Johnny the elf

has returned
a tradition started two years ago...it is eagerly awaited each year. A few weeks before Thanksgiving the questions will begin "is johnny coming back soon?" "when?" "where do you think he will sit?" and on and on it goes
Thanksgiving eve is when he appeared, and there was a crew of pretty happy people to greet his arrival.
want to know more about the tradition of The Elf on the Shelf? go here.
Love how they correct themselves when their behaviour is straying towards the naughty side, love hearing "Johnny is watching us"
Love that I don't have to scold or nag...and that they simply correct themselves...wondering if we could arrange for an elf for each month of the year. In previous years Rosie has been the least happy to see this little elf appear, she apparently worried just what Johnny may be reporting to Santa each night. This year it doesn't seem to be bothering her, in fact I have a time or two found her having a chat with Johnny, last night in fact she was reading him a story about Christmas and baby Jesus. This one in one moment fills my heart so completely and in another can cause my blood pressure to skyrocket. She certainly keeps it real.

she

simply adores her big brother...
love how this photo captured that.

Disney Live!

Rockin' Road Show
we had tickets for the 1:30 show, I misread the ticket and thought it was at 1, we arrived a wee bit early.
The kids were pretty excited and didn't seem to mind the wait. They loved the show especially the parts with the characters from Toy Story. So exciting to watch them, laughing and dancing along with the show.

Happy Thanksgiving

the food has been prepared,
and consumed
dishes have been washed and put away
there has been talking and laughter
naps and football
games played
winning streak continued
kids playing and giggling
singing and nibbling
a day filled full with family, friends and memories
so much to be thankful for, not just today but every day.

Thankful...

so much to be thankful for this year...
family
friends
an adoption completed
health
home
travels and adventures
blessings
beginnings
those amazing faces above
Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble Gobble

Rosie made this during sunday school last week...
so adorable, loved the things she picked to be thankful for,
hotdogs, mom and dad, pizza, ice cream and her brother's and sisters.

what I got

when I asked them last night to just please go sit down for a bit, so I could finish cleaning up the kitchen.
this is what I saw when I glanced in on them...I got exactly what i asked for.
how could I not laugh?
just when I think I have reached my limit of stress, overtired, or simply overwhelmed they somehow manage to bring me right back to
center and remind me time and time again of what truly matters.

new shoes

of course a photo of her wearing these shoes would have been awesome,
but she simply moves too fast for me to catch her. I couldn't resisit the hungry caterpillar shoes...it is one of our
favorite books of all time. The little hair clips were an extra surprise when the box arrived in the mail.
Love this etsy seller, she has the best service and her products are simply adorable!
you can go here and see for yourself.

where

is your nose?

you toes?

your tummy?

spidergirl

a few photos from preschool
susan runge visited and snapped the kids during their party
love how she captured my little spider girl

snowman!

the first snowman built this season.
(guessing there will be many more to come)
the kids spent hours outside creating their snowman...
the snow was perfect for rolling and packing...
and even after they returned to the warmth of the indoors they still wandered to the window
to check on their snowman.

Cassandra's Birthday

we celebrated with family and friends at Taco Lupe's
amazing food, great company added up to a wonderful way to celebrate her 22nd year.

They don't know it...

yet. But at the end of the month we are going to this!!!
good thing they don't read my blog.
:)

it's official

winter is here...
the boots are lined up waiting for eager little feet to fill them and head
outside to explore that wonderful winter lanscape.

1st snow

not only the first snowfall of the season
but it was her first time venturing out to play in that wonderful white stuff.
she couldn't wait to go out the door, as soon as I asked if she wanted to go outside she ran to
the door, the same thing she has done all summer/fall long. She withstood all the bundling with
much excitement, I did wonder how she was going to move..

this would be how she moved, tilted one way or another.
Still quite curious about what all this white stuff was..she
bravely attempted to walk in it...

after a few times of this...she simply stood there and looked at me
and cried...when I asked if she wanted to go inside she nodded her head
(perhaps the only thing she could actually move) so in we went.
she watched out the window as the kids built a snowman seeming to be content
with viewing from inside this time.

A bit of creative fun

With the cricut...

Snow!!

hungry?

don't you crawl into the refrigerator to get the best view possible of what is available to eat?
oh? you don't? you must not be one I guess.

flannel sheets

purchased last weekend...
these may just be the best! thing I have ever purchased.
no more freezing for hours when I crawled into bed
(cotton is wonderful...in the summer)
no more shivering, curled into the tiniest space possible
(I would have died on the prairie, no doubt about it)
just pure warmth, where a toe can venture out of the small space of warmth and not go numb and fall off
(ok so that didn't happen but given a few more cold evenings and anything was possible)
Yes I am enjoying my new flannel sheets as are a few of my little ones,
"your sheets are so warm mommy" said by rosie as she snuggled in "my sheets are cold"
yes flannel sheets for her bed are on my shopping list.

well hello winter....

sigh
yes, it's beautiful
no, I most likely will never embrace this season with pure excitement or joy
yes, i have several very excited little ones who want to explore this new white stuff.
no, they haven't done so yet, two still need winter boots.
yes, it would appear we were not prepared for the arrival of this white stuff.