Gunnar turned away from the game on Pap pap's lap for a moment to stare at Chloe as she was making such a fuss. Gosh! He frowned at her when she then yelled at him too. "I play game!" He glared at her a minute as she got on Daddy's lap, then turned his attention back to Pap. "Dragon game.. see?" He held it up in his face so he could see it better.

Ethan really hoped some redirection or distraction would help to calm Chloe down. They didn't need to have any temper tantrums today at her party with all their guests coming. He put his arm around her as she got on his lap, then watched with a small smile as she decided that showing off her dress was indeed a good idea.

"Very pretty!" he grinned at her, then clapped as she spun around. Looking to Minerva's grandfather, he just chuckled and shook his head. "Maybe one day. I think we have our hands full for now though." He wasn't opposed to having more kids, but he could wait a bit on that. Two toddlers was a lot most days.

Once Jorge was ready and gotten their daughter ready as well, Mariel flooed to her sister's house in anticipation of the party. "Hello? We're here!" she called out as they stepped out of the fireplace, her green eyes soon locking with identical ones. Smiling broadly, she hugged her sister and then her brother-in-law. At her sister's insistence, she took a seat on their couch for a moment. She wouldn't mind a cup of tea, but she didn't know if they needed to get going or if they were ready or what. But she did have to chuckle a bit as Meloria gushed over and insisted on holding her baby. She hadn't remembered her being so into babies when she was younger, but maybe having a lot around lately changed that some.

Chloe was spinning in her dress again and didn’t care what game Gunnar was even talking about. She giggled as she spun. Spinning more and more until she was too dizzy and fell to the floor. “Room move” She watched as the room seemed to be spinning around her. Getting back to her feet she giggled and ran jumping at daddy again. “I EW” putting up two fingers to show them both. She had been practicing that with mommy. So much spinning she felt like she needed a drink, “UICE!” Did mommy hear her? She was good at getting her juice, but so was daddy so she looked at him with big green eyes.

Howard just laughed at his great grandchildren as they showed off their games and dresses. He couldn’t get enough of them and felt so lucky to be able to see them grow up even if it meant they had to move like they did a few years ago. It was fully worth it for moments like this. “Very good Chloe.” Looking towards Gunnar he tried to figure out the game, “You might have to teach me, we didn’t have dragon games when I was a kid.” Though it probably had something to do with the magic stuff that he didn’t grow up with. Looking it over he beamed at Gunnar as he heard his wife say she’d like to play as well.

Chuckling at Ethan’s words, “Yes I could see where waiting would be best. These two can be the handful, but I wouldn’t change them at all.” He couldn’t imagine more children running around this house or their own little one when they came to visit, though he wouldn’t ever mind more great grandchildren. Hearing Chloe he laughed, “Your mommy just asked you if you wanted some.” She was just too cute at times. “I bet if you go into the kitchen she’ll get you juice.”


Holding Regina, Jorge followed Mariel to his sister-in-laws home. Smiling and greeting both her sister and brother-in-law. “Hello, how are you all doing?” Having a seat next to his wife, he handed over his baby knowing it would probably be the last time he held her for a few hours. Women were always about holding the baby and going to a birthday party meant more people wanting to hold her. Though Regina was now getting to the age where holding her didn’t always come easy. She wanted to explore and being near other kids Jorge assumed she’d be fully focus on all the movements.

Oh yay!! Pap pap and Grammy were going to play the game with him! Oh and Pap pap wanted him to show him how, sure he could do that! Gunnar opened up the box of the game and pulled the little dragon figures out. "See?" he said, arranging them on the game board. "Like dis.." He showed the how to move them then pointed to the spinner. "Your turn!" He glanced at Chloe a minute when she yelled about juice. That sounded good and he wanted to have some juice to. He turned his blue eyes in the direction of the kitchen. "I have juice too, Mommy!"

Ethan couldn't help but to smile as Minerva's grandparents agreed to play Gunnar's game with him. He knew that would make him really happy and they were always so good with the kids. It was nice that they were so close with them. His eyes snapped to Chloe as she fell to the floor from being so dizzy after spinning. "Careful, honey," he chuckled, then caught her as she jumped into his lap again. she sure was full of energy. "You're two?" He held up two of his fingers as well. "Yes you are," he grinned. "Very good."

