Six

Our baby girl is 6 today.  She's been counting down the days all month and reminds us every few minutes that today is her birthday.

Ellie still has her feisty side.  She knows what she likes and she definitely knows what she doesn't like. Pink and Purple are still her favorite colors.  She loves all food, especially fruit.  It would be a much shorter list to name what she doesn't like.  She loves watching vet shows and still has a soft spot for Sophia the First. She loves all animals and Charlie is still her best buddy.  Her baby that pees and her doll house were two of her favorite Christmas presents this year.  She loves playing outside and she hates being alone. She loves playing games on her kindle especially if she can join with her brothers.  She wants to learn to read, but doesn't want to put in the effort to make it happen.  She loves doing "circle time" for school, but she prefers to listen and observe than participate.  

She has bipolar moments where she is happy, jumping and laughing one minute then screaming or sleeping the next. She continues to keep us on our toes.  Happy birthday baby girl.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning started too early.  The kids have been sleeping in recently.  We thought the excitement of presents would get them up early, but we were wrong. Pap made it over as Jon and I were getting up so we woke up the kids and got the day started.

They were all very excited to see the presents.

Zach was actually up at 2:30 and 3am throwing up. Thankfully, after a good sleep, he woke up happy, healthier and ready to go.  

We did presents and our traditional big breakfast.  We watched Its A Wonderful Life with Gram.  I think we've owed her a viewing for several years.  Jon pulled out the banjo and everyone was happy to do some singing and dancing.  We had plenty of relaxing, laughing and family time.  It was a great way to spend the day.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve looked pretty much like every other year.  Gram and aunt Corrie came over. We watched A Christmas Story in new Christmas pj's and ate too much garbage.  The kids got an early present from Gram. She made them all blankets to match some pillowcases she made them for birthdays this year.

Jon read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the kids.

Corrie completed the repeat challenge in a rap with a little help from some family.

The kids went to sleep in record time and the adults kept up our tradition of watching White Christmas. We were definitely ready to get to bed afterwards.

Character

Angels and Shepherds

Trinity had their Christmas program Sunday night.  Ben wasn't interested in participating when he found out he couldn't sing his own songs.  The other three were excited to be a part of it, especially after I promised them Malleys after the performance!

Ellie said we could take a picture, but we weren't allowed to smile at her.  For the first time ever, she went on stage with out a fight.  She actually said her line, sang the song and did all the hand motions. She must have really wanted ice cream!  Sam sang along and did great.  Last year, Zach was center stage and sang his heart out.  This year, once the music started, he turned almost with his back to us and only peeked now and then and gave us silly looks. After, he said he forgot to tell us we weren't allowed to look at him.

The kids did a great job.  I just hope next year involves a little less bribing!

Virtual Reality

Hes the coolest!

Straight

Ellie has been begging me to straighten her hair.  She finally got me to cave on Sunday.  I think she liked it.

Art hub

The kids love You Tube and have discovered Art Hub.  Its a dad that shows you step by step how to make some really cool drawings.

All four of them tried to draw a husky.  

Zach didn't understand why his didn't look like the one on tv.

A couple of them also tried a Pikachu.  Zach was a little more happy how this one turned out.

Smiles

Every now and then for about a whole minute or two, they actually look like they like each other!

Cookie Day

Cookie day was last Friday.  The kids were very excited to help out and do some taste testing.

All the kids cut out sugar cookies.  Zach held out the longest.  He happily cut shapes for at least an hour with aunt Corrie.

He loved the sheep cut out and was very particular about the icing.

That face gets me every time!

The traditional "dirty snowman."

We made sugar and chocolate chip cookies, 2 kinds of truffles, buttons and Jon made us Chex which the kids devoured!  It took about 8 hours to cook and decorate.

The day ended with Charlie cuddles and much needed sitting!

Killing time

Who doesn't toss apples around on a Saturday morning with their dad?

Santa bust

Every year we go out to dinner and then take the kids to my old development to see Christmas lights and Santa. We went out on Friday and the kids were all looking forward to going.  Last year Jon went up with them, but was able to stand off to the side.  We had high hopes for this year.  We were hoping this would be the year that all four would happily walk up and talk to Santa.

That didn't happen.  Ben and Sam walked up, sat down and got down to business.  Ellie and Zach lost all their bravery. They wouldn't let go of Jon and I'm not even sure they made eye contact with Santa. They all named something they were hoping for this year and we left.  Of course half way down the street Ellie got upset because she wanted to sit on his lap.  We offered to take her back, but she decided she had to go potty right that second and she wanted nothing more to do with Santa.

Maybe next year!

Make a wish

It was Zach and Ellies turn to do the wish bone this year.

Guess who won!

#8

One more tooth gone!

Tree

Yesterday was tree day.  Jon made a bunch of snacks and the kids got to work. 3 of them wanted an individual picture by the tree.

Why is it always easier to get a silly picture than a smiling one?

My favorite!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  The family comes together, the world stops and we eat really good food.  I love how much the kids look forward to putting up the tree on Friday.  I love watching them get excited about turning on our lights outside.  Mostly, I love that the holiday is completely stress free.  I love Christmas, but sometimes the stress leading up to the big day is just ridiculous.  All we had to worry about today was how we were going to fit everyone around the table.  Thats something to be very thankful for!

Its huge!

We got our new couch this morning, 1 month early.  Its huge, but amazing.  Let the cuddling begin!

Chicago

A friend and I drove to Chicago over the weekend to visit some friends and go see a concert.  It was great to have a weekend away.  I'm not sure the kids knew I was gone though.

It snowed while I was away and Jon let the kids make snow cones with real snow.  They had dance parties, game time and McDonalds.  Life is good for those four. Ellie was so exhausted she fell asleep on the ottoman.

Wordless Wednesday: Cuddles and faces