The Christmas Story

After three months of Sunday morning practices and countless rides in the car singing Christmas songs, "The Christmas Story" was performed this morning at church. Evan played the role of the innkeeper and Keagan played the part of a king.

Both boys recited their lines perfectly and at the right time. We were so proud of them! We are relying upon friends to burn us a copy of the recorded performance so that we can share it with family back home.

Picture with Santa

After swim lessons this morning, I took the boys to a party supply store to see Santa. It is perhaps not the first place you would consider taking your child to see the bearded guy, but it was the only place that allowed us to take pictures with our own camera for free! In addition, the boys were given big sacks filled with goodies like stuffed animals, pencils, markers, toys, and candy. After waiting in line for forty minutes, Keagan refused to look at Santa, much less take a picture. When I reminded him that he needed to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, he replied, "I have enough presents, Mom. I don't need anything else." 

Gingerbread Party

This afternoon the boys and I attended a gingerbread party at our neighbors' house. The Vails put the houses together last night, and today the boys were given the job of decorating with gum drops, candy canes, Smarties, and anything else you can imagine. Most of the boys gave it a good ten minutes before the toys in the play room beckoned them to return to play. 

Evan couldn't believe he was actually invited into Mark's house; when they play, both families have a rule that the four boys must play outside. At snack time, we said our good-byes and headed across town to another party. This time it was a birthday party. And now with the excitement of such a busy day behind them, both boys are fast asleep, and I am headed to the kitchen to make holiday candy.

Gingerbread Train

We bought a gingerbread kit two weeks ago and put it together this afternoon. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it to stay upright. Evan was so disappointed.

This, I have decided, will be a Daddy job next year. Evan tried so hard to make it perfect with the candy decorations. I bet you can guess what Keagan did. He ate the candy and watched Evan do most of the work.

St. Nickolas Was Here

Six years ago, while living in Germany, we were introduced to St. Nickolas Day. We brought the tradition with us when we crossed over the Atlantic and the boys now anxiously await his arrival. St. Nick brings candy and a reminder that you must behave if you wish for him to return on the 24th. This reminder often includes switches or pieces of coal, and all of the goodies, both good and bad, are stuffed into a boot. For the Toole family, an Army issued black boot does the trick.

This morning Evan and Keagan found bubblegum, candy, and a Transformer toy in the boots. Evan, the more sensitive and conscientious of the two, was almost upset to find the coal in his boot. Keagan skipped over it and didn't give it a second thought except to say it looked a lot like a big piece of chocolate.

The Girlfriend

Last night we attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for one of Evan's friends. On his way to work, Wes asked, "So whose birthday is it tonight?" Evan answered, "My girl friend, duh!" This was interesting because although he has mentioned that Kara is his girlfriend, he usually just refers to her as Kara.

Although Kara's mother and I have spoken on the phone and sent emails, we have never met. Upon arriving to Chuck E Cheese, I tried to introduce myself, but before I could get any words out, she said, "Oh! Is this who I think it is? Is this the Evan I hear so much about?" To her teenage daughter she said, "Well, I am glad that she has good taste, and look! He is really tall."

To have an adult size up by six year old baby was a little unnerving. Never mind that I did the same to Kara when I met her back in September in the kindergarten classroom. However, what happened next says it all. A group of five little girls spotted Evan standing at the drink counter, and began to run toward us squealing his name. However, Evan looked right over the group of girls, and spotted his friend Benjamin. With his arms outstretched ready for a big bear hug, he ran right for Benjamin.

We Aren't Moving

Today's morning announcement by Obama and his selections for cabinet members has made it official. We will be living in Northern Virginia for at least one more year. The key to this phrase is "at least." Who knew in March 2005 that we would still be here four and five years later?