big box- big fort

diana was at work when she saw something that she knew ledger would really love: a giant box!  she brought it home and we put it in the living room for him to just go to town on.  when he saw it he was so excited that he could hardly handle it!  he's always loved to play with boxes, going all the way back to when he was a toddler.  well, this is by far the biggest box he's ever been able to play with.  we knew we were in for some real creativity on this one.  we put it together and he declared that he wanted to make a box fort.  we cut out a door and let him do his thing.  he pulled out his markers and spent the rest of the day decorating and filling his new box fort.  we even found a string of lights that we taped up on the inside so he could have light in there.  he was in heaven for the next week as he played and fixed up his fort!

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santa parade

as December rolls in, our little town has a bunch of special events to celebrate.  and what is the best way to celebrate Christmas? a parade with santa, of course!  ledger and I braved through the freezing weather and celebrated downtown with hundreds of other Allegan residents.  there were a bunch of floats, the fire engine, the high school band playing Christmas tunes, and a bunch of people throwing out candy- what's not to love!  after the parade santa headed down to the board walk where he took pictures with each of the kids.  ledger was all in for some of that action!
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his first concert

growing up, one of the bands that I really liked was the newsboys.  I've been listening to them since 1996, when I was in high school.  I've had the chance to see them a couple times in concert, but its been almost 20 years, and they have a new singer now.  well, they are on a new tour where they are back together with two of their old singers, along with the new one, and playing all the old hits.  that's all I needed to get me interested.  ledger had gotten to know and love some of their music as well because all I listen to is music from the 90's...  diana and I decided that we would go to see them as a family and take ledger to his first music concert!  in preparation I looked online and found the playlist for the tour and made a mixtape so ledger would be familiar with all the songs.  we played it all the time in the car and at home.  eventually he (and diana) learned all the songs and could sing along with them too.  mission accomplished!  now the three of us are ready for the show!

the day of the concert ledger decided he wanted to dress up for the show, so he put on his button down shirt and bowtie!  we got something to eat and then headed over to the venue and picked our seats before the show.  we got some good seats near the front (ledge wanted to go check out the balcony, but we didn't sit up there).  as showtime was coming closer we took a few minutes and stopped at the merch table and got their new cd as well as a light stick thingy for ledge to wave.  

the lights started to flicker- we know what that means: its time for the show!  ledge was pumped as the newsboys took the stage.  i've got to be honest, so was I!  over the course of the show they played all the hits that I remember from years ago, as well as the new hits (which ledger prefered, honestly).  the ploy to get ledge familiar with all their songs worked really well and he was able to sing along to all of them.  my favorite part was definitely when peter furler and phil joel came out to join michael tate and the rest of the boys for the older songs.  

they had a special offer to anyone who wanted to sponsor a child: a free tour book and the chance to meet the newsboys after the show!  ledge was excited about that opportunity- and so was I!  so we signed up and go the book.  so when the show was over we went over and lined up to introduce ledger to the boys.  as we were waiting in line, ledger asked what the name is of the singer.  I told him michael tate.  he wanted to say hi to him, but he couldn't remember his last name.  I told him 'its tate, like tater tot, but without the r'.  well that was a mistake, because now he wanted to call him mr. tater!  oops...  we got up there and they signed the book for ledger and even had a joyful laugh at how he was wearing a bowtie and looked so handsome!

on the way home ledger was talking about how much fun he had and how excited he was that he got to meet mr. tater.  I was excited too, buddy...

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oh, christmas tree

there's that Christmas cheer in the air- that must mean its time to get the Christmas decorations out!  ledge helped me go down to the garage and pull out the boxes filled the tree and everything.  we started the evening like we always do when its tree decorating time: we put some Christmas cookies in the oven and let that glorious smell fill the air!

with Christmas music playing, we get to work assembling the tree.  then its time for the best part, putting the ornaments on it!  ledge pulls out his handy step stool so he can reach all the way up to the top.  he is surprisingly good at figuring out where to put the ornaments to keep the tree balanced and well covered.  after the general ornaments go up, then its time for the special handmade craft ornaments that ledge has made over the years- he makes sure to make these very prominent for everyone to see!

then, the piece de resistance: the star.  this is always a favorite because it shines light all the way up to our extra high ceiling, which always looks awesome!

finally, its up and now we are ready for the season!  before you know it it'll be present time!

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