129 Christmas Doin's

We got the tree up and decorated. Well, most of the tree is decorated. The bottom two and a half feet keep being stripped bare. I find ornaments scattered all over the downstairs, and if Connor sees me hang them back up they are automatically pulled down again. But, he has not messed with the tree itself. I was afraid he would yank on a branch and the whole tree would fall on his wee punkin' head. And, for the first time in a while, Chip was with us when we decorated the tree. It was a family experience. Connor was totally into pulling all the ornaments out of the box. He even tried to hang some himself. Katie was gung-ho to decorate the tree, for about 5 minutes. Then she was content to hand us the ornaments.

About half way through decorating we had to stop to go to the Family Math Night at Katie's school. Chip stayed home with little fusspot (who was actually napping at the time) so Katie and I could go. I was surprised. It was pretty fun. Each group got a little kit of stuff. There were little plastic bears, a little spinny clock, foam dice, and plastic coins. We spent the hour learning ways to help our kids add 3 numbers, tell time on a clock with actual hands, and count change. It helped that Katie's teacher was there, too. She loves her teacher! There were not that many people there. Maybe 15 family groups. It probably worked out better that way. We wizzed right through all the little sections, and then they had a little snack. It is a healthy school, so snack was a veggie tray. Katie was in heaven. That girl LOVES her veggies.



I am trying to figure out what I want to make for our ornament this year. We have a little tradition of making ornaments each year. One year it was dough ornaments, and one year glass ornaments. I have been printing out templates for making felt ornaments. Cute felt stockings from Martha. Or these cute button ornaments from Martha, too. Really love Martha's button wreath ornament. Or I have a Sculpy Christmas kit. Or maybe I could just snip-n-sew some fabric candycanes. Or I saw some adorable patterns for birds. You know, the possibilities are endless. I do know that I have to make my Mom a denim stocking to go with all of ours. MY MOMMY IS COMING TO OUR HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!!! I hope she already told my brothers ... I am planning on following her back to Atlanta so that I can visit with my brothers and their families. And a friend or two :) Or maybe those cinnamon/applesauce ornaments ... I also went a little crazy printing up patterns for crocheted hats. I just think they are so darn cute! I crocheted a Santa hat a few years back, and I love it. I always see these adorable pics of babies in funky hats, or any kidlets for that matter. Besides, it gets chilly out and I want to pick up my yarn.

Saturday we went to the Southaven Christmas Parade. Sadly it took place at 7pm so all of my pictures are horrid. On a happier note, the kids had a great time. We picked up Katie's boyfriend, uh friend, Jacob and then met up with Toya, Jaclyn, and Chase. The funny thing is, taken bit by bit the night would seem like a disaster. Jacob felt like the girls were leaving him out and treating him "like a piece of dirt under their feet". They were paying too much attention to Connor. Jaclyn got bonked in the head (which I later learned was from Katie's camera). Then Jacob was hip-checking the girls out of the way to get to the candy!! I am sure he did not mean to, totally ... he just would bend over to get a piece and they were all so close that he bumped them a bit. Doesn't matter. They all ended up with plenty of candy. They got to see Santa, drawn by a John Deere of course. And, I think it must have been the real Santa because I could NOT get my flash to fire when you could see his face. I got a picture of him from far away, and then from the back. It was frigid cold, but it was worth it. The kids are ready for the Horn Lake Parade next Saturday ... Maybe I will do a little better taking pictures in the dark.

I let Katie use my old camera, here are a few shots.

Today we left the kiddos at home and escaped for lunch to celebrate Toya's birthday. Well, I thought it was just for lunch. We ended up shopping. I should have taken more of my hubby's money! We hit all the high dollar spots :) Big Lots, Tuesday Morning, and the Linens'n'Things Going out of Business Sale (which completely sucked, and the stuff was still overpriced). We did manage to squeeze in lunch at Mi Pueblo's which was totally yummy. But back to the shopping! We went to Books A Million for a moment. Toya was wanting to get a new calendar, so I was wandering the calendar aisle while they visited the facilities. On the way in I had noticed a nun walking around, maybe not a strange sight to some people but it is in Mississippi. Then I saw a calendar titled "Nuns Having Fun". And it gets better. The nun came back to the calendar aisle, and picked it up!

It was too cute. She ended up buying a calendar with puppies though. I bet it was funnier if you had actually been there. I know they think I am crazy, but I really missed my babies! I am not used to being away from them for that long. I think that is why Charity insisted on picking me up. She knew if I had my own car I would have run back home.
Oh, and did I mention that Katie talked Chip into buying the Gingerbread House Kit. Looks like we have our next project ...
AND THE MOST EXCITING NEWS! It looks like Connor will be getting his two front teeth for Christmas. They have just now broken the surface. I am inordinately proud of his adorable little teeth. I know all kids grow them, but I just think his are the cutest little boy teeth I have ever seen. I know, you are overwhelmed with excitement.


And, not to overload you in cuteness ... Connor snatched my donut. I gave him the regular, glazed one, but he was not satisfied. He had to have my chocolate donut. Can't blame him! They are YUM!