Mariel sat a little closer to Jorge as he joined her on the couch, laying a hand on his leg as she watched Meloria with Regina for a few minutes. She helped herself to a cup of tea from the tray on the coffee table, sipping at it till everyone seemed ready to go. "Sure, I'm ready." She got up and set the cup down, then looked over at her husband, reaching for his hand. "Ready, hun?"

Meloria gushed over her little niece, trying to hold the wiggling baby on her lap as she sat for a minute. "Aren't you just precious? What a pretty dress you have on for the party." She made a little small talk with her sister and brother-in-law, asking how work was, while she let Regina play with her fingers. Once it seemed that the baby was getting a little too fidgety, she smiled at her and stood up. "I think Regina is ready to see her cousins.. everyone else ready to go?" She gestured for her husband to get the presents, then headed for the fireplace to floo over to her son's house.

Howard watched his great grandson show him the game, still a little confused he tried to figure it out. ”Okay I think I got it.” He hit the spinner, “Now do I move the piece like this?” Moving the game piece a few places. He looked up as the kids yelled about juice. “We could always play this later if you want to go help mommy get that juice.” he enjoyed playing, but didn’t want to keep the child from his juice. He loved them so much and every time he looked at one of them knew that long move was well worth it.


Minerva heard the juice demands in the other room and just laughed shaking her head. Her two children were so predictable, she had a feeling they’d soon be wanting a juice. Just finishing up on the cakes she set them in the middle of the counter and got the juice before heading back in the living room. “Did someone order juice?” She held them up and smiled. “Gunnar are you teaching Gram and Pap pap how to play?” That boy loved his game. She watched him for a moment not believe he was three. She couldn’t seem to wrap her head around that he was three and her baby was turning two. How was that possible? Taking a seat she looked at the adults in the room, “Did I miss anything?” With her two, she was never sure.



Chloe was still on her daddy's lap and now she was distracted by putting her hands to his face, "qwishy cheeks" She giggled as she squished at his cheeks. This was fun and daddy was fun. Her green eyes turning as she heard mommy's voice, "Uice uice!!!" She wanted juice and soon she was off daddy's lap and over to mommy. Once the juice was in hand she plopped down on the floor and began to drink it. Looking around, "Oggy sweep" she pointed at the sleeping dog.


Putting an arm around his wife and watched his sister in law and his daughter. It was always nice to visit, though he always liked just staying quiet. So he moved just to get some tea and sat the rest of the time listening and watching. Smiling as his daughter talked in her ways and giggled here and there. “Oh yeah, I’m ready.” Getting up off the couch he moved to grab the presents they had brought. “Are you ready to go Princess?” He grinned towards his sweet baby. She’d be having fun today with her little cousins.

Gunnar watched with a grin as Pap pap started playing the game, his eyes following the game piece as it was moved. "Yes, like that," he nodded, then looked up in surprise. "No.. Mommy get juice. We play game." And there was the juice! Gunnar took a few steps towards Mommy and took his sippy cup from her. "Tank you." He sipped on his juice a minute before looking at Grammy. "Your turn!"

Ethan lightly chuckled as he let his daughter play with his face. She sure was cute.. and then she was off again. What a bundle of energy. And he couldn't help but to laugh as Chloe went off to get her juice and he smiled at his wife as she took a seat with them. "Just the usual, nothing out of the ordinary." Typical toddler behavior, he thought. He was a little surprised his parents weren't there yet though.

Mariel smiled at Regina answering Jorge with baby babbles. She was just so precious and she couldn't wait to take her to see her cousins. As Jorge grabbed the presents, she reached for their daughter. "Time to floo again," she told her holding onto her tightly, feeling it important to prepare her before just stepping in. Making sure everyone else was ready to go, she stepped into the fireplace just behind her sister.

