November 29, 2014

From one holiday right into another….

With a feeling of disappointment, I suggested an artificial tree this year.  It made the most sense with our holiday travels.

Not going to lie….at this point I was seriously second guessing my choice to buy the cheapest tree Target had to offer.

But everyone pitched in to help "fluff" the tree...

 and it didn't turn out so bad.  

 In my opinion, the absolute best part of decorating the christmas tree with young children, aside from their homemade ornaments, is the way they decorate the tree - all the ornaments end up at their eye level and clumped together on just a few branches.  That's the good stuff that I know I'll miss in a few years.

Look at that intense concentration!

November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!  

I tried a new strategy for directing the energy in the house this year.  I gave each kid a pre-cut fleece blanket to tie together.  I don't think I fully thought this plan through as it required Andy and I to cut those darn blankets ourselves!  For a full week before Thanksgiving, as soon as the kids went to bed,  we pulled out those blankets and cut 4" slits every inch around the entire perimeter.  Tedious work aside, I think they were worth the effort.  Look at the dad's helping the kids.  It just doesn't get more heartwarming than that, right?  (We made Sophie and Skyelar blankets too but they were sleeping and didn't make it to our house until right before dinner and left shortly after dinner to go shopping so I don't have a whole lot of photos of them.)

And the piece de resistance?  Steve Smith in the background taking a healthy sip of wine!

November 26, 2014

What's that you say?  Chelsea never answers the phone?  You know she is home?  She must be ignoring you?  Well, let me assure you, it's not about you.  I live with Wild Things.  The minute I turn my attention away from them chaos ensues.  

Case in point - do you know how this happened?  

I slipped into the bathroom for no more than 30 seconds.  Thirty seconds resulted in 30 minutes of clean up.  (Yes, that is a giant container of vinegar that he pulled out.  I am so grateful he didn't spill that on top of the flour!)

He's trying to wave at the camera here.  A lame attempt at charming his way out of this mess.  (It kind of worked.)

And do you know what happened next?  You know, while I was ignoring him (aka cleaning up the flour and all the stuff he pulled out of the pantry).  He decided clothes were for schmucks.  I covered him for modesty's sake but let me assure you that I saw a full moon and it wasn't in the sky.

At this point the pantry still was not cleaned and I had no choice but to call in reinforcements.  I enlisted Gavin and Parker to play with Blake in the basement so I could finish up the flour job.  Did I mention that the cat pan is located just outside the basement door?  I'll spare you a photo and just say that a thorough hand washing was in order…..

November 25, 2014

Gavin was assigned a time line project for school.  His task was to look back at his 7 years and pick out a single "big moment" for each year, write a brief description of each moment, glue or draw a picture of the moment and then present it to the class.  It took us an hour or two to complete and we used the blog to help us pick out the moments.  I'm quite certain that this project will take much longer for Parker and Blake since I have dropped the ball on the blog.  Gavin's assignment was a good reminder that taking the time to record the "big moments" as well as all the little moments is worth it.  So without further adieu, the little moments ….

This dog bed was intended for Zowie but has become overrun with creatures a little less furry...

January 14, 2013

Snug as a bug as we venture off to take Gavin to school.

Such sweet smiles!

January 13, 2013

Thank you for the gifts Grandma Bev and Grandpa Kenny!

January 12, 2013

Blake's big day...

Gavin is already teaching Blake the fine art of Legos.  I know this is biased, but aren't they cute?!?

Blake's first bath is a family affair.  Parker did not leave our side as we washed Blake (neither did the car in Parker's hand!).  

Not sure what to think...

Deciding it's not too bad but wishing the water could be a little higher (can't get the umbilical cord wet until it falls off).

That is some serious thumb sucking!

"You'll poke your eye out!"
(Do you know which movie that is from?)

Pooped out!