The Christmas Season Has Sprung

Grant wanted to get a picture of his most favorite teacher, Mrs. Bruce on the night of his school christmas program. She has a very special place in my little man's heart and I am very grateful for her.

Lane enjoyed listening to his big brother (and his daycare friends) sing their songs.

Lane is at the age where he's trying to figure out how to smile for the camera. I remember Grant having this moment at this age too. Hope it is short lived. Until then, we get this awkward smile. 

Lane is really into his "stuffies" right now. He packs them from room to room and insists on sleeping with at least 15-20 of them. He calls them "his friends." I'm not sure if it's cute or sad.

The first snowfall for the season happened and the boys were itching to go out and play in it. We quickly realized that Grant was two sizes too big for the snowsuit he wore last year. He was forced to wear my old childhood snowsuit. It was incredibly too large on him but he wore it with a grin because I think he knew the alternative would have been to sit inside and watch his little brother play in the snow. Note to self: get this kid a new snowsuit.

Lane just watched his brother run wild for about 15 minutes. He just walked around aimlessly and observed-but then decided to get in on the crazy play too.

Snowball fight!!!!

This made me want to puke. I kept telling Lane to stop but he wouldn't listen-every time I turned around he was on all fours licking the snow. YUCK!

Not enough snow for a good snow angel but he tried. Oh my this suit is awful!

We went to the mall the Friday after Thanksgiving. Of course the boys wanted to see Santa. This is them waiting their turn.

At the tree farm trying to find the most perfect Fricke family Christmas tree.

This was the first year I couldn't get Grant to wear his Santa hat. He said, "no, I am not wearing one, you guys look really weird!" lol

Picture of the boys seeing Santa at the mall. I was surprised at how willing Lane was to not only see him but to sit on his lap..I was even more surprised he didn't "flick" him.

This year we let the boys put up their own tree with their own ornaments. Grant assembled and decorated it himself and he was so very proud of his finished product. Lane photobombed this picture.

Our tree this year had me throwing fits! I had spent and hour stringing the lights and hundreds of them on only to leave the room and return to find them out OUT! We couldn't find an immediate problem so we ended up having to unstring all of the lights and start all over. Grrr...I was frustrated.

Lately, I have been having a difficult time getting Lane to agree to change out of his pajamas and into his clothes. Often times he will just stay in his pj's all day long. I figure this is the last year he will be able to do this so -hey, whatever!

We took Lane to his three year check up and found out what we already knew. We have a big boy on our hands. Lane was 85% in his height and 95% in his weight.

Dec 2nd our house elf, Noodle returned from the North Pole. The boys love waking up each morning to find him in a new location in the house. I love their enthusiasm but sometimes wish it wouldn't come so early. 5:45 is usually when Grant is on the prowl.

The boys have been preparing and practicing for their church Christmas program. Half of the practice Lane had his program upside down. Lol. This is his first year in sunday school so I'm praying he does well this next weekend.

Like we have the last five years we took the boys to see Santa at Riggson John Deere dealership. Lane is "flicking " again in this picture.

Lane got bored during the nearly two hour wait -he found a way to entertain himself (and us).

Uncle Jacob is employed there and the boys thought it was so cool that he got to help set up Santa's sleigh and bring in the reindeer.

Lane didn't smile but I didn't mind. I was just thrilled he was willingly participating. He gave his list to Santa.. and listened to every word he said.

Grant had a list to share too. Grant is always pumped to see Santa.

And of course they each got little toy tractors.

As most of you reading this already know, Lane had been telling us that he couldn't breathe and had a very difficult time sleeping. We got him in to see an allergist and the ENT. This is a picture of him being tested for allergies. As you may know this involves being poked with several little sticks in the back. All while trying to be the mom who was keeping it positive and trying to encourage my child to "do well and hold still" we could hear a little boy on the other side of the wall screaming bloody murder. It was difficult for me as it was to watch my little boy being prodded but on top of that I had to try to explain why on earth another little boy was screaming like he was on fire in the room next to us. Ugh.

Lane was all smiles during the entire 15 minutes it took for the test to be completed. He was trying to smear chap stick on my head and kept telling me stories he made up.

The result: he is mostly allergic to grain mites, followed by mold and dust mites. We made some environmental changes to his bedroom (added some allergy guard pillow cases and removed his humidifier) and so far so good (knock on wood) he hasn't really complained about not being able to breath lately!!

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