Christmas 2015

Christmas week began with the boys leaving with Steve and Carla to stay with them in Logan for the week. With just the girls and me during the day, Jordan decided to take us with him everywhere he could. We got hot chocolate one night and drove around looking at Christmas lights. I tried to get a cute photo of them in the bath together, but they all turned out hilarious instead. 

When we finally got to Utah, the girls took to grandpa and the boys continued playing. 

Christmas bingo was hilarious as always, complete with a blow-up beehive hairdo, switchblade mustache comb, bacon-flavored toothpaste (yuck) and crafting with cathair book-among other things. 

Christmas morning was the best...almost. Cedrik woke up at about 2 in the morning bawling because he was so excited he couldn't sleep. Then he was awake again at 5. We let him see what was upstairs and then I slept with him on the couch until Freddie woke up. He was so tired the rest of the day, but they were so happy with their presents. Nerf guns, polar express train and stocking items. The girls both recieved little quilts from Carla that are incredibly darling. 

The day after Christmas we drove out to see the elk. They actually do sleigh rides, but it was -4! There was no way we could do that, especially without proper clothing. The kids still thought it was fun to see them and the bulls were enormous and beautiful.  

Marie tried banana, and was still not a fan. We drove home and later that night, three more people joined our household for a brief stay. 

Right Before Christmas

Before Christmas we had a lot going on. We went and took a fire safety class with the meridian fire department. The boys lived it. They even had a room set up behind plexiglass that had been a child's room which had been burned-the fire was started by a boy. It was a great visual. They were taught all about alarms, crawling under the smoke, creating a fire escape plan and calling 911. Cedrik was selected to call the 911 simulator because he was the only kid who knew his address (or at least volunteered that he knew it). The lady thought the kids were magnificent with their huge beautiful eyes (her words) and their calm demeanor during the class.

We made ginger bread cookies, made funny looking creatures out of blocks, and started reading a Christmas Carol. Cedrik got to shovel snow and Jordan forgot to fill up the car with gas. 

Notes

"When you yell at me it makes me sad."

"You are still yelling at me."

Yes, I've got the message. I'm working on being a better mom. 

Mariemer Sits

She is such a cute chunky girl. She's not eating yet. She smiles at everyone. She rarely cries but she does know that crying when the kids are around her immediately make them leave her alone. She also knows who are the rougher of the three and whines when they get in her face. She snuggles and waits for me to make eye contact with her-even if it takes minutes. She stares at me constantly. She is so peaceful, we all love to hold her.

Freddie is 4

He woke up to, "it's your birthday today. It's your birthday today. There's a cat licking your birthday cake, its your birthday today." It was hilarious. 

He chose bagels, and cream cheese, with juice for breakfast. I also found almond milk yogurt. They seemed to like it. He also got a jar of pickles that had his name on it and a camera. Big hit! 

We had casa Mexico for dinner and he was too excited to eat. He chose to go ice skating and it was cold. We made it around the tiny rink three times and he said he was done. He was ready to open his baymax that he just knew was coming even without us hinting. He also got a scooter and big hero 6 and art supplies. They've been drawing with the art supplies all week. He loved every minute of his special day. 

Freddie at 4:

He is finding that he has his own thoughts. 

He can be so gentle.

He can also be tough. 

He doesn't like kisses...seriously. 

He loves hugs and snuggles. 

Favorite song: I am a child of God 

Favorite color: blue

Favorite food: cheese enchilada

What is your favorite thing to do? Play

What do you want to be when you grow up? Tune pianos

Who do you like to spend time with? Family

What is your favorite time of day? Morning

What do you do really well?

Building a snowman

What makes you laugh?

Telling jokes

What are you afraid of?

Basements

What do you like to do with your family?

Play games

What do you love to learn about?

Fire

What is your favorite book? 

Gossie and Gertie

Where do you like to go? 

Home Depot (for the lollipops)

Life as We Know It

Winter break is great. Snowflakes, playing in the cold, hot chocolate, cranberry bread, sleeping babies, smiling babies, babies sitting up, hot chocolate mustaches, studying Christ's birth-and having epiphanies, lots of cutting, Christmas cards, selfies, drawing pictures of the "real" Santa, practicing writing letters, doing addition, gingerbread houses, multiple advent calendars, Christmas music galore, Christmas spirit in the house.