I took the boys to the mall for a free jingle jam concert with a great local performer. The boys had a great time rockin’ out to her and Nathan was even selected out of the audience to come up and help play the maracas. Maybe she could sense we are a musical family and that we have TONS of maracas around our house in the form of shakers, homemade instruments, and even the real deal. He was so cute just sitting quietly with his hand raised, waiting to be called upon. Then, when she pointed to him and said ‘you, Sir, waiting so quietly, come on up here’, he popped up like popcorn and took to his instrument right away. Will also had a great time jammin’ out and dancing.

Actually, I should backup. We arrived a little early for the concert and were fortunate enough to get in line for face painting with only two people in front of us. Nathan was all stoked for a Christmas tree to be painted on his face but then once he got into the chair, he told the face painter, MJ (who was a wonderfully sweet woman!), that he wanted it on his arm. When I asked him later why he changed his mind he said that he wanted to be able to see his painting so that’s why he wanted it on his arm. Duh! What a smart kid!

So after face arm painting we did the concert thing then it was of course time for a ride on the ever-popular merry-go-round. Now, normally I tell the kids (Nathan) that we only do that when Daddy’s with us but I guess I was feeling especially festive because I was actually excited to be the only accompanying adult with two kids to look after as we went ’round and ’round. It was fun. We lived. Then it was time for lunch and we decided to walk over to Panera. We gobbled up our lunch (YUM-O!) and walked around to look for a few last minute gifts for family and friends. Nathan was an excellent shopping helper. He picked out a special gift for his Popo all by himself! I was very impressed!

Needless to say, the kids were all pooped by the day’s end and quite frankly, so was I.