Preschool Prom

Ellie had a "Preschool Prom" on Friday night. She was so excited that she requested a "twirl" from Tom first think in the morning. E waited patiently on the stairs for her Daddy to get ready once he got home from work. Some may say a preschool prom is over the top. Some may think it's absolutely adorable. I thought it was a little bit of both, however, seeing her excitement and giddyness just brought so much joy. I look at it like this: Tom is teaching Ellie just how she should be treated, with gentle words, simple gifts, and quality time.

Their connection is so special, it brings tears to my eyes. Tom's compassion, understanding, and selfsessness for his little girl is undeniable. She is the twinkle in his eye, a joy so deep in the heart that bringing her to "Preschool Prom" was just what the two of them needed on Friday. It's a memory that, I know, Ellie will talk about for many years (because kids seem to remember EVERYTHING!). 

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve is probably right up there on the top of my lists of favorite days (I have quite a list). Mainly, because it's my mom's birthday, and the memories I hold of this day are just so darn happy! And, now that we have children, Tom and I feel just as giddy and anxious as the little cherubs this day and night before Christmas.  

Our day started out with Ellie helping me make Mimi's birthday cake. Connor wants nothing to do with working in the kitchen, but Ellie loves it! Of course, though, he likes it enough to meander his way over when it's time to lick batter or frosting of the beater. Of course I snuck some as well. Nothing beats homemade frosting!

Later in the day, it was time to don our best Christmas Eve garb and head on out the door to Mimi and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas Eve and Mimi's birthday. 

After a yummy dinner, it was time to be silly and goofy. Ellie learned what it means to "photobomb." 

  Singing "happy birthday" to Mimi and helping her blow out her candles. 

fancy Christmas Eve dinner date...

Time to change into Christmas PJ's!

 After Mimi opened her presents, the cake was devoured, and the kids opened and put on their pj's, it was time for the kids to open one present each. This time, it was from Papa. They have a running joke together that all he is going to buy them when he takes them out is underwear. So, that's what they got! They were laughing and understood it was a joke, and totally loved it. Caleb even got new diapers! haha

Getting cozy with Mimi for the traditional read-aloud of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." 

That one gets me emotional. So, here are some silly afters: 

After a couple of hours of putting the kids to bed, and organizing presents, it was time for Tom and I to relax and have gratitude for all that was before us. The image beneath the beautiful Christmas tree was something to admire and be completely grateful for. 

 The children were snug as a bug in their beds, maybe dreaming about sugarplums, but more likely they were dreaming of Santa eating cookies and the presents that he would bring. 

 

The Days Before Christmas (Part ll)

It's a December tradition to make and decorate sugar cookies. The kids and I look forward to it every year! I first started doing this when Connor was around 2. My! How messy he and his friends could get! It's a little bit cleaner now that they are a bit older... and more fun too! 

Cleaning before the mess started...

Ellie and her lil friends

Our neighbors who are becoming quite the little pack with Connor and Ellie

 Connor's buddy, Zippy...

These memories are so sweet (literally). ba-da-bum-ching!

The Days Before Christmas (Part 1)

Today is always one of my favorite days. Every year I take the kids into the mall near where Tom works. He meets us there, and we see Santa, have lunch as a family, and pick out our Christmas PJs. This year I decided to put a movie on in the van as an extra special treat. As soon as they saw that it was How the Grinch Stole Christmas, their cute little faces lit up. This brought so much joy that it made me wish