Getting ready for Christmas

We picked up our Christmas tree last Wednesday and got it home just before it started to rain. We narrowed the choices down to two trees at the nursery and Mercer picked which one he liked best. I think he made a wise choice. It's a great tree.






Mom strung lights that night but we waited until Saturday to decorate and hang ornaments. Mercer was really into it for the most part, though his interest began to wane towards the end. Mercer kept hanging different ornaments on the same branch and would congratulate himself by jumping up and down and clapping while yelling "I did it, I did it!"

It actually snowed for the first time this winter as we were decorating, so that added to the fun.

School photos 2009

Mom and Pop love Mercer's new school photos almost as much as last year's. Look at that hair! We should have never cut it! And who is that joker in the class photo below?

At the playground

Mercer was so good on the drive home from Grandpa's (granted, he slept half the time), we took him straight to one of the best playgrounds around this past Sunday. We also tried to teach Mercer how to roll down a hill, but he wound up going sideways rather than straight down.

Thanksgiving 2009

In addition to the turkey, stuffing, wine, and potatoes, there was lots of block destruction by Mercer. Uncle Quinn built some impressive structures that Mercer gladly took down. Mercer's first demolition involved a head and foot injury, so we had to make sure he was better equipped for future projects.

Mercer also followed Uncle Quinn around the whole weekend. "Where's Gunga Din?" he would say. Or, "Look, Gunkle Guinn!"

Movie night

Last night was movie night. Mercer and Pop walked over to the supermarket to grab a dollar movie from Redbox. Once home, we made some popcorn and settled in. The movie was "Up," which was very good. Another hit from Pixar. Mercer kind of lost interest during some slow parts, but he was enthralled by the end.

Oh, and we didn't just have popcorn for dinner. There was strawberry chocolate milk, too.

The Rub

This morning, before getting ready for the day, Pop gave Mercer a back massage while laying in bed. Pop asked for one in return, so Mercer said "OK."

He started rubbing, punching, chopping Daddy's back. And then:

"Butter, Daddy? Want butter?"

Mercer and Sydney's Sunday playdate.

Mercer and Sydney spent the morning together in Nyack this past Sunday. After chowing down on some bagels, everyone went down to the river to look at some boats in the marina. Unfortunately, most of the boats were packed up and gone for the winter with only a few fishermen hanging out on the docks. We walked over to a nearby park where Sydney and Mercer swung, slid, and ran.