Toys

Every Christmas and birthday and some days in between, our kiddos receive gifts that require ~ God forbid ~ assembly.  Other than a toy that requires batteries there are few things worse...for the parents.  The girls and I headed to town last night, leaving Daddy to work on one of the toys for the boys.  Upon our return Eric informed me that Daddy was calling the people that made these toys to tell them what he thought of their assembly instructions.
Joshie piped up, "Yeah, he's going to call the ELVES!"
Apparently the elves, and their Chinese assistants, better get it together for next year.

Christmas Eve with cousins, playing Gestures ~ 

apparently Dom needs to have his vision checked.

Christmas was peaceful.  I am not sure why I feel so content when our house looks like a tornado blew through.  It must be another grace that comes with the season.

Legos ~ our favorite ~ no batteries, assemble however you see fit! 

Milk & Cookies

Christmas Eve dinner ~ cheese fondue, and  for dessert, chocolate fondue!

Oh, Joshie, now I can fish with you!

"I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!"

Proudly proclaimed by Eric at the breakfast table while wearing his 

new hat.  It took us a while before we realized he was quoting the movie, "Elf."

He had us kinda worried for a few minutes!

The toy that has Daddy cursing the elves and any known associates.

Our girls are getting to be some pretty fine skaters....

....giving this guy a run for his money! 

A nap ~ then I'm going spelunking.  

Merry Christmas ~ woohoo, we still have 9 days left!

A Full Life

If I said the last few weeks were busy, that would be accurate.  If I said they were crazy, that could be a good description as well.  Insane is another word tumbling around...but full is the best choice.

This time of year brings a fullness that makes my heart brim ~ nighttime family prayers are better during Advent.  Everything is better during this season leading up to Christmas, even grocery shopping. I find myself smiling at people in the store when typically I just want to escape as quickly as possible.

Sitting here in front of the screen, clicking through pics of the last few weeks, I am amazed at how simple everything appears.  This is why pictures are good for me.  All the chaos is simply edited out and all my short memory grants me are the good moments.  The kiddos will probably have an altogether different perspective as they age but I'll hold on to the blissful memories, thank-you-very-much!

A few (or more) memories ~

Nickles totally digs cookie-making 

Kath, creating some contraption for hanging the ornaments higher

after Nickles removes them from the tree

Boo hoo, Michaela's first dance....Kath was all about snapping pictures

(and many of them) to create memories for Michaela, while Michaela just wanted 

to head out. "Michaela, you are not like me at all....I will be so excited!"

Joshie, enduring a shoe-lacing lesson

Hans Brinker and his faster sister

Gingerbread...I mean graham cracker houses

Joshie's house, built on sand, or maybe he simply forgot the foundation!

M, sweating it out over the sewing machine.

Something more up my boys' alley, cutting greens to decorate the house.

No, this isn't the only shirt Dom has, it's just the only one he chooses to wear.  

Thanks, Ann!

Seriously, Nickles, hit the road!

Persistence paid off, now he has the cookie to himself.

Well, it'll be a tough job, but I'll manage to polish off this Chex mix somehow.  

Never, ever waste sugar.  

and never, ever eat a cookie this kid has decorated

Our skies lately, I could float off into them!

Cozy Spots

Do you remember when you were a kid and would find some cozy hiding spot ~ then play there all day.

It warms my heart to find my kiddos cozied up somewhere, especially if they are playing with a sibling.  

I want a hiding place again...I've tried the pantry and emerge 5 pounds heavier...besides it's not that cozy and it's the first place the kids look.


Maybe the mechanical room would work.

Trouble

Boys of a certain age...ok, never mind, of any age, are synonymous with trouble.
They're not necessarily bad, just busy.
We are fortunate to have my little sis, Margaret, in town this winter with her son who is the same age as Nicholas.
I kinda get a charge out of watching them together.
To know what is going through their mind would be even better!

A Lot Like Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house...and I LOVE it!  Typically, extra knick knacks around our home means more dusting and inspires a purging trip to the local thrift store to simplify.

But not at Christmas.

Bringing the boxes from storage is like greeting old friends.

Each item holds with it a special memory of Christmas Past and I cannot bear to part with any of it....maybe someday....or maybe not.  

Maybe Shannon will continue, year after year, schlepping it down from the attic so I can visit it again.  

Or possibly, and more likely, he'll encourage parting with a few things.  

Every Advent we depart from the "normal."  As our home fills with extra clutter, we each strive to clear away the clutter in our souls.  I love watching the kiddos fill the manger for Baby Jesus, each kind deed earning a straw.  Why we cannot be as successful at being extra kind to one another the rest of the year, I am not entirely sure. Maybe it's the fear of St. Nick actually not arriving Christmas Eve, but I prefer to believe it's the extra grace that fills each of our souls during this Season.  

Have a peace filled third week of Advent.

Cookie dough for breakfast, a kind deed by a generous sibling

It's not always peaceful while Daddy strings lights on the tree.

The kiddos just stay back and wait!

 This is an accident waiting to happen ~ thankfully it didn't.

Good night....off to bed before finishing up the last three school days...yeah!!!