Christmas Tree 2016

Holy cow, this post has been sitting in my drafts box and I didn't even realize it! We actually got our (live, as always!) Christmas tree last weekend and decorated it, but apparently I never finished and published my post about it! My bad!

Here she is, our 2016 beauty. I was super sick on the day we were suppose to go tree shopping, but S and the boys did a great job picking a beauty!

And, you know, it's funny. Every year I start to see friends trees going up, and they are gorgeous. I lot of them have the fake trees which are so symmetrical and you don't have to worry about watering... the list of pro's goes on and on. And they have twinkly white lights and beautiful ornaments, and for a moment I get jealous.  I want a grown up and sophisticated and symmetrical and all white light tree. It's so pretty, and looks like it belongs in a magazine!

But then, we find an amazing live tree, and S is always so proud of it. And we put on our colored lights that remind me so much of when I was a kid. And then we pull out the ornaments, ranging from old hand-me-downs that once belonged to my grandparents, to the ones S and I have from our first Christmas, and our first house. The ones for our dogs, our first babies, and of course our actual baby's first Christmas's. We have handmade ones from the kids, and while they aren't work of are, they are special. And as we go through all of these memories I fall in love with our tree and our ornaments and while I love those pretty, sophisticated trees with tasteful lights and ornaments, I wouldn't trade ours for anything.

(But maybe one day I'll be one of those people that has a second tree that is all white lights and lovely ornaments!)

And then there is our boys. So excited to see the ornaments. L is especially excited to hear the stories behind them each year. Decorating a tree with little kids isn't easy or relaxing, but it's something they will remember forever.

But, of course, when decorating a tree with young children always make sure you leave time for a tantrum. The three year old will most likely be slighted in some way and need a few minutes to cry and pout behind the tree.

And lastly, your husband will put your oldest on his shoulders so he can put the star on the top of the tree. It is a time honored tradition that both of them will remember forever!

That is until you oldest decides being up that high is super scary, and refuses. And then all the other boys also refuse.

That's then Mommy end up on Daddy's shoulders, because she's the only one brave enough!

But regardless, the tree got decorated and the star found its place. It's so pretty, I could look at it all day long.

The Circus 2016

So, every year S's work does some sort of Christmas Celebration. Some years it's for adults only, and some years it's very family orientated. Every couple of years since L was a baby, they have done a circus. We've gone every time, and it's always been fun, but I admit I was hesitant when S told me that's what they were dong this year. I've recently started to understand more that circuses and zoo's probably suck for animals, and as much as we've enjoyed it in the past I was uncertain if it was something we should support.

Regardless of my hesitation, the kids were excited, and despite waking up Saturday morning sick as a dog I decided to rally and we all went out to dinner and then to the show.

(Dinner at Four Peaks)

After dinner we headed over to the show, and much to my delight it was amazing  as I remembered and it no longer featured animals!!!

We watched acrobats and juggler and trampoline artists (is that what they are called?), and all other types of performers. They were amazing, to the point where I was genuinely worried about their safety a few times, but hey always managed to pull it off!

(Juggling... using other humans... and only their feet!!)

(That's a man, holding himself vertically on a pole, support the whole body weight of another man!)

Despite not feeling well earlier, I'm so happy I pulled it together and went to this with the boys. They were so mesmerized and seeing it through their eyes is always so special!!

Christmas Paint Night!

'Tis the season.... am I right??

I'm not normally one for arts and crafts, but when a friends tells you they are hosting a wine and paint night, you grab hold of the wine part and just hope for the best when it comes to painting!

Thankfully, the paint night was delightfully simple thanks to a wonderful instructor. Of course, my painting still managed to look like a 12 year olds among a bunch Picasso's, but hey, I held my own and I did a great job on the wine part of the night!

(I mean, the background and the ornament look OK, right?)

It was such a fun night though, and it catapulted me right in to the Christmas Spirit!

Frosty's back!

Guess who's back???

He shows up every year, usually right after Thanksgiving dinner, bearing Christmas pajamas, his book and a note to the kids.

That's right.... Frosty's back!!!!

