Disney on Ice

Who knows what's going to set kid off. Dominic thinks nothing of Star Wars. He loves it! Loves Scooby Doo, isn't spooked by it at all. So what does bother him?Apparently Disney Princesses on Ice.

We're enjoying the show when all of a sudden Dominic bursts into tears which immediately caused Samantha to cry even though she didn't know why he was crying. Apparently Ursula was too much for him. I don't think it helped that they transitioned immediately from Ursula to recruiting men from the families for Mulan. The poor boy had to go outside with Daddy.

Hacking off Luke's hand, no problem. Anakin turning into Darth Vader, no problem. Big octopus lady, Problem!

Darth Vadar

Seriously? Every bit of music I hear hummed in my house is the Imperial March. Dominic is officially obsessed and I've found that talking about Star Wars to a five year old is a bit difficult. I never realized how much philosophy was involved with the whole Star Wars universe.

Why do the clones turn bad? Well, actually they are always the same and the Jedis switch sides.

But they're good at first and then they're bad. Well, it's really a matter of perspective. If you assume the jedis are good then their enemies are bad...

Why does the emperor turn bad? Well, he was always bad he was just pretending to be good.

Anakin is good and Darth Vader is bad. Anakin is Darth Vader. He goes to the dark side to try to save Padme. Really he's just angry.

And really have you watched the movies when Anakin turn to the Dark Side? He does it to save his wife and the Yoda tells him that his family etc is no more important than anyone else. Who can blame him for going to the extreme to save his family?

Complicated.

Papa to the rescue!

Yup, it's been lame not being able to build snowmen and the snow is too deep for snow angels but thank goodness for Papa and his snow blower! Papa stripped his back yard almost bare to build an awesome pile of snow that they've been working on to build an igloo. Dominic LOVES it but wishes it didn't take so long to build. :-) He's lucky to have such an awesome grandfather!

SNOW!!!!

Snow and snow and snow and more snow! The one bummer about being home is that I'm the one who shovels mostly, but at least most of our snow has been the light fluffy stuff that while being terrible for building stuff is great for shoveling. To make up for not being able to build stuff the kids have had a great time with the icicles that have been forming constantly and I try to ignore the fact that they're forming from poor insulation and try to just enjoy them for being pretty. LOL!

Rotten Egg

I don't know why, but my kids totally miss the whole "Last one is a rotten egg" thing. I'm not sure where they got it, but they are often shouting last one to do whatever is a rotten egg. That's the normal part. Then the one who wins says "I beat you, I'm a rotten egg!" ....

I've tried to explain that the goal is not to be the rotten egg, but something has been lost in translation. It's very cute though! :-)

Christmas!!!

Finally Christmas arrived and Dominic was SO excited! He raced through his presents pretty fast and then did the same at Gee and Papa's house. He didn't understand why Samantha was taking so long. I loved seeing him enjoy himself so much and he was thrilled with his presents. Everything was so exciting!

Polar Express

I was so glad we went and did the Polar Express this year because as much as I hate to say it, I think this is the last year he'll think it's the real deal. The unfortunate part this year was that they didn't have snow! Yikes! Thankfully the hot chocolate chef on the train told Dominic that because they had so many requests for surfboards this year, Santa pulled in the snow until they were all tested. He enjoyed the train ride a lot and was very excited!

When we got off the train he told Papa "Those aren't elves, those are just people in costume." Papa froze but attempted to recover quickly. "Why do you say that?" Dominic said that the elves were too big to be real elves. We told him that Santa needed some big elves to help with the sleigh and reindeer and greet visitors. The tiny elves were too busy making toys to come out and see us. Thankfully Santa was so obviously the real deal that Dominic accepted it was the real Santa.

While we were in NH we went snow tubing as well and Dominic was thrilled! He took off with Papa as soon as we got outside and he was quite the daredevil on the slopes getting as many slides in as he could. It was such a great trip and as always they loved having adjoining rooms with Gee and Papa.

Christmas Pageant

Sunday school has been so wonderful for them. Not only do they have a religious education but the classes are very warm and welcoming and it has given Dominic and Samantha a time to be in separate classes. They have so much fun telling each other what they did at the end of class and I think Dominic really enjoys being with the big kids. I was thrilled when Dominic wanted to be in the Christmas Pageant. He did so well!

I got to experience the nerves of being in the wings for the first time. Dominic had to sit in the back with the other shepherds until it was their turn to come up and I found myself so nervous for him. I think I was way more nervous then he was because he really thought it was no big deal. He's ready to do it again next year!

Christmas

If there was anything more exciting than Halloween it was Christmas. I had to buy an advent calender so they could keep track of the days. Dominic especially has linked Christmas and snow for some reason so as soon as it starts snowing he thinks it's Christmas. Last year we had to reassure him that even if we didn't have snow, Santa would still come. This year we had plenty of snow so we had to rein him in a bit!

It was so much fun this year. The whole process was exciting for him from getting the tree, to buying the gifts and decorating.

AARRGGHH!

My awesome pirate boy was SOOOO excited to go trick or treating this year. That day seemed to drag out forever for him and he barely made it until dark. Then the frigid cold kind of put a damper on the whole thing and he was ready to go back to the house a bit early. Even before Samantha!

Happy Birthday

Dear Dominic,

I'm a bit late on this letter for your 5th birthday. We have had a wonderfully busy month and I'm loving being able to stay home with you guys while I work from home. Since your birthday I've been amazed at how turning 5 has made such a big impact on you. You're always telling me what 5 year olds do and don't do. You won't hold my hand in the parking lot because "big boys know to stay with their mom." I'm so proud of you!

You're at this amazing point where you alternate between being my cuddly boy and being a big kid with, at times, a big kid attitude. :) It's a balance I'm sure you'll figure out. You love video games and have been having some great bonding sessions with Uncle Chris playing Mario. It's wonderful watching that circle around, since I remember Uncle Chris playing Mario as a boy your age. Just like I've been reading you the books I remember my parents reading to me.

I love your imagination which you use to it's fullest. You're such great friends with Samantha but you've been making your own friends now too at the dojo and at Sunday school. I love watching you and Samantha compare notes on how class went now that you guys go to separate classes. You're learning a lot there and now you call it "praying" rather than "purring." ;)

You're growing up into a wonderful little man. I love you!

Love,
Mommy

Dominic's Pirate Birthday Adventure!

Dominic's 5th Birthday was pure craziness, but the kids had a fantastic time!! The weekend itself was a whirlwind of activity with a friend's wedding and work, culminating in an awesome birthday party for my big boy. The day was as quickly moving as Christmas, but turning 5 made a big impact on Dominic. He's always talking about what 5 years do and don't do. My baby's growing up.