Surprise Visit from Santa

Every year we get together for Christmas at my Uncle Rogers house with my grandpas wife. I think it is really neat that even 6years after his death she still thinks of us as family. It is just a really nice time. We just do dinner and visit with family. No gifts to exchange just family fun. This year Santa made a surprise visit for the kids. Michael was going around the corner as he came in the door and he stopped dead in his tracks and his jaw hit the ground, the look on his face was priceless. Even Danny got to sit on his lap. Thank you Uncle Roger and Aunt Kathy for a wonderful evening!

Christmas play 2006

Michael and Miranda were both in the church musical this year as part of the choir, and they both did wonderful. Not only did Miranda know all of her songs in just one week and 2 rehearsals, but she also knew all of the speaking parts. I mean all of them. I think it is safe to say that she will be the performer of the family. Michael also did a wonderful job, he sang and danced wonderfully. However, one thing was discovered that night, I think we can also safely say that he will not be leading the rythm section anytime soon. Unfortunatly he was blessed with his mothers dancing ability. NONE!

Matthew's day

In our school district there is a program called Parents as Teachers, it is a program to help parents teach their kids and to make sure that they are at the right stage of development they screen for speech and hearing problems as well as physical or mental delays. It is a very good program. They have group meeting once a month for parents and the kids. I should mention that it is a volunteer program and Matthew did not have any delays, it is just a fun way for him to play with other kids since he stays home with me all day. Any way, the December program was Winterland Fun. They got to make ornaments, hear a story, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and make reindeer fun. And it just so happened that Matthews friend/cousin Quinton was at this one. They had a lot of fun. The group leader talked about stranger anxiety and not to worry if your 2 year old was afraid of Santa and not to pressure them. Well I think the stranger anxiety has totally skipped Matthew. He doesn't meet a stranger. He hopped right on Santa and Mrs. Claus's lap and had a blast. I think he actually sat on Santa's lap like 4 or 5 times. It also gives me a chance to do something special with just Matthew, the programs are usually in the day so the older two are at school, so with it just being me and Matthew I'm sure it makes him feel special and I enjoy devoting all my attention to him for the hour or so that we are there and not have to worry about house work and all the other things I have to do at home!

Skating in the kitchen

Who says skate boards are out side toys. Michael got a skate board for his birthday and either the weather has been bad or we have just been to busy so one night he really wanted to play with it so I told the kids to have at it. That they just needed to take it easy so no body would get hurt. They had a blast and I had fun just listening to them laugh and play together, I think they played for close to 30 minutes with out fighting. Some days that is considered a miracle! Also take note of the big red dot on Michaels forhead. That was a burn from rubbing his head on the ground and pushing himself backwards on the skate board. I guess we will just chalk that up to a lesson learned!

Stringin up the lights

The Saturday after Thanks giving was so beautiful and warm that we decided to have a Manning Family Fun Day. We put up our Chirstmas lights outside and put up the tree. The kids had a lot of fun. Matthew would have to admire his work with every ornament he added. I think some of his branches have two and three ornaments each. But it was fun. I know Matthew enjoyed himself. And I am sure Michael and Miranda did as well. I will post more as we do more as part of our holiday celebrations continue. Tomorrow Michael and Miranda are in the childrens play at church so I will have pictures from that and Matthew had day with Santa that I will post later.