While we were riding in the van...
Katie: Never ever.
Micah: Katie!
Katie: Never ever.
Micah: Never ever you!
Katie: I'm not gonna stop never ever.
Micah: Don't say that!
Katie: NEVER EVER!
Micah: Katie! I got my fireman hat on!
Katie: NEVER EVER!
Micah: My monkey sign, too!
Katie: Never EVER!
Wow... Are the holidays already over?? I can't believe that Christmas has already come and gone and that we are almost a week past that.
As you can imagine, Christmas with 2 kids plus a wife who is 8 months pregnant can provide quite a busy schedule. We put a little more effort into Christmas this year because Micah is to the age where he is starting to understand and enjoy it. I put more Christmas lights on the house this year than any other year. I also followed it up by going the day after Christmas to buy about 8 more strands of lights for half price. Looking forward to the lights next year!! :)
We also spent a lot of time (as usual) with our families for Christmas. It was good to get together, eat, and enjoy our families. The kids always enjoy time with family.
To follow up a really great time at Christmas, I went camping with Micah, Jeremy, and Logan. We went camping for real -- no campsite..we went to the forest. Made our own campsite. It was a lot of fun and I think Micah will have lots of good memories from that trip. I really can't wait for the next opportunity to take him.
We were eating lunch on Sunday in McAlister's. We had been sitting at our table for about 5 minutes waiting on our food to arrive when a loud noise came from behind us. A few tables over, another family was seated with a baby in an infant car seat perched atop an overturned high chair. The high chair must have fallen back and the car seat and infant hit the ground. The baby was obviously unharmed and the fall was quite gentle, but made enough noise for everyone immediately around to notice. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable for the father who picked up the baby--his embarrassment was on his face. Everyone that had seen it looked on as the father held the baby. In a truly natural three year old volume level, Micah exclaimed, "Oh, it was only the baby!" ...whew! We were all relieved. :)
What? Did I title this post Gun Training Your Kids? hehe.. Here's a funny story that forces the issue, IMO.
So, Judy has taken a strong position of "non-exposure" for our kids and guns. Most of you know I enjoy guns, but I've kept them locked up and hidden (my kids have never seen any of my guns).
Naturally, Micah has taken to making anything a gun. I get the impression that nearly all boys just know guns and what they do from birth. He prides himself on the sticks from the yard that especially have a "gun-like look" to them. He plays for hours "shooting" these guns.
The other day Judy and I sat in the driveway while Micah played with his gun. He brought it over to Judy and offered her the opportunity to shoot the gun. She politely declined, but Micah urged her to join in. She took the stick...err..I mean gun and pointed it out straight. Micah, timely as can be, gave a loud "BANG!" then immediately said "You killed him, Mom!"
The look on Judy's face was priceless! She didn't know what to say. LOL I think I have come to the conclusion that if WE don't teach our kids about guns and safety, that they won't know (about guns and safety). We already know they are aware of guns and what they can do.
I'm not proposing to sit Micah (3 years old) down and give him a "gun lesson". I just don't think non-exposure is the answer. Seems that you run the risk of your kids making up their own reality.
Judy takes time to get some web-surfing done while the kids take care of other things..
Day 4 - Saturday, January 13
Chris and I were beginning to have Chick-fil-a withdraw. So, we got up early and drove about an hour away to the nearest Chick-fil-a for breakfast. After feeling refreshed, we came back to the cabin for some fun sledding. The snow was falling beautifully today and it warmed up quite a bit, so it was a great day of play outside. Micah was all about doing the sled by himself. He had a blast. Katie enjoyed being pulled around on her little sled as well. And, well, let's just say everyone else had just as much fun sliding down the hills. 
Micah and Katie at Christmas. Katie is sporting the santa dress and new earrings. Micah is playing with his new remote control dump truck.
They both really enjoyed this Christmas.
Micah and Melinda are going down the inflatable slide that Kim provided during the Thanksgiving lunch. We all had a great time. There was this slide, a blow up jumpy house, horseshoes, croquet, golf carts, hay rides, and horse rides. And not to be forgotten, tons of good food. It was really nice to see the family all together having a good time. Kim is an amazing hostess!
Yesterday, Micah pulled something out of his hat that we didn't see coming. As you know, I'm doing a little bit of cycling. (..or maybe I'm still biking. I don't have one of those skin-tight jerseys yet. I think once I get one of those, then I can say I've been cycling.) Part of the fun included taking a song from Queen and making it a ringtone on my cell phone. I set it to a few of my cycling buddies and when they call, it plays.
So, we're all in the truck, things are quiet, and my cell phone rings with this Bicycle song from Queen. Micah immediately started singing, "Bi-cycle! Bi-cycle!" from the back seat. If this doesn't strike you as funny, go listen to the song. It was very amusing.
It really seems we are in one of those especially fast-changing times with Micah and Katie. Here are pictures of each doing things they enjoy. Micah looks to be pondering the giant elephant statue at the Jacksonville Zoo. He loves the zoo. He enjoys seeing all the animals and being around all the other kids. 
Katie is jamming out in her exer-saucer. She's starting to become very mobile; she is rolling over to get places, getting up on her knees, and also started scooting backwards in the walker. Just for the record, Micah is 2 years old and Katie is 5 months old.
