Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas In The Park

Last night we headed to downtown San Jose to Christmas In The Park. Of course, the first thing Ben wanted to do was ride on the Ferris Wheel



We (quickly) walked around the park. It wasn't the same visiting the event after Christmas. Not as many people were there - and it felt like the magic of Christmas had already closed for the year.

As we left the event, Ben had a ride on the carousel. He looks so big all of a sudden.



Jonathan watched while Ben rode the carousel - next year hopefully he'll be able to ride too

Monday, December 29, 2008

Hello Mr. Sea Lion




Today we went to Santa Cruz. We started off on the wharf, the boys loved watching the sea lions. The a pelican arrived on the scene, by which time my camera battery had died (damn). Then we walked to the boardwalk. We started off at the arcade, where I think Bill had the most fun - playing a Family Guy pinball machine, then we headed to the rides, but unfortunately, almost all of them were closed for the winter - all Ben got to ride on was the carousel.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas Morning






Christmas last exactly 26 mins 47 seconds (well, maybe not exactly, but close enough). That's about how long it took the boys to rip through the presents. Jonathan didn't fully understand the whole process but Ben was like something possessed - he whizzed through his Santa sack in record time. Then came the "it's not fair, Jonathan got more presents than me" look - which wasn't the case, it's just Ben thought he was competing for the world record present opening time.

Ben really wanted a Nerf Gun - and Nana and Poppa made his wish come true - the funny thing is, the gun is almost as big as he is, but luckily it splits into 2 parts - much easier for a 5-year old to handle



Every present Jonathan dragged out of his Santa sack, he brought to me to help him open

Christmas Eve

We were completely disorganized this year. We were in the midst of painting the kitchen cabinets and before we knew it, it was dinner time Christmas Eve and the cookies hadn't even been baked yet. I made a batch of chocolate and white choc chip cookies, the boys were bathed, new pjs put on and it was time to track Santa's progress around the world. We watched the Santa web-cam - flying over the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, Big Ben....Santa was in South America, he was getting closer, then he was in Canada...time to set out the cookies for Santa and carrot for Rudolf. It was raining outside and so Ben suggested Santa might prefer a glass of whiskey to keep him warm instead of cold milk - good thinking - and Bill didn't disagree.



Once the photos were taken I noticed Jonathan hovering around the plate of cookies....then....Caught You.....





It wasn't until the next day when I realized he'd taken a bite out of 3 of the cookies.

Once the boys were in bed....the fat guy in the red suit showed up and this is the result....

Monday, December 22, 2008

Overheard conversation

Saturday we were on the beach, a fellow Vizsla owner (who we see almost every weekend) asked Ben if he knew the names of Santa's reindeers....this is Ben's response:

"I know some of them, there's Rudolf, Blitzen, Dancer, Prancer and Puking"
"Puking?"
"yeah, Puking"
[I shrug my shoulders, I've no idea what he means, then it clicks....]
"Ben, do you mean Cupid?"
"Yeah, that's it, Cupid"

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Uh Oh

Last night, on the way home from school, I asked Ben about his day....the conversation went like this....

M: What did you do at school today?
B: We had to write a letter to Santa
M: What did you write?
B: I wrote a list of things I wanted
M: What did you ask for?
B: A blue cat
M: You already have a blue kitty that you sleep with every night
B: [duh] I know, but I want another one
[OK - so far so good, fingers crossed I'll be able to find a blue toy cat]
M: What else did you ask for?
B: I asked for lots of things for Jonathan
M: Really, like what?
B: Just lots of stuff [fingers crossed, when Christmas morning arrives Ben will have forgotten about asking for "stuff" for Jonathan]
M: Did you ask for anything else for yourself
B: Yes, just one more thing, a black bat
M: A black bat - what kind of bat?
B: You know, a black one
M: A bat that flies in the sky? [Now I'm thinking cheap rubber halloween bat]
B: [insert giggle] no way Mom, a bat
M: Bat as in bat and ball?
B: Mo-Om [insert giggle again] - no - a black bat, a giant one, like this big [opens arms as wide as they'll go]
M: So, is this a big baseball bat?
B: nope
M: Oh, is it an inflatable bat?
B: No, you know, Jason has one, except his is Spiderman and I want a black one [we've never been to Jason's house; therefore, never seen said Spiderman bat].
M: Ben, I really don't know what the bat is.
B: That's OK Mom, you'll know what it's like when Santa brings it
[crap!]
M: Errrrrrr, well, Ben, if I don't know what it is, maybe Santa doesn't either
B: [insert eye roll] oh yes he does, remember, Santa knows everything.
M: [trying to think as fast as possible] errrrr, but Ben, remember, you wrote a letter to Santa last weekend, and like I told you, you can only ask Santa for 3 things, and your list already had 3 things on it, a soccer ball, a nerf gun and I think you'd asked for Star Wars Star Fighters, remember, those really cool toys that you really want, so, now you've got to decide, do you want cool Star Fighters or a bat?
B: Hmmmmmm, maybe Star Fighters

YES!!!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dear Santa

Today you wrote your letter to Santa. You started "Dear Santa" - then what should you write??? Ben have you been good? "hmmmmmm, errrrrrrrrr, [the real answer is, recently - no] well, today I was"

The first item on your list was a soccer ball, then you couldn't think of anything else. So you dug out one of the many Christmas toy catalogs that you've been drooling over and proceeded to check off all the toys you wanted. We'd told you Santa could only bring 3 toys per child, and you'd already listed 1 item, so that left you with 2 things.....

a Clone Wars Starfighter
and
a Nerf Gun

then...just before you handed the letter to me you quickly added an "s" to the Clone Wars Starfighter[s] - smart kid!


