Christmas 2013

This was a different kind of Christmas. A few days prior, sickness invaded our house. It started off as simple colds and coughs. Then pink eye. And ear infections (Thatcher). And then the worse of it-stomach flu. Eleanor began showing symptoms (vomiting among other things) and then it was just a trickle down effect. Everett. And then poor baby Thatcher. I was the last one to get it. Fortunately Eric avoided the whole thing. On actual Christmas day I was bound to bed sick. I am so happy we had the children open their gifts and "did Christmas" a couple days earlier when everyone was feeling okay for the morning. They had a wonderful time and loved all the gifts. We think about what to get each one of them months ahead and everything is very well thought out. They don't get much, just enough, but we try to get each child a couple things they (and others) will really enjoy. 

For Everett- He kept saying he wanted a Superman figure, for like months ahead, and he stuck with this idea throughout December. So a Superman figure is what he got. Needless to say he hasn't played with it much since, but it wasn't expensive and I figure at least one of the other children will enjoy it. He also got a new doctor's kit (which he loves and everyone has had fun playing with), and a wallet with some play money and coins. 

For Hampton- He has been asking for Bucky (pirate ship) for months and when he saw Santa it was his request. We saved it for last and after he opened his couple of gifts, he told us "I think Santa forgot Bucky." Low and behold we pulled it out and he was overjoyed! I mean true joy. It was magical. Hampton also got a set of hand bells and a new plane, which has a drill and is made to take apart and put back together. 

For Eleanor- Sister got some new play food (fruits and vegetables) and twin baby dolls- Sam and Stella. She loves them. 

For Thatcher- Little mister got a new dump truck and new school bus. He is learning how to push them back and forth, as well as load the dump truck. 

The children also got a play piano because they love music. 

It was a very good day, despite illness. Although gifts are fun, we tried to really instill the meaning of Christmas and Christ's birth. I think our big boys are now really getting it all. 

Advent Days 10-25

We had so much fun with our Advent calendar this year. Here is a recap of days 10-25.

Day 10- "Let's visit Santa"

Day 11- "Let's make salt dough ornaments!"

Day 12- "Read Christmas books and drink hot cocoa."

Day 13- "Take money to the bell ringer for Salvation Army."  This was so sweet. They had some coins and we went to visit the bell ringer outside of Walmart. He was so kind and grateful and let each child ring the bell. It was unforgettable. 

Day 14- Lollipop treats

Day 15- "Let's go see Christmas lights."

Day 16- "Let's ride the Christmas train!"

Day 17- Christmas donuts. 

Day 18- "Let's bake Christmas cookies!"

Day 19- "Let's eat a Snowman lunch."

Day 20- Treat-Christmas pencils

Day 21- "Let's read the Christmas story."

Days 22-24- Sickness took over our house. Stomach flu, colds, coughs, ear infections, pink eye. It all happened at once and put our Advent on hold. They barely noticed.

Day 25- Christmas!

Baking salt dough ornaments. 

 Visiting Santa-in our Santa jammies. They created quite the spectacle. 

 Santa feet! 

 Baking and decorating Christmas cookies-gingerbread men and sugar cookies with sprinkles.

 We made quite the mess.

 A Christmas elf!

 A very preppy Christmas elf. 

 Christmas donuts! Courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. I got up extra early so they would be ready when they woke up. 

 Opening Christmas gifts with Gigi. Art supplies for Everett. A pirate ship (Jolly Roger) for Hampton. A tea set and petit fours for Eleanor. And a new pop up toy for Thatcher. They loved it all. 

 Snowman lunch. 

 Christmas train!

Miss Independent decided she would take her own car. Such a brave girl.  

Snow Day

The weather outside is frigid. And icy. And it's been snowing. So, that means no school for Everett! He went to school 1 day last week (Thursday) and then do to icy conditions had school cancelled Friday. Today was also icy and snowing, so another day off for the Ev. Honestly, I thought I may pull my hair out because I felt like he really needed to go to school. All the children have been going a little stir crazy indoors and not having the option to play outside really can limit us to what there is to do. Thankfully new Christmas toys and more time in front of the television has helped. 

Thatcher has just been a mess lately. Last night he developed a rash all over his pudgy little body due to his antibiotic he was on for an ear infection. He is ATTACHED to me and it makes it hard to do anything with the other children-who are also very needy. But snacks helped today. He loves fig bars from Trader Joes. 

The children got some dot markers from my mom for Christmas and an activity book. They love it! And it kept them busy for a large portion of the morning. 

 And when all else fails, break out the tunnel. We play until it gets too rowdy. Or someone gets hurt. Either, or both are inevitable. 

 Eleanor does a good job of keeping up with her big brothers. 

 

Also today we played doctor, "cooked" food, colored, ate snacks, watched a movie, played with pirate ships, and read a ton of books. Happy for another day home with my babies. 

Bubba

Bubba is a common nickname for Thatcher. He holds true to the name. I love his bright blue eyes and his delicious squishy cheeks. He squeals when he sees me. He has a loud voice in this already loud home. And a fantastic belly laugh. And……he's on the move. He is officially crawling and getting into everything. Knocking down a carefully built block tower. Swiping his hand to clear the cards off of a Zingo game. Pulling at cords and knocking things over. He is everywhere. Oh my.

 

Advent Days 1-9

This is the first year we have done an Advent calendar and it has been so much fun! Each morning the boys run downstairs to the dining room in anticipation of opening another numbered brown bag. I have to admit, it's been fun for me too! So here are days 1-9…….

Day 1: "Tonight we are going to have a Christmas movie night!" The children received a new movie, "The Bernstein Bear's Christmas." It was a $5 find at Target and they love it. It dates back to the '80's so I love it too! A classic.

Day 2: "Enjoy these fuzzy Christmas socks!" All four children received a pair of fun Christmas socks. Santas and candy canes…..princess socks for Ellie. They were a hit.

Day 3: "Let's have a Christmas pizza party!" We ate pizza in the shapes of a Christmas tree, stocking, and snowmen. It didn't come out exactly as I would have hoped, but the children approved so that's all that mattered.

 

 

 

Day 4: "Let's make mason jar snow globes!" We glued figurines and small Christmas trees to the lid of a mason jar, added distilled water, glycerin, and glitter and wah la! Our very own snow globes.

 

 

Day 5: "Let's have a Christmas bubble bath party!" The children received Elmo Christmas bubble batch. I then transformed their bathroom into a fun "party." Green colored bath water, a ton of bubbles, Christmas music, and our tiny Christmas tree set the scene.

 

 

 

Day 6: "A Christmas treat. Enjoy these fun squeezy toys!"

 

Day 7: "A Christmas treat-go hang your new ornament on the Christmas tree!" The children each got a small stuffed animal ornament to hang on the tree.

 

Day 8: "Let's decorate a gingerbread house!" I gave the boys creative liberty (fighting my urge to micromanage) and this is what they came up with. I'm impressed.

 

 

Day 9: "Let's go visit the gingerbread competition!" We headed to The Grove Park Inn for their annual gingerbread house competition. We love it here for so many reasons and had a fun family afternoon.