Kim 365

I'm very glad to have my espresso machine working again, and decided to start the day with a vanilla macchiato.

I'm not sure what to say about this. It's a cart out in the cold on just another winter day. Someone (not me!) was too lazy to put it back where it belongs, and I don't envy the guy with the job of rounding up all the carts around the parking lot. Nope, not one bit.

We are not above bribery in our house. A success on the potty is rewarded with a treat, and Bailey is very enthusiastic about her "beans!". She's not consistent by any means, but we'll slowly keep working on her, and probably get serious about it in a few months. I fully plan on having her potty trained by the time our next baby arrives this summer.

Nothing like ringing in a new year with a clean kitchen! It really is laughable how happy a sparkling clean sink can make me. I hope I'm as thrilled with it tomorrow morning as I am now :)

We spent the day at my husband's grandparents house for Christmas. Here's sweet Princess Bailey, all dressed up and reading a book with Nanny, her great-grandma.

I walked into the living room to find Markus holding Wyatt on the couch. When they saw me, they acted like they were wrestling, but I know a snuggle when I see one.

As my kids get older, I'm learning to be more okay with messy activities, rather than avoiding all things that might require some clean-up. Today the boys painted some wrapping paper. We used newsprint and finger paint, and I made them some potato stamps - we had Christmas trees, stars, a gift, and a question mark...Markus' request, for the Riddler from Batman. When the first bit of paint got on their fingers instead of the stamps they started to protest, and it was all I could do to say, "It's okay, get it all over your hands, it's FUN!" But I did, and as a result, they did :)

I'm back!
I've been sick with a cold, and rather than force myself to take photos everyday, I allowed myself not to. Let me tell you, it felt weird for the first few days. Then it felt good. Then I didn't want to post anymore, but thanks to my big sister Jean, here I am with a random shot of my Christmas tree :)
I don't love all the silver on my Christmas tree. I do love the stars - they are beautiful, a Ten Thousand Villages treasure from India, a gift from my friend and former boss, Janelle. The silver balls are (quite obvious from the glaring line) plastic. While very practical with small children, they don't necessarily scream classy. When we first bought Christmas decorations as newlyweds it was all silver - I wasn't a fan of gold. Then we added some red to add some colour (after Cody informed us our tree "looked sterile"). Now I think I'd be happy to swap the silver for gold. I guess my tastes are maturing as I....age.

Today the boys crafted Christmas gifts for Grandma and Grandpa. They're going in the mailbox, so keep checking your mail next week, Mom and Dad!

We coloured Christmas pictures today. Does anyone out there have a boy that likes to colour? Mine don't. They'd rather turn their markers into "guys" and play pretend, blasting each other with "shooters". Bailey had fun colouring though! And let me just say that it is really hard to find Jesus focused Christmas colouring pages that don't look stupid. I found a few, but it took some searching. By the way, this is my favourite, in case you're curious :) I love the joy and simplicity of it.