Sunday, December 7, 2008

Gingerbread Men

Ben thought it would be a great idea if we made gingerbread men. On the way home from the beach we stopped at KMart (I know, we're a classy family) to buy a cookie cutter, but, while we were there we found boxes of pre-made cookies (which I'm sure taste terrible, remember this is KMart and not Sur La Table), complete with icing and decorations - and, they were 40% off - so, we bought a box.



After walking the dogs on the beach we came home and decorated the cookies. If the candy and icing is anything to go by, the cookies will indeed taste disgusting, but who cares, the boys had fun, decorating, getting sticky and eating.



A Ross Family Tradition

Every year we go on the horse and carriage ride through Los Gatos. Bill books the tickets, we always have the first ride of the night - 5pm. For the second year ever it didn't rain - yahoo! This year was extra special for us, because all 4 of us enjoyed the ride...last year Jonathan was so small, I think he probably slept through most of it.



I always enjoy looking inside the homes as we trot past, I swear, to live on the streets in downtown Los Gatos there must be a rule where homes are kept immaculate at all times. I didn't see a single toy on a floor, a single sink full of dirty dishes, or a single husband laid on the sofa with a remote control ;-)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

December - California Style

This morning at the beach you would never have known it was December, it's was warm, bright sunshine, blue sky. Ben had so much fun in the ocean, he didn't want to leave (he was not happy when it was time to go home)



Jonathan started the morning dressed like this....



and ended up like this....



Although Jonathan didn't get his feet wet, he loved watching Ben having fun in the waves, well, until both dogs ran into him.

The Boys 1st Wedding





Last night we were guests at a wedding. It was another first for the boys. Ben looked amazing in a suit, shirt and tie (and high-tops on his feet - which I forgot to take a photo of). Just before we headed out of the front door, Ben decided he wanted to spike his hair - which just added to the overall look. Each guest was given bubbles to blow at the happy couple when they walked down the aisle. We managed to end up with several bottles of bubbles - which were a huge hit with both boys.


By 10pm, this is what Ben looked like, he was so tired "Mom, can we go home now"

Before he fell asleep in the car, I asked him if he was ever going to get married, his response "no way" - why, what do you think to weddings? "they're bad"



Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tree Farm

Today we cut down our Christmas Tree. We went to a "new" farm, that had the most amazing view. Instead of our usual arrive and within 5 minutes pick a tree, cut it down and be on the road home - we took our time - and looked around the property - and - we ended up with the 1st tree we'd seen.

The weather was beautiful, bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky - not necessarily the best weather for photos though - oh well.

Ben took his camera - he took a photo of everything, the tree-saw, trees, rocks, more trees, oh, and my bum.

Jonathan loved touching the trees and chatted most of the time in his garbled way (although, yesterday he did start talking - he pushed Rika out of his way, wagged his finger at her and said "no, no, no, no, no")





Sunday, November 16, 2008

Mommy's Little Helpers


Wow, the weather this weekend has been amazing. Both mornings we were on the beach and it wasn't warm, it was hot. Today the boys wore shorts and T-shirts.

Today, after the beach walk (and of course, a stop at the coffee shop), the boys "helped" me wash my very dirty car.




Of course, Rika helped too....

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Gilroy Gardens







Today we went to Gilroy Gardens. We'd not been since Ben's birthday - everyone had a blast (yes, even Ben!!!). Ben ran from one ride to the next - we rode artichokes, garlic, old fashioned cars, "round" boats, ferris wheel, walked behind the waterfall, did the maze, the spinning ride and the carousel. We were amazed, Jonathan didn't fall asleep until about 15 mins before we arrived home





Saturday, November 8, 2008

Budding Artists???


After lunch Ben decided to paint a picture (he'd seen the kids finger paints I'd bought the day before and "needed" to use them). He was very serious while creating his masterpiece...sky...grass...flowers...self portrait...attempted a bird, but wasn't happy with the outcome and so changed it to a butterfly.

Jonathan also joined in the fun. Although, looking at these photos, you'd never know an hour earlier he was a whining monster. After listening to him whine, fuss, cry for just over a day, we took him to the doctor - what loser parents we are - turns out he has a double ear infection. I have to say, motrin is the most wonderful invention, within half hour of motrin and his antibiotics he was a different little boy.

This was the first time he'd painted at home, and the first time he'd ever held a paintbrush (at school it's finger painting).



and...this is how the artist looked after 20 minutes of fun