Christmas Party Chaos

Last week, Emma's Christmas party was on Thursday. Hannah and Catherine's PJ parties were on Friday. Luckily, I work for a great company with a kind boss who lets me off work to go to all of the girls' school functions.

Thursday morning, I dressed the girls in their fun Christmas outfits. Of course, I had to snap a picture...AND GOT A GOOD ONE ON THE FIRST TRY!

Thursday afternoon, I headed up to Emma's school. I am one of the room mothers (and the only one who works. So, I usually bring the snacks and help at a station, while the others meet and plan out all the events). I got up there before the kids got back to the class and helped finish setting up. Then, I was assigned my station: Making a Rudolph Ornament. (These were made from big jingle bells, pipe cleaners, googlie eyes and fuzzy balls).

I was assigned the hardest station, by far! (why do I never get the pizza station or the cooking making station?)

Anyway. The kids had tons of fun and no matter how many times I told them my name, they always called me "Emma's Mom". Emma LOVED the party. They ate pizza, decorated sugar cookies, made a hand print Christmas tree, filled a bag of reindeer food...and of course the Jingle Bell Rudolph.

I really enjoyed helping out in her class. However, I was so busy helping the kids stick the googlie eyes and twist the pipe cleaners, I only snapped a couple of pictures.

(So glad she's not the only snaggle-toothed 1st grader!)

I also learned two important things that day: #1 The best decision of my life was not to become a teacher and #2 Teachers are WAY under-paid (I don't know how much they make...but it's really not enough!).

Friday, it was pajama day at all of the girls' schools. Since I am a stickler for waiting until at least Christmas Eve to open a gift, none of the girls had any Christmas PJs. (That's what I always get them and let them open and wear them on Christmas Eve.) So, we went with some other fun ones for that day!

Friday afternoon, I went to help with Hannah's party. Again, I was so busy helping them, I only got a couple of pictures. (No, I didn't go to Catherine's party. She is young enough she doesn't care if I am there to watch her eat a cupcake or not!)

It was lots of fun because I just love seeing the girls with their friends in their natural habitat. Some of the things those kids said had me laughing almost to tears! It was a fun way to end our week and start off a Christmas-fun-filled weekend!

Lights, Decorations and Christmas Outfits

I LOVE Christmas time. I love the lights, the decorations, the feeling, the family time and the reason for the season.

A few weeks ago, we met the Brown's at Joe's for some yummy pasta and wine. Then, headed to the square to look at the lights. It was FREEZING! We made one quick lap, snapped a couple of pictures and headed home.

I spent some time a few evenings getting our Christmas decorations up. (Actually, Rachel came over, we had some wine and she did most of the decorating!). I just LOVE having everything up in the house. With a fire in the wood-burning stove and all the lights one, it's so cozy!

Finally, this weekend, we didn't do a whole lot. Travis was hunting, so the big girls and I decided to make some candy. (They were going nuts with cabin fever and it was TOO windy to get out.) I put on my patient pants and we made Yummies, Chocolate pretzel rods, Chocolate covered pretzels and Reindeer Pops. (There were a couple of other things on the list, but my patient pants wore thin, so we stopped there!)

One of my other favorite things to do, is dress the girls up for Christmas. Here are their outfits today. LOVE. THEM!

We have a ton more Christmas traditions (and outfits) left. So, stay tuned for Emma's Christmas party, Hannah's Christmas party, a visit with Santa, Christmas Eve Dinner and Church service, etc.

Time...

When I look at my girls, I am usually begging for time to slow down.

(except when they are fighting, whinning or tattling, then, I think "How much long until they stop this stuff!?")

All of them are growing so quickly. But, I seem to notice it most with Emma. She is getting so tall and what small amount of "baby" look she had is completely gone. She is a young lady (with a sassy attitude).

Not to mention, she can read anything you give to her with little to no assistance and is getting incredibly smart. She is so patient and a great helper. She and I really enjoy our drive to school talking about what she is going to do that day, etc. 

Its at these moments, I beg for time to slow down, for me to remember each and every conversation we have and the way she sounds when she says "Bye, Mommy" as she jumps out of the car.

And then, she fights with Hannah and I remember "this too shall pass" with a big smile on my face. :)

Nana

Catherine calls Hannah, "Nana". Sometimes, when Hannah is ignoring/aggravating/taking her stuff, it comes out "NANANANNANANA".

But, I would venture to say that her favorite person in the world is "Nana". (It used to be Emma, but Hannah has stolen her love and affection.)

"Thanks for the toboggan, Great-GrandDa! I love it!"

Whatever Works

Have you ever taken your child to the doctor for a check-up to find out she has LOST weight since her last check up? (And she was only in the 25th percentile the first time, so not much to lose.)

I LOVE our pediatrician. He is so kind, informative and genuinely loves his patients. He ALWAYS has time to chat a little. Plus, he has the BEST NURSE EVER! He also chooses words carefully and always provides encouraging words to keep from making anyone feel like a bad parent.

