2 Christmases (so far)

Posted on December 30, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

So far, we’ve had two Christmases. One on Wednesday morning at home with Santa and Nana and Pop Pop. Then, again on Friday night as we celebrated with all of my in-laws. Soon we will travel to Tennessee to visit my mom and sister and wrap up the 2013 holiday season. Now that we are to this point in the season, I’m happy and feel relaxed. But I found the holiday season particularly overwhelming and stressful this year. I was overcome with my emotions from missing my dad for a few days and the slightest thing would send me into a mess of tears and snot. I think this was just the proverbial straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back this year, as it peaked around his birthday on December 19th. It just seemed that there was not enough time or energy to get everything done. I felt like there was a weight or cloud over me that I just couldn’t shake. But we got everything done that needed to be done and in the end, it was worth it and I started feeling more like myself again. Sometimes you just have to realize that things you once prioritized are no longer important. This year I did good just to get the presents wrapped before Christmas; they sure didn’t have pretty ribbon bows like they have in years past. Oh. Well. I don’t think the recipients appreciated them any less, right?

Here are a few pictures from our first two Christmases.

Wrapped and ready to go!

Christmas card tree complete. 🙂 Thank you if you sent us one!

The boys were mesmerized by the fire – why don’t we ever use our fireplace again?

Sitting his name puzzle out so Santa would know right where to put his toys.

Playing Counting Cookies with Daddy and Pop Pop.

Stack of Christmas Eve bedtime stories.

Snuggled in for our annual tradition of reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas before Santa comes.

Santa came and left his gifts wrapped in special paper (no bows – haha!). He even left Dexter that blue candy cane he asked for. How does Santa remember everything!?

He even left Theo that TMNT lego set he asked for…

and the key chain, too.

Santa must have enjoyed his cookies.

Santa left this cardboard train as a big surprise!

And in the morning, the boys couldn’t get out to the living room fast enough to see what had been left by their puzzles! (Luckily they did sleep in until about 8:15 – a gift for mom and dad, indeed).

Once they saw their Santa gifts, they were content playing for a couple of hours while I baked our breakfast casserole, Ryan assembled a few million legos, and we ate breakfast.

Dexter’s big gift from Santa was Jake’s pirate ship, Bucky.

Finally, they wanted to see what ol’ mom and dad threw under the tree for them.

Playing with Nana.

After opening all the presents, we were hungry and this crock pot turkey was just about the best thing ever. I can’t wait to make this again. And again.

This was also my first attempt ever at homemade mac n’ cheese. I was really happy with how this meal turned out, it was probably my favorite all week and was definitely not the biggest or fanciest.

Fast forward to Friday night. There were many fruitless attempts to get a picture of both boys smiling in front of the tree.

Not much better with three boys.

Cute of Dexter and Spencer, anyway. I gave up!

We played lots of cards this weekend. I lost lots of money this weekend.

The boys’ favorite thing to do is chase each other – so fantastic that we have this circular floor plan…just kidding.

Sometimes you don’t have a sword so you just use a screwdriver.

Stay tuned for more of our holiday ~~madness~~ fun!

xo,

~C~

santa’s little buddies

Posted on December 5, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

You guys!?!? I want to cry when I look at these pictures!

How is it possible for 2 little guys to change SO much in 3 short years?! For instance…Dexter didn’t even exist (okay, he existed but not on the outside of my body) and now look at this kid who wears big boy unna-wears to the mall when we pick out ornaments and visit Santa. And don’t even get me started on Theo – he looks like he’s aged 8 years since last December. Meanwhile, that mall Santa stays about the same.

We made a big production out of going to the mall and it was a lot of fun.

Checking out the gingerbread house contest.

Checking out the little mermaid…haaay pretty lady!

The line was not long but it was kind of slow moving so the boys were excited to finally talk to Santa! Theo was the teensiest bit apprehensive this time, wanting me to hold his hand as he walked up to Santa. He asked Ryan if the parents are ever in the picture. But he was fine – and told Santa he’d like a whole bunch of Legos and “maybe some key chains or somethin.” Ha. Dexter said he’d like a blue candy cane and some blue presents.

Afterwards, they were given the choice of cookies or ice cream for a special treat and chose….

Ice cream!

At last, it was time to make final decisions for 2013 ornaments and get home to hang them on the tree.

Picking the perfect spot…

And while we’re on the subject — can anyone solve this mystery: The Case of the Disappearing LED Christmas Lights. Evidence A & B:

Not really excited that half the lights on my tree disappear in photos?! WTH…help??

happy, happy –
~C~

trick or treat 2013

Posted on November 2, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

Some severe storms were on the radar so every town around here postponed trick or treating to November 1st. Initially, I was not happy because Halloween felt kind of empty but trick or treating on Friday was nice.

I picked up pizza on the way home from work and after the boys ate, it was a typical night…for a few minutes. Theo played Legos and Dexter watched the first scene of Toy Story 2 for the 500th time while I ran around getting out treats ready for prospective trick-or-treaters.

We’re out trick or treating

And having fun like you

So please help yourself

To a piece or two!

Ryan got home and we pretty much headed right back out the door.

My little Donald Duck and Buzz Lightyear (that helmet was a nuisance and barely made it out of the driveway with it before I took it back home).

Our neighborhood is a wonderful place to trick or treat! This was our first time trick or treating here. Last year (OMGEE they look so little last year), we went back to our previous neighborhood to visit people since we had recently moved. The houses are a little further apart than in some neighborhoods so we took the wagon for them to rest their feet when they wanted to. People were SO generous and absolutely adored seeing the boys in their costumes – known neighbors and strangers alike. It felt like a mutual thing. There are many older people in the neighborhood and I think they appreciated the visit as much as we appreciated the treat. It was a lot of fun and nice to make conversation with neighbors we hadn’t met before.