He surprised the kids in the loft after we ate thanksgiving dinner and hung out around the fire pit for a bit. He wrote them a sweet letter thanking them for being such good kids (which they are!) and reminding them to make sure they are using kind words and respecting mom and dad (which they sometimes need reminding of!). He also asked them to pick three toys to donate to little boys and girls in need, just like he did last year. Again I was impressed that my kids jumped at this request and there was absolutely no hesitation.

And like in years past, Frosty brought the whole family a present to kick of the Christmas season! The kids and I all got Christmas pajamas, and S got Christmas socks. (It needs to be noted that S has not always appreciate Christmas pajamas in the past, since he doesn't normally wear PJ's, so Frosty and Santa thought socks might get more use!)

And, of course, when trying to get a cute picture of all the boys in their matching jammies, someone had to have a meltdown. That someone this time was R. I'm not even sure what he was upset about, but I can't help laughing when I look at these pictures!

Here's to Frosty being back and my kids being on their best behavior because of it!

Thanksgiving 2016

And.... we have another Thanksgiving down!

It's hard to believe that we are already in the holiday season for this year, but here we are! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at home with just the five of us. We slept in, had a nice breakfast and then went and let the kids play at the park and feed the ducks. (I also took a quick couple laps around the lake, in hopes of offsetting some of the Thanksgiving calories!)

Even though it was just us we still cooked a full meal, with sweet potatoes, stuffing, creamed corn, and instead of a turkey, S made tri-tip. I also made a blueberry cobbler for dessert, which the boys seemed quite fond of!

Anyway, our Thanksgiving was great, but low key. I have literally no pictures except the one below because we spent the day relaxing and enjoying one another and I never even thought to pull out my phone!

I hope everyone had an amazing day with their loved ones!

R turns three!

Can you believe that this little bundle turned 3 yesterday? Because I cannot.

Just look at that sweet baby face. He was so small, the smallest of any of our babies, but he came into this world fast and furious and our lives have been changed in the most incredible way every since.

His last night as a two year old, fast asleep.

What can I say about R? Him and I have a bond that is all our own. He is definitely a mama's boy, and I love it. He is also rough and tumble and can keep up with his older bothers and all of his friends. he often reminds me of a puppy, sweet and cuddly, yet rambunctious and always ready to play, even with the bigger dogs.

(The morning of his birthday, waiting for him to wake up for his balloon surprise!)

He charms everyone he comes in contact with. And that's not a bias mom talking, it's true. Not a day goes by where someone doesn't comment on how adorable he is. He melts hearts with his squeaky little voice and his mischievous smile. He has all my friends wrapped around his finger, and even when he acts naughty he does it in an unimaginably cute way.

(Breakfast donuts for the birthday boy!)

He is also incredibly smart. He watches his brothers and quickly figures out how he can keep up. He is friendly and kind, he always wants to play with everyone, and everywhere he goes he makes friends.

(Birthday Dinner at Humble Pie!)

He's my guy. I love all my children wholly and equally, but I think you have different bonds with each of them. L made me a mom, he is my oldest, the one I rely on. L2 taught me how much I could handle. He made me a mommy of two, and he also taught me how strong I can be, by showing me his own resilience and incredible spirit. And R is my baby. Everything he does I wonder if it will be the last time I experience that milestone, because it's always a possibility that he could be my last baby. And so I hold him a little closer and baby him a little more.

Anyway, enough gushing. He had a wonderful birthday. He got to spend the morning in school with is friends (while I ran around like a mad woman getting things finished for his big day!)  We had a wonderful dinner out as a family and then came home where he got to open all of his presents, definitely a highlight in his day!

And I'll leave you with my favorite picture. It shows him on his first birthday, second birthday and third birthday. I remember on his first birthday when I caught this face on camera, cracking up because it was so amazed and awestruck! Then he did again on his second birthday, and again on his third! I love that he still gets the same expression overtime he opens a gift!

R starts preschool

So..... this happened yesterday:

How is it possible that this little tiny boy, who just yesterday was my little tiny baby, is starting preschool?

I have to admit, I had a harder time sending him off to school then I did with L and L2. It's just been me and him for the last year, and he's my little buddy who I do everything with! I know it's going to be amazing for him though.

And just look at those smiles! There were no tears (from him) at drop-off either. He ran right down, yelled out, "Hi Friends!" (even though he didn't know anyone yet!) and went straight to playing! He loves going, he loves having a little backpack, and he loves all his new "friends"!