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.
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.
Today the boys had the chance to make cards for someone close to home. I asked who they wanted to make them for, and Markus triumphantly announced the girls next door. This is Wyatt's masterpiece of modern art, and on the inside he wrote:
D O
He's 3, and I don't pretend to know what he's up to.
D O
He's 3, and I don't pretend to know what he's up to.
This photo looks very similar to one from last year...today we baked peppernuts, and have eaten a few as well. I can't believe these kids, who usually give a loud protest to anything remotely spicy, would eat the whole stash of these cookies if I'd let them.
Today we went to the library to find some Christmas books. It was so cute when Bailey walked up to the shelf - she saw this book, saw the baby on the cover and exclaimed, "Jesus!" It was definitely her pick to take home.
Today's task was to drink hot chocolate - how torturous! Clay made it even sweeter by suggesting we make it from scratch. Here's Wyatt, being a very sweet little helper.