Christmas 2008

Santa was good to Camden and his brother Ethan this Christmas. Ong Noi and Ba Noi came up to brave the cold Minnesota winter with us again this year. Although not fully aware of what Christmas means or how he can best benefit from the holiday, he certainly had fun unwrapping his gifts. He also enjoyed everyone else's gifts as well. He quickly latched onto Mommy's new running gloves and hat and paraded around the living room as if they belonged to him.

On Christmas Eve, the Slipkas came over with their kids (Jack, Charlie, and Lucy). They shared in a Sindt family tradition of ham and fugens (pronounced foo-jin). If you don't know, fugens are a kind of bread sort of like a dense pancake ball. We make them with raisins and chocolate chips.

On Christmas day, we woke up to a nice bounty of gifts under the tree. We opened our generous presents from family and friends and then we enjoyed a Nguyen family tradition which consists of a nice steaming hot bowl of phở. Phở is a traditional Vietnamese soup made with a beef broth and served with fresh herbs and slowly cooked beef. The broth takes about 5 hours to make, but it's so worth it and it makes about 12-14 servings. Camden seemed to enjoy it and even tried his hand at chopsticks...Rather "chopSTICK" in his case.

Camden and Ethan are the best Christmas gifts we've received in the past two Christmases. We truly feel blessed this holiday season and with the same for all of you. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy [insert holiday here], and Happy New Year!

Camden prepares to tear into his presents.

Camden draws on his new truck book from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Tony.

Camden thinks his mommy's new hat and running gloves look better on him.

Camden and Ethan on Christmas morning.

Winter Fun

Winter weather came hard and fast to Minneapolis this year. That doesn't put a damper on Camden and Ethan getting bundled up and enjoying the snow. Grandma and Grandpa Sindt came to town for a quick visit this weekend. They, of course, enjoyed some time with the boys while it allowed mommy and daddy some time to put up the Christmas tree and spread some holiday cheer.

"Hm. Not bad."

This reminds me of the kid in the "Christmas Story" all bundled up to go out and play.

Camden's smiley brother, Ethan.

A little taste of Christmas with Grandpa "Papa" and Grandma Sindt.

What's Your Sign?

Camden's vocabulary continues to grow, both verbally and physically. He's really good at letting us know what he needs, whether it's by hand or mouth. At daycare, they work a lot with the kids on sign language. When he wants more of something he signs "more" by pointing his index finger to the palm of his hand. Or he'll sign "please" by rubbing his belly. Or "help" by patting his chest. He signs for milk by squeezing his hands together as if milking a cow.

His current vocabulary includes words such as:

• "ba-naaa-na" (banana)
  
• "bah-ble" (bubble)
  
• "bow bear" (for his book "Brown Bear")
• "da!-deee" (daddy)
• "papa" (he says this when he sees Grandpa Sindt)
  
• "mama" (mommy)
• "moo" (moo)
• "dah!" (done)

He's said a couple of other random things that he hasn't repeated again, but funny nonetheless. On the day of the Michigan game (11/23/2008) Camden came up to me and said "Go Buck!" I was on the phone with a friend of mine and he said, "Did he just say what I think he said?"

Another time I came home from work and Camden comes to the top of the stairs to greet me by saying "Yer back!" Kim and I looked at each other in amazement and just laughed.

Camden texts his friends :)