My father taught himself to play the bass when he returned from Vietnam, nearly 40 years ago. It is something that has become a hobby, a passion, and (partial) career for him as he uses it for side jobs to earn extra money. He is VERY GOOD at it!!! My father has mostly played the bass guitar, but in recent years took interest in the larger standing bass.
Devin LOVES when his Papa plays the bass. Since he was a baby, Devin has loved to listen to Papa play songs for him. As soon as Devin could boogie, he began dancing to Papa's music and it was only fitting that last Christmas Grandma and Papa got Devin his own Elmo guitar for Jam sessions.
On Christmas Eve Devin and Papa had a Jam session. It was adorably cute!
The lighting in my father's "music room/den" is dim, so I hope that you can see the video well enough to enjoy it.....
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Potty Training
I have been somewhat hesitant to mention Devin's progress in potty training here for fear of jinxing us!
Here's the scoop: We are currently on day 4 of wearing big boy underwear during the day! He has been doing REALLY well with only 1 major accident in that time. He has stayed dry through a number of outings, 3 naps, and most of the time at home while using the toilet and a little potty (thanks Kim and Emma!). He is wearing a pull up at night.
Devin decided that he was ready to wear the underwear the day after Christmas. Since this summer I have been offering him the potty and his underwear~ to which he usually replies NO. This time he surprised me and said YES! He does not want to wear a pull up/diaper (yay!) anymore, but he does not always want to stop and go on the potty either. We are using a sticker chart for positive reinforcement along with some M & M bribery from Grandma! Oh yes, and I told him that poops on the potty earn him a lollipop! (That's the big prize! lol)
I am very proud of Devin. He is doing well. I sure do hope it continues this smoothly, although I am sure we will have our bumps along the way!
Here's the scoop: We are currently on day 4 of wearing big boy underwear during the day! He has been doing REALLY well with only 1 major accident in that time. He has stayed dry through a number of outings, 3 naps, and most of the time at home while using the toilet and a little potty (thanks Kim and Emma!). He is wearing a pull up at night.
Devin decided that he was ready to wear the underwear the day after Christmas. Since this summer I have been offering him the potty and his underwear~ to which he usually replies NO. This time he surprised me and said YES! He does not want to wear a pull up/diaper (yay!) anymore, but he does not always want to stop and go on the potty either. We are using a sticker chart for positive reinforcement along with some M & M bribery from Grandma! Oh yes, and I told him that poops on the potty earn him a lollipop! (That's the big prize! lol)
I am very proud of Devin. He is doing well. I sure do hope it continues this smoothly, although I am sure we will have our bumps along the way!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Pajama Gram
My parents got the 3 of us matching pajamas through Pajama Gram. What a cool gift idea! We wore our new matching pjs last night and I did my best (using the camera timer) to get a picture of us!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Day
Christmas morning was wonderful! It was nice and slow moving. We woke up around 8:30 and slowly made our way downstairs (quite possibly the last year that will happen!). We then went to see if Santa had come. We checked first to see if he had eaten the cookies we left, along with the carrots for the reindeer. In fact, the cookies and carrots were eaten but many crumbs were left behind. We also noticed that the Magic Key was left in front of the door instead of next to the cookies where we left it! Devin wanted to look out the window to see if Santa was there. He was not.
We turned on some Christmas music (and snuck the casserole in the oven) and proceeded into the living room. We found stuffed stockings on the couch and a tool bench next to it, along with presents under the tree.
We spent all morning enjoying the presents and the Disney Christmas parade (and the sausage casserole that I made!) and around 3:00 pm Erick's parents came over for some food, presents, and family time.
New lap top!
We had such a wonderful Christmas. It is great to see the holiday through a child's eyes again. The spirit is revived and I am so thankful for everything I have and for my beautiful family!
We turned on some Christmas music (and snuck the casserole in the oven) and proceeded into the living room. We found stuffed stockings on the couch and a tool bench next to it, along with presents under the tree.
We spent all morning enjoying the presents and the Disney Christmas parade (and the sausage casserole that I made!) and around 3:00 pm Erick's parents came over for some food, presents, and family time.
New lap top!
We had such a wonderful Christmas. It is great to see the holiday through a child's eyes again. The spirit is revived and I am so thankful for everything I have and for my beautiful family!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Eve
Here are some of my favorite pictures from Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we went to my parent's house and then my grandmother's house.
My parents:
My brother. Mark:
Opening presents at my parent's house:
At my grandmother's house for a more extended Christmas party:
My cousin's 1 year old, feeding her new baby doll....soo cute!
Here is her 3 year old sister with Devin in the background.
Here is my cousin and her adorable 8 year old son!
All 5 of Memmere's GREAT grand kids:
~
My parents:
My brother. Mark:
Opening presents at my parent's house:
At my grandmother's house for a more extended Christmas party:
My cousin's 1 year old, feeding her new baby doll....soo cute!
Here is her 3 year old sister with Devin in the background.
Here is my cousin and her adorable 8 year old son!
All 5 of Memmere's GREAT grand kids:
~
Monday, December 22, 2008
Devin and Daddy head out
We got 11.5 inches of snow yesterday (note storm #2 of the week-end!), so when Daddy headed out to clean off the cars during the storm (because the plow was here) Devin wanted in on the action. Here are a few pics of my guys!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Just in Time for Christmas
Devin has conjunctivitis!
