little elves

These two were in heaven Friday night at the Ferry Terminal Christmas festivities. We met up with Bama and Umpa and Umpa bought all of us our own cup of eggnog. I know, simple pleasures. This is huge for us because with everything we buy 1 and share it. We were happy! We guzzled it!

So we've turned our home into Santa's little workshop.
I would post pictures of our many creations except that then some of you would know what you were getting from us!
The kids are having hay-day making gifts for people. This morning they were in their room making a secret present for "mom" (me). I let them do their thing.
After I got out of the shower I went to get dressed and the present they had made me was right there when I opened my underwear drawer!
These two are too much!
I'm not really sure what to do... Do I tell them I found it? Do I let them think I won't open that drawer until Christmas?
So as of now it's still there. I think I will keep it there because it makes me laugh.

He gets it!

We have a tradition that we started last year and have continued this year. We make a paper chain, red and green, to count down the days until Christmas. Each night before bed the kids take turns ripping off a link from the chain. As they do so we go around and everyone tells something nice they did for another person that day. Last night Braxton had to really think of what he did but eventually he remembered that he had helped Adelle get into the car by opening her door for her. I helped Adelle remember that she had shared her orange with Emmett all on her own.
Today we came home from church and as usual both the kids ran to the bathroom to wash their hands with soap. I went back to get Emmett ready for nap and when I came out to the kitchen the kids had already had the table set for lunch (minus the plates which they can't reach). I was so touched and impressed that without me even asking they had done this service on their own. I expressed my gratitude to them for being so kind and helpful and Braxton honestly pronounced, "Mom, I wanted to watch my movie but I knew that was just thinking of me so I decided to think of you first. I knew you would be happy if I set the table." He was so excited to be doing something so nice that he ran back and told his dad what he had done. I asked him if he felt happy and he said yes.
This simple act brought me so much joy. I have really been working on teaching him to put others first and to not just think of himself. Sometimes I feel like I repeat myself over and over, and then I wonder if they will ever get it. They do. They really do get it and I know they will continue to bless many lives.
This is what Christmas means to me and this is what I am trying to teach my children. It's about what you do for others that brings the real peace and joy.

Gingerbread "children"

Have your kids lay down on butcher paper
Trace them
Cut out little mittens, hats,....noses..

Carson, Adelle, Braxton

Have them glue on the pieces
Wa-La!
They will love decorating
"themselves"

While I am in the corner, hiding behind the refrigerator, enjoying this delicious tradition from Auntie Angela.

So Thanksgiving my Aunt Marlene brought these huge gingerbread men for everyone to decorate. It was great and the kids loved it. They've been asking me since if we can make gingerbread men and decorate them.
My thought process;
We could...only that would mean they are just going to want to eat all the decorations, plus the finished cookies.
I would just soon eat the yummy cookies Auntie made.
So, I thought....we could do gingerbread men out of paper.
Then I thought, I could trace the kids and they could be the gingerbread men....
So, that's what we did.
Entertained them for a while.
and yes, I am sharing the yummy cookies with them....after lunch!

Old School

....I'm taken it back to the old school
Cause I'm an old fool
Who's so cool....

Today is Monday which means we are back on the routine for the week. Monday's are marvelous. Braxton's little friend picks him up for preschool (we carpool). Adelle, Emmett, and I do laundry and hang out in our pj's for a while. Adelle gets to play big sister/baby sitter while I take a shower (she loves this responsibility). I get the kids ready and the old library books collected to take back and we go to library story time just down the street from our house. It's a special morning for the little ones and I. Lots of books, little friends, special time without big brother....
This morning, after I got dressed I put on my shoes and then I laughed out loud.
These shoes were given to me 10 years ago right after I graduated high school from my dear friend as a hand-me-down! Ok, so hear me out here; She wore them for who knows how many years, then gave them to me 10 years ago! These babies are old! They were free for me! And they are my all time favorite, most worn shoes, ever! Thanks friend!
After having this realization of the shoes I proceeded to evaluate the rest of the outfit. It was definitely blog worthy.
The brown cords were a Christmas present from my mother-in-law 7 years ago. It was my first Christmas as part of the fam. She has really good taste in clothes and the clothes she buys me are always the right size....not sure how she does that? The tank under the sweater was a hot buy I found online clearance browsing back when I was pregnant with Braxton. I've always loved it because it's so long and I can wear it even with a big belly. The cable sweater is one my mom found for me at a garage sale a couple summers ago. It was in perfect condition and totally mine for free. Score!
So there you have it a whole entire outfit from the old school.
The funny thing is that most of my clothes are this old, this worn and still....well, I still wear them.

Stellar Stockings

My mother-in-law is extremely talented!
That is an understatement.
Among other things (like the skirts my bridesmaids wore in my wedding), she creates these Stellar Stockings!
They are my favorite Christmas decorations because they have so much meaning to me.
I see Jeff's, which he's had since he was a little boy, and I think of him as a boy playing with a train and giving his sisters grief.
I see mine and I remember when it was just the two stockings hung close and filled full.
I see Braxton's and I remember getting to be the one to chose what was on his stocking and pondering and then choosing "The Little Drummer Boy." This was a perfect fit for him and when I hear that song I always think of my sweet boy.
I see Adelle's and I smile because she is such a little angel in my life and I can hear her sweet voice saying, "dis one is mine."

I just got word from a pretty valuable source that Emmett's stocking is done!! I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail from Arizona. Our mantle will be complete once again. Jeff's mom has been super busy making stockings this year. Not only did she have Emmett's stocking but she also gets to make stockings for Jeff's sister Erin's new husband and their 3 children! This is another reason why these stockings are so stellar. Everyone in the whole family has one and they are each unique and different.

Thanks mom (Gramma) we LOVE our stockings!

Happy Turkey-Bowl

Braxton ready to play in his first ever Turkey-Bowl! He's been waiting for this for 5 years!

My blessings enjoying a warm yummy crepe breakfast

I love Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite days of the year partially because there are so many traditions that I can count on. The turkey, the cranberries, the pumpkin pie, the family gatherings, the playing of games, the chance to show off my kids....
Another one of these traditions is the Turkey-Bowl. Jeff talks about the Turkey-Bowl for months before Thanksgiving and he and the guys exaggerate how awesome it's going to be. This year he invited Braxton to play! The real deal, which was huge for Brax as we usually go and watch and afterward Jeff and Braxton play their own little game.
So this morning the kids got up, early as ever, Jeff and I sent them out to put on a movie. When I came out I gave each of them a kiss and said, "I am very thankful for you, Happy Thanksgiving." Braxton repeated the gesture to everyone in the family but when he got to Jeff he goes, "I am thankful for you, Happy Turkey-Bowl!" I am thankful for this special tradition.
I have so many blessings. It seems like every year I recognize more and more of what I have to be thankful for. Maybe this is part of growing up? There are blessings I have now that had anyone told me a year ago, that these would be my blessings, I would have probably laughed hysterically or rolled my eyes in disbelief. Yet, they are my reality now and I am so truly thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Baby, it's cold outside

It is so cold! 24*and my kids keep asking when it's going to be summer! I think the sun shining outside is a bit deceiving!

I've been singing this song for the last 4-5 days but unfortunately I know the tune, just not the correct words.
So basically I've been walking around singing

I really can't stay
Baby, it's cold outside
I must go away
Baby it's cold outside

over, and over, and over.
So....today I looked up the lyrics.
This song is hilarious!
Me the romanticist: This song has so much feeling. I love it!
Me the mom: Cold or not, get home....NOW!


I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

C'mon baby

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

Baby it's cold outside