Party Like It's 2012

Mommy had the Critter up and out super early today, with a special trip to Perkins Restaurant. In addition to picking up a free pie, courtesy of our realtor, the Dynamic Duo enjoyed a breakfast of "Sprinkle Pancakes." Delightful!!!

If we have to dive over the Fiscal Cliff, this is surely the way to go!

The Many Faces of Chase

The Little Engineer did a bit of experimenting on this pin board at the Museum of Science & Nature today, within the body and nutrition exhibit. Yes, those are all his faces. Note that the second figure from the left is his body and head from the side, nearly prone. Creative, indeed!

Dine In or Take Out

Can we eat dinner here?

Play Date Smackdown

In three hours of playing "together," we managed to capture this one instant of Ace and Parker when they weren't wrestling over a truck or taking each other's food. Being friends at age 3 is a complex affair.

Super Cut

Just take a little off the top.

Blossoms of Light

Frigid temps couldn't keep the family away from the annual holiday lights show at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The spectacular-ness was intensified by special glasses, which turned every point of light into a star, a snowman, or an elf.

Christmas Daze

Never let it be said that Ace isn't living the life. Christmas Day brought so many presents, the last one wasn't opened until well after dinner. This crane truck was a particular hit, but it was among many wonderful gifts that delighted him all day long.
Thanks to everyone, near and far, who made his Christmas so special.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Mommy puts the Critter to bed with a classic (a gift from Grandma & Grandpa last year) as we all await Santa's arrival.

Ride 'em, Cowboys

Two days before Christmas and the weather turned warm. After digging in the Sand Park, Ace ran into Caleb and challenged him to a horse race. Yee-haw!

Las Posadas

While we didn't participate in the full procession along the candle-lit walk from house to house, Ace did get to feed a sheep and pet a donkey at the end of the Las Posadas celebration in our neighborhood this evening.

The Little Hydrologist

Ace did a bit of sciencing in the tub and was delighted with the results.

Bat Mobile

Automotive engineering takes on the Bat Mobile. Here, Ace checks the exhaust temperature. Everything is in tip-top shape for some superhero action.

Sick Day

When both Mommy and Chase are sick and haven't been out of the house for three days, all rules regarding screens go out the window.

Blanket

Ace and Mommy enjoy an afternoon game of hide and seek under the comforter.

Lunch Date

Best buddies, Chase and Jamey share a little lunch together in between fighting over who gets to play with the fire truck.

Christmas Cards

As our Christmas tree twinkles in the background, Chase admires the beauty of himself on this year's installment of the Dyer-Payne Holiday Card.  Nope, he never gets tired of seeing how great he looks. 

Fish Head

At the Children's Museum playground today, when informed he was in a fish's mouth, Ace started wriggling around, yelling, "He's eating me!"

Waterfall

The Critter enjoys a special bath in Mommy & Daddy's tub tonight.

Bicycle Built for Two

Chase looks mighty proud to be peddling this princess around. She must have fallen for the stripes.

Speedy Delivery

Mommy did all the work of writing them, but Ace took responsibility for putting a few dozen holiday cards in the mailbox tonight. He could just reach.

Smell My Feet, Santa!

This may be a fast way to get on the Naughty List.

iPad

After a long hiatus, Chase was allowed to play with the iPad. Luckily, Caleb was around so the little tech geek could show off some of his favorite apps.

Snow Removal

Although there wasn't much accumulation (forcing Daddy to transplant some of the snow from his car to the construction zone), the Little Engineer needed two vehicles to properly handle the clearing of the sidewalk on a very chilly Sunday morning.

Eight Crazy Nights

Ace uses the shamash to light the first Hanukkah candle on his Menorah, which he made at school. Aside from a light scalding from molten-hot dripping wax, we had a wonderful start to the Festival of Lights.

By the way, we also decorated the Christmas tree tonight. We're interdenominational.

Apple Juice

This is pretty cute.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Chase gets into the spirit while helping Mommy to decorate the tree.

Driven

Ace was on a mission as he commandeered this hot ride at Great Play today.

Green Goblin

We don't normally put Ace's freaky IKEA nightlight (yet another quirky Grandpa Fred gift) three inches from his face, but such are the lengths we must go to when we realize, after we've put him to bed, that we don't have a single photo for the day.

Nonetheless, this one turned out pretty cool.

A Day Late

Wait, Mommy forgot to do CAD last night! After making dinner, cleaning it up, bathing Chase, and putting the little guy to bed she simply forgot. Here the guy is waiting patiently at the dinner table for Mommy and Daddy.

Swinging on a Star

Ace takes to the high bar this afternoon at Daniel and Sophie's birthday party.

Christmas Comes Early

With Grandpa in town, the family headed out to buy a Christmas tree (very exciting!) and a new TV (VERY exciting!!!), even though the weather felt more like September than the first day of December. We're so glad we had an early holiday celebration with Grandpa!