'Twas Two Nights Before Christmas

Thomas and I agreed to take Trevor for the day and overnight tonight so Cindy could get some things accomplished (she better NOT be washing floors-which she normally does on a kid-free night.) and the boys could have some fun playing Star Wars. Tom took the boys to McDonald's and the library. Following that, the boys came home for a much-needed nap and then we headed over to Aunt Ginny's for an early dinner.

Aunt Ginny has a beautiful house in Scottsdale and we love to visit her when we can. I am especially happy that she is now in Arizona, because I get to know her better on each visit. Ian is fascinated with her walk-in closets and asks to play in them every time we mention we are seeing Aunt Ginny. She made a wonderful dinner for us and carrot cake for dessert. We didn't get to really talk without interruption, but it was still a really nice time. The boys played spaceship and Star Wars in her closet, alternated with running outside on her patio and watching the Grinch. Connor kept moving her kitchen chairs around, at one point moving a chair with Trevor in it. Aunt Ginny said she was exhausted watching them and luckily, everything in her home remained intact, although I am thinking I will need to buy her some Windex wipes for all of the little fingerprints on her beautiful glass coffee table and kitchen table.

We left Aunt Ginny's and stopped by the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale to see the lights. It is free, except for the train ride cost. The mental cost of waiting on a one to two hour line with three young boys was more than we were willing to pay. We walked around a bit, looked at lights and called it a night.

Although the boys are busy little three-year-olds, they are starting to come up with some really funny phrases and that was the best part of the day. Here are the highlights:

Tom and I asking fun Santa questions in the car after Ian's meltdown at the park:
Us: Is Santa nice or crabby?
Boys: Nice.
Us: Is Ian nice or crabby?
Ian: Nice.
Us: Really?
Ian: Well, a little crabby.

Trevor's rendition of Frosty the Snowman with amazing accurate pitch and killer dynamics:
"Frosty the Taka.... Frosty the Goo-Goo Head..... Frosty the Cluck...."

At Aunt Ginny's house, asking me to play Star Wars, I asked to be Princess Leia. The response:
"Mommy, you can be the Girly Darth Vader."

The boys at lunch and dinner, with scintillating conversation:
Trevor: "If I eat this chicken, then it will pop my head off!"
Ian: "I'll drink this milk and pop my head off!"
Note: Apparently your head can pop off for any number of reasons, especially when confronted with a food you don't like to eat.

"I'm the nice Darth Maul. "
"I'm the Good Darth Maul."
With a name like Darth Maul, he's gotta be good.

Ian during the Q&A portion of the car ride:
Us: Is the Grinch nice or crabby?
Ian: He's crabby then he turns nice.

During wishes at bedtime:
Trevor: I wish my mommy goes to work and that Aunt Kathie gave me a Mack truck.
Ian: I don't have a wish.
Connor: Zzzzzz

These two, for all of the craziness that ensues, are a lot of fun.