Decemeber

December was a wonderful month with Riley getting to experience Christmas for the first time. He was too small last year to really care, but this year it took him about 5 seconds to realize that under the wrapping paper was a toy and to tear it off as soon as possible. Of course, every piece of wrapping paper he tore off had to either be handed to someone or else he had to put it into the garbage box before he would tear off more. Right now, Riley is in a time where everything has a place and his favorite thing to do is put things in it. He gets a bit confused sometimes though...like when I found the remote control in the garbage can in our room and the rest of his food in the trash ALONG with the bowl it was in.
We started off the month by going Christmas tree hunting which was very fun. We went up north and could go a lot higher than usual do to the lack of snowfall up to that time. Riley had no idea what the tree was for but loved walking around outside. We found the perfect tree.
As is tradition, we went to my parent's house for Christmas Eve and then over to my in-law's house for Christmas morning and day. Riley was not only introduced to presents but to Saint Nicolas Rolls ( a gooey cinnamon zesty wonder) which he loved. He has also learned some new words for the season. Anna (Santa) which Riley will tell you says "o o ooooooo" (he loved to ho ho ho when he saw Santa), noman (snowman), noooooooo(snow), and whenever he saw Christmas lights he would say, "eeeeeewwwwwwwwwww iiiiiiiyyyyyyyy liiiiiiiiiiiiii" (ohhh pretttty liiiights) Meagan who works with us taught him the ohhh pretttyy part. Oh and I can't forget "caca" (Christmas and Christmas tree)
Riley's favorite present this year was Elmo Live. Grandma Debbi wrapped it in wrapping paper and then stuck her finger through to push the button on Elmo's foot that made him talk. Riley came running around the corning when he heard Elmo and tore the paper off as fast as he could. We got Elmo unhooked from the absurd amount of safety wire holding it in the box and first thing Riley did was give Elmo a big hug. It was the cutest thing ever.
Dave and I had a great Christmas too. Dave surprised me by getting my paintings framed for me (not painting I made, just had) and Dave got some cooking classes which he is very excited about, among other things. It was a great month and I have to say I'm very sad to see it go. It just didn't seem like the Christmas season was long enough this year. BUT here we are, starting a new year and who knows what's going to happen.