Advent 2012

 

Here are our adventures for the month of December.  I had big plans to make new and even better/cuter advent calendar.  Howver, this mama of three just hasn't gotten around to it.  In fact, my To Do list isn't getting any shorter and we still don't have our house fully decorated for the holidays.  I am just DYING to get the outside lights up....all in sweet time.  Have to wait for the hubby to have a day off.... 

Anyway, very excited about our activities again.  Most of them are the same from last year but there are a few new ones thrown in there.  The biggest change we are making is when we go and drive around to look at Christmas lights, we are going to go and PAY for Spanaway Lights.  Last year we were on a wild goose chase looking for lights and kids got cranky in the car ride. 

Saturday, December 1:   Go for a ride on the Santa Train

Sunday, December 2:  Go cut down our Christmas tree

Monday, December 3: Cozy socks

Tuesday, December 4: Write your wish lists/letters to Santa

Wednesday, December 5: String popcorn and cranberries for our Christmas tree

Thursday, December 6:   Snowman pancakes and bacon

Friday, December 7:  Movie and treats

Saturday, December 8: Shop for needy child

Sunday, December 9: Zoo Lights

Monday, December 10: New ornaments

Tuesday, December 11: Make homemade cards

Wednesday, December 12: Christmas craft/make ornaments

Thursday, December 13: Drive to see Christmas lights with hot cocoa

Friday, December 14: Happy birthday Bella:  Random Act of Kindness

Saturday, December 15:   Decorate Gingerbread houses

Sunday, December 16: Snowflake Lane in Bellevue

Monday, December 17: Bath and Body Surprise

Tuesday, December 18: Read Christmas Story with sweet treat

Wednesday, December 19: Craft Day!  Make paper snowflakes

Thursday, December 20: Secret treats to neighbors

Friday, December 21: Christmas Story ready by Grandma Judy who will be coming to visit from Canada

Saturday, December 22: Christmas coloring pages and crayons

Sunday, December 23: Hair bows

Monday, December 24: Happy Birthday Maddie: Christmas PJ’s

Halloween 2012

Another fun Halloween!  Our girls were dressed as Alice in Wonderland, Pocahontas, and a Ladybug.  We followed our yearly tradition of dinner at The Fietz's house with Maddie's good friends and then off to do trick or treating.  Bella was really into the trick or treating this year.  She was so great too because she knew she couldn't eat any of the candy she got from the houses, and she never asked to eat one single piece.  Luckily I had gotten a few treats from Marlene's Market so she could have some candy that night.  We decided to start a new tradition of The Great Pumpkin this year and even Maddie was all for it.  The girls got a few pieces of candy and then before bedtime they left their treat bags by the fireplace for The Great Pumpkin.  Then in the morning they got a present in exchange for their candy.  It was fun, they were excited, and I was relieved to find a good tradition that works for our family.  Thank goodness for the great ideas that friends gave me about Halloween.  Dealing with food allergies is hard sometimes...but what a perfect idea!  

7 Months...late (again)

Lily's 7 month pictures...a bit late (again).  I always am so sure that I won't be late the next month...somehow the time slips away from me. Oh well....  Lily is so active right now it was tough to get any pictures of her.  She wants to roll while on the ground and was trying so hard to wiggle off the chair I couldn't get any good shots. This shows her personality and how much she has changed though!

Here are some milestones and likes/dislikes for our sweet baby girl:

Milestones:

1.  Loves eating!  New foods: pears, squash, plums, and carrots.

2.  Starting to move around but not crawling yet.  She can scoot a bit on her bottom and rolls when she wants something.

3.  Got her two bottom teeth!

3.  

Likes/Dislikes

1.  Loves grabbing her feet and trying to move around.

2.  Loves to chew on anything and everything!

3.  Smiles so much at her two big sisters.  She love watching them and loves when they tickle her.

4.  Loves the bath and splashing the water.

5.  Loves any toy that makes noise and music right now.  Her musical drum and caterpillar are a favorite right now.

6.  Hates getting dressed or undressed. She gets so mad!

7.  She has just started protesting when you take something away from her that she wants..like mommy's IPhone, keys, and remote.  She squeals and throws her self backwards in a tantrum.

She is still so sweet and good natured.  We can take her anywhere and she is always happy.  She doesn't do well if she misses her naps (which happens a lot when you are running around with two other kids from one activity to the other).  We are so lucky to have this happy bubbly little munchkin.  I can barely remember what life was like without her.  

Best Decision

As a working mama there is nothing more important than who is caring for your child or children while you are gone. I know all you mamas out there are shaking your heads in agreement. We unexpectedly had to let go of our first nanny a few weeks into the school year so....We recently hired a new caregiver to take care of our little girls. I have known her for ten years and know her family well. When I say that she is amazing it is the understatement of the universe! She really is.
I have such confidence in her and her abilities to love and care for our girls. Yes, she cooks for them and plays great with them... But that's not just it. She knows them and gets them. This is so huge for me. I sometimes get tears in my eyes when I watch her interact with them because I am so grateful for the love i see there and the bond that they have built. The girls adore her and in this short time at our house she feels like part of our family. I thank God about the course of events that brought her into our lives. I go to work knowing they are good. There is nothing more that a mama can ask.