Santa?

On Saturday night, we went out with our neighbors to Fox Lake for a spaghetti dinner. I heard Santa was going to be there and thought what a great opportunity it would be for the kids to get to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas and not have to wait in a long line, like most public arenas for Santa. I would never go to the mall and wait in a huge line and have my kids have melt downs and try to contain them in a line! That would be a headache!


As you can see in the picture the whole family was able to sit on Santa's lap! That is because both Ellie and Anderson wanted nothing to do with Santa. As we were walking up to greet Santa Anderson started to cry and cling to me. Santa saw Anderson's anguish and told me that I could sit on his lap. I said that is quite alright, Anderson and I will stand here for the picture. Santa insisted that the picture would look better if I sat on his lap. I broke down and sat down on his lap. I know strange!!!!!!! If you look closely at the picture it looks like Santa's eyes are going to pop out from the weight of both Anderson and I.


After the whole dramatic experience of forcing our family to sit with Santa I thought why do we do this to our kids? Of coarse it is the obvious, to get a great festive picture, but why do we make our kids talk to a complete stranger and make them sit on his lap? When our children meet new people and we introduce them to our fellow friends we never have our children sit on this new acquaintances lap. That would be ridiculous if we had them do that! We just ask our children to politely say, "Hello."


In conclusion, if your child screams at the sight of Santa, I think your child is perfectly healthy and their cognitive skills are wonderful. In their mind they are making the connection that this is a stranger and I don't sit on strangers laps! Isn't that healthy? I guess I'm trying to make myself feel better about my kids screaming at the sight of Santa! HA! Merry Christmas!

Worldless Wednesday Merry Christmas!

Lets Play!

We are finally done with sickness in our household! Yippee! The kids had colds that lasted for almost two weeks and we were not able to see our friends during that time! Now, we are able to see everyone! So we planned some play dates!
On Monday we had the mommy's and their kiddos over from our couples small group. The above picture is of Abby and Ben, it was their first play date since they are only 2 months old! Man let me tell you they had a blast!!!!!
During the playgroup we made sugar cookies and decorated them! I was not sure how it would all turn out, but the kids and mommy's made some beautiful cookies and they were good to eat!

On Tuesday, we had some more close friends over. It is always fun to catch up and for myself to have socialization. Sometimes I go crazy being home!!!! Though I wouldn't change it for the world, but I have found that I need people and they energize me. I always thought I was an introvert, but after becoming a mommy I found that without being around others I can become depressed and moody. So, I do always love play dates and play outings. Though it can be difficult with three kids, but worth it for my spirits!

We had some good old Mac and Cheese and some hot dogs. I know fancy!!!!!

Hot Cocoa?

My mom gave me this really cute idea to make cocoa mix as a gift. They are fun to make and my little helper, Avielle just loves helping me make them! When Anderson was in Michigan with his grandparent's, Avi and I stayed up late and put these together. It was so fun to be able to give her my undivided attention and for us to work together on something. She had such a big smile the whole time and acted grown up as she poured the ingredients.
At first I was thinking, "What have I gotten myself into letting her stay up!" I soon found spending time together is one of her love languages. It was great to be able to feed her love and to grow closer together with her through this bonding time. She truly is a lot of fun and it is fun to see her grownup personality come out.
We decided to give this cute holiday treats to our friends, neighbors, and Chevy's co-workers. Avielle just loves handing them out!

Another side note, Avielle is wearing an Elmo shirt, which I was never a fan of characters on clothing, but isn't it a cute outfit? I'm changing my ways on characters on clothing. I used to think it looked silly and babyish, but now with my own kids if they like that character than I am all for it! I love hearing Ellie point out Elmo all day on Avielle's shirt. Funny how your perspective change. I must say my perspective has changed in so many ways after becoming a mommy. That is another post!

Sleeping Beauty!

I have a funny story to share about our youngest child Ellie, or our "Sleeping Beauty." Yes, that is Ellie sleeping on the floor in our basement. Yesterday, the kids went outside to play in the snow and Ellie wanted to stay inside. I got out her coloring things and she colored for a while. Then she wanted to get down and went to the basement to play. Avi and Anderson came in from the snow and I took off all of their layers and then Avi wanted to paint and Anderson went to the basement. I decided to go check on Ellie and then I found her on the floor with her blanket and in her high healed shoes sleeping. I want to let you know this has never happened! I thought this was quite wild, but I would agree she is my child that will sleep anywhere and has now proven it!

A side note Anderson was playing downstairs and didn't even notice her! I guess she just blended in with all the toys! HA! He isn't much for detail!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Shirts!

When we were out for Thanksgiving Ryan's family who live in Michigan offered to keep one of the kids for the week. We thought Avielle was going to stay for the week, but at the last minute she said she wanted to come home and Anderson wanted to stay. It was actually Anderson's turn to stay in Michigan for the week, so it worked out perfectly.
The kids always have such a fun time with Nana and Grandpa. Of coarse they are spoiled a ton, but isn't that what grandparent's are for? Anderson even had a play date with his friend Addison while he was out there! Addison was staying with her grandma for the week and the kids met at the park to play. I think both Pamela and I thought that was really funny as we were at home in Illinois setting up the play date!
My mother-in-law is crafty and she actually used to own a craft store when my husband was little. Isn't that funny my husband grew up in a craft store? I showed her some Christmas shirts that I just love from the etsy shop and she decided with all the free time she had, just kidding, she would make them. Remember Anderson is full of energy, so I'm not sure when she had time to put them together?
Thank you mom so much for the cute shirts and the adorable red bows. I love dressing the kids in them and they are extra special, because you made them!