Saturday, December 29, 2012

Big wheels keep on turning!




Claire asked us to take off her training wheels today! I couldn't believe it! She did pretty well too without them and can go for stretches without me holding onto the Balance Buddy. The boys finally got to take their balance bikes (no pedals) outside (instead of riding them around inside and sleeping with them next to their beds...)  Avery has really gotten his balance on the bike and Asher can get his feet off the ground for a few seconds.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Nutcracker

The holidays are really making me feel old...
This was the second year we got to take Claire to see the Nutcracker.  She's only five.
She insisted she have a purse. I pulled one out of my closet I hadn't used in years.
Scott stayed home with our other three children.  THREE.
It's 2 days before Christmas and I have not wrapped a single present! Looks like I'll be pulling an all nighter! ;)
It's 8:30 and I am ready for bed.



Monday, December 17, 2012

Friday, December 14, 2012

Oh, motherhood...


I have to take a moment and sit back to reflect on this snapshot of the evening that unfolded because this is what motherhood is about. 

Unable to find a babysitter, we were afraid we would have to forgo our symphony tickets again and hand them off to someone else. With it being the holidays, it was hard to find someone who could take them, so that didn't work. (Well, I didn't try all that hard... life was pretty busy this week.) After seeing a friend with his daughter at the symphony 2 months ago, I filed it away in my brain that Scott should do that with Claire. As her mother/coach/fashion consultant/punching bag/24-7 go-to, I get to experience a lot of firsts with her. This was a chance for Scott to share a special moment. I was putting Jude down for bed as I heard her getting ready.  I could hear her in room, picking out her dress, asking where her sparkly sweater was. She wanted to wear a silver bracelet-- her charm bracelet, with charms from Uncle Casey, Mima, and Great Aunt Becky (I clarified which charm came from which person). Then she asked if she could borrow a silver necklace of mine. This little creature of only 5 years!

So here I am, grubby and exhausted, home with 3 sick little boys.  My daughter has my date and I have a kitchen to clean. I know she will have fun, as will Scott, but wow... the little girl we have created... What will the next five years bring?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Forget Santa!

We saw Fortune!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 



Trying to beat the Canadian Cold front blowing in, we headed to Santa's Village. We did a couple of the houses-- tv station, bank, pet shop, police station, fire house, etc. and really enjoyed the reindeer sleigh rides!

And it's on to avocado!

Friday, December 7, 2012

The trees are decorated!





So I thought the kids could stand in front and take a nice picture for me.  Well, this is what I got. (My camera, which is working after a bath in the river in CO, but somewhow we lost the battery charger and the new one won't arrive till next week.)


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Eat up!

Don't worry-- it's not a breastfeeding pic! Baby Jude is growing up! And so is Claire! Look at that lil mama!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December time!

The neighborhood train ride... Richardson Christmas Parade... 2 Santa sightings... Decorations at the mall... We're ready for the holiday season!