Good, good.. Finn had the presents and Meloria looked to see that everyone else was ready to go before stepping into the fireplace to floo to her son's house. "Hello!" she greeted everyone as she stepped out. Looked like a few people were there already. "Happy birthday, Ethan," she told her son as she reached him for a hug. Twenty-two already, and married with children. Speaking of, there were her beautiful grandchildren. "Happy birthday, Chloe! Hi, Gunnar!"

Howard chuckled at Gunnar, he was very into this game, but the boy had always been into the dragons. Looking at his wife, he smiled as she took her turn. "Grammy did good, now your turn." Turning his blue eyes onto his granddaughter as she came back in and join them. "You really should just buy the cake Minerva, then it would give you more time to spend relaxing." His smile half amused knowing she was just like her mother in that area. He couldn't help, but think of his late daughter-in-law and how much she loved to do this very thing.

Looking up he saw people coming through the fireplace and shook his head looking at his wife. He wasn't sure he'd ever get use to that. He adored Ethan's family, but seeing someone come out of a place that has fire was just strange. "Hello" He greeted them all and smiled at the baby, how precious.

Reaching over she pulled Oggy's tail to make him yelp and giggled when he did not realizing it hurt him, she just liked to hear him make that noise. "Oggy back" She jumped up dropping her juice and taking off towards the dog. That was until she heard someone coming from the fire place. "NANNNNNNNNNNNNA, PA PA!!! " She ran jumping at them both. Other people were here too. She grinned at her Aunt and Uncle, "my irfday" Yep she was proud of it being her day! Looking at daddy hearing him get told the same thing, it was his too that was right. She giggled and took off towards Oggy again. "PWAY"


OMG this child, "Chloe, no we don't hurt Oggy. Don't touch his tail like that. Nice touches." She went to show her, but Oggy took off and she didn't blame him one bit. Hopefully the little terrier made it into another room to hide by now. "Why doesn't that surprise me." She laughed at Ethan's words. Their house was nothing but interesting most days with these two kids. Looking at her grandfather she just smiled, "but I love making them for my family. It's one of my favorite things to be able to do for them." She'd never buy an old store bout cake, no way. She loved backing and cooking. She was good at it, so why pay for something you didn't have to.


Just then she heard the others just as Chloe did. "Hi everyone" Getting up she greeted them all. "Regina you look so cute. Come here you little cutie." She grinned at the baby with open arms to take her and get her baby fix, though she wasn't really much of a baby anymore. Gosh she was growing fast too. These kids were just getting way too big. Looking over at the game she shook her head, "Gunnar, I asked you to put that away, the party is starting please do it now."


Jorge flooed behind them with the gifts and stepped out of his niece and nephews house. It always felt so weird to him that Mariel had nieces and nephews that were so much older and great nieces and nephews, but he had gotten use to it now and wouldn't change it for anything. "Hola" He smiled as he set down the presents and looked around. "Gunnar what game are you playing?" He knew Minerva had just said about putting it away, but he always enjoyed talking to the kids about their things, it was fun to hear them explain what they were doing.

Gunnar watched intently as Grammy took her turn then looked at Pap pap. "Ok!" Holding his sippy cup in one hand, he spun the spinner with his other, then moved his dragon piece counting as he went. "One, two, free!" But his attention was soon diverted as he heard the fireplace and Chloe's screaming. Oh, look! "NANA! PAPA!" The game momentarily forgotten, the three year old rushed over to give hugs. And there were his aunt and uncle he sort of remembered, even if he didn't see them that much. Gunnar looked at them a moment, then pointed at his little cousin. "Baby." He looked at his mother in horror as she told him to put the game away. "No! I play!" His little lip started to wibble then his green eyes snapped to his uncle again as he asked about the game. Gunnar grabbed a hold of his hand, pulling him over. "Dragon game! You play too."

Ethan's eyes snapped to the dog as he heard a yelp, then looked to Minerva as she talked to Chloe about the dog, probably for the tenth time this week. It was any wonder why the dog was still as friendly as he was, but she'd soon learn, he was sure. He looked at the fireplace as more of his family arrived. "Thanks, Mum," he said with a grin, getting up to hug her, then hug his Dad.

