Sick Day

Monday afternoon I took the kids to see the doctor because we have been fighting colds and a nasty cough for over a week.  Of course at the doctor's office they were just as perky as could be - isn't that how it always is?  Turns out Yates had an ear infection but Chloe, the one who kept complaining she didn't feel good, was just fine.

Since their doctor appointments were earlier in the afternoon we had a bit of time left in the day, which meant we needed to stop for ice cream - because ice cream cures all colds right?  Vanilla with sprinkles for Chloe because according to her it is "pretty" and vanilla with M&Ms for Yates.  After eating every. last. drop. in their cups  (Yates made sure his cup was empty) we headed to the park.  For a while we were the only ones there, and it was so nice to have space and fresh air to play in.  Chloe went down the big slide for the very first time with Yates and we ended our visit by feeding the ducks.

While going to the doctor is never fun, it was nice to spend the afternoon with my babies, just the three of us and it made me long for summer to come quickly so we can have more time together to do as we please without the busy days of the school year.  This was one sick day that ended up with everyone well again, including Mama who needed just one afternoon by herself with her little family without somewhere to go or something to do.

Countdown to Christmas

// Baby, it's cold outside //

// Watching and waiting for Santa //

// Storytime by the Christmas tree //

 // Gingerbread house making (and eating) //

// Santa sighting //

// Remembering Jesus is the reason for the season //

// Lots of loves, kisses and hugs around the Christmas tree // 

As for most this month has already been a blur, but we've managed to savor a few moments together as a family.  With Christmas just a week and a half away it's been really exciting around our house and I wish December could last just a little bit longer.  A few highlights of the past few weeks include visiting Santa three times- and getting over the fact that he was terrifying at first, taking a train ride to see Christmas lights, making (actually mostly eating) a Gingerbread house, and learning about why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Next week includes the kids preschool Christmas program, more Christmas parties and a train ride on the Polar Express- complete with hot chocolate and a golden ticket.  I'm not sure who's more excited, the kids or me, but either way the memories we are making have my heart filled to the top of our Christmas tree!

The Most Wonderful Season of All

Yates won't stop talking about Santa Claus.  The fact that Santa Claus gave him a lollipop makes him one of his favorite people in the world.

Chloe won't stop talking about her birthday (January 2).  She's more excited about her party than anything to do with Christmas.

Yates does not like peppermint.  Not at all.

Chloe loves hot chocolate.  For breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert.  If I have coffee, she demands hot chocolate.  If it's cold outside, she demands hot chocolate.  Preferably with whipped cream, not marshmallows.

Yates won't leave the ornaments on our Christmas tree alone.  Particularly the ones with a football, or his truck ornament.  He also insists whenever we are home the lights stay lit on the tree.

Chloe loves to sing Christmas carols.  She tells me that her favorite is Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Chloe has asked Santa for a unicorn.  I'm really hoping she doesn't mean a real one.  I'm afraid she does.

Yates has asked for a lawn mower, actually lawn mowers.  Considering he already has a play push mower, I'm pretty sure he means a riding lawn mower just like Daddy's.

Santa has a few tall orders to fill before Christmas...

only 20 more days!

O Christmas Tree

On the way to pick out our Christmas tree Chloe told us she wanted a "big one," and Daddy never disappoints.  He bought us one of the biggest trees on the lot.  We spent the rest of the weekend decorating and singing Christmas carols.  This year Christmas has already been so exciting and I hope during the next few weeks time will stand still long enough for us to be able to savor the month celebrating the season as a family.

Baby Bear

My Baby Bear,

Saturday afternoon I took you on a day date, just the two of us to go and get your first hot chocolate.  You left with a full belly, whipped cream on your nose, a few chocolate stains on your shirt and a Mama who was smiling ear to ear.  On our way back home we spent a few extra minutes outside.  You love the weather now that it is getting cooler and I can never get to you come inside, regardless of how chilly it feels and how cold your hands get.  While I don't like the cold as much as you do, I don't mind coming inside to snuggle on the couch together.  You push my long hair off my shoulders to make a place for your head right underneath my heart while we try and keep each other warm.  If only you knew how much that makes my heart pitter- patter.

Love you to the moon and back, and even farther... much, much farther.
Mama Bear

So Thankful

I asked Chloe this week what she was so thankful for... she replied "unicorns and Santa Claus."  I didn't ask Yates, but I am pretty sure if he understood my question his response would be monster trucks, trains, food (corn and spaghetti) and football.

What am I thankful for?  I am thankful for two healthy, happy children.  I am thankful for my husband who provides more than I ever could have imagined for our little family.  I am thankful for a mother, Granny, who takes care of (me) and my children three days a week.  I am thankful for a father, Papa, who my children adore, and who continues to spoil me and my family.  I am thankful for an incredible church, a place where we can call home every Sunday.  I am thankful for a job that leaves me (exhausted) and satisfied at the end of the day.  I am thankful for friends who keep in touch and love me unconditionally.

I am also thankful for the moments in the grocery store where my children are screaming... because without those moments I wouldn't appreciate the time I get to shop by myself.  I am thankful for the hectic, busy weekdays - because without them I wouldn't appreciate the weekends and the time I get to spend with my family.  I am thankful for frozen chicken nuggets, fish sticks and boxed mac-n-cheese - because without them I wouldn't be able to get through most weekdays... and that you can buy them labeled "organic" and "all-natural" because it makes me feel better feeding my children.  I am thankful that I can provide for my children, give them love, a safe and happy home and warm food to eat - because I know all parents can't.  I am thankful for Chloe's strong-willed personality because it shows me she will be able to hold her own in this big and sometimes intimidating world.  I am thankful for Yates's ability to light up the room and make everyone smile because I know the world is a happier place with him in it.  I am thankful for a husband I can look up to, who has the best work ethic of anyone I know and always works hard at anything he does... because it makes me strive to be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, and better person.

Story Time

He searches all of the books in the library for the ones with trucks, trains or diggers.  We read them over and over again at home, and he often has parts memorized before the books have to be returned.  Lately he has been learning his colors and to hear him say "yellow" will make you giggle and swoon all at the same time.  He loves to read, maybe even more so than Chloe, and when I ask him to go get a book, he eagerly picks through to find his favorite of the moment,and then comes running back to fit snug in my lap.  When we begin reading he points to everything on the page, proudly naming all of the pictures.

He's such a big boy now, or at least he thinks he is... but when I see him snuggled up in my lap reading a book with his blue baby blanket I know he will always and forever be my baby boy.