

Eli was 8 days overdue, when my midwife decided to induce me.  It was a Friday morning when we went in to get things started.  Mike and I were so excited….I remember the night before thinking how this would be the last night of our life alone….also our last night of sleeping through the night for a while!  That morning it was warm – I remember what clothes I wore as we walked into the hospital – a purple tank top, jeans and sandals.  It was dark as we walked into the hospital.  Around 8:30 a.m. I got the induction pill and nothing much happened for most of the morning.  I remember that the Early Show was on with Justin Timberlake(It had been declared ‘Justin Timberlake Day’).  We spent our time talking, watching T.V. and trying to pass the time until our little boy would arrive.  Mike and I walked the hospital halls most of the day, trying to get labor going.  Around 1 p.m. my midwife broke my water, and still we walked and walked, with nothing happening.  Around 4 p.m. Sarah, Oscar, Alex, Grandma Pat and Grandpa Dobie came.  I was still feeling good, and sent them off for some supper around 5, as I was getting a little crampy, and Grandma Pat was getting nervous.  Sarah and Mike stayed with me, and around 5:30 p.m. (abruptly) the labor pain started….from that time until 9:30 p.m., I went from the tub to the bed, trying to get some relief.  Around 9:30 p.m. it was time to push, and after about an hour of pushing(which seemed like an eternity), Eli came into the world.  He seemed so small, and was just perfect.  My first response was “He’s a peanut.”  It was so great to have my sister, husband, and great nurses/midwife to help me through labor.  I really wanted to try to do it without drugs, and without them I wouldn’t have been able to do it.  Eliott Dale Dingman was 7 lbs. 13 oz., 21 inches.  He had dark hair, daddy’s fingers, and mommy’s nose.  It wasn’t ‘til the next day that he had the name Eliott.  We picked Dale as his middle name, after my dad, but hadn’t decided on the first name yet.  Before we went to bed that night, Mike told me I could choose between a couple names we had picked(after he watched me go through labor).  I stared at our new baby the night he was born(when up feeding him), and decided he looked like Eliott. 

back to 2009…

Eli’s birthday fell during the week, so we had a little party at home one night on the actual day then had family over on the weekend.  Here he is with his 3 cupcakes on the night of his birthday.

He was so excited to get a batman costume.  He LOVES costumes, and had been admiring this one in the stores.  He said, “This is what I wanted!” as he opened it.

He was so excited, he had to put it on right away.

Silas enjoyed some frosting in the meantime…

Here’s the day of his party….lots of kids and lots of costumes….it was fun.  Here he is opening up a Spiderman costume.  (It has had LOTS of use, and has a few holes in it since getting it 2 months ago.)

Cousin Paige as a vampire.

Si taking a break.

Fireboy.

He looks kind of scared of himself.

Independent alligator.

Roboguy.

Trying the skates on for size.

Silly clown girl.

Eli with his Batman cake and cousin Paige.  What a fun day with lots of family to celebrate.  What a joy you’ve been in our lives these last 3 years Eli….we love you!

family pics

My cousin, Jennie, took some family pics of us.  She did a nice job, and even got Oliver in a few.    Of course I was planning fall pics, but the day was actually pretty warm(1 month ago).  We got a little warm in our sweaters, and I think the boys were a little happier in the overalls.

Eli is my serious boy.

Ollie looks so huge compared to Silas.  It’s all hair.

My smiley guys.

Such sweet friends.

Mom and Dad’s pride and joy.

 

Momma’s boy.

Daddy’s boy - lookin’ for an albino squirrel.

Tickling always gets laughs.

The Dingman gang.

“Cheese!”

Si loves the boots.

 

Looks like trouble…

Boys in blue.

Family of four.