"Hi Aunt Mariel.. Uncle Jorge.. Regina.." He smiled at them all as they came in, his green eyes falling on his little cousin. She was getting so big already, probably be walking soon, but she was still little. He'd have to keep an eye on his own kids to make sure they understood to play gentle with her.

"Hello, everyone." Mariel smiled pleasantly at everyone as they all stepped out at Ethan and Minerva's house. "Happy birthday, Ethan," she told him once her sister gave him a hug, then her eyes found her great-niece. "Happy birthday, Chloe." Though her attention seemed to be more on Meloria and Finn. She chuckled a bit then handed Regina over to Minerva as she wanted to hold her. Not that she was all that surprised, it seemed like everyone wanted a turn at holding the baby, even if she wasn't as tiny as she once was. Her attention soon on her husband, she took a seat and watched as Gunnar wanted him to play, smiling to herself.

Even though she always told herself that she was really not old enough to be a grandmother, Meloria thought there was nothing better than her grandchildren. Once she had greeted her son, she knelt down to envelop her grandson and granddaughter in hugs as they came running at her. "It is your birthday," she agreed with Chloe. "How old are you today?" She looked at her daughter-in-law as she took Regina. "Do you need any help, Minerva?" It would certainly be challenging to host a party with your hands full. She would know.

Minerva had been hiding something from Ethan and she hoped he wouldn't be mad, but it had been months that she had been hiding it. She cleaned up the kitchen and gave the kids a snack. Once they were settled she went to their rooms and checked their bags making sure they would be set at her in-laws.

Heading into the bedroom she looked at the bag sitting on the bed, making sure everything she needed was in it. A few what if's going through her mind and making sure she had covered every step to not have missed anything. No she thought she had gotten everything covered.

Coming back out she sat down on the couch and watched Chloe and Gunnar play. She was going to miss them and felt the anxiety raise thinking about being away from them, but it was going to be good for them both to do this.

It had been a normal day at work for Ethan, though today seemed longer than usual. On most days, he enjoyed his job, especially when he got to spend the day in the greenhouses, but on days when he spent most of his time at a desk doing paperwork, the day seemed to drag on. Like today.

Flooing home, he was happy to see his little family and maybe to relax a little before dinner. "Hey guys," he greeted them with a grin, happy to see his kids so full of excitement to see him. "Hi Sweetness." He took a seat on the couch next to Minerva and gave her a small kiss before leaning back.

Chloe was playing on the floor with Gunnar when she heard the fireplace, jumping to her feet she ran just in time to see daddy walking out. "DADDY!!!" She followed him to the couch and climbed on him. He was here to play now, wasn't he? Yes he would play! Finally making it on his lap she grabbed at his face to get his attention away from mommy. "Daddy go bye bye." She looked at mommy knowing they were going to nana's and had a suitcase ready. It was going to be fun.

Climbing back down from daddy's lap she ran towards the bedroom. Maybe she could get the suitcase and go to nana's now. Pulling it from the bed she moved it just enough to have it falling down on top of her and hitting her foot. "WHAAAAAAAAA" She screamed in pain as the heavy suitcase sat on her little foot.


Hearing the fireplace she looked up and smiled as her husband came through. Chuckling at the kids excitement. Giving Ethan a kiss Minerva sat and watched Chloe. Her mouth soon opening as Chloe said about going away. "Chloe that was a surprise." Watching the toddler run off she looked back at her husband. "Well now that Chloe kind of gave it away. I hope you don't mind but I did a few things behind your back." Giving her best remember you love me smile she took his hand. " For the last few months I've been slipping a bit of my paycheck into another account to save up for a little trip. Your dad helped me to get you some time off work. We are going to be leaving tonight to go to Brazil for a week, just you and me."

She watched him hoping he wouldn't be mad. It didn't cost horribly a lot since they'd be staying at his aunts beach house. That's when she heard the thud and scream. "Chloe" Ugh this child was always up to something, she took off into the bedroom and scooped her up. "Honey you can't try to get the suitcase by yourself. It's too big." What was she thinking. Checking over her foot, it seemed to be fine, she sat down on the bed trying to calm her two year old.

