Tahl

Tahl took some really cute school pictures this year. 

We didn't buy them, but I did take pictures of them.  These are his first ever school pictures! 

This really cute guy has been going through lots of changes. 

He is dressing himself completely without help (except for shoes).

He has become the exception to the rule, and is potty training much better in pull ups than underwear.  He had a dry pull up all day today, and we are working on it every day.  

He loves to climb in bed in the morning and snuggle with Ari and I (as you can see). 

Though he looks like the sweetest thing alive in these pictures, he is also throwing lots more fits and getting more aggressive.  He is a really stubborn little boy. 

That being said, he is also sweet, smart, and hilarious.  We love hanging out with him. 

He also loves to wear Zev's new mask to try to scare people. (Ignore the reflections of Zev in undies and me on the stool.) This guy may have a future in entertainment.

Christmas!

Zev, Tahl, and I headed to Tyler on the 23rd for Christmas. Pops took them outside that afternoon to play in the leaves. 

On Christmas eve day we went to my Nana's house to open presents with Nana, Mimi, Wanda, and my Aunt Dianne. 

The boys loved all their presents from my mom, and they had fun trying on the new costumes they got for everyone.  My brother also got them lots of fun gifts, movies, messy art projects, a sully mask, and a cool game. 

Before we went to Christmas eve dinner at Rosemary's, Zev set out some cookies for Santa.  Tahl ended up adding more cookies when we got back that he got from Uncle Stevie.  Zev also put out a glass of milk and some art he made for Santa. 

He also wanted to put our carrots and reindeer food in the front of the house. 

The boys had a great time at the party because there was a piano, the Grinch on TV, and mistletoe. 

Zev and I did a lot of kissing.

I was lucky enough to get to kiss this guy too. 

After the boys went to bed, Santa came to visit.  He brought Tahl the piano, jingle bells, and microphone he had been asking for, along with a few surprises. 

Zev got Captain America PJ's, a science kit, and his mystery gift, even MORE magformers.  This set made a firetruck. He got a few surprises too.  His favorites were socks, band aids, and Despicable Me 2. 

Here are the boys in the morning, on the way in to see what Santa brought. 

Zev was really excited about the magformers, and he just wanted to stop and play with them. 

Tahl was ready to make music right away. 

PJ's!

Minions

Zev and Tahl both got Octonauts toys from Pops and Gram that they were really excited about.  They have been playing with them in the shower and tub every day. 

Tahl also really loves his new flash light. 

This was a surprise for Zev from Pops and Gram.  He is REALLY pretty good at this game.  His OT told me he played it with her once and surprised her how good he was, so I put it on his Amazon list.  He loves solving the puzzles.

After we played a little while, the boys got ready to go to Christmas with the larger family at Aunt Lisa's house.  They got lots of cool gifts there: new funny silverware, a rocket launcher, tinker toys, an alphabet toy for Tahl, and these funny straw glasses for both guys.

They had a lot of fun testing them out, and then Zev yelled out, "My ears are getting cold!" It was pretty cute. 

Thanks Lisa! 

Tahl really liked his pair too, but he made a little bit more of a mess. 

He looked pretty cute though. 

Ari and I got lots of great gifts too.  Ari got mostly gift cards, and I got gift cards, a new robe from my parents, and this fun scarf from my aunt.  

We had so much fun spending time with everyone, and we can't wait to go back next week for my cousins wedding. 

Shabbat and the train ride

Last Friday Zev's school sent home a Shabbat bag.  He was so excited to share it with everyone and be in charge of Shabbat. 

All the guys got to wear a yarmulke, even Kade. 

Before we started, we were looking for the grape juice.  Zev said, "Oh? The wine? I'll show you."  He then lead Ari to where he had put it, in our wine fridge. 

Each boy put money in the tzedakah box. The biggest hit was the challah, of course. 

Today we went to a house in Richardson where this nice man built a train in his back yard that he lets the kids ride.  We got lucky and hardly had to wait because we were just a party of four. (Please ignore the scary moustache.) 

 His yard was filled with tons of lights and pictures of characters that kids love. 

Tahl was really excited. 

We even got to ride with the kids which was good because the train actually went pretty fast. 

 This would be a great picture if Ari looked normal. 

Zev and I had fun riding in the front.  They had a cut out of Santa Goofy that he loved.

Both guys loved riding the train and asked to do it again tomorrow. 

Christmas Season

Last week, we had a BIG cold front come through Texas which brought us lots of ice and four days stuck inside. 

It also gave us a little time for a letter to Santa. 

Zev later changed this to Captain America PJ's. 

We made some Christmas trees and snowmen. 

Zev and I made some snow flakes too. He somehow figured out how to made the world's creepiest snowmen. 

He really sees things differently than I do. All of my snowflakes were covered with flowers and hearts, and his were all scary. He really loved this activity. 

Pops, Gram, and Jacob came in town. We met them at the mall, and noticed there was no line for Santa! The guys were so excited to meet him. 

They both ran right up to tell him what they wanted and got right in his lap. I did have to tell Zev that he should only hug him, no kisses. 

On Friday morning I took Tahl to see the trains at Northpark. 

He smiled for this picture, and then he was ready to go. 

I convinced him to stay about 15 more minutes, but that was it. 

He did take this picture with the camera though. 

And we took this one together. 

After the trains, we met up with my dad, Stacy, Jacob, Lisa, and Mike who were all shopping.  I tried to keep Tahl up though his nap to eat a big lunch, but he didn't make it all the way down the street before falling asleep. I think all the hot sauce he ate (and then cried about) took all the energy out of him! 

This weekend the guys got to make a gingerbread house with Mimi. Then they got to roll out gingerbread cookies to decorate. 

Here is Tahl with his. 

Zev did his without my help. 

And with LOTS of sprinkles! 

We also went to three birthday parties and to see Christmas lights! It was a busy week.