December Already?!

Wow, this year flew by fast! I am having a hard time processing the fact that Christmas is just a few weeks away, especially because we are behind in the shopping and wrapping. If it were a snake, it would have bit me! Anyway, it's time for my 25 Days of Christmas posts, and I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to post for this year! I have so many fun ideas swimming around in my brain (unfortunately, these ideas always seem to come to me at night when I'm trying to sleep), and I can't wait to start implementing them! Without further ado, here is the first post:

December 1: We welcomed December by setting up the Christmas tree. Furniture had to be moved around, and there was confusion and debate regarding placement, but the tree went up without much fuss. Some of the lights were out, but luckily, we were able to wind a string of lights around it, and you can't really tell unless you're looking closely. The kids, well, the boys, think every day is Christmas, and keep waking up wondering why Santa hasn't come yet....

December 2: The kids and I called Santa. Yes, called him. I came across a number online for Santa's answering machine, and immediately tried it out. Cute, cute, cute! The kids all got a kick out of hearing Santa talk to them and they all left him messages about what they want for Christmas. The best part? Having Santa tell them to listen to their parents!

December 3: Snow day! It snowed all day long, and we watched it fall from the coziness of the house. We had to go out in the dreary wintery day a few times, and nothing could make my little boys happier than getting to stomp around in the powder with their boots.

December 4: We've been busy and I've been sick all week, so we haven't been able to do much of anything really fun or creative. Boo! We watched a Christmas movie while I died rested on the bed.

December 5: We went shopping for gifts! I love how my kids are just as excited, if not more, to shop for others than they are to receive gifts themselves.

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7





Halloween Fun

Miss B went on a field trip the week before Halloween, and brought home a pumpkin she picked out herself. We were planning to avoid the whole pumpkin thing this year, but after seeing their sister's treasure, the boys "needed" their own special pumpkins too. So, we broke down and picked up two at the store when we went grocery shopping. All three kids were set on carving them, but I was too lazy/sick to deal with that mess, so I convinced them to paint their pumpkins instead, and bribed them with the promise of special Halloween cookies afterward. We dug out the acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and leftover paper plates from Miss B's birthday, and got to work. While the kids painted, I sat at the bar and frosted cookies.

Patrick didn't have to work on Halloween, so he joined us in attending Miss B's school parade. Unfortunately, my digital camera bit the dust for good that morning, so I had to rely solely on my ipod and old school phone for pictures. I couldn't get a good shot of Miss B at her school, but I got some pretty decent pictures throughout the day. No shots of the kids trick or treating though, because I ironically left the disposable camera in the car that I bought that morning specifically for taking pictures in the dark. Miss B's parade was so much fun. The boys got a kick out of all the costumes and kids walking by. The music was cool too, and the boys just love scary music. We hit the mall for trick or treating in the early evening, stopped at Wendy's for dinner, and then headed out to our old neighborhood for some door to door candy collecting. The phrases of the night courtesy of our youngest: "Wait for me!" "That house was so scary!" "That house wasn't scary at all!"

 

 

New School

Since we moved, Miss B had to be enrolled in a new elementary school. We talked about the big change for a few weeks prior to moving so she would be prepared. Miss B said she was excited, but every now and then, she'd mention how she was sad because she'd have to leave her best friends behind. On October 22, we all walked her to school for her very first day and met her new teacher. Miss B absolutely loves her new school, her new teacher is amazing, and she's making new friends quickly. That last part is no surprise to me because she is such a sweet, lovable, friendly kid, and other children always flock to her. Here are some pictures from her big day and our walk to and from.

Back in the Swing of Things

I have been such a slacker! I'd like to be able to say this has only been the case for the past few weeks, but I've neglected this blog off and on for months.... I know I need to be better, but I'm not about to make any promises. I feel I have a pretty good excuse this time, though. This family of mine has been battling some seriously nasty germs for a month. Yes, you read that correctly, a month! It all started when the hubby and I got the sniffles. Those sniffles morphed into a horrendous cough. Of course, we refused to go the doctor insisting it was just a virus, and there was no reason to waste time or gas. Looking back, we really should have nipped this craziness in the bud. Last week, P Man contracted one of the most dreadful and contagious bacterial infections that all parents loathe: Pink eye. Naturally, Buddy's eyes were infected within two days, and Daddy caught it soon thereafter. We thought we were in the clear until Halloween when Miss B's eye started looking gross. We finally have that all cleared up, and miraculously, I didn't become infected despite administering nearly every dose of medication *knocking on wood.* Right now, my poor hubs is treating double ear infections while still working on his pink eye (his eyes are super sensitive, so it takes longer for him to work through any eye issues). I have an incredibly painful clogged ear, sore throat, and both Patrick and I have bronchitis. Lovely, huh? All three kids are coughing too, but only at night (the humidifier is their new best friend), and so far, there are no other symptoms. This stuff better start clearing up soon or I may just lose my mind along with my voice.....

Trip to the Farm

On Tuesday, we took the birthday girl and the boys to the farm with some friends. Our fearless brood fed a gorgeous, giant horse with their bare hands, and the horse loved every second of the attention. P Man got up close and personal with a tiny goat, and had to be told multiple times not to stick his fingers through the fence or he was going to get bit. Buddy chased a bunch of geese. We all watched and laughed our heads off while a male goat tried to push his way through his pen to get to the baby on the other side. He kept spitting, stamping his hoof, and screaming with his tongue out. All the kids told the turkeys we'd see them on Thanksgiving (so classy). One baby pig sat on his/her sibling. Our pals chose to spoil the kids with a wagon ride, snacks, and bags of food for the ducks. Poor little P Man got stung by a bee right above his eye, but the concessions stand worker brought him some medicine, and he quickly bounced back. After the farm, we headed to McDonald's and Miss B opened up her presents from "Auntie Chelsea" and "Uncle James."