Lifting his blue eyes from where he sat on the floor when he heard the fireplace, Gunnar got up just after Chloe did as Daddy stepped out. Yay! "Daddy's home!!" He ran over and hugged his leg as Daddy walked to the couch. He watched as his sister got up in Daddy's lap, then he went to grab some of his toys for Daddy to play. And look! Chloe was running off so he could be in Daddy's lap again. He climbed up with two dragon toys, one for each of them. "Play, Daddy."

Ethan should have known that he'd be overrun by little tykes the moment he sat down on the couch, but he didn't mind it. He turned his green eyes to his daughter as she pulled his face, soon chuckling at her words. "Daddy's not going bye-bye, Daddy just got here."

He watched her somewhat confused as she suddenly ran off, attributing that to he impulsiveness of toddlers, then helped Gunnar get on his lap as he tried to climb up with his dragon toys. "Hmm?" Green eyes then looked up at his wife as she said something about behind his back. "Brazil? Wow.." He certainly wasn't expecting that when he stepped out of the fireplace, but he didn't get a chance to respond any further, hearing the scream of his daughter from the other room.

He turned his head sharply at the sound, then watched Minerva go off to take care of the situation. Ethan looked down at Gunnar as he took one of the dragon toys. "I guess Daddy is going bye-bye," he chuckled. Holding his son securely in one arm and the dragon in his other hand, he got up from the couch and carried them towards the bedroom, then stood in the doorway to see what was going on. "Everything okay?"

Chloe whimpered in her mommy’s arms about her foot for a little longer, “mean uit case” She swatted at the suitcase. She hugged her mommy liking the attention and the cuddles until Daddy came in. “Uit case mean” pointing towards the suitcase on the floor before lifting her hands for daddy to pick her up. No offense mommy, but daddy was home now and Gunnar wasn’t going to get all his attention. “Up up”


Minerva chuckled as she swatted at the suitcase, “The suitcase isn’t mean, you shouldn’t be trying to pull it off the bed without help missy.” Though she did comfort her daughter until she seemed to be better. Her blue eyes lifting as her husband came into the room, “I think we are alright, just a little foot smashed by the suitcase.” Though Chloe was certainly giving her version of the suitcase being the bad guy.

“We are all packed and our portkey is to leave in about two hours.” She hoped he wasn’t mad that she planned the trip behind his back. He had done so much and given so much to them, she just wanted to do something nice and surprise them. Plus they hadn’t been away on a trip together for a long time and had never traveled on a vacation together as husband and wife. “Your aunt has given me all the security charms to get in and directions for the best places. It’s right on the beach too.” Her excitement shown in her voice.

"No, Daddy go bye-bye. Daddy play." Gunnar leaned his body across his dad to reach and point at the dragon he had given him so that they could play. Sure, he remembered Mommy packing suitcases so that they could go to Nana and Papa's house but he wasn't ready for that yet. Daddy was home from work and he wanted to play with him for a little while first. "Chloe foot hurts?" he turned his blue eyes onto his little sister as she came towards Daddy. Noooo, Daddy was holding Gunnar.

Making sure Chloe was alright was his first concern, though Ethan was fairly certain she wasn't seriously hurt. He knew his toddlers to often have minor mishaps that he didn't get fazed that easily. "Gotta be careful, Chloe." That suitcase looked to be about as big as she was, it had to have hurt. He let go of the dragon toy in one hand, then did his best to bend down while still holding Gunnar in his other arm and picked her up in her free arm.

"We're leaving in two hours?" Ethan gave Min something of a surprised smile. "Wow, alright," he added with a chuckle. It wasn't that he didn't want to go, just that he was very surprised to even hear about it and now it was very soon. But it sounded great. He listened as she continued, nodding as she further explained. "You really must have put a lot of work into planning this. Sounds amazing." Brazil really did sound amazing, especially his aunt's house on the beach. But was she really okay with leaving the babies for a week?

She gave Gunnar a grumpy look as he moved his body over Daddy, but soon was smiling as her daddy was picking her up. Giving Gunnar a HAHA look she clung to his neck. "My foot" she did a dramatic reenactment with her hand to her foot to show what had happened. Once she was finished it was back to clinging to her daddy's neck. She wanted him all to herself and no one was going to tell her no!

