The Smuggler

With all the glories of Christmas right at his finger tips, Jaws has started to keep a sampling of his favorite things...

...shoved into his jammies!

It is not uncommon to see him roaming about with a string of round bumps lining the length of his leg or a couple of bumps in his abdomen.

It took a few tries, but he has also discovered that Legos make uncomfortable companions. 

"Mom! Ouch! Foot!" 

He says as he presents his foot to me upon which time I would unload a handful of Legos. 

He also snagged my new necklace and earrings. The kid has good taste. 

Consider yourself warned!

Our Humble Requests, Dear Santa

Dear Santa, 

We have been exceptionally angelic children this year. We're sure you've noticed our cooperative spirit, cheerful dispositions, and general helpfulness around the house (at least this last week or so...). We are keenly aware of your generous nature and would like to appeal to your kind heart. We humbly submit our not-so-humble Christmas requests.

Tadpole would like a G1 Devastator (hint-you might have to fly by Japan to pick one up).

Little Chief would like a puppy! The kind that licks your face and plays fetch with you.

Abizella would like a pink iTouch.

Jaws would like a new baby, his current baby's arm is falling off.

Superkid would like Star Wars Legos and a Star Wars Rebels Inquisitor Light Saber.

We are true believers! Only Santa could tackle this ambitious list. Our parents wouldn't touch it. Please accept our offering of homemade cookies!
You are the best one!

Sincerely,
The Tidepool Toads

Coal Close Call

Little Chief gave me a stern warning with just a little under 2 weeks before Christmas. "Mom, if you keep going to work, Santa is going to leave you coal in your stocking! You need to stay home!"

Fortunately the warning came to me on Friday night, so our little Elf was appeased and didn't rat me out to Santa about going back to work on Monday.

I am happy to report to my little Elf, Santa and the rest of the world, I don't have to go back to work for 12 Days!

Bring it on Santa!

Oh Christmas Tree!

In the 17 Christmases Pops and I have been married we have NEVER bought a Christmas tree in November. 

This year it happened. 

We threw all caution to the wind and picked out this gorgeous tree to brighten our December. Jaws was an instant fan. I'm chuckling to myself as I write this. I remember Superkid's 2nd Christmas, the first Christmas we had a mobile child. So much thought about the perfect timing of the tree's purchase and placement of every ornament went into the event. We didn't build a physical barrier around the tree... but I'm sure all eyes were on him. I used to stress about the candy canes and the tinsel. Crazy. I have now embraced their ephemeral state. They are a flash in the pan. Something to kick off the season (and find in the sofa cushions in September).

Superkid, making up for his early years of denial.

The tree gets better and better every year. It makes sense to keep company with it longer. Every year I add a new ornament for each of our Toads with their picture in it. With 5 Toads our collection is growing fast!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Farewell to Cousins

We spent our last afternoon with our cousins doing what we love best. 

Jumping on the trampoline...

and playing in the snow.

That evening we hired a couple of babysitters and had a night out on the town with Brian and Jenny. I love them. I hate that they are so cool and we live so far away. This should be happening all the time. We are so glad they came. They made our Thanksgiving. I can't believe we let them go.

We love you!

U.S.S. Constitution

This boat speaks for itself.

I never tire of "Old Ironsides".

We didn't have any takers for manning the Crow's Nest.

But we all scurried below deck to get a taste of the day in the life of a sailor.

Manning the guns is the best part.

Battle of Bunker Hill-Who Knew It Was A Snow Ball Fight?

After spending 2 days cooped up in doors it was time to bust back out into the world again.

Destination, Bunker Hill.

(You were supposed to read that in Tadpole's voice).

The challenge? To climb the 294 stairs to the top window.

To see this view!

I'm not going to lie. We were pretty proud to make it.

And these little legs made it too! Jaws mercifully hopped out of my arms after the first 100 stairs and climbed 75 steps (and took the mom-avator the rest of the way).

These guys made it!

And all of these guys made it too, without a complaint.

Then back down again with some well earned attitude.

Then the Battle of Bunker Hill commenced.

Rapid fire.

Even the camera crew was not spared.

It wasn't all fun and games.

There was even a surrender...

So we stopped for a final photo-op before we hit the Freedom Trail for our next destination.