Christmas Decorations

Each year I like to add to our Christmas decoration collection during the After-Christmas sales. But I'm always on the look out for a good deal during the Christmas season as well. I spotted this cute little Christmas countdown sign at the $1 Spot at Target.

14 days until Christmas! Yikes!!!

I also printed out these free printables that I found on Pinterest and popped them in the frames in our family room. I like the concept, but I'm not sure these prints are right. But, they are up. And that is what counts. Meanwhile, I'm on the look out for a cute set of holiday printables for next year.

The tree is looking a little lopsided this year, since Ben was the one who placed all the ornaments. But he was so excited, it is worth it.

All the bloggers have such awesome mantles, and mine is right up there, I'd say. ;-) I can't decide if the brightly colored plastic toys or the paint swatches are the real high point.

If I zoom in like this, it looks better. So fun to see Livvie's stocking up! Our little family is complete.

Then there is the Christmas tree card holder (a clearance buy at PB years ago). This is up in the dining room.

I also got these little banners at the $1 Spot. I put them up in the playroom.

Our chalkboard wish you a merry Christmas.

The entryway shelf needs a little something. It's still a work in progress... There is no outlet on this wall, so lights are out. But maybe some greenery?

My favorite picture of Ben from his first Christmas--eating a bow; so Ben. We got this frame as a gift that year. I hope we get one for Livvie Lu. If not, I'll have to find one for her. Can't leave the bean out!

This end table sort of looks like a shrine to Ben. Might want to move one of these pics elsewhere...

Ben is really into making these little Christmas crafts. This one is up on the fridge.

Does anyone else's fridge look like this?

A little clearance PB tree and clearance Crate & Barrell mini ornaments. This is in the kitchen. Besides Christmas dish towels and hand mits, this is the only deco we have in there. Need to work on that. I like a little (or a lot) of Christmas in every room.

I popped this free printable into the frame in our organization station.

Ben received this Little People santa and reindeer toy for his first Christmas. He still loves it. He pretends to fly it around the house, delivering presents. Livvie likes to eat the reindeer.

Ben's little blue monstrosity is up in his room. It actually looks pretty tasteful with just the silver snowflake ornaments. He likes to sleep with the tree lights on. So cute.

Our hallway garland.

And that's it for the decos this year. Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday to Daddy

I'm sure Mike will be none to pleased with this post, as he hates his birthday and any mention of it. But yesterday was his 35th birthday, and to celebrate we got him some cherry pie. What I'd call a very low key birthday.

Here is a video taken just before the pie (and cupcake for Ben). Liv kept saying "dada" while Mike was holding her, but of course she'd stopped by the time I got the camera out. 

And here is our rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to You. As you can see by Ben's blue mouth, he dug into his cupcake a little early.

Happy birthday, Mikey Bear! I'm glad you're as old as I am now.

Ben's Holiday Program

This was the first year that Ben was old enough to participate in Creative World's holiday program. He practiced his songs for weeks and was super excited.

He was also distracted. These were the best photos I could get of him beforehand.

I also feel bad that he was not wearing red. I didn't even think about it. Mom fail.

After I dropped Ben off backstage, I joined Liv and Daddy in the audience. She was taking it all in, as usual.

Then it was time for Ben to take the stage! They sang two songs, and then did a dance number. I couldn't get very good pictures from my spot, sadly. He's easy to spot. He is about the only one not wearing red.

But I did get two videos. Two very shaky, crappy videos. But still. Enjoy.

Happy 9 Months, Livvie Lu! (and New Christmas Jammies)

Livvie is 9 months old today. (And Jenn is 40. Happy birthday, Jenn!)

We had a busy day with Ben's first holiday program (more on that in another post), house work, and a few errands.

After we were home and settled in for the night, I got the kids into their new Christmas jammies and tried to get a decent photo. As usual, they are not great, but they are entertaining. And they certainly capture this crazy bunch.

