It’s been so much fun getting ready for Hanukkah this year. Steven, Sammy and Amaya don’t totally get it (and don’t at all understand why we celebrate) but they’re definitely understanding more and more and are actually able to participate lighting the candles. I love it.

This year we were lucky to have Uncle Austin with us to celebrate the first two nights.

Hanukkah present for day one was a TRAIN TABLE! I think we’re as excited as the kids are.

We planned a big reveal! So much fun!!

Austin arrived late Friday/early Saturday after we all went to bed and he was up bright and early to enjoy playroom pancakes with the kids.

Coffee with Stevensaurus.

It wasn’t quite Hanukkah yet but Steven started talking about the “funny man” which meant it was time to give Uncle Austin his Hanukkah present. He was a very good sport. But, really, who doesn’t want a 4′ tall talking Darth Vader?

Saturday morning, Austin and I took the kids to Tiny Town for one more visit before their birthday party on 1/15.

We had the place to ourselves the entire time we were there! Perk of going on Christmas Eve morning, I suppose.

Amaya was so excited to “cut” my hair.

They did great, and I had a personal milestone. Well, Amaya did. She told me she had to poop. We went to the bathroom at Tiny Town. She pooped! It’s the first time she’s pooped out of the house and the first time I’ve been with her where she simply said she had to and went and did it. I’m so proud of how we’ll she’s done with potty training.

The boys are starting to show interest but I think it’s generally either to a) procrastinate or b) get to wash their hands. Neither of them has peed on the potty at home and I’m not sure they even understand yet how to intentionally release. They’re persistent, though. Sammy knows I’m going to claim he didn’t pee so he’ll tell me, “It was just dribbles and they’re white not yellow so you can’t see it in the toilet.” That boy.

We had a relaxing day today. It started off with Hanukkah crafts.

And playtime with Uncle Austin.

Everyone got to have a piece of Hanukkah gelt. “Show me your gelt and smile!”

We opened presents from Aunt Ouize & Uncle Todd and everyone had fun building. Amaya has incredible focus. She sat right down and got to it.

The kids also got a trampoline from mommy & daddy. Steven’s PT thought it would be good for him to help with his jumping since he still can’t get his left foot up when he jumps.

It’s amazing to see how far the kids have come. For the longest time, Steven, Sammy and Amaya wouldn’t even try to jump on trampolines. Amaya in particular gets crazy height and Sammy, who was nervous at first, love it! Steven is trying, too, but he also loves to swing from the handles (so does Amaya) and sit at the front of the trampoline pretending he’s on a motor-scooter.

This was hysterical. Sammy would jump on the trampoline with Amaya sitting behind him and she laughed and laughed and laughed. They took turns, too, and wanted to make sure the jumper had time to rest their legs.

Back to earlier in the week, Savta and Nana were still here until early Tuesday morning. Is it a bus? A train? Whatever it is, you can bet that Savta will make it fun!

On Sunday night, Savta made up a hockey game that absolutely enthralled the kids.

On Monday I had the opportunity to meet everyone for lunch. It’s hard to see in this photo but Amaya is ordering her food from the waiter. Mac & cheese and salad. She was very concerned when he went from my order to Savta’s so he came back to take hers.

Mac & cheese and salad, as ordered.

On Thursday, Rosie and I took the kids to their 2nd dentist appointment. All in all it was pretty uneventful. Amaya and Sammy cried. Steven was nervous but stoic.

It’s hard to hold your bag of dentist treats with mittens on!

Here’s what it looks like when the kids decide the hall by the garage is a bedroom.

Here’s what it happens when they play hide and seek by hiding in plain sight.

And here’s what it looks like when three almost 3 year olds “help” me get ready for work.

Steven this week!

Steven graduated PT this week! His physical therapist, Meredith, thinks he’s making great progress and has seen enough improvement that she thinks we can stop his sessions. We’ll go back in 3 months to see if he’s still progressing on his own. Go Bobes Go!

His graduation medal. 🙂 This one was donated from someone who ran the Charlevoix (MI) marathon in 2014. What a neat program! He’s so proud of his medal.

I’m sure Sammy and Amaya will be happy they don’t have to pass time at PT anymore. I think they’re getting punchy at his sessions. Hugging…wresting… it’s hard to say.

Steven loves order. He’s always been the one to tell us if we left baby gates open, even with a point and an “ooh ooh” before he could talk. Today at lunch he only wanted me to hold the back of his hand, not his palm, until he wiped the crumbs off his hands. Apparently this fastidiousness and sense of order applies to his artwork as well. Check out his fire truck! And it’s not a matter of Sammy or Amaya being particularly lax for their age. I saw the rest of the class’ work on the wall. This precision is definitely a Steven trait.

Of course when the menorahs came home from school I immediately knew which one was Steven’s.

Cuddling with Ming Ming, his current favorite friend.

Swinging!

Steven is making all sorts of interesting connections this days. He asked me why there is air in the sky. When I told him I was going to “jump in the shower” he told me not to jump in the shower and to be careful. When I was singing The Farmer in the Dell, Steven said that the cheese can’t stand alone because it doesn’t have legs, lol. His new phrase includes “sure”. “Can I have that, Steven?” “You sure can.”

Sammy this week!

Sally and the kids are all getting more comfortable around each other. In the past, both Sammy and Sally would have scurried away from each other but they sat there together for a surprising amount of time. Sammy did a great job staying still and helping Sally feel safe.

Bubba got to ride with Vader!

Checking out Uncle Austin’s gift.

Sammy is deep in a “why” phase. You better give him a good, clear answer or the whys will continue indefinitely!
“Your heart is beating inside your body.”
“Why?”
To circulate blood throughout your body.
“Why?”
To bring oxygen throughout your body.
“Why?” And so on. And on. 🙂

Amaya this week!

Homegirl is bad ass.

Hanging out with Steven on Rosie’s lap.

Always focusing on her play doh!

A toddler fashion statement, for sure.

Amaya looks so old here! I’m still in shock that I have kids, not babies.

Have a great week and a happy new year!