Showing posts with label Christmas 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas 2013. Show all posts

12.25.2013

Christmas Day

 We awoke this morning to find that Santa had indeed visited, brought toys, and even nibbled a few bites off the sugar cookies we made for him last night.

Logan began waking us up at 2:30am. It was a really windy night and he claimed he could hear Santa on the roof.  He woke me up again at 4am, telling me he saw bugs all over in his room. I think he was just wound up tight, so excited for the big day.

 Finally at 6:30am, we let the boys go downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  Wyatt got a car carrier,

 and Jack & Logan got Switch & Go Dino's.

 From us they got cap guns,

binoculars,

and Leap Frog books.

 Wyatt got legos from Aunt Julie,

 and some Melissa & Doug tools.

 They also got Cars from Grandma Woo Woo and candy from Grandma & Papa Carl.

 We got Wyatt a Leap Frog Tag reader, and he is so excited to have his own!

 Grandma Carol sent Despicable Me 2, which Logan was thrilled about (!!!)

 and Jack got Planes.  Wyatt got a set of CD's and we have ordered him a CD player so that all the boys can have music on in their playroom. They are pretty excited for it to get here, as am I!

 My mom got Wyatt a remote control firetruck that was a HUGE hit.

The whole morning the boys ran from toy to toy, trading and sharing and playing.

 This afternoon their sleep-deprivation from being awake off and on all night started to show, and bedtime couldn't come soon enough.

 They were asleep before I finished singing, and I am hopeful they will sleep soundly tonight, because mama needs some sleep!!!

 While the boys were eating breakfast Jack goes, "I can't believe we got this many toys!" And the crazy thing is, not all of it is even here!  With the weather we've been having, a lot of our mail has yet to make it here. We are waiting for gifts from at least four loved ones, so the next few weeks will be fun, with more gifts rolling in each day!

 This was Wyatt's first year to have cinnamon rolls.

 I was so proud of him when he started pulling it apart to eat it as it unrolled. 
Well done, son. Well done!

 My mom bought me this Willow Tree carving. I absolutely adore it, and it so beautifully symbolizes what she has meant to me the last few months.  Struggling as I have with anxiety, she has truly carried me through it.

Josh got left handed scissors, and a left handed spiral notebook from my parents. I got lotion and foot cream from them.  From his parents he got a variety of nuts which has delighted him and the boys to no end.  I told Wyatt what he was eating were called, "pistachios" and he said to me, "Actually, they are supposed to be called nuts." He cracks me up!

This is the card that came with my Willow Tree figurine set.  

During the holidays especially, it's important to feel that my loved ones are close, even if it's only metaphorically.  I miss my family, I miss some of our traditions. But knowing that we are in each others' hearts helps so much.

Overall, I would say it was a beautiful Christmas day, with plenty of down time, lots of yummy treats, and more than enough blessings!

12.24.2013

Christmas Eve

 This morning Dashy had a goodbye note for the boys.  They are going to miss him so much!  Tonight when Santa comes he will go home with him.

 I spent the day baking.

Pumpkin muffins, sugar cookies and my Grandma Beverly's homemade caramel rolls (cinnamon rolls).

We always have them for Christmas breakfast, and they are going to be so awesome!
*
I also enjoyed my sweet boys.

Little Wyatt

Handsome Jack

& Silly Logan
I recently gave them all haircuts, and they look so fresh!
*
After our Christmas Eve tradition of homemade pizza & Home Alone in the living room on the rug, we decorated our sugar cookies for Santa.





Then it was time for bed.

We read the story of Jesus' birth,
our Elf on the Shelf book,
and Careful, Santa.

The boys gathered around and took turns holding Dashy.












It was so wonderful, my boys in their matching jammies, tucking their excited bodies into bed.  
We all can't wait for tomorrow.

Once story time was over each of the boys gave Dashy a big hug & told him goodbye.

And Logan whispered to Dashy, 
"Tonight at the window, listen for the bells. Then you'll know Santa is coming."

Christmas Joy

In honor of Christmas Eve, 
I thought I would share some of the 
boys' recent funnies and things that have made me smile.

Here are a few random quotes heard recently about the house that made me snicker:

"Here's your hooker back."

"I'm going to shoot a moose."

"I want cheese, actually."

"Who is whispering in this house?"

*
Last night at bedtime, it was less about giggles and more about gratitude.

Logan's Prayer
"Dear God,
Thank you for God. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for mommy and daddy and Jack and Wyatt. Thank you for Wyatt snuggling me in my bed. Thank you for Ferris & Milo.  Thank you for Dashy.
In Jesus Name,
Amen."

Jack's Prayer
"Dear God,
Thank you for mommy, daddy, Wyatt, and Logan. Thank you for Christmas. Christmas presents are fun, but the real present is my family.  I love them.  Thank you for Jesus' birthday.
In Jesus Name,
Amen."

And then, when the twins were asleep and I was tucking Wyatt into his crib, laying his sweet head on his pillow, I said, "I love you" and he responded, "I love you, mom.  You're the best mommy ever. You're the best mommy in the whole world."

Heart melting.


Love those boys.
Feeling so grateful for them on this Christmas Eve as I bake & prepare for our big Christmas Day.

***
Health update: I went to the clinic yesterday, and while my pneumonia is gone, I have developed bronchitis. So I am still on my inhaler (darn it!) and they also gave me prednisone for the next few days. I really hope this clears up all my illness and I start the new year healthy!!!

11.16.2013

Holiday To-Do's

Right when we got here, I started making lists of what I wanted to do for each holiday.  
Here's what I have for Thanksgiving & Christmas.

Thanksgiving:

  • 3 things we're grateful for every night
  • Daily gratitude on the blog
  • Read our blessings books to the boys
  • Talk about what gratitude means
    • "How Full Is Your Bucket" 
  • Make Thanksgiving cards for loved ones


Christmas:

  • Sort through old toys
  • Listen to Christmas music (CHECK)
  • Decorate the house
  • Glitter
  • Make my grandma's Cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning
  • Homemade brownies (try it!)
  • Sugar cookies with kids
  • Christmas cards-- choosing pictures! (CHECK)
  • Hang the Christmas cards we recieve on the laundry room door
  • Make donuts
  • Make Hello Dolly's
  • Make Gingerbread Houses with the Kiwi Crate kits I ordered for the twins
  • Have Christmas-themed Family Movie nights every Saturday in December
  • Christmas countdown
  • Christmas countdown chain
  • Elf on the Shelf (ordered. CHECK)
  • Make ornaments
  • Drink warm cocoa outside under the stars
  • Have a candlelit bath for the boys 
  • Make snowflakes
  • Have "unplugged" days during our three week vacation
  • Indulge in our Christmas Eve tradition: 
    • New pajamas from Nanny & Papa
    • Home Alone
    • pizza
    • cookies & milk left out for Santa


We have enjoyed reading seasonal books (Halloween & Thanksgiving so far) and the boys are so excited!  This year I want to include wrapping their Christmas books as I've seen so many moms do.

As the weather turns, I want to spend more time coloring, drawing and writing letters to loved ones.

***
Today's Daily Gratitude:

Sweets
{mostly baked goods}