Christmas 2013

Christmas was a big blur!  It went by fast and furious and I can hardly believe that it's over.  I'm super bummed, but we had a nice, merry little Christmas.  Not a lot of activities.  We had dinner at the in-laws of honey-baked ham on Christmas Eve and had Christmas morning and day was at our house.

We told the boys that they could not come downstairs until their grandparents came over on Christmas morning.  They were at our house at 7:30 at the request of Matthew.  Santa was very kind to the boys this year- electronic scooters for Michael and Matthew and a tricycle for Mark!  The presents were all assembled, charged and ready for Christmas morning.  Santa was so thoughtful. The boys squealed when they saw their gifts.  Mark didn't know what to think.  He slowly walked over to the tricycle, touched it and asked, "Mined?" It was so adorable!

I didn't get any pictures of them tearing through the rest of their gifts because I was videotaping so there are no pictures to share of that,but I'm thankful a got a couple shots before and after.

Milk, gingerbread cookies, pumpkin bread for Santa, carrots for the reindeers were set up on the table.

After all the gifts were opened - tree looks so bare.

Mark watching his new electric toy train.

 Happy to play with Bo-Bo Mashoo

Testing out the new tricycle.

 Getting ready to give the electric scooter a try.

It was a quiet Christmas and it went by so quickly. I'm definitely experiencing withdrawal. It was a shock to turn on the radio in my car and not hear Christmas music the day after Christmas!  

Catching Up

Last week of school until the boys are off for winter break! Michael has half-days for the rest of the week.  Matthew has is Polar Express today and he was super excited.  The first thing he said to me was "Polar Express day!" I'd forgotten all about it.  He got to wear his PJs to school and watch the movie with hot chocolate today. We had to scramble to find PJ bottoms that didn't go up to his knees.  He decided almost a year ago wears athletic shorts to bed and tI haven't bought him PJs in quite awhile. We found some that reached his ankles so we went with that.  He didn't seem to care.

Smitty has been up to some silly things lately. On Sunday night, he made funny faces one one of our Christmas cards.

On Monday night, he took all the stockings off and hung around on the stocking hanger.

Then last night, he decided to decorate our chandelier with some paper chains.

I've been busy planning Matthew's class party. On Monday, Mark and I went to the dollar store and got some decorations for the party.  Mark saw a hat that we wanted to try on. 

Gaylord Texan Christmas

Today, we went to take pictures with Santa Claus and to walk around and look at the Christmas decorations at the Gaylord Texan.  The line to see St. Nick was too long so we ended up just walking around.  The older boys were not all that impressed because we've been there the past couple of years, but Mark loved all the colorful decorations.  He loved looking at the trains and he especially loved the giant gingerbread house. I didn't get a lot a good pictures because Michael and Matthew hate taking pictures, but I'll make do with what I got.

Watching the trains go by

I couldn't get Michael to take a picture with us.

My three little men admiring the gingerbread house.

Finally, a decent picture.

Then we went to Whataburger for lunch.  Mark was enjoying his "lemon juice."

Letter From Santa

Michael and Matthew got a letter from Santa Claus Friday, and it was not good news.  Smitty has been updating Santa on their behavior and it's not all good.  Santa asked them to try very hard to be good because he wants to be able to give them what they ask for for Christmas.

Matthew wanted a picture with the letter.  Mark asked to take a picture with the letter also even though he has no idea what's going on. Michael did not want a picture.

Happy Friday!

I just realized that today is Friday the 13th.  Good thing I didn't take note of it earlier this morning because M was flying back into town.  I would have been very nervous.

I'm a little sad to see that the pile of white ice is dwindling away.  We still have patches left but by tonight, everything will likely be melted.  

This morning Matthew and Michael found that Smitty had been making mischief.  He decided to decorate their tree with their underwear.  Matthew was relieved to know that they were clean underwear. "These are the ones I don't wear anymore," he said.

Mark and I went to have lunch with Matthew today. I forgot we were out of bread this morning when I went to pack him his lunch. Oops.

Mark had such a great time and was quite the social butterfly.  He went around and said "hi" to all of Matthew's classmates, gave some high-fives and doled out some hugs to the girls.  It was so stinking cute!

This was the best picture I got of him.  "Cheese" with his month full of chicken tenders.

Matthew thought it would be cute to have identical pose as his buddy.

Just because he's a little cutie.

Michael has soccer practice at 8 in the morning tomorrow.  Seriously. It is going to be COLD. At least we will be done by 10 and we can have the rest of the day for other things.  Hopefully, M will agree to go to the Gaylord Texan to take in the decorations and visit Santa Claus.

Get Your Pretty On Link-up

Joining in the fun at Get Your Pretty On. It's been so cold and icy lately that getting out of warm jammies have been a challenge especially when the kids are home and driving anywhere was a little scary. But there were a few days that I actually got dressed.  Here are my favorites for this week.

Outfit #1 - This was the first time I paired a long sleeve shirt with this sweater.  I've only worn it with a tank underneath for Spring and Summer.

Sweater - Old from TJMaxx (similar) / Long Sleeve T-shirt - Target / Jeans - Old Navy / Boots - Frye

In outfit #2, the sweater is an old one from about 7-8 years ago and I felt it was a little too short so I layered it with a maternity tank which added length I wanted.

Sweater - Old from Ann Taylor (similar) / Tank - Old Navy Maternity / Jeans - Gap / Boots - Frye

Then, just for fun, I added the puffy vest I got from Banana Republic Outlet (similar).

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

       

Haircuts

It's another ice day.  Although today looks a lot better and the roads are pretty much clear, the schools are closed as a precaution - icy parking lots and sidewalks.  I was surprised but better safe than sorry, I guess. Honestly, I wouldn't like my kids on the school bus knowing that some smaller roads still have patchy ice.

The roads looked good in our neighborhood, but it's definitely still icy and very pretty!

Smitty delivered the good news to the boys this morning. They were so excited about both there being no school and Smitty's hard work.  Matthew especially admired how perfectly the marshmallows were placed.

I was determined to get somethings done today.  I told the boys to get dressed and took them to get haircuts.  I usually take Michael and Matthew to Great Clips for haircuts and Mark to Pigtails and Crewcuts.  The latter place charged double so I was hoping we can do all 3 at Great Clips.  And guess what?! We did.  He did so well!  He just sat there sucking on his lollipop.

Then we decided to go over to Starbucks for a little hot chocolate and treat.  Mark was so excited to get his own Starbucks cup!

Last night, Mark got his finger stuck in one of our jingle bell ornaments.  He was screaming and it took me awhile to wriggle it out. Unfortunately, he cut his little finger. Poor baby.