But, a few months ago, we took Catherine to her 15 month check up. She was right on track at 12 months and seemed to have learned a hand full of "new tricks" since then. But, as soon as I put her on the scale, I knew it. She was TOO SKINNY!

She has always been in the 25th percentile for weight. But, this time she had almost fallen off the charts. As we waited in the room, I didn't really think a whole lot about it. Dr. L came in and did his exam. He told me, "She looks great and developing right on track, but..." (Aww man!) "she has almost fallen off the charts for weight."

At that moment, I felt like the worst mother ever! I try to feed our kids healthy. Not because any of them are the least bit fat, but because I want to help them build good habits for the future. I listened as we developed a plan to help her gain weight. But, the fact of the matter is, she just doesn't eat.

So, we came home with our Pediasure-extra-snacks-no-carrying-her-cup-of-milk-all-day weight gain plan. We followed the plan and she at a little bit better. But, still wasn't doing great.

So, the other night, after she and I fought for 20 minutes to get her to eat a bite of Chicken 'n Rice, I gave up. I just wanted her to eat.

So, I gave her a double doozie (chocolate icing sandwiched between two sugar cookies).

Yes, I probably created a monster. She ate TWO of those things and then ran around the living room like she had lost her ever-loving mind. But, she ate and I was a happy Mommy.

Arty Crafty

Several months ago, Rachel and I got together and she taught me how to make hair bows. It is one of my favorite things to do, now. I love making these super cute bows to put on my SUPER cute girls. I also love having something to do with my hands while watching TV.

(I mean...I could fold the 8 to 10 loads of clean laundry in my laundry room, but YUCK!)

Since I learned to make bows, I feels a little empowered, at least on the crafting front. I had a plastic tub under the sink in the girls bathroom with their bows in it. But, it was over flowing...bows were EVERYWHERE! So, I decided to put some of that crafting to good use and make them a bow holder. This is what I came up with:

It was so easy and quick. I made it after their bed time one night while I was watching Teen Mom the Discovery Channel.

(That's why I need to stay busy. With some of the trash I watch on TV, if I don't do something productive while I watch, I feel like I have lost an hour of my life never to get it back!)

I took this picture after I had their bags packed for Hot Springs. But, typically, the entire holder is FULL and I still have a half-filled tub of bows under their sink. (Maybe I should have spelled "WILLIAMSON". That would hold a LOT of bows). Nevertheless, the organization is there.

One Saturday, I was getting into the Christmas spirit. Travis was hunting, so the girls and I went to get a few decorations. Some how, they talked me into trees for their rooms.

(It was one of those days I was so tired of hearing me answer "NO", I know they were. So, I just said "Yes".)

Here is the tree in Catherine's room:

Here is Emma & Hannah's tree:

The next day, during nap time, I used some of the stuff I had picked up the day before at Hobby Lobby (all 50% off) to make a wreath for my front door. It's not quite as "fluffy" as I would have liked, but it will due for this year.

So, yes, Rachel created a monster. I have found a new procrastination tactic for folding clothes hobby.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow...I'm really behind!

We had a fun, thankful, sleepless, busy, button-busting Thanksgiving this year. (But, I didn't take very many pics at all!)

Travis went hunting early that week. The girls and I finished the short week at school/work and headed to Hot Springs to get some extra time with Honey and Daddy Brooks. We had fun playing and resting. Honey let the girls make chocolate covered Christmas pretzels one day and they had LOADS of fun. Catherine even got in on the action.

Thursday, the girls and I got up and got ready early that morning. We drove to DeQueen to meet Travis and have Thanksgiving lunch with his Mimi and his Dad's side of the family.

You can get adorable outfits like this from Misty at All Tuckered Out Boutique! She does amazing work and is great to work with!


 We started this tradition a few years ago and I am SO glad we did. We have so much fun visiting with everyone and going to see Uncle Troy's farm animals. The girls love it!

Unfortunately, we were so busy for the few hours we were there, I didn't take a single picture! But, trust me, a good time was had by all. His Mimi was grinning from ear to ear the whole time!

Mid afternoon, all of us headed back to Hot Springs for Thanksgiving dinner at Honey and Daddy Brooks's. When we got there, Jon, Nicole and Bo were there. Bo was even dressed in his stylin' new shirt, (but it still weirds me out...animals in clothes...AHHH!)

GrandDa and Daddy Ben came over. We watched football, ate SO much good food and enjoy a little early 50th birthday party for Honey. I just love this time of year getting to spend so much family time and enjoying each other with lots of yummy food!

I did NOT Black Friday shop! However, Catherine didn't sleep well at Honey's at all. She would scream when we put her in her bed, wake up at all hours in the night. We intended to stay until Saturday evening, but after getting up at 3:30 am Friday morning, I couldn't handle another sleepless night. So, the girls and I reluctantly headed home. Travis...back to deer camp...BLAH! ;)

We had so much fun getting to spend precious time with so much family. But, it was good to be home. And, yes, Catherine was back to her good sleeping self when we got her back into her own bed.

I hope everyone else had a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoyed all the blessings in life!