Christmas Tea for three

This afternoon my Mom took me out to a North Pole Tea! Yup, just me ... and no kids. Don't want to make it sound like I don't enjoy my kids, because I do - but I have to say - it was a nice little break.


We also invited along my friend Melissa. Melissa and I have known each other since 8th grade (when she was still Missy and not the distinguished Melissa!) and have shared so much together in life. We lived around the corner from each other and spent countless hours during our teen years listening to music (on cassette tapes), writing notes to each other (on old fashioned paper instead of text messages), and giggling about everything under the sun. We were roommates in college and she was my maid of honor in my wedding. So it was so much fun to all go out together ... she is kind of like part of our family at this point.

Melissa and I with the man in the red suit

It was all cute and delicious.

We had a great time! Thanks again Mom!

3 little monkeys jumping on the bed

This is the way the older 2 like to greet their little sister these days ... by jumping in her bed with her and acting silly!

(Sure hope the crib doesn't break!!)

Thank you Mom & Dad

... for the lovely noisy Christmas toys. The kids love them!

But hopefully they will not sustain brain damage from all the head shaking goin' on:

... and hopefully I will not lose my mind as I listen to ALL OF THEM PLAYING AT ONCE!!!

The many faces of Chloe

Someone has discovered the camera. And has decided that making faces is great fun!

I just snapped away as she continued to make crazy smiles!
Silly girl. :)

Advent Prayer

This was given to me yesterday at my women's Bible study. I share it because it gave me much to reflect on and ponder, and I think it is a message we would all do well to remember.

ADVENT PRAYER

"May my great aim, Lord, this Advent be to bring happiness to You, through the giving of myself - my time, my plans - for you to use as you see fit. My gift to you must take precedence over my gifts to my family and friends. For it is your birthday, Lord - not the children's, not friends' - but yours. Part of my gift to you must include my response to those lonely souls whom the world passes by: those whose need is so great that they cannot repay me; those whom I know but have never felt attracted to, and criticized. Forgive me, Lord.

So the spring cleaning of my spiritual house will take precedence over our physical home; the nourishment of our souls comes before the Christmas dinner; the beauty of loving hearts in harmony be more important to me than an array of tinsel and colored lights. And good, in-filling times alone with you must happen alongside good, outpouring times with friends and family. Help me Lord to get my priorities right so that the busy burden of this time may be turned into blessing.

May an awareness of your presence fill my every waking hour so that far from being squeezed out, you may come with me into my days, as my guide. For you are the only one who can help me find those surprising, secret springs of Christmas joy that you planted for us amongst the responsibilities, temptations, and heartaches of our world."

Visit with Santa

Audrey, 7
Carter, almost 4
Chloe, 16 months

Last week my Mom & I took the kids to visit Santa. As you can see, one family member was less than thrilled about the man in the red suit ... but trust me, we didn't leave her on his lap for long. :) I usually take the kids in the few days before Thanksgiving - it's a little early but it makes for a quick trip and no lines, and they usually have off from school anyhow.

I know people have different opinions about telling their kids about Santa, but for us it is just for fun. Actually, I have never made a big deal out of Santa ... but Audrey kind of picked up the ball and ran with it at an early age. The kids have such fun with it all that I really don't want to burst their bubble, but it is only a matter of time for Audrey. The other day she came home from school and told me that some boy on the bus said that Santa was just a man in the suit - and she said (and I quote) "everyone on the bus went {gasp}!!" (I personally thought it was funny that the whole bus was appalled by what he said.)

Anyhow, we usually leave cookies for Santa, put reindeer food out on the lawn, and he leaves a couple favorite presents for the kids. Honestly, I think Audrey WANTS to believe in Santa because she is a sharp cookie and there have been many instances where she would have reason to doubt. I don't remember ever really believing in Santa as a child ... but I would pretend to believe because I loved all the traditions surrounding him.

This weekend we took out the Christmas stuff and I found these photos from the past few years. It is so fun to see how our family has changed, and how the kids in particular have grown. The pictures start with Audrey at age 3. (I know I have some pictures of Audrey earlier on but I can't find them at the moment.)

Audrey, age 3
(and I was almost 8 months pregnant with Carter)

Audrey, age 4 & Carter, age 11 months

Audrey, 5 & Carter, almost 2

Audrey, 6
Carter, almost 3
Chloe 5 months
And Mommy, age 37
(Only way I could get Carter to be in the picture this year was to have him on my lap!)

The Santa is the same man in each picture!! (And my Mom & I say he is the "real" Santa, because - geez, doesn't he look authentic to you??)

Hope you are enjoying this holiday season!

Wii did it

Yup, we got us a Wii.

It all started with Audrey asking for a DSi for Christmas. Which we really didn't want to buy her (for a variety of reasons). I said to Chad "If we're going to spend that much money, I'd rather spend a little more and get a Wii that the whole family could enjoy."

Which led to Chad having a discussion with his co-worker about buying Christmas presents.

Which led to her saying they had a Wii that they really didn't use, and she would bring it to work for us to "try it out."

Which led to just bringing it home to try it. (Which is kind of like bringing home a kitten to see if you really want to keep it ... which is why we now have a cat ...)

Which led to the kids having a ton of fun with it. (Okay, the grown-ups were having a lot of fun too ...)

And now we have a Wii. So if you're looking for Christmas present ideas? Well, we don't have too many games yet... and bowling is getting a little old ;)

Yeah, notice the coffee table pushed in front of the TV? That's because the kids whip those remotes around so close to the TV that one day there is going to be an accident of gigantic proportions if there isn't a blockade!