Here are the boys getting ready to sled down the hill in our first major snowfall this winter season. I don't think Andrew was a big fan of the cold snow flying in his face while going down the hill. He has also been sick and today was the first day he is somewhat back to his normal self.

Clayton preferred pushing his dump truck around to sledding. He said while going down the big hill was fun it was still "scary."

Andrew on his third set of gloves (these are Clayton's). He wouldn't keep them on and would get so upset when he got snow on his hands.

I got Andrew dressed first then started on Clayton. While putting Clayton's shoes on I looked over and Andrew was on the floor like this.

After being outside in the snow, Clayton wanted some hot chocolate. I made him sing the "Hot Chocolate" song from one of his favorite movies before he could have his. He calls his "dance moves" in this video his hot chocolate dance.

Conversation with Clayton #384

Here is the conversation I just had with Clayton:

C: Mama, is it Christmas Eve yet?
M: No Clayton, Santa only comes once a year. We just had Christmas, you will have to wait a long time for him to come again.
C: Once a year-what are you talking about!

But I like Christmas.....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Yes, your Christmas cards are going to be mailed tomorrow (at least that is the plan and yes I know it is January 5th). I had planed to get them done while we were in Georgia but that just didn't happen and I just got back to Maryland today so I am hoping to get them finished tomorrow.

Our Christmas was great, but a little hectic. In some ways it almost feels like Christmas didn't even happen but then I just take a look around my house and see the empty boxes, wrapping paper, and toys everywhere so I know it did. My parents were here for Christmas which was really nice except for the fact we all got sick the weekend before Christmas. I felt really bad- welcome to Maryland, here is the Noro virus! Then we flew home to Georgia on the 27th and just got back today. My house still looks like it did Christmas morning! When we walked in the door today Clayton said, "Its Christmas! Its Christmas!"

Clayton loves Christmas and he doesn't understand why Christmas has to end. While we were at our friend, Dusti's house in Georgia she was putting away her Christmas tree when Clayton asked her, "What are you doing." She told him that she was putting the tree away. Of course, he asked, "But why?" She told him, "because Christmas IS over." He said, "But I like Christmas!"

Some other funny things Clayton said this Christmas:

On Christmas morning before we went downstairs to see if Santa had come, the first thing he wanted to do was to hug Andrew. He kept saying, "I want to hug Andrew" over and over again. After about the 15th hug given to Andrew Clayton said, "I being extra good."

The day after Christmas Clayton wasn't being the best behaved boy in the world and I told him he was being a "bad boy." He responded with, "I not a bad boy. I a good boy. Just ask Santa!"

He has already started making his list for next year.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Day.

Andrew with "Santa"

The boys with "Santa"

Clayton with "Santa"

Clayton playing with one of his toys while wearing his Doctor's outfit.

Would you like fries with that? Don't be confused, this is a McDowels.

Clayton loves Garfield so Santa found one on Ebay!





Why you ask would a mother giver their 3 1/2 year old and 17 month old a drum set? To that I have an answer: It is a lot quieter than them beating my metal mixing bowls with a metal spoon! We were all amazed at how Andrew just sat down and knew what to do. It was like he had been playing the drums all his life!

Clayton on the drums.

Andrew finding his Mickey.

Ever since we went to Disney, I can't walk by a Mickey stuffed animal without him screaming for it. I just wasn't' going to spend $35-50 to get him the giant Mickey that he seemed to want. So, when I saw that Walmart had a 2ft Mickey on sale the day after Thanksgiving for $10.00 I was so there. I got there at 4:50 a.m. in line with the masses. Once the store opened, everyone was running in- heading toward the electronics department to get their TV, camera, computer, etc... I think I was the only person that ran in and asked, "Where are the Mickeys? I ran to the toy department to find I was the only one there! I think I could have gotten to Walmart at 7:00 and been okay! To see Andrew play with him though- it was well worth it!

The aftermath!