Manic Monday

In all of the post Christmas madness...the cleaning, the sorting, the eating of left overs, the resting and playing we found our sweet little girl hiding out with her brother's new coloring book and crayons.  She had never colored before and honestly, it was one of the sweetest things I think I have ever laid eyes on.  We have been blessed beyond measure for sure.

Getting Ready

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  We have been busy as of late...baking, decorating, singing Christmas songs, snuggling and wishing...doesn't get much better than this!

High Five Daddy

Lily Kate and Rhonald's "new thing!"  Precious!!!!

Winter Soccer Update

In the middle of all of this December craziness that we love Cole is still playing soccer.  And he LOVES it!  Actually the day after the Polar Express I told him we could skip his game because we got to bed so late but he refused.  He told us he loved soccer and would "never skip a game!"  It is so wonderful when you find something for your kids that they really enjoy doing.  Cole's coach is so great and makes the game so much fun.  No doubt that is why he has taken to it so well.  One bragging moment - last week while playing their game on of Cole's team mates fell down.  Sweet Cole left the game and ran over to help him up.  I was so proud!  Oh!  The kids are using only one ball for games now and this past week Cole scored 2 goals!!!!!  I guess that was 2 bragging moments but who is counting?!

Christmas Cookie Party 2.0

A couple of weeks ago Cole and I hosted our second annual cookie decorating party.  It was so much fun to have all of these kiddos over to decorate Christmas cookies.  After decorating we invited all of the kids and their moms to stay (and had the dads come after work) for pizza and more play time.  I made all of the cookies beforehand which was a big help.  The kids played a bit...spent about 15 minutes decorating cookies...and then played some more.  You know how it is...I had this vision of Cole and his friends sitting for an hour or so making beautiful cookies and singing songs.  Well, maybe in a few years!  Oh well...the cookies were yummy, the kids had a blast and that is all that matters.

All Aboard The Polar Express!

This past Friday night we joined a group of friends and rode on the local Polar Express (there were 20 of us in all).  What a blast!  Most of us have babies and we all agreed ahead of time to leave them at home and let the big boys and girls enjoy some mom and dad time.  I am so glad we did that...it was a 3 hour ride and Lily Kate would have gone nuts!  We had such a blast.  The kids moved from lap to lap and mainly sat with every parent but their own.  Seriously, we hardly saw Cole that night but we got some good cuddles from his pals.  It was such a fun night...the kids wore their Christmas jammies and we sang Christmas Carols (mainly Frosty and Rudolph and the 12 days of Christmas - those were known by all).  We had dinner on the train, hot chocolate and loads of cookies and candy.  It was Luke and Lisa's birthday so Emily brought a yummy birthday cake to share as well.  By the end we were all on a sugar high.  Santa, Frosty and Rudolph all made appearances on the train which was a HUGE hit with the kids!  Santa had time to stop and talk with every child and get his picture taken and that was so cute.  After dinner Cole quickly found a comfy seat in the lap of Haley, his sweet friend's older sister.  Oh my - he was in love!  He has since asked when Haley can come over and have a play date (never mind that she is 20).  Rhonald and I sat in the last row of our group so we were able to watch all of the action....kids climbing in and out of laps, looking at lights out the windows, laughing and laughing over silly things and all we kept saying was "man, we are blessed!"  Every mom and dad in "our group" love our kids...they watch out for them and hug them and spoil them as if Cole and Lily Kate were their own.  And we love all of their kids as well.  It is such a great comfort and blessing to know we have these friends to raise our kids with .... and several others that were not able to make it on the ride.  God is good and we are thankful that he has given this family of friends!  It was a wonderful night and it was a memory we will treasure forever!

A Visit With The Big Man

It was a day we had all been waiting for...the precious visit with Santa!  Cole was beside himself with excitement as we all got dressed and headed to the mall to see Santa.  Cole was allowed to ask for 3 things and he has had his list ready for months...a transformer rescue station, a dinosaur and a spider man toy.  Luckily there was no line and he was able to march right up to Santa and hang out for a bit.  Cole has always loved Santa.  Even as a baby when other kids were screaming Cole was in awe.  Lily Kate, however, was not so thrilled with the visit and would not go near Santa unless I was holding her.  Santa asked her age and then did not even attempt to hold her....evidently he has had a few "experiences" with kiddos her age.  Cole was kind enough to ask for a baby stroller and a shopping cart for Lily since she was too scared to sit with him.  It was a quick but sweet visit followed by a yummy lunch in the food court...Cole's choice.  Rhonald and I were shocked at the first thing Cole said as we sat down to eat.  He asked, "So, how come Santa asked us our names and how old we are?  Doesn't he already know that stuff?"  Umm....aren't you 3 little boy?!  Rhonald and I quickly came up with a reason why Santa would ask such a silly question and changed the subject.  This question came to us after he had already asked me if I was the one who was moving Bob, our elf on the shelf, or if he truly had magic from Santa.  He is too smart for his own good!  I really hope he puts all questions aside with this topic and simply lets himself believe in the magic for a little while longer.