Wow I'm truly feeling the love here you two."[/b] Minerva chuckled as she got up off the bed and started to make sure she had really packed everything. She knew her children missed Ethan when he was at work and loved to see how excited they got when he came home. She was always happy to see him walk through the fireplace.

Her blue eyes went to him with his questioning and sounding shocked a frown forming on her face, "I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner. Do you not want to go?" She could probably cancel everything, though she wasn't sure if she could get some of the money back. "I just haven't been away since Gunnar and neither have you. We haven't been away on a real vacation ever, not with having Gunnar so quickly. Now that I'm working again and was doing a few private lessons to save the money to surprise you... "

A small smile formed as she heard him say it sounded amazing, [b] "I have, but you so deserve it. Everything you do for us, it's time you got a break from work and everything around here." Her smile grew thinking about it, "I'm really looking forward to being on the beach with you. I bought a new bikini for it." The tags were even still on it.

Gunnar side-eyed Chloe as Daddy picked her up too. He wasn't all that impressed, but as long as Daddy didn't put him down he supposed he was okay. He watched as Chloe demonstrated what happened to her foot. "Oh." He gave her a sympathetic look and he'd offer to give her a kiss but he didn't feel like moving from his place in Daddy's arms. Maybe Mommy could.

"Oh, of course I want to go," Ethan grinned. "It just really took me by surprise, that's all." He didn't want her to mistake that surprise for reluctance though. "Yeah, I guess you're right, we haven't.." They didn't really have too much of a honeymoon either, though it had been nice to get away for a few days. This would be really nice. "If you're sure we can afford it, sounds great." And staying at his aunt's beach house would definitely cut back on expenses.

"A break really sounds nice," he grinned. He wouldn't readily admit it, but work at the Ministry was starting to get tedious. A vacation was probably just what he needed to keep from getting too burnt out. "Oh, have you? Sounds very enticing.." He wouldn't mind seeing his wife in a new bikini at all.

Gunnar walked over to the piano and climbed up onto the bench. He really liked having this piano at his house now and, though he didn't so much like sitting still and paying attention when Daddy tried to show him what to do, he did like the sounds that came out of it.

He looked at the groups of black keys just liked Daddy showed him and found a group of three. He tried to remember the tune pattern he was taught and began to play with one finger. 3-2-1, 3-2-1, 1-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2, 3-2-1. He forgot the name of it, but he liked the little tune. But what he also liked equally as good was mashing his whole hand down on the keys the hole way down the piano.

Cleaning the kitchen always made Minerva feel better. It was weird that just a little mess could give her such an anxious feeling, but it did so once Chloe was down for a little nap she left Gunnar to play and went to clean. As she was cleaning she heard the piano and smiled a little. The gift was amazing from Ethan's parents and now her own children could learn to play as her husband had. She loved sitting and listening to him play and hoped their children would appreciate it as much.

Holstering her wand she moved to the doorway and leaned against it watching him. He was growing so fast and she thought about how much he had been learning at school. Her expression changed a bit as his hand went down on the keys. "What are you doing over there bud?" Not wanting to discourage she moved closer, but spoke to hopefully get him distracted to not do it again. She really did not need to wake Chloe just yet.

Gunnar banged his hand on the keys a few more times, laughing at the sound it made. Maybe he could even make up his own new song! Looking up suddenly as he heard Mommy's voice, he gave her a big smile.

"I'm playing a song, Mommy.. wanna hear?" He carefully plunked a few keys with one finger, then pushed his hand hard down on three or four keys at once several times towards the end of the piano. He wasn't too worried about waking anyone up, in fact that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. All he knew was that he was creating music. And maybe he should even think up words for his new song.

Minerva smiled down at him as he hit the keys. "Well that song sounds lovely, but you know what would be really great?" Maybe if she spoke excitedly he would think her idea was really great. "Why don't you teach me the notes daddy has been teaching you. You know I've never gotten to learn how to play this yet. You could teach me." What kid didn't like to teach their mother.

