HOYT

18 months 

He is a toddler. 

ROWDY, MISCHIEVOUS, FEARLESS, BUSY, HUNGRY, HAPPY, LOUD

loves: grapes, string cheese and meat. 

hugs from his brother, snuggles with dad, and going in the car

says: nigh nigh (night, night)

byyyye Dah (bye dad, even if you are not dad!)

I doooown (I want down)

I go (he always wants to go)

cheeeeeese (any time he wants to eat he says cheese)

YEEEEAAAAAAAH! (when he is excited! while raising his arms and jumping)

He is Hell on Wheels. 

He jumps off, pulls down and barrels through anything.

 He will get into everything. And make a mess where there is no mess to be made. 

I'm quick. He is quicker!

I'm smart. He's clever!

But those snuggles, smiles, giggles, curls and eyes... they ALMOST make up for it!

VANCE

4.5 years

Sweetheart.

HUGS, TIGH SQUEEZES, KISSES, SMART, HAPPY, DIRT, TRAINS

loves: treats, candy, pancakes, nachos,
playing outside in the dirt, watching charlie brown,
 doing homework, going to school and reading, drawing pictures and writing words.

quotes:
"We love our dad. He's the big boss. He is so nice, like santa!"

ME - "Vance what would you like for breakfast?. "
V-"Well something with sugar in it."

V - "I like purple grapes."
ME - "I like green grapes"
V - "hahahah well that's something you don't hear every day!
Haha mom you are funny!"

jokes: "why did the banana ride in the car? Because he was out of gas!"
"what did the vampire take for his scratchy throat? coffin drops!"

He's my best helper. So loving. Sometimes he is so caught up in his own world he is distracted and struggles to listen which makes mom and dad frustrated! He is picky and only eats a few things, dinner time is a struggle. However his sweet smiles and giggles, his dancing and jokes are fantastic!

This was our first year with an Elf on the Shelf. 

The first year I felt our boys would understand the concept. 

I grew up in a home where birthdays and holidays were always Magical! 

A lot of that magic was in part because of decorations, make believe and imagination! 

I definitely wanted that for our boys too! 

Shortly after ordering the book our Elf Cecil showed up! We read the book. However I wasn't sold on the idea. I just didn't fit to have Cecil tattling on the boys and I didn't like constant threats looming over Vance that someone was watching him.  That Santa would pass "judgement" on him if he made a wrong choice. I want my boys to make right choices whether or not anyone is "watching"!  I came across a great pin on Pinterest about linking Santa, The Elf, Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.  I then adapted it to fit our families beliefs and be age appropriate to our boys. Vance is LOVING waking up each morning to see his new friend and the adventures he had while he was sleeping!

At preschool Vance's class has reached the number 50. 

They had a 50's inspired party. 

Of course I got some shots. 

My little James Dean.