Ben likes to put Liv in front of him, but I think she's getting too big. You can barely see his face as he tries to look over her head.

Checking out the twinkle lights.

I love this one. Ben is looking at Mike with such an adoring expression (very rare for these two, who are like oil and water most times; though they do have a great time together playing and being crazy).

Daddy's girl. She's got him right where she wants him -- wrapped around her little finger.

This is the best of the bunch. Mike with a real smile, Ben loving on his Daddy, and Liv just having a great time being in on the party.

This one is SO Livvie. She loves to grab, pull, and slap (innocently, of course).

We are all looking at the camera -- that's a win right there!

Then it goes downhill fast...

Next, I turned on the singing snowman and dog. I believe their great-grandparents (Bill's parents) gave this to Ben a few years ago. They both love it. Liv kept grabbing it, so Ben would move it a few feet away. Liv would scoot after it, and Ben would move it again. It kept these two busy for a while, at least.

Anyway, I can't believe Liv is 9 months old. I know I say this every month, but the time just flies so fast. Since her 8 month post, not much has changed in terms of her habits. She is eating "lunch" at school. She loves table food. She especially LOVES mac & cheese. We gave her some of Ben's at Panera Bread last weekend, and she could NOT get enough. She opens her mouth like a little bird when you hold food up to her. But she does very well grabbing it and feeding herself too.

She is still a great sleeper. She goes down about 7:30 or 8 and sleeps until about 6:45, when I get her up for daycare. She is still a great self-soother. I can carry her to her room wide awake and upright, pop into Ben's room to say goodnight, then place her in her crib, and she will lie down and go to sleep without a peep. It is truly amazing. Ben was a great sleeper, but never a great self-soother. I remember rocking him to sleep and then carrying him as slowly and quietly as possible to his crib, just praying he would not wake up and start crying. So I'm super grateful for Liv's self-soothing ways.

She is still a terrible diaper changee. I won't lie. I dread changing her diaper and getting her dressed or in her jammies. She fights it. She flips over again and again. She cries. She fusses. It's awful. Now some days are better than others, but it is never easy. Especially when she poops. There is pretty much NO way not to get poop on something.

And on that note, I'll sign off.

We love you, Livvie Lu, you crazy-sweet girl!

Minnie

In September, we attended Aiden's first birthday party (Aiden is Jay and Lisa's little boy). I forgot all about these pictures until I did an upload the other day and saw them. The party was Mickey themed. No one pulls off the ears like Livvie Lou.

Story Time

A couple of Saturdays ago, Ben and I met Lesli, Mark, Adelaide, and Oliver at story time at the Oswego library. The kids had a great time.

Afterwards, we went exploring by the creek and climbed the rocks. Ben loved climbing the rocks.

Then we headed to the park to let the kids run around and throw rocks into the creek.

It was a fun way to spend a Saturday. I look forward to going back again, but unfortunately the weather is a little cold these days. Already looking forward to Spring!

Christmas Decorating

Before we even had all the Thanksgiving mess cleaned up Friday morning, Ben was asking to put up the Christmas tree. It is tradition to put up the tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving, and Ben was ultra eager this year.

So once I had Thanksgiving packed away, we pulled out Christmas.

Livvie was very interested in all our Christmas books.

Ben put all the ornaments on the tree himself. So the front of the tree from the bottom to about half way up is very decked out. Mike helped him put a few ornaments up a little higher.

Then it was time to put the tree topper up. He was very excited, because it meant he got to stand on the ladder. He was still a little short (we have a 9' tree), so Mike climbed up with him and held him up.

I kept Livvie busy in her pack n play. We never put her in here, but she didn't seem to mind. I put the reindeer hat in there to entertain her. Mom got this for Ben last year, and it is a hit.

We spent the rest of the morning decorating and eating leftovers. We are all still in our pajamas at 3 p.m. The kids are both napping (at the same time!), and I'm really enjoying this quiet, relaxing day at home with the family. I wish every day were like this!