Sandy Creek Nature Center Playdate

We went to the Sandy Creek Nature Center earlier this week. We met up with Melissa (Ella and Nora) and Erinn (Jade and Max). We had not been in ages and Isaac was really excited about the snakes and turtles. After about an hour and a quarter I could tell it was time to move on. Isaac kept running into the lobby to play with the drinking fountain. Anyway, we were saying goodbye and I noticed Isaac at the end of the hallway playing with a little red box on the wall. I immediately yelled "don't touch" but was too late the fire alarm started going off. Isaac had the look of death in his eyes as he ran into my arms.

As we were driving home I started analyzing why a child friendly place would have that alarm so low to the ground. Perhaps for handicapped persons? I know from my expieriences in college as a resident assistant there are plastic boxes that can go on top of alarms to provide cover. Anyway, I'm just coming up with excuses. I do believe Isaac was frightened enough not to ever play with one again.

At one point during our playdate I turned around and snapped this photo. It seems so innocent, at this age...and appears to be the only photo I took.

Preschool Holiday Party

We've had a touch of a "bug" around here this week. I felt really lousy yesterday and learned this morning at the Y that several of the kids have had the stomach flu. Isaac was "off" on Wednesday evening and laid around on the couch most of Thursday morning. This is just not like him--he's so active. I don't think he felt very well either. I just hope we stay healthy from this point forward.

Isaac has learned to climb out of his crib. This has caused stress in my world this week. He hasn't been napping, but then is ready for bed at 5 p.m. --which is too late for a nap and too early for bedtime. After 5 days of persistence, I finally got him to stay in the crib for a nap today (It's Friday). He insists that "santa is bringing a big boy bed." With the help from our friend, Dane (Mary's husband) we installed some new locks so Isaac can't escape from our apartment once he gets out of the crib.

Donavan's last day of school is today and we're really excited that he'll be able to spend a couple of weeks with us. He plans to go into the office on Monday morning to clean it, but then won't be back until Jan. 5. Isaac has started his list of things to do when Dadda's home--the first is to go to Chick Chick (CFA).

Here are some pictures and video from Isaac's preschool earlier this week. The class sang a few holiday songs for their parents. I was impressed that the kids stood still for three songs. Overall, all the excitement about Christmas has thrown Isaac into a whirl. There's just been too much. I've stopped talking about Santa, baby Jesus, the gifts, the tree, etc. because it gets him to excited and he has a hard time settling down. He has done much better the last couple of days when I resumed normalcy to our lives--without any hype.

Christmas Party with play group

We had so much fun at the play group Christmas party at Julee, Connor and Ryan's home this morning. I really wanted to have Isaac eat a well-balanced breakfast this morning but he refused. I knew that he'd go straight for the cookies and juice boxes at the event. We had a great time playing with friends and putting together some Christmas crafts. Here's a group photo (I think most of the kids are in the photo).

Vacuuming

So, Isaac may be a spitting image of his father, but he does have my attention to details. Here he's vacuuming up some crumbs he noticed on the floor.

Trimming the Tree

Here are photos from trimming of the Christmas tree over the weekend. This is the first year we have used an artifical tree and we really don't care for it. First, we miss the smell of natural pine. The candle doesn't do the trick. Second, we seem to have gapping holes in it. Oh well. Isaac is really excited about Christmas this season. We went to breakfast with Santa over the weekend at the Church. Although donavan and I sat on his lap, Isaac was still not interested in getting that close to a man with a funny outfit and white beard. I think Isaac's favorite part was pulling out the pieces of the nativity scene. We also celebrated St. Nick's Day on saturday. After nap St. Nick had visited Isaac's shoe and brought him a candy cane, hershey kisses and Thomas the Train pajamas. He liked the candy most of all and wore his new pj's to pajama day on Tuesday at Emmanuel preschool.

Athens Christmas Parade

Here's a picture of Isaac in the Athens Christmas parade on Thursday night. He and Donavan marched with the St. Joseph's float.

Thanksgiving Trip to Jekyll Island

Here's a re-cap of our last couple of weeks. Isaac's Gigi Powell flew to Athens for a long weekend before Thanksgiving. Isaac loved having her visit and especially liked "showing off." We were so impressed with her energy. At her age, she is an excellent traveler. We enjoyed having her visit.

Then, we drove and spent the week of Thanksgiving with Mimi and Poppi Powell on Jekyll Island. We had really nice weather (60s and 70s, sunny or partly sunny). Isaac enjoyed playing on the playground that was in the "backyard" of our condo, playing in the sand on the beach, running in the water with his Mimi, and biking. Donavan pulled out the kite we used over the summer at the beach and Isaac was fascinated with it. He had no interest with the kite over the summer, but it was a big hit this time. He loved going to the sea turtle museum and now carries his baby turtle (stuffed animal) around with him all day. Oh, and the last night on Jekyll Donavan and I took him to a a putt putt golf course. I think he has pretty decent form for a 2 year old. It was nice to get away and spend time with family for the holiday.