Christmas Eve

This morning we upgraded a cardboard box that has been hanging around for months - now it's a combine harvester, complete with a steering wheel and lever.

We spent the evening at Jared and Alyson's house, circling the food table. Billie the dog was happy to be part of the action.

For the most part.

Tonight Gryphon got a surprise "glow hamster" to keep him company at night.

Park trip

Ready for Christmas

We finished up some Christmas shopping today and stopped for lunch at the bakery.


Yesterday I painted some parts for the toys I'm making Gryphon, and he did some painting too.

A walk in the rain

While Cheri did her nursin' at the Parry Center today, the children had no choice but to accompany me on a walk in the rain. Alice promptly went to sleep. Gryphon kept his eye out for "machines". We made a cafe stop before turning around.


Tonight I walked into our bedroom and a naked Gryphon informed me, "Somebody peed on the bed."

Nativity scene

Here's the nativity scene we pieced together with the help of Fisher Price, including some figures Cheri made at pottery night.

Safety wall

Gryphon clunked out of his bed during the night enough times to prompt the construction of his "safety wall". He's still finding ways to fall out, though - here's how we found him napping yesterday:

Here are a few highlights from his Christmas program:

Evening entertainment

Gryphon put on his "Christmas program clothes," including the only Pull-Ups in his size the last time we shopped, and entertained us all evening.

Boppa's birthday

Last night we celebrated Eric's birthday with Jared and Alyson. Three electric trains kept Gryphon's eyes wide until past bedtime.

Lighting all those candles can be tiring.

Evening entertainment

Yesterday Mimi and Boppa accompanied us to see Gryphon's preschool's Christmas program, which consisted of a number of carols and a brief performance. Gryphon didn't do much singing, but enjoyed wearing the sheep ears.

Cheri's dad suggested Gryphon have some fudge before bed.

This evening we took advantage of family pottery night at my school.

Zoo Lights

After filling up with Indian food, we bundled up and headed to Zoo Lights.


We found a gryphon made out of lights, and had lots of time to admire it during the wait to get on the train.

Gryphon loved riding on a real steam engine, particularly a magical one covered in lights. He was too excited to notice that we had left his mittens at home.

Seeing friends

Alice got to meet Erin, Nate, Stella and Escher the other night. Children love to run around in Namaste.

Cheri's come down with a cold, so I took the offspring on a meandering walk. Jameson entertained us and helped us warm up.

Alice and I did a few hours of shopping during Gryphon's nap. I was happy to be able to lift her car seat again (I've avoided lifting things after a few back-related doctor visits last month).

Yesterday Gryphon and I entertained ourselves by re-dubbing some Bob the Builder:

Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving at Cheri's parents' house.


Gryphon missed a nap, but he managed well.

National Boards

I had submitted my portfolio to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards back in March, and on Friday they finally released the scores. I certified, so Cheri and I went out to celebrate while the kids played with Mimi and Boppa.

Swing

Just before bed one night, we noticed that Alice's swing wasn't working. We dissected it and found that the motor was shot, so the next day we got a new swing.

The following day I found instructions for repairing the swing using the motor out of an air-freshener dispenser, so now we have two swings. Alice approves.

Visit

Nanna and Dar Dar came for a brief visit the weekend before last. We went to Namaste and discovered that the "beans" in the salad were actually hot peppers.


"I give you a shot"

Paternity leave

I've enjoyed 5 weeks at home with the family, but it's time to head back to work.