New Years Eve

On New Year's Eve we went to Brookside Gardens, a place where we visit for the indoor conservatory/greenhouse, and a fun train exhibit that the boys always enjoy at Christmastime. They have an annual light exhibit over the holidays and we went to check it out.

This was the entrance of the walk. It was unseasonably warm, in the 50's, so we were able to stay outside for a long time and enjoy the fun lights. The boys loved walking inside the caterpillar's mouth.

This was one of our favorites! The lights were amazing:) They also had face-painting (Ethan got a bat) crafts, hot chocolate, and train watching in the conservatory. While Ethan decorated some crafts, Matthew and I took turns taking Nick back outside, out of the stroller. He is at that stage where when you see him walk, you just have to laugh:) Every person who has to jump to get out of his way or pick him up at their feet after a fall laughs and smiles at him. He sort of walk/runs, and is super-wobbly and all smiles. He had been dying to get out of the stroller and was touching all the lights he could get his hands on. He is getting so fast! Luckily he still falls pretty often so it gives me time to catch up to him. He is so small that he just weaves in and out of people that I have to politely push past:)

Ethan moved to a new sunbeam class today in church. His good friend, Isaac, is in his class and they can sometimes get talkative. His mom and I were worried about them. They aren't bad, or rude, but when they even look at each other from across the room they burst into laughter. They immediately give each other hugs and start running around like crazy at first sight. But Isaac's mom and I have been really really working with both of them to sit quietly during class. The last two weeks have been successful! Also, Ethan's prayers have gotten hilarious. We have been focusing on things for which he is grateful. His prayers have lists that go on and on. He mostly just looks around the room and says what he sees. But my favorites are: "Thank you for my life, my dinosaurs, that candy mom gave me, and my baby brother." He and Nick are playing so well together lately. When Nick hears Ethan downstairs he is instantly squirming out of my arms to go and find him. When Nick gets up from his nap, Ethan likes to go in and get in his crib with and give him hugs and kisses. They chase each other around the house, play little games together, and Ethan has been so good to share with him. SUCH an improvement from 6 months ago!