Kids and Christmas

Merry Christmas! We have had a fun Christmas season so far and are excited to join the Schulenburg family in Nebraska on Christmas day. Bennett and Luke both love the tree, especially the ornaments that look like big shiny balls! We have to be on a bit of extreme 'tree patrol' to prevent any catastrophes. Bennett likes to grab the packages and drag them around by the ribbon. Luke tries to chew on them.

We've been quite excited by Bennnett's sign language despite him testing quite low in receptive and expressive language both in the sibling study and at the EEU. He is signing 'My turn', 'Eat', 'More', 'Boiler Up', 'Milk' (which he means for any drink). It's so fun to see him learn to communicate more.
Luke has begun matching colors in school and stacking up to 6 blocks. It's small forward progress with him but still progress. We are still working diligently on PECS (Picture Exchange) in hopes that will become more useful. He's also getting great at 'Hug'. At Thanksgiving he even leaned in and put both arms up on my shoulders. I almost cried! He has the BEST bus driver (Diane). She bought antlers for each of the kids and they all wore them to and home from school. Bennett then stole them from Luke and tried to put them on himself (picture above). Today the driver sent home a tin of homemade caramel corn and books for both boys. She is amazing! She get so enthused when Luke gives her eye contact on the rides.

Bennett loves to give hugs also - especially to his big brother. He hugs my legs if I don't get down soon enough. Today I said 'give Elmo a hug' and he hugged the giant Elmo that Aunt Lori bought Luke a few years ago. When he is tired and you pick him up he puts his head on your shoulder and then tucks his hands between your chest and his. It is so adorable. I love this age for sure!
He has a fasination with my friend Katrnia's chocolate catalogs from her company Vosges. I have found him sitting in his room 2 times this past week flipping through the catalogs. I hope he buys me my favorite! Our nanny Nena noticed this too and said "Rachel you eat too much chocolate when pregnant. Bennett likes the chocolate book". Too funny. See pics below. Katrina loved them!