Holiday prep at home

November and December flew by, but they were packed with planning, parties, and holiday prep. We did almost all our shopping the week before Christmas -- a little stressful, but we just didn't have time before, and shopping with kids (at least our kids!) takes 3 or 4 times as long as shopping solo. We saved our personal shopping sprees for the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Here are some late November/early December pics...










One of Callum's favorite activities is playing with curtains. He LOVES playing peekaboo, and Ronan has gotten in on the fun, so they both chase each other, squeal, and play hide and seek with the curtains.






Surprise!




Our family at the Stanford mall


The easy, quick way to shop with kids? Bring a picnic lunch!












We picked up the perfect 5.5' tree from a local lot and Ronan helped us string the lights and decorate it. Tree trimming with him was one of my favorite moments of the holiday season.


I love how protective Ronan is of his little brother. He tries to keep Callum from touching things (like the toilet, the fire, the tree lights) and from putting things in his mouth (everything small and interesting on the floor). I want to bottle up that brotherly sweetness and save it forever.


Mama and Callum


Four generations of the Hsu family: Great-great-uncle Shao-Ben, Great-great-auntie Lucy, Grandma Kathy, Ronan, Mama, Callum.




Our sweet thumbsuckers - love it!