Wrapping up Christmas and the Brand New Year

I really hate out of order pics on a blog, but I just don't have the energy at the moment.

We struggled with the return back to the daily routine after our long Christmas break. I've had to wake Luke up in the mornings, which is very unusual for him. And he's been asking to go to bed at night, which is unprecedented.

Mrs. W gave me a heads up that I should hang around through announcements this morning. I did and watched Luke win the character award for his class this month. And, contrary to what you might assume, he didn't win for being a "character." He was selected (by his teacher I think) for exemplifying the character word of the month, which was "caring."




He was really thrilled to win, though perhaps not evident in the photo. He was so excited when his name was announced. And I watched as he went to office to be photographed with the other winners. I'm really proud of him. And really humbled that my child who I was told many years ago would likely never understand or show empathy to anyone, was selected as a very caring student.

So back to the holidays. We delayed our travel plans by a day due to some Christmas snow. On Monday we headed to the lovely state of Virginia for some time with family.

We began with a little present opening with the cousins.

Both got Scribblenauts for the DS. Maddie really liked it. It's too hard for Luke right now. But he enjoyed playing it with Haley's help.

Luke and Maddie painting the Minnie and Mickey statues that Santa left Luke. He was really excited to share this craft with Maddie.

Maddie and Haley got new robes for Christmas and they wore them a lot the first day we were there. Luke really needed a robe too. Grandma and I found him one at Sears.

The robe club.

All the cousins were sweet to play with Luke for many hours. He just adores them all. And he begs them to play with him. Maddie is still the apple of his eye. He woke up eagerly each morning and his first concern was what Maddie was up to (and every day she was still sleeping).

I got the kids some handmade hats at the Lynchburg mall. They were pretty psyched about them.

There was lots of Wii play, but lots of tickling, running, and wrestling too. Luke is having a hard time losing at games lately. Playing with his cousins was a good chance to talk through this, though a little frustrating at the time. It is a blessing his cousins are older and remained calm the couple of times that Luke just turned the wii off because he was losing. We're working on it.

7 or the 8 cousins were together for a few hours on Thursday. It was great fun as always.

14 of the 16 of us shared a meal and a few hours together. And guess who suggested we brave the cold and take a picture on the porch?

And then a five year old really thought we should all make a crazy a face.




I think Lamar's crazy face is pretty disturbing.

The kids back inside by Grandma's pink tree.

The kids just acting natural.

And then it was time for some of our beloved cousins to leave. Luke suggested this pose:

So very hard to say goodbye.

And that evening the rest of the cousins left (and their parents). Luke said many times Thursday night, "I don't want to be the only cousin here." But we enjoyed a quiet night with Grandma and Grandpa before heading home Friday morning.

We were so tired when we returned home, but enjoyed our time in Virginia as we always do.