Oh Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving Kate, Mom and I exchanged our fall decor for Christmas. Kate was in her glory. We have scaled back the last few years, making the event much more tolerable for me. The highlight for Kate is always her little Christmas tree. Now that she shares a room with Ty, she is supposed to be sharing the tree but she's wrestling with that concept a bit. Mom helped Kate find the least breakable ornaments for the tree knowing full and well our tiny terrors could not be trusted. After several mishaps, Mom bought the kids a small collection of plastic decorations to adorn the little tree.

She gave Ty two superhero ornaments. Would it surprise anyone to know the ornaments are often missing from the tree because they are on adventures? Would anyone be shocked to learn that when they do hang on the tree, they hang from the star topper in order to be the most important? Kate is rather frustrated.

The cats are trouble and their response to the little tree in the bedroom confirmed my suspicion that a large tree in the living room is out of the question. They have knocked the little one over and assume all the decorations are their toys. Santa will just have to create a space for his delivery this year. Kate's working on a letter of explanation even though she has been assured Santa is aware of the chaos created by these two.

"Trouble? What's this trouble of which you speak? We do not know this trouble. Furthermore, if we did know trouble, we would not care. Clearly this does not concern us."

Thankful

About this Week

Ty drug me into his room to play house Wednesday. Playing house is challenging when you have a real house to run. Playing anything with Ty is challenging when he wants you to play a specific role because all his imaginary people say and do very determined things. I fail to follow the unwritten script and upset the game often. He literally says, "we need to pause the game so I can tell you what to say next". He's bossy. So as I was being prodded down the hallway where I was to sit in Ty's room, in the far corner and "stay home" while he went to school with a loaded backpack of the most unusual school supplies I have ever seen, I was told that being the mom meant I just said no to candy. Don't I wish.

Lauren took Ty to McDonald's this week to pick up her schedule. Ty rode along because he loves outings with the girls, no matter how simple. Ty asked for a Dr. Pepper when they arrived and Lauren told him Mom would be mad. He looked her square in the eyes and said, "So! You are a grown up now!" She cracked up and has teased me with that line a few times this week.

We have a thankful poster mounted on the fridge this month. I started it with a few notes about things I am thankful for and the family followed my lead. Even Justin has written a few sweet contributions like "this family". And then there's Makenna who added, "tall guys that smell good".

Makenna rides to school most mornings with the neighbor boys. Brandon started playing Christmas music this week on the way to school. Makenna text me saying she was going to throw herself out of the car. I sent her a dozen different Christmas carols in response. After a period of silence she sent back, "I hate you." Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Miss. Grinch.

Snow Day

The text alerts started at 5:30 this morning. It was a snow day for everyone, which is rare. The teens slept while the rest of us played.

someone came prepared for a snowball fight

After 45 minutes, wet gloves, hats, coats and pants went into the dryer while hot cocoa was made. No sooner than the dryer buzzed, they tackled round two.

I was pleased they chose Narnia over Frozen for our snow day movie. And surprised myself when I had thoughts of decorating for Christmas. I blame the cocoa. Clearly, it went to my head.

Our pumpkins are still displayed in five inches of snow. We'll manage one holiday at a time, thank you very much.

(Almost) Wordless Weekend

"Mom! You have got to see this! Come quick and grab your camera!" He found it in the field and rolled it out into the neighbor's yard. Moldy pumpkins are quite the treasure.

His cape is tucked safely under his jacket. You just never know when the need to be super will occur.

He was supposed to be helping his dad bring in wood; however, the "traptor" was far more interesting. Brutus thought so too.

18

Lauren has always done things her way. She doesn't necessarily choose the easy way, the most common method or even a path that makes sense to the world around her but she stays true to her bold, beautiful self no matter what. She is stubborn and passionate, strong and determined, exhausting and hilarious. There wasn't a parenting season where she didn't exasperate us while simultaneously entertain us. There were days she brought me to tears from laughter and then moments when the tears were far more intense. Raising Lauren has been challenging and rewarding. With her heels dug firmly into the soil, she will stand against whatever injustice she perceives, so being her friend or sister has it's perks. No one crosses someone Lauren loves without being called out for it. Guiding her to see that she too deserves to be respected has been quite a journey but she's arrived. We are ready to watch her soar. Too many times throughout her childhood we prayed for God to use her stubborn streak for His glory. It's exciting to see what He has in store for her future. Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Happy eighteenth birthday, Lauren.

This week

Mom, why didn't you name me Sportacus? Um...because I love you?

Mom! I just figured out what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas! Drums! I swear the boy's only mission in life is to stress me out. And Grandpa, if you are reading this.....DO NOT BUY THE BOY DRUMS!

Ty was taking an exceptional amount of time in the bathroom so I investigated. The singing had stopped some time prior and nothing good comes from a quiet kid alone in the bathroom. Even though I have enough experience to know this, I was not prepared for the scene as I entered. Ty was perched on the toilet seat ledge by his feet. He was literally squatting from said position with a look of pure glee on his face as he took care of business. I had no words. I still don't but wonder if perhaps this explains the obscene amount of time I spend cleaning that particular bathroom.

Mom, does my outfit match? Yes son, as well as anything else you would choose. 

And these two...don't let the innocent faces fool you. They are rotten to the core. We are honestly having conversations about the Christmas tree. We may not have one this year. They are tiny terrorists ALL.NIGHT.LONG.  Just this afternoon I walked into Kate and Ty's room to put away some laundry and discovered Ty had left a small package of gold fish crackers on his dresser. The cats were having great fun. The package made noise as they tossed it in the air and sent crackers and crumbs flying. They snacked while taking turns. I live in a zoo.

I often joke we need a "no fishing" sign to keep Spidey out of the aquarium. Although, I think Anna's got this.

This morning Greg and I took Lauren out for a birthday breakfast because she will be so busy this weekend, it was our only opportunity to celebrate her. How are we the parents of two adults? Yikes, that happened fast. It was beyond pleasant to sit and talk over delicious food. Afterward we walked over to my favorite consignment shop for snow boots because rumor has it I will be needing them this year. As I entered, the shop owner pointed to a rack of new arrivals with my favorite label and in my size. Greg started to comment that we were there for the $8 boots and Michelle directed him to the sofas in the waiting area outside the store! She's a blast.

I was given strict orders against photos of us at breakfast so I captured the sidewalk outside Toast. Eyes were rolling and comments were made but I ignored my breakfast dates. I have to do that often. As the grey days are settling in more often than sunny ones, I have to breathe in beauty where I find it. I will not allow the long cold days of winter bring me down this year. Appreciating simple beauty should help.

I caught these two in a rare moment of looking studious rather than rambunctious. They are so much fun. Double the fun as they are both two years old.

As are these two....nap-time movie creates quiet time for the preschool team. Ty adores Gleason.