Hearing a sound she turned her head to hear if they had woken her daughter, but after a moment she assumed they hadn't and went back to the piano keys. "Doesn't it start like this?" She moved her fingers and hit the wrong places and wrong keys on purpose to show she really didn't know what Ethan had been teaching.

Gunnar looked up from the piano keys as Mommy spoke. What would be really great? Oh.. he could do that! He could show Mommy how to play that song too an his beamy smile said the same. "Okay, Mommy.. I show you."

His smile faded a bit and he tilted his head as he watched her start to play... but they weren't the right notes. "No.. not like that," he said beginning to giggle. Mommy was so silly! "Like this!" He reached and grabbed her pointer finger, plonking it down slowly and deliberately on the correct black keys. 3-2-1, 3-2-1.

She smiled as he said he would show her, such a little man he was already becoming. How had the time moved so quickly already. Minerva caught herself thinking about him moving to kindergarten before she knew it and that just made her feel sad and old all in the same moment. She wasn't old though, she was still young.

Focusing back on the piano as he picked up her finger she grinned and watched as he made her hand hit the correct notes. "Oh I see, like this?" She copied what he had just had her fingers do. "Am I playing like Daddy taught you?" Making sure to mess up at least one or two notes she acted frustrated, "You are just so much better then mommy at this." Plus it got him quiet for Chloe to sleep!

Still holding into Mommy's finger, Gunnar finished helping her play the simple song he learned, though it was a little slower sing he was pushing someone else's finger down on the keys. When he was done, he looked up and grinned. "See? Like that!"

He watched as she started again, his little brow furrowing as she got a couple of them wrong. His blue eyes looked up at her as she seemed a little upset that she didn't get it quite right. "It's okay, Mommy," he said with an encouraging smile as he patted her back. "You did a good try."

He decided to show her again, like Daddy would do when he was learning. "Watch! Like this." And he started again on the trio of black keys. 3-2-1, 3-2-1, 1-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2, 3-2-1.

She couldn't help but smile at her son. He had his father's sweetness in him. He was so caring and worried about her feelings. She put an arm around him as he patted her back. "You are such a good teacher." Leaning down she kissed the top of his head. She loved her mommy Gunnar time.

"Thank you bud. I think I need to keep practicing though." She turned her blue eyes to watch him again as he touched the keys. "You are just so good at this." Heart melting at watching her mini Ethan play. He as so much like his father and she just adored it.

She heard the piano. Not at first, but as her eyes opened in the nice comfy bed she heard it and on her feet she went speedy quick. Her little legs moving as fast as she could get them towards the living room. As she rounded the corner she tripped over the cat and slammed into the floor.

"WHAAAA"

She cried as she sat there rubbing her leg. The floor hurt when you hit it running. Finally getting back to her feet she moved towards the piano. "Gunnar playing."

Christmas day! She loved Christmas and was up pretty early before the kids. Making her way towards the living room her eyes fell on all the gifts before flicking her wand to make the tree and indoor decorations light up. She just loved this time of year! It was her favorite and the thought of the kids being super excited just made it even better.

Making her way to the kitchen she got pans out to begin making Christmas breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, sausage, and coffee for Ethan. She adored doing these things for her family and couldn't wait to have everyone over to dinner later.

Ethan rolled over and looked at the clock. Of course, it wasn't late, but he was sure the kids would have woken him up by now. It was Christmas Day, after all, and he was certain that Gunnar and Chloe would have been up before the sun with the excitement of opening presents waiting for them. The smell of breakfast lured him awake however, and he sat up intending to get some coffee before the kids got up. It didn't surprise him for a second that Min would be up and in the kitchen already, and he was eager for some of her pancakes. As he rolled out of bed, Ethan was sure he heard the hushed voice of his son in the other room and he couldn't help but to chuckle to himself. He should have known it wouldn't be long.

Christmas! It was Christmas! Gunnar remembered as soon as he woke up and he was sure that Santa had come in the night as he had done every year before. Presents were the first thing on his mind and he knew that he would not be allowed to open anything until everyone was awake. Was he the first one up?

He climbed out of his bed and hurried over to Chloe's room. "Chloe! Chloe, wake up! It's Christmas!" he implored her in a loud whisper. She needed to get up so they could open up their presents!