Talking to the Big Man..

is always easier with your brother!

Kalani

Kalani is becoming more of his own little person every day...and is ever closer to walking. More and more he finds himself standing, but hasn't done it deliberately. He isn't talking yet, but makes his needs known with his constant chattering and he won't be left behind by his brother.

Down the slippery slope with Keona again...

He trapped me again! The other day we were riding in the car and Keona began to recount the latest Berenstein Bears episode. It was called "Brother and Sister Get the Gimmies". Keona asked why the parents got mad at the kids in the store. In a nutshell: it was because they went to shop for food and the kids kept asking for toys. Before going to the store, the parents had reminded the cubs that there would be no treats that day, so when the cubs began asking for this toy and that toy the parents got angry. I explained that to Keona and he seemed to understand...and then he baited his trap. He noted that the cubs had also asked for chocolate bunnies. i said yes and he said, "they're not toys; they're food! So the cubs really shouldn't have gotten in trouble for asking for chocolate bunnies. I feebly admitted they were, in fact, not toys, but were still considered not part of a typical GROCERY LIST. No matter, they are not toys. In Keona's mind, they are fair game on any grocery shopping trip.

Holy Family arrives....with angels too!

Well, the Holy family arrived and Baby Jesus was born. The angels (only one pictured) hover overhead. We now await the wisemen and the star. What will they be like?

More Holy Family Mischief.....

Well, they are at it again. The Holy Family is up to more shenanigans of unknown and perhaps better "untold" proportions. Here they are. One of the angels did not fair too well this time and she is in the "hospital". I'm told she will make a complete recovery, however. Thank goodness. I have put them back in their proper places. We'll see how long they'll stay there!

Holy Family Mischief!!!

I don't know what they are up to with the ball, but I came in my room today to find that the Holy Family had left the Baby and were standing around a big red ball....

The Cattle were lowing....

Here they are: the animals....

Well the animals arrived, and they seemed to like it!

Today we invited our friends over and created the animals that will grace "The Boy's" birth. Keona said we need a butterfly and a turtle. The turtle hasn't arrived yet, but the butterfly has. Lila thought a pig and a cat would be nice. There is also a cow, complete with udders at Keona's insistence. He said the cow needed teetees so we can get milk. There is also a sheep complete with wool created by Lila and Mary. It is quite a menagerie, and won't the Baby Boy be excited? YOu can see them in process and the FABULOUS RESULTS! Can you stand it?

Stage 2 Creche continued...

The master piece is finally done. I'm sure Mary and Joseph could not be anymore excited to see what "delightful" accommodations await them!

Advent Stage 2

This is the day we finished the "stable". I could have made a cave, but thought of it too late. We have plenty of rocks. Well, next year. I'm sure the pile will still be there. LOL! Keona did his part by "clearing the land" and cutting string. Anyway here is stage two. Kalani amused Buddha during this stage.

Advent Project

In celebration of Advent which started this week, we are building our own outdoor creche. We are starting with sticks and leaves to create a lean-to for the Holy family,...who will arrive, well, sometime just before Christmas. We don't know what they'll look like...perhaps it will involve sticks and potatoes?... stuffed socks..... suggestions are welcome....the Baby will arrive on Christmas...and finally the wisemen.

Keona is a little baffled by the project, but is coming to some kind of understanding of the story and hey, he gets to play with sticks!

I find the time working on it to be soothing...and lights up a bit of my creative side. Again, while working on this I was reminded of my step-fathers column about learning to do something with your hands. It is good for the soul.

Right now Buddha occupies the space, but he will move over to make room for the Holy Baby. He will not move out completely because the Baby did not enter a godless world. Buddha will watch over the proceedings. It will be exciting to see how everything turns out.

Keona found a slug that had been disturbed from its hibernation, so we dug a hole and buried him again.

It's a journey.........

not a destination, just like trying to get pictures of the Pirates! Here's a fun series of pictures of the boys in front of the Christmas tree.

A little help from the Christmas elves...

Yep, it is here. The first week of Advent and Santa is sending in mommy and daddy's little helpers. A Christmas Elf comes to live at our house until Christmas Eve. We'll never see them, of course. But when Santa comes to pick them up on Christmas Eve, they'll be sure to give a full report of the activities in your house. Oh my! Keona is not sure he is excited at all....: )

A cute moment in the middle of the night....

Keona woke up and crawled into bed with us. CC said something to me and I answered and then he said something to K who said...."shhhhhh! Daddy you can't talk to me because I'm asleep!"

Daddy's moment of triumph....

Well, it happened again. Son number 2 has gone and done...apparently. I was not around for the utterance, but CC was excited enough that I must believe. Kalani said "dada". Right here this morning on our own kitchen floor. Boys do stick together after all. : )

Boys at play...

It is really fun to watch the boys play! There is always lots of screaming and giggling.
It's hard to believe it is still less than a year and K2 is already up playing with or eating the sand.

Halloween shots.....

Here are my precious pirates...until one turned into a pumpkin!...or did the pumpkin turn into a pirate?