So cute outfit

I had to pause and take some pictures of Havens so cute outfit I put her in today for church. So cute, so polka dot, so Haven!

Toddler Christmas Party

This year, I had grand ideas to throw a huge party for all the little ones I know. I was all ready to have fun stations and cute decorations that would be sure to be super magical for all the little eyes. But - no dice! To busy, all my resources were drained. However, there is always room for some friends, hot cider and a little cookie decorating.

I patterned this simple get together after my Halloween party. Friends come in, play, cut out cookie shapes to be decorated later, play some games (this time I added in the reading of the Christmas story with visual aids from the kids Little People nativity set) (oh, and we sung a few Christmas songs), then lunch, then decorate the cookies, eat a cookie, go home happy!

So thats what we did. Simple but fun. Always good memories, even if not as elaborate as I envisioned.

Where does the time go??

Ive decided that Christmas cards are not going to happen this year. Just to much else to do. I dont think our kids are getting a single present from Neil and me this year - oh, dont worry to much tho, between Gigi and Papa and Grammy and Grandad they will have more than enough. Oh, and not to mention from others like Aunts and Uncles and other unrelateds that love my children. But it just seems that Wow, time has gone.

I didnt even have time to search out an outfit for Neils work Christmas party. But thanks to friend Jo-linda, I will look rockin! Seriously, I called her with 20 minutes to spare and she so unselfishly shared her closet with me. Gotta love friends like that!! :)

Sweet, kind heart

Justus the other day was noticing the difference between his Little People nativity and mine. He noticed that mine did not have a camel, whereas his did, as well as all the other same animals. So he was so sweet and brought me his and put it up with the rest of mine. He is so sweet with such a kind heart!

For the birds

Just a little while ago I had an extreme battle of the will with Justus. He is normally a fairly easy child but when he chooses to be difficult, it can become extreme! Lately I have been having issues with him obeying in general. It may take me 3 or 4 times to get him to do what I want. Or even this morning I left him in his room to make his bed, only to come back 10 min later and he was playing. And he knows better.

So I put him in room time and he was not having it. He fussed and cried. I went in there to explain the rules to him yet again that he needs to play by himself quietly. If he needs help with a toy he will have to wait until later, put it aside. Usually he is really good. Not today. Fuss after fuss. Finally I went in there to tell him that if I came in there again we would put up his toys and he would have to lay in his bed. So I left, only to hear more crying. I waited hoping it would go away. NOPE. So in I went - I am one to do what I say. And in to bed I said for him to go. But he fought me and fought me on it. I think I punished him like 5 or 6 times. Finally I got him calm enough to sit quietly so I could explain to him that if he was quiet in his bed for a length of time, I would come back in and he could play. So he did as I said.

But my goodness! All that fighting and crying and punishing is for the birds!! Just obey already! :)

Trim the Tree

Justus helped us Trim the Tree on Friday afternoon. At first Neil and I were going to put up the lights on the house. We have to put those hook thingys on first since we didnt do it last year and the people who had the house before us didnt ever do it. So we got the drill out but the battery was dead so we opted for indoor decor instead. So I pulled J out of quiet time to come help. I actually felt kinda bad cause I didnt let Haven help (she was asleep). I feel she is old enough this year, but we were ready to get it done, ya know? So J helped us out. He was really good at putting all the ornaments at his level. But you know that is so cute!

When Haven woke up I took down their Little People nativity sets and let them take them out of the box and set them up. That was really cute. I read the Christmas story to them out of Luke chapter 2. As I read we identified all the people in the nativity so they understood and helped to make the connection. It was good times!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

We had a great, fun filled Thanksgiving. Neil was awesome as always and got up with the kids to make them breakfast while I slept in a bit. Then he made his traditional sausage balls - yummy! After that he went and played flag football with a few friends out at Harlan Ranch. They had 19 teams and his team came in 3rd, or was it 4th? I dont recall. Anyways, the kids and I went out to watch one of the games but then we had to go back home so I could get my green bean casserole put together.

Then off to Gigi and Papas for our Thanksgiving feast. Very yummy! After our lunch we stayed and hung out for a bit but then it was time to get Haven home for her nap. So off we went.

Once Haven woke up we went over to my sisters in-laws so we could hang out with Katie and her fam. That was fun. We ended up playing a game of Trivia which I thought was a blast and my team won (and we got real prizes) so of course I was all over that!!

Talked with my mom for a little bit after their crazy day had died down.

It was a great Thanksgiving with much to be Thankful for. I do Thank my God for being an amazing faithful and true God. I am blessed!! Thank you Jesus!!