124 triteness is underrated

WOW! Just one more month to go until we hit another year! How in the world does time move so quickly?? You would think I would have had a better way to judge the passing of time with a tiny helpless baby turning into a destructive mobile little man, but I honestly have no idea where it all went. One day he was unable to roll over and now he can run! This year we have grown a little person, healed broken bones, and managed to stay afloat. Next year, hmmm ... not sure what we have headed our way, but I am hoping the majority of it will be fun.
Sorry, just had to make that trite little observation about "time flying" and such. It really hit me today when I looked at the calendar. That, and when Mom called from Toys'R'Us doing Christmas shopping. I know, I know, it is just around the corner. I have never been one to jump the gun. I am perfectly okay with waiting until the last minute. We are not going to this year though, but mainly because we are going to make an actual list of what to get the kids, and get it. We won't be adding to it all along, ending up spending too much and getting too much. Katie's room already looks like Toy'R'Us exploded in it, and Connor is completely set up for a while with toys. Katie had a tendency to ask for boy toys when she had already gotten all the girl stuff she wanted. Heck, we potty-trained her by rewarding her with Matchbox cars. One of the big gifts she wanted a few Christmases back was a tool bench. Connor needs stuff to open, but at some point you just have to stop adding to the stuff??!!
I read the other day that there was a letter writing campaign to toy companies, asking them to gear their advertisements toward the parents instead of the kids. Parents writing and asking the toy companies to stop tempting their kids, making them beg for toys the parents can't afford. I am in that same boat. I can't buy everything she wants. HECK SHE WANTS EVERYTHING SHE SEES ON TELEVISION!! But seriously, the toy companies are just receiving the affirmation that their ad money is working. Sure, as a favor to the consumer they are going to stop appealing to the kids. It is a great idea, but it ain't gonna happen! They might take the advice of also running ads that explain in tiny little words to the parents why their toy is better than the competitors, but isn't that what you read reviews for??!! First rule of advertising, don't give free time to the competition. Even mentioning their name to say you are better than them is publicity. Katie is spoiled. She has received way more junk than she ever should have. But that is our fault. We did not say no, and now she has this idea that she should get whatever her little heart desires. I can't blame the toy companies for it. Until we can totally remove commercials from our kids tv viewing then we have to deal with it.
I just wish kids got excited over clothes!! I have seen so many cute things lately. If you have never heard of Boden, you need to look over their website ... request a catalog, they are yummy!! They have adult clothes and kid clothes. They have adorable ADORABLE girls clothes. I especially love their skirts. They just make you want to spin around and dance! And the cutest tights! Katie even loved this one!! And they even have some cute boy clothes. I LOVE this t-shirt! The women's clothing is gorgeous, and I wish I had the money to buy it all .. or any of it! But seriously, request a catalog. You can also send catalogs to other people, maybe a grandparent :)
I have spent a lot of time the past several days surfing around the computer. Okay, I have not strayed too far from my normal haunts, but even at those I found some new and beautiful content. At Shutter Sisters they are selling a gorgeous necklace. It is based on an old flashbulb. I can't say that I really need it. I have worn the same necklace almost non-stop for the past 5.5 years. I would feel naked without my James Avery, Mother's Love necklace. But, if I had to ever change it out, this is what would follow. Also, in a link off Shutter Sisters I found a beautiful blog. SweetSalty by Kate Inglis. If you have ever lost a baby I would highly recommend you stop by and read her heartfelt beautiful words, she also takes gorgeous pictures. She expresses things I never could.
Mostly I have been enjoying watching the kiddos. (Ignore the horrible lighting in all pictures!!)Connor adores Katie, and I know I have said that before ... but I think he has become even more smitten with his big sister. Well, that and he has discovered how to give hugs. He will toddle over to her and wrap his arms around her head if she is sitting in the floor. And his voice saying "Katie" is the absolute sweetest thing I have ever heard! It comes out more like "Kay-ee" but in this tone of adoration. They interact so well with each other. If I could just stop Katie from getting too effusive in her play time. She gets carried away and forgets that he is still a baby. She will run up to him (and I mean RUN) and sometimes he gets so tickled that he flops over, sometimes smacking into walls or furniture. In the tub tonight they were splashing by smacking their hands on the water, and then Katie picked up two handfuls of water and threw it in his face. Sure, there was enough water hitting him already, but she does not understand the difference between the "splash" of water and the deluge of water. Mainly she is a wonderful and loving sister. Nothing she does can get him upset for too long. He thinks it is the greatest thing ever, everything she does. He loved the water in his face, he enjoys her pushing on his tummy when she tickles him, and he doesn't even mind smacking into a wall every now and again as long as she is paying attention to him. I have just had some wonderful, perfectly contented moments lately watching them. I hope I can always remember the way they are now. Even with Connor learning to feed himself!! He did much better with the bites of chicken and cooked carrots, but he is REALLY good at chocolate chip cookies!
I have especially had those moments with Katie where I want to snatch them up and keep them safe. Laying in bed reading bedtime stories, or her crawling in my lap for a snuggle. All the times she says "I love you Mommy!" Those moments locked up safe and tight for when she is a teenager. I am in mortal fear that she will be a horrible teenager, like I was. I AM SO SORRY MOM!! I know it is only fair that I get repayed in kind, but I hope so much that we can keep as much of this closeness as possible!! I think she also might turn into a little shutterbug. Tonight while Connor was eating I asked her to grab my camera. She came back with the strap looped around her neck, and she was the one that took pictures of her brother. I was SO proud. My little photog!!
Happy December all!! Try not too stress too much!!