Jake and the Firefighter Group

Jake is the first member of my family that I have not met. Henry has long, animated conversations with him (see picture up top), and Jake frequently gets into trouble. One night before bed, Emma and I asked Henry who Jake was, thinking that Jake was someone in his preschool. Henry explained that Jake was not in his preschool class, but in his Firefighter Group.

Henry does have an Uncle Jake out in Texas, but to my knowledge, he has never been a firefighter.

Henry's firefighter group has many members, however the only names I recognize are Jake and someone named Jane, who is also a boy. Girls are in a different firefighter group. The rules can vary slightly, but are usually pretty much the same day to day. I don't know how long Jake will be with us, as sometimes he dies and goes to heaven, but then he has to be at work at the firehouse the next day, which in my book, is pretty remarkable.

I will miss Jake, and Bobo (the piggy Henry is holding in the other picture), and Henry's thumb, all of which he has no intention of giving up anytime soon. I cannot believe Henry will be four next month. I hope they stick around a little bit longer...

Snow, snow, and more snow...

Things I Loved About December

Lily making presents for everyone and putting them under the tree before we even had a tree.

"Contrinary" - Henry's new vocabulary for "getting presents from Santa."

Emma singing "Where are you Christmas" in the shower, in her room, everywhere when she thought we weren't listening, to practice for her chorus concert.

Making cookies, eating cookies, Lily expecting to bake something everyday.

Learning how to make bread (questionable bread, but still tasty).

Being snowed in most of the month.

Sophie snuggling us on the fire room floor as we tried to keep warm during the power outage.

Henry's expression when he tastes something yummy - "Mmm, belicious and dum dums!"

Still making Grandma Mary's perogies, with all the crisco and butter included.

Lily and her friend Alanna's fabulous Christmas Eve song and dance performance, they they rehearsed and planned for most of the month of December.

Henry's preschool class chucking jingle bells at each other when their performance of "12 Days of Christmas" got a bit out of hand.