Getting Ready for Christmas

 This year the kids had a whole week off of school before Christmas.  I was a little worried, but it was a lot of fun.  They played with Callie a lot which gave me some down time that I don't usually have in the morning.  I also decided that this was the week I was going back to the gym in the early morning hours.  While it made me a but more tired (since I was so out of shape), I loved being up before the kids and reading my scriptures and showering before anyone was up.   I am hoping to just tone my 31 year old, mother of 4 children body I have. 

Greg made this cool Christmas tree cookie tower with gingersnap cookies.  It was yummy!  I loved how Greg made the dough, Greg made the cookies, and Greg made the tower.  He even had the great idea to sprinkle powder sugar over the top with the sifter (as close as we got to snow this Christmas season!).

 The boys had a Christmas piano recital.  I am amazed at how well these boy play.  They are getting SO good!  Ryan played "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Winter Wonderland".  Whenever Ryan heard these songs on the radio he would sing along.  Nathan played a cool version of "Jingle Bells" and "Holly Jolly Christmas".  I really can't get over how well these handsome boys can play.  I don't think I ever was able to play was well as Nathan and I took for 5+ years!

 

 Every year we make gingerbread house-making easier and easier.  We have made our own and we have bought kits to put together.  This year we bought a kit and the house was completely made inside the box!  It even had grooves in the gingerbread to show you where to put your windows and doors.  While it stifled much creativity, we had a lot of fun decorating and sneaking candy. 

 Daddy did a great job with the icicles.  Check out the long ones by the door.

Before and After Snow

 On Saturday we enjoyed some outside fun while it was still warm, at least in the sunshine.  Callie loves riding this bike and I love that all 4 of our kids have used the bike, and worn that coat.

 Annie, in skirt and leggings as usual, opted for the boys old scooter.  She did ride her bike down to the stop sign a bit later.  She is still very timid on things with wheels.

 Greg and the boys roller bladed around the loop.  When Nathan got closer to me he started yelling at me because I took a picture and he was in the back.  He didn't want the picture on the blog because then everyone would think that he was slower than Ryan.  HE wanted to make sure to tell me he was in the back because he fell down and got hurt.  Seriously, it was a funny conversation and he was adamant that I not put the picture in the blog, so it is our little secret!

On Monday or Tuesday...can't remember...we finally had some snow.  The kids were SO excited but Annabelle was the only one who had time to play in it before school.  She made a little snowman and was SOO proud of herself.  Unfortunately it was all melted before the kids came home from school.  Who knows if we will get any snow before Christmas?! 

Callie

Callie is at such a fun age right now.  She does so many cute things and is growing so much.  She talks more than any of our other children and I think it is because she hasn't had the ear problems that our other children had (thank goodness!).  She has so many cute expressions that I had to share these pictures. 

 

 Callie is all girl.  She loves to put on necklaces like mommy and Annabelle. 

 Callie also loves to help in the kitchen.  Since Annabelle got really hurt on a bar stool when she was this age my sister told me to get a ladder.  Callie LOVES it.  It is a little bulkier than the stool, but I feel it is safer.

 

Callie loves to play with her babies.  Here she is feeding them and when she does she sticks out her tongue and makes a cute noise.  I love it!

Oh and Callie went to nursery by herself for the first time and did FABULOUS!  Hooray for calmer and more spiritual Sundays again!

Who Needs Snow???

I thought for sure that we would come home from California to snow.  I expected it, so when it wasn't there, I was a little disappointed.  I guess I have come to put Christmastime and snow together.  Oh well, I won't complain too much because I do hate driving in it and I hate the mess that playing out in the snow brings into my house. 

 I heard of this great idea from a friend about having an indoor snowball fight.  I remember doing that with socks when I was young, but I decided to look around.  I found the cutest balls at orientaltrading.com  The kids and I have had a blast with them.  Even Callie will try to throw them at us, even though they usually land behind her. 

 Another fun activity that my and kids and I love to do every winter is make snowflakes.  We have learned how to fold them the right way and which side to cut to make the snowflake have points.  The activity is messy, but little pieces of paper are easy to sweep and the kids love their masterpieces and are so proud of the ones that they made.  As of right now they each have their "own window" that they hang stuff on.  I am not sure what we will do when Callie starts making things, but we will just face that when it comes. 

 While throwing the balls around and making snowflakes I got to thinking about being a mom and how lucky I am to be able to stay at home with the kids.  On our cruise during one of the excursions a group of about 8 went around and said what we did for a living.  When it came to me I proudly said that I stayed at home with my kids.  After a tiny pause, someone said, "That is the hardest job there is."  I agreed.  It is hard.  Annabelle has had a stomach bug for awhile and it isn't fun to deal with.  Or it isn't fun to cancel plans with my friends since she isn't at school like she was supposed to be.  BUT, what other job gives you the chance to watch little ones learn and grow on a daily basis.  Gives you the chance to help children with school problems and life problems every moment of the day.  Where else can you be completely adored than from little children that look to you for every bit of information and every bit of love you can offer.  My children love my time, and while it is hard to give sometimes, I am so thankful I can give them as much time as I can.  I am so grateful that I can make snowflakes and have snowball fights all day long with four of the cutest and greatest kids in the world. 

Decorating the Tree

 Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most exciting days of the year.  Having just come home from a big trip it required a lot of work on my part.  I had to get everything from the trip packed and cleaned up to make room for the Christmas boxes.  The kids love seeing the books, movies and decor that we have year after year.  I have become really relaxed about the decorating of the tree.  The kids hang up the ornaments and I don't move a thing.  I try to remind them not to put them all in the same spot, but I don't really mind.  In my mind, it is their tree.  It is all for THEM.  They love where they put their ornaments and I don't really care so I don't want to make it a battle.  That being said, Callie is a stinker this year.  She keeps pulling off ornaments and losing the hooks and wanting to hold all of Annabelle's Hello Kitty ones.  Oh well, it all comes with the age.  We managed to get all our decor up really fast and Greg even hung the lights in the freezing cold.  Christmas may feel different being a parent, but I still love the season and all that goes with it.