Zamboni and Vending Machine

Ben took Dex to his first ice hockey game this winter. Dexy really enjoyed the action of the game but got super excited when the zamboni came out onto the ice and when they went to get snacks at vending machine.

Long Time No See

In February, we had a visit from old friends of mine from Boston. Deb and I worked together a hundred years ago and her husband, Seb, is a guitar player and luthier. We got to meet their son, Jorgi, and they got to meet Dexter and My Bologna.

We had a lovely time making and eating dinner together and then playing instruments in the basement.

Dexter "played" the megaphone along with Ben and Seb's jam.

My Bologna Turns 11

We celebrated My Bologna's birthday on New Year's Day. He enjoyed opening and playing with a new toy

and sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's big bed with Mommy's teddy bear, Nick.

Enjoying Ice Cream

With a knife and fork?

Panda Robe

My parents sent Dexter a panda robe for Christmas. Ben and I could not stop laughing.

Who's that?!

 It's me, Dexter!

 Happy, cuddly panda giving Daddy hugs.

 Panda watching TV.

Getting comfy.

Trip to the Theater

Santa gave the family tickets to the Blue Man Group. He must have heard Dexy shouting with excitement every time he saw a commercial for Blue Man Group. I hope he heard Dexy shouting with excitement when he discovered the tickets in his stocking!

 "Hurry up, Mommy!  We're going to be late!" Dex shouted the whole walk to the theater.

 Tubes in the lobby!

 Black light in the lobby!

Ready for the show to begin.  Dexter LOVED every second of it, especially when a Blue Man stood on the arms of Mommy's seat!

Winter Scenes

Catching Up!

It's been about 6 months since I last posted anything. I blame life. Moving beyond blame, I'm now playing a game of catch up.  Here's some gems from the winter:

Boxing Day with friends...

  Lunch with Ian - using up Christmas poppers...

 First school dance... chowing down with Marek

  First school dance... getting down with himself on the dance floor

  First school dance... in the "photo booth" with Mommy

Face Mask

Santa must have overheard Dexter wishing out loud for a face mask on those cold winter morning walks to school. Even completely covered, the crossing guards and school aids all recognize Dexy.

The Excitement of Christmas Morning

Ben and I woke up Christmas morning to the sounds of Dexter exclaiming from the living room, "Santa came!" Sure enough, Dex had noticed the additional gifts under the tree from Santa

 and the stockings stuffed with goodies.

Even My Bologna got into the excitement of unwrapping.

The Build-Up

Dex got a phone call from Santa on Christmas Eve afternoon and he excitedly told him that he would like some wooden train tracks and the game Domino Rally (lucky for Santa, Dexter has been consistently wishing for the same things all season).

Then, after dinner and jammies, Ben and Dex read, "T'was the Night Before Christmas" and Father Christmas delivered a family game to the front door! We all played Tiddlywinks and then went to bed.

We had plenty of fun family time in the build-up to Christmas.

Note (and Signs) for Santa

Not only did Dexter write a note to Santa saying he had been mostly good this year and would like "Domino Rally" and more wooden train tracks but he also thought it would be a good idea to make some signs for Santa.

One had a picture of Santa with an arrow to the plate of cookies and one had a picture of a reindeer with an arrow to the plate of carrots. Dex wanted to make sure Santa wasn't confused about which were for whom.

Inhabiting Gingerbread Village

It didn't take Dexter long to incorporate vehicles into the gingerbread village scene...

 The "drone" shot of the village.

The cab-over delivery truck is bringing produce and poultry to the store.

The sports car is parked at the chalet and the other over-cab is delivering a shark to the apartment building.

The owners of the 2 houses own fancy cars.

Baking Factory

Ben, Dex, and I set up a 2-day baking factory - we made and decorated tons of cookies as well as a gingerbread village.

Front and Center

Dexter's school had a holiday performance held at the local high-school. Dex, and all the other kindergartners kicked off the show with a rousing rendition of  "It Must Be Santa". Ben and I were shocked to see Dexter front and center!

This was followed by the Jamaican classic (that no one had ever heard of), "Christmas Comin'," in which Dexter had a starring role. Ben and I were shocked to see that Dexter had a primary drum-playing role!

Mommy's Best Birthday Ever!

Despite trying to forget about my birthday this year (why bother, it just reminds me that I'm getting older), Ben and Dexter made it the best birthday ever. First, Dex and I went to the Christmas service at Daddy's church gig (Dex and I had a yummy breakfast date while Ben had practice prior to the service).

I got to see Dexter join all the other children in the procession that started the service.

When we got home, it was time for birthday cake and presents. Dex made the most amazing "coloring book" for me. Ben said it was all his idea and that he had never seen Dexter so focused.

It took hours over the course of a couple of days but I ended up with a fabulous "20 pages My First Power Book". The first ten pages consisted of various trucks (with descriptions written by Dexter).

The next ten pages consisted of hot rods (with descriptions dictated by Dexter and written down by Ben).As I colored the first page, Dex stood next to me providing positive feedback and encouragement, "Great job coloring, Mom."

The Hole Family

Dex's school hosted a "Santa's Workshop" where the kids could purchase gifts for their family members. We gave Dex a few dollars and some ideas and he came home from school with wrapped gifts for everyone in the family as well as one gift from him for the whole family.

I don't know who they had helping with Santa's Workshop but I certainly hope it wasn't teachers...

Brothers from Another Mother Birthday Lunch

Because Ian was unable to attend Dexter's birthday party, Elissa and I thought it would be nice to take the boys to a train restaurant. The boys thought it was a good idea as well!

 They both ate nuggets and fries,

played arcade games, and activated all the animations on the train track.

Christmas Tree Transport and Trimming

My Bologna has been retired from his annual job pulling the Christmas tree home on a sled (you did a great job all those years, My Bologna!). Dexter has taken over the duties using the little red wagon.

My Bologna still partakes in the trimming of the tree in his role as Supervisor.








Dex very intentionally chose a scraggly tree that was all by itself - he insisted on bringing that tree home so it wouldn't be lonely. We made him look beautiful.