We knew it was going around his day care, but we were hoping he would miss this one! Since Devin started showing symptoms just after noon time today, we missed the morning week-end hours and will have to wait until Monday morning to get him eye drops. Looks like Daddy will be staying home with him, since I only have 2 more days until my vacation starts!
We knew it was going around his day care, but we were hoping he would miss this one! Since Devin started showing symptoms just after noon time today, we missed the morning week-end hours and will have to wait until Monday morning to get him eye drops. Looks like Daddy will be staying home with him, since I only have 2 more days until my vacation starts!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
First Snow Storm
We headed out to play for about 20 minutes. It was VERY cold and the snow was light and fluffy~ not so good for playing in. Devin had fun anyway!
Making snow angels.....Devin has been anxiously awaiting making REAL snow angels since he saw Max and Ruby make them. He has been making practice ones on the floor in the house to perfect the skill!
Another 6 to 10 inches of fluffy white stuff coming in tomorrow!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Lesson From the Storm
So this morning I told Devin that we were getting a big snowstorm today (8 to 12 inches expected). His response, you ask?
"No electricity Mommy? No tv, no lights, no heat?"
I sure hope that's not the case Devin!!!
*At least he learned a new vocabulary word out of the storm last week!*
"No electricity Mommy? No tv, no lights, no heat?"
I sure hope that's not the case Devin!!!
*At least he learned a new vocabulary word out of the storm last week!*
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Ice Storm
Where to begin? I am writing to you just off of an 85 hour stint without proper electricity. This has been the worst ice storm in southern New Hampshire's history. It is definitely the longest period of time for which I have ever been without power. We lost our power Friday at 2:30 am. Devin and I hung around most of Friday to see if it would come back on. We cuddled in my bed reading books. We cuddled on the couch making this Merry Christmas garland for the tree.
But by the time Devin got up from nap, it was clear that the electricity was not coming back on any time soon so I packed us up a bag and headed out the door for my parents' house since their power went back on a couple hours previously. We were warm and cozy for the night.
Saturday Erick's parents remembered that they had a brand new generator in the back of their garage so after Erick got out of work we headed down to get it. Devin spent the night with my mom while we took care of getting the generator hooked (okay, well not me per say, but Erick, his dad, and my dad).
Here is the mess of cords from the generator. We mostly used it for the refrigerator, furnace, and a light or two.
Here's my adorable Daddy!
Here is my hunny~ still in his work clothes at about 10 pm on a Saturday night. Not our idea of fun! lol
Here I am~ Looking rough......
Needless to say, we are very thankful to have our power back. I love having my house back to normal. Its amazing how we take electricity, heat, and normalcy for granted every day.
But by the time Devin got up from nap, it was clear that the electricity was not coming back on any time soon so I packed us up a bag and headed out the door for my parents' house since their power went back on a couple hours previously. We were warm and cozy for the night.
Saturday Erick's parents remembered that they had a brand new generator in the back of their garage so after Erick got out of work we headed down to get it. Devin spent the night with my mom while we took care of getting the generator hooked (okay, well not me per say, but Erick, his dad, and my dad).
Here is the mess of cords from the generator. We mostly used it for the refrigerator, furnace, and a light or two.
Here's my adorable Daddy!
Here is my hunny~ still in his work clothes at about 10 pm on a Saturday night. Not our idea of fun! lol
Here I am~ Looking rough......
Needless to say, we are very thankful to have our power back. I love having my house back to normal. Its amazing how we take electricity, heat, and normalcy for granted every day.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Day 2 and Baking
Devin woke up looking better than I expected this morning. His bump/bruising/swelling isn't as bad as we thought it would be (Much to his teacher's relief~ she was so upset/nervous about the whole ordeal). You can see the purple oval bump going up and down his forehead and some swelling in between his eyes, but he is otherwise fine. It sure doesn't seem to have effected his mood, temperament, or memory as he memorized the entire Frosty the Snowman movie!!!! lol 
I spent MANY, MANY hours this afternoon making 3 batches of "Cake Balls" for my Holiday Luncheon at work tomorrow, the staff at Devin's school, a friend of mine who just adores them, and yes a few for home too!
The idea behind them is quite simple. You bake a cake and then crumble it up in a large bowl. Add some frosting- not too much (about 3/4 a can per cake), but just enough to moisten the cake and form into balls. Place into the fridge or freezer to allow the balls to form. Melt chocolate )you will go through more than you think) and dip the balls into it. Cover well- sprinkle with jimmies or crushed candy canes, etc. if desired and place back into the fridge or freezer and allow the balls to complete formation.
Oh and of course there was my hand that I burned in the oven when I carelessly reached in to remove a cake. OUCH! (almost looks like a lipstick kiss in this picture, lol! I promise you it is NOT! lol)
I spent MANY, MANY hours this afternoon making 3 batches of "Cake Balls" for my Holiday Luncheon at work tomorrow, the staff at Devin's school, a friend of mine who just adores them, and yes a few for home too!
The idea behind them is quite simple. You bake a cake and then crumble it up in a large bowl. Add some frosting- not too much (about 3/4 a can per cake), but just enough to moisten the cake and form into balls. Place into the fridge or freezer to allow the balls to form. Melt chocolate )you will go through more than you think) and dip the balls into it. Cover well- sprinkle with jimmies or crushed candy canes, etc. if desired and place back into the fridge or freezer and allow the balls to complete formation.
Oh and of course there was my hand that I burned in the oven when I carelessly reached in to remove a cake. OUCH! (almost looks like a lipstick kiss in this picture, lol! I promise you it is NOT! lol)
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