Advent

I decided this year that I was going to go all out for Christmas. Reese is old enough to be thrilled at every event and River is here making our family complete. There's no better time to start long lasting traditions and create joyful memories. Sappy, I know, but I truly mean it and I want my kids to grow up thinking of the holidays as they should be. A time of preparing your heart for joy and wonder.

I prepared a list of things I wanted to do with the kids for each day. I made it into a cute little pattern and printed them out but unfortunately left them at school. But I chose a couple of things from the list to do over the weekend. I intentionally chose activities so we could do things altogether or for others.

Activity #1 was making Christmas cookies. You want to talk about fun! Measuring, stirring, cutting and sprinkling with a very helpful 3 year old. I finally just figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! And really it wasn't anything a vacuum couldn't clean up.

Activity #2 was kind of an easy way out because we have all been sick as a dog this weekend. We found Once Upon A Christmas Mickey Mouse style and we all curled up on the couch and watched that. I have a feeling that won't be the last viewing of that movie!

We also happened to have 25 Christmas books so I set them under the tree to read one per day too. Reese loves The Polar Express! River's more into reading the chewy board book. :)

So our tree is up, our lights are on, gifts are finishing up, and advent has begun. Our silly elf is still up to his adventures. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Wally's First Week

Wordless Wednesday

Grateful

I'm so grateful for my family. We were able to spend the entire weekend with everyone and it was nice. No agenda. No schedule. Just get up, hang out and enjoy our time together. Here are some sweet pictures of everyone.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday we had lunch at my mom's. We always eat at noon so we were stuffed until we went to bed last night. Lots and lots of food! I snapped a couple of pictures but with so many squirmy kids and camera dodging adults, I didn't get much.

Then I went Black Friday shopping. That was stupid. I went by myself but I should've taken an entourage as nasty as it got. I was jabbed and shoved and had to climb over a display just so I could move! Crazy!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday and a Birthday!

It was my girl's birthday. She was excited, You Guys. Excited. I was excited too.

You see, that girl and I, we are tight. She's like the moon set in the sky for me. She wakes me every day with a touch of the cheek and an "I love you, Sweetheart." She asks me how my day was and she squeezes me as tight as she can. She brings my life a constant presence of sunshine, positivity, and wonder. So making her happy gets me excited.

For her party we made cupcakes. We blew up balloons, we danced and we opened presents. We partied like rock stars. And my girl sat back and reflected upon it saying, "oh mama, thank you so much. I loved everything." For this I am humbled. There is a greater power that grants gifts like her.