Christmas Time Videos

A video of the launching game

Max and Tim playing their first unplugged home concert

Christmas Day

Max was excited to get a guitar like Daddy's. He actually guessed what it was from the shape of the box it was wrapped in (it was impressive to me since Tim does not store his guitars in anything of that shape). Max suggested that they play "The Little Red Caboose" in their first home concert.

His new tool set has gotten a workout since Christmas: he has helped open battery compartments, hang a picture, and put together shoe shelves.

The Days Leading Up To Christmas

Tim has three weeks off work for Christmas this year. We are excited to spend this chunk of time together. We've already planned to go to Australia Zoo and to the Thomas exhibit at the Rail Museum in Ipswich. Our friend, Malia, has graciously agreed to watch Max for a day over the holiday so Tim and I can see the John Butler Trio with Stephen and Haliel. We'll probably just relax and enjoy each others' company the rest of the time!

Opening a couple of gifts Christmas Eve: Max received a drawing caddy from his Ohio cousins, Cole, Sabrina and Olivia (he slept with the caddy that night--he really likes it!).

Sampling the ingredients for our Christmas Eve dinner (personal pizzas)

Max's pizza

Max has recently started a game that he splashes us then we throw him in the air. The game is a bit more exhilarating when played with Daddy.

Max has been asking to make Christmas Tree Cupcakes since my parents were in town (in fact, my parents bought the ingredients to make them). I wanted to wait for an occasion where we could share them with his friends but the timing was never right. We finally just had to make them. They are cute but a bit labor intensive and not very toddler friendly--he could only help with the sprinkles at the end (if we wanted the result to look anything like a Christmas tree).

My parents bought this little tree to go with a set of lights we had. When Max saw the bows that Tim purchased, he decided they were perfect decorations for the little tree. Our palm Christmas tree is mainly decorated with bows as well (albeit different-looking ones) so that may have been his inspiration.

Sporting our Santa hats on Christmas Eve night

A Rather Silly Boy

Max decided that he wanted to wear two different shoes on our outing the other day. He got the idea from the "Mr. Wrong" book. When I suggested that he was just like Mr. Wrong, he adamantly denied any connection.

Visiting Arian on the Gold Coast

A friend from our Chicago days (who is actually Aussie but lives in Germany) was in town--we had the opportunity to visit with Arian yesterday afternoon. We took Max to the beach, walked around Surfer's Paradise and had a late lunch. It was great to see her and hear more about what she has been doing these last seven years. I can't believe it had been that long!

As we were driving back to Ari's parents' house, we stopped the car for a picture since I had failed to take any during the five hours we spent together. At least I remembered to bring the camera!

Max was intrigued by this man with an Elmo balloon perched on his head. He wanted one of us to go with him to talk to the man about acquiring a balloon. He finally approached the man who said he needed money ($2). We gave Max the two dollars then he asked the man to make him a frog.

Watching the man make his frog

Unfortunately, Max tripped with the frog in his hand on our walk back to the car. Part of the frog's body popped. It still had eyes, a mouth, and part of the body so he wasn't too bothered. From that point on, Max proceeded to pull and twist at the frog until it was only a head, then had only one eye, then was only a mouth. At the end, it was just a deflated partial balloon. Max's goal to have the frog meet Kiki went unrealized.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

I tried making Christmas cookies with Max. The recipe made a soft dough that, even after refrigeration, was too sticky. I decided to make just one tray of cookies then refrigerate the rest of the dough longer. When we'd filled the baking tray halfway, I received a phone call. While I was on the phone, Max proceeded to use the rest of the dough to make two big, thick blob cookies. After that, he squished all of the cookies we'd already made. Needless to say, we bagged cookie making and went to a friend's house instead.

I made the cookies after Max went to bed that night. This video was taken the following day when we were frosting and decorating the cookies.

Preschool Christmas Party

This was the song and dance that the kids sang at Max's preschool when they were decorating the Christmas tree. None of the kids knew the words to the song but they all LOVED the dancing bit.

The Christmas party was on Max's last day of "pre" preschool. He only attended for two hours once per week since August. He loved it, at first, but eventually the novelty wore off. During the class before the Christmas party, he cried every time I mentioned leaving. Now our big decision is whether to send him for two full days of preschool starting in February or wait a year. I hate to send him to preschool before he is ready--it doesn't seem necessary to cause him anxiety at such a young age.

Byron Bay Visit

Two days after my parents left, we headed two hours south to Byron Bay where our good friends moved a few weeks ago. It is a gorgeous area so we understand why they moved but we miss them in Brisbane. They have two lovely boys who match Max's energy level. Needless to say it was a busy weekend.

Yishai and Max try out their new slip n slide (modern style). Jonah was a bit hesitant to participate but he enjoyed watching

Yishai was a pro on Max's body board

Maxwell decided he needed to wear his "party hat" on this trip

Playing on the beach

Stephen and Haliel arranged for a babysitter Saturday night so we had a lovely child-free evening with them. Unfortunately, Max awoke while we were gone and had a good cry (waking up in a strange place with an unknown adult). Poor guy.

Thanks Stephen and Haliel for the wonderful weekend!

Making Pizza

Learning to Swim

The Last of Grandma & Grandpa Morse's Visit

We sadly had to say good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa Morse a few days ago. We loved having them here and miss them immensely.

We made Daddy's pulp mill out of playdough. We tried with Legos, initially, but the end product was not nearly as good (can you imagine that?)

Santa came to Max's preschool during their Christmas party

Max's reaction when Santa called his name to give him a gift

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the party

Maxie burrito

Last Pics from Uncle Jon's Visit

Brother Jon left two days before Thanksgiving. Ever since then Max has periodically suggested that we go to the airport to pick up Uncle Jon. He especially likes to make that suggestion as an alternative to something that he doesn't want to do.

Waiting for the train after the Roar game

Max getting his shirt signed by the Roar goalie, "Griffy"

We celebrated an early Christmas with Jon before he left. Max received a Cars race track from Grandma and Grandpa Morse. As you can see in the picture, Max enjoyed playing with it as we tried to construct the track.

Jon LOVED the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Garden near our house--he stayed an extra 3-4 hours after we left to take Max home for a rest.

Jon holding Max next to a giant fern in the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Garden

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a cute little beach town in northern New South Wales. When we first arrived in Brisbane, we spent a night there with a friend visiting from England during the Byron Bay Blues Festival. Some friends from Brisbane moved there recently so we hope to visit more often in the future.

Jon hit the sand while body surfing (the lighthouse is in the background)

Digging holes and filling them with water: what can be more fun?

Jumping the waves with help from Grandpa Morse and Uncle Jon

Yippeee!

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park is also located near Cedar Lake Resort. We took in two sites during our afternoon there: Purlingbrook Falls and Natural Bridge. Both were spectacular. Maxwell especially liked the cave that is a part of Natural Bridge.

The meandering stream above Purlingbrook Falls

Purlingbrook Falls

The falls into Natural Bridge

The cave at the base of the falls at Natural Bridge (bats and glow worms live in the cave)

The treetop ferns in the rainforest

Lamington National Park

We took a trip to the Gold Coast hinterland for a few days, staying at Cedar Lake Resort. The accommodation was certainly not glamorous but it was superbly child-friendly. We swam (lots), rode on pedal boats, fed turtles, played mini-golf, and took trips to some of the national parks nearby.

Like on their last trip here, my parents wanted to head into the rain forest. Unfortunately, we didn't all fit into the car so Grandma graciously opted out.

Posing during our snack break in the rainforest botanical garden at O'Reilly's

Uncle Jon and Max

Siblings

Our family on the treetop walk

Uncle Jon and Grandpa on the treetop walk

A view through the center of a Strangler Fig that had killed its host

The path to the treetop walk

Feeding the Rosellas--Max was especially happy that one landed on his head

Playing the Shopping List game with Grandma and Grandpa Morse

Gma & Gpa Morse and Uncle Jon Arrive

Grandma and Grandpa Morse and Uncle Jon arrived yesterday. We've already swum twice.

Snacks at Southbank

Southbank with Uncle Jon

In the pool with Uncle Jon

Arriving at the airport