Alan and Tyler were back at Grandma Debbie’s for another sleepover last night! On their agenda was round 2 of the Florida Speedway and Hot Wheels Roto Revolution. Amidst the fun, these two cousins even transformed into super heroes! (with assistance from Aunt Silke and her phone).
Alan has taken a new interest in music these days, particularly Kidz Bop songs. His favorites are “Fight Song,” “Thunder,” “Just Like Fire,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling!,” “Best Day of My Life,” and “Feel It Still” — all of which he’s heard during 1st grade dance breaks, which are a variation of more traditional stretch breaks.
Recently we purchased and downloaded all of these songs to our iPhone. We had our own dance party – featuring the “dancing water speakers” pictured above – right before Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl victory tonight over USC!
Alan’s Christmas tour continued at the Meekens’ today for our annual Christmas get together with “Uncle” Luke and Amie. Luke’s legendary gifts for Alan over the years — ranging from blocks to Tinker Toys to Kinects to Legos — always encourage Alan’s creativity. This year the gift was a Lego 3-in-1 motorcycle that Alan built right after opening it!
Alan woke up this morning to find the Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage under the Christmas tree! It’s the largest gift he’s ever received – from Santa or from anyone else. He talked about it for weeks and had Elfie deliver the request to Santa early in December.
After both Elife and Santa came through for Alan last night, we assembled the garage and parked Alan’s cars on it — including the Indians, Browns, Cavs, and Ohio State cars and trucks that Santa put in Alan’s stocking.
We played all morning until it was time to open presents with Tyler and Carleigh at Grandma Debbie’s. The Hot Wheels theme continued there, as Alan received a Hot Wheels Roto Revolution toy from Grandma Debbie! Alan and Tyler faced off and mastered the game in no time. Grandma Debbie’s upstairs study is now home to the most [heavy duty] toys in one place that require D batteries.
Before the day was over, we took our annual photo on the stairs (after a one year hiatus when Josh wasn’t able to come home for Christmas). Merry Christmas!
Alan’s gift from Daddy this year was Alan’s first real hammer. Upon receiving it tonight, Alan used it to hammer in the nail that was used to hang a new clock above the TV! The hammer happened to be the perfect size for Alan’s Cars 3 toolbox. 🙂
Alan got to see all of his cousins today, as the whole family got together to welcome home Josh and Silke. Two of Alan’s holiday gifts — a Lego jet and limousine set from Tata & Papa and the Cars 3 Florida Speedway track from Robbie & Jill — were a hit at the party amongst the cousins. After playing indoor tag and hide-and-seek for the first portion of the day, the kids then worked on the Legos and put the racetrack to the test. They had a blast, and played until the party broke up.
Fortunately for Alan and Tyler, their own party continued well into the night as they had a sleepover at Grandma Debbie’s! Alan let Tyler fall asleep around 11pm, and when they woke up the next morning, they went right back to the racetrack. 🙂
Alan’s first activity of winter break was making his annual donation of toys to Goodwill.
Today I met up with Alan at the holiday party for Mrs. Russo’s class. The class made ornaments after unwrapping a new book as part of a book exchange. Earlier in the day the class sang songs in the gym – including Alan’s new favorite, “Joy to the World.”
I’ve already got my new ornament up on the tree!
First time lighting the menorah in the new apartment.
Today Alan decorated this cookie at our apartment complex’s holiday gathering for kids. Alan chose Grandma Debbie as the lucky recipient! It was her early Christmas present.
Today Alan completed the final practice session before league play begins in 2 weeks. He’ll be playing for the Heat this winter!
Alan’s pretty proud of himself for how far he’s come already this season. He can make baskets pretty consistently in the layup line, he can jog while dribbling, and he can slide his feet on defense. The uncertainty he felt before his first practice was ancient history today when he described basketball as “a lot of fun” after his last practice.
Alan can name all the areas on a court now after we’ve been studying a diagram of a basketball court. And Alan’s coach called him the best listener he’s ever seen.
He’s got a second favorite sport to go along with baseball now!
This evening Alan and I went to the winter book fair at Millridge. Alan read all about Legos, but ultimately we bought Ten Tiny Ninjas and Ten Baby Bears. Before we left, Alan told me he wants to go to all the book fairs at Millridge (there are three per year).
While we were at the school, Alan showed me the first grade rock garden outside the drop-off/pick-up door! Alan’s rock is the green one with black stripes.
Alan had his second career recital today – a group performance along with three other students in Miss Melanie’s class. Great job, Alan!
Alan wasn’t feeling well this weekend and couldn’t play with Tyler, so instead he got a Lego rocket to build on Saturday night. It was his idea to put on the NASA shirt for the photo. 🙂
Elfie’s back! Alan found Santa’s little helper and left him a note for his next trip to the North Pole. Alan’s letter to Santa this year contains a request for the Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage. We’ll see what happens on December 25th!
Alan lost another tooth today (bottom right, 2nd from center), so we wondered if Elfie and the Tooth Fairy would meet each other tonight. 🙂
Today Alan brought home the best gifts Daddy will receive all year long. It’s Winter Workshop time once again at Millridge, and Alan made a candle holder and a Rudolph decoration. Love them!
