Toddler Chronicles December: 15 months

Braxton continues to grow and learn and test his boundaries. He loves going to school and starts the morning with a dance party with his friends daily. 

Hill family Christmas!

Tolerating snow!

Kiss me already!

Lounging in his new chair

Excited for School!!!

New tricks Braxton has learned:

*He is super addicted to his paci

*Jumping everywhere with no true clearance;)

*Favorite Christmas gifts: Train track, basketball goal, an tent

*Walks around on tiptoes a lot 

*Learned to say broke and snack. Now everything is broken ("Is brokin") and all meals are called a ("nak")

*Starting hitting. After he hits he immediately leans in to kiss on the lips to prevent punishment. Ha. This is very difficult for mom and dad since we have decided to refuse the kiss, grab hands firmly, and say "no hitting, nice hands"

*Braxton loves baths. He loves to blow bubbles in the water and pour water over his head. He absolutely hates getting out and will roll around in the empty tub until he is shivering to avoid the end of bath time. 

*Started to tolerate the snow. Not like just yet but tolerate without tears:)

*Loves, loves, loves books. We read every night at bedtime with our milk and paci in our chair. I treasure our snuggles and must admit I'm a sucker because Braxton can easily convince me that 10 books must be read at bedtime. Ha

Utter Joy!

Playing outside at Grandma and Pop's

 

Braxton is getting really big and we are started to realize that it is time to start considering baby #2 so he has a buddy to play with and get into trouble with. 

All snowed in with nowhere to go!!!

Snow in Northwest Arkansas is a pretty common occurrence! Before Braxton, Luke and I would get stir-crazy sitting at home so there were always adventures to be had during winter storms. Now that Braxton is a part of our lives, I am very content to stay at home snuggling and making memories. We are a busy, busy family so it doesn't happen often that we are able to stay home as a family of three and just relax!

Snow days around the Hill household during winter storm #1 consisted of lots of cuddling on the couch, movies, napping, playing in the snow, baking cookies, and building a gingerbread train. It was fun and a welcomed break. (I am not going to blog about winter storm #2 or #3 or ice storm whatever number because those breaks were not welcomed nor were they glamorous)

Braxton is still not a huge fan of the snow. I consider this attempt a victory because Braxton did not cry until the very end when he fell face first into the snow. I mean, you have to admit that we were asking alot since the snow came up above his knees....meaning he could not move at all without crashing to the ground!!

He looks nervous!

This is kinda fun!!!

Never mind....its not fun at all!!!

Since our "Snowcation" landed in early December, it only seemed appropriate to build a gingerbread house. Apparently everyone in Northwest Arkansas had the same thought because Wal-Mart completely sold out of gingerbread houses. This led us to the challenge of the gingerbread train.....the train sounded great in theory but was significantly more difficult to construct. Ha

Braxton was not overly impressed with the activity...probably because I was hovering constantly due to worry that he was going to choke on the candy. He was a HUGE fan of the icing though!!!!

"More" Please

No "Snowcation" is complete without chocolate chip cookies so my mom (DD) came over to help Braxton and I bake some holiday treats. Braxton was not excited about the process but we assigned him as the designated batter tester! I think he is hooked!

Just because his face is adorable!!

Those blinking lights!!

Northwest Arkansas is lucky to have so many fun activities geared toward getting families out and about together. One of my personal favorites is the Lights of the Ozarks which takes place at the Fayetteville square. 

It's beautiful and so fun for the kids. Last year we went on the first night during the actual lighting event and it was FREEZING. This year we planned better and waited for an unseasonably warm December night which worked out great because uncle Nick was in town.
 We started the evening with dinner at Hugos because it just isn't right to visit the Fayetteville square without stopping in for a burger and beer! Tonight was no disappointment...mom and Nick enjoyed the atmosphere also.

Braxton was completely mesmerized. He walked around staring and trying to get as close as possible to all the lights. It was so much fun to watch the sweet innocence on his face as he took it all in and explored the entire square. Then of course we also got to enjoy a toddler size fit when it was time to leave and he had to part with his winter wonderland. Ha

I love the curiosity on his face!

Here comes Santa Clause!!!

It is a lifelong tradition for Braxton and his friend Ansley to visit Santa Clause together each year. Last year both kiddos were in the infant stage of life so it was pretty quick and painless to get a photo with the big guy. This year was another story....the infants have grown into toddlers and they are INTO everything. Once they were corralled in the North Pole area, two very different personalities emerged.

Ansley is a social butterfly and walked right up to Santa like they were best friends. She explored the entire North Pole area and sat up on Santa's lap like such a big girl. Braxton on the other hand was terrified of the Big guy. He was glued to my side and WOULD not sit with Santa. How can I blame him...I mean seriously....this guy is a little intimidating. So for this year mommy is in the Santa picture with Braxton. Luckily we somehow ended up with a photo where it appears that he is smiling even though he was not. HA

Braxton melting into mommy

 

They enjoyed Santa's chair when he went on break

Braxton liked the trucks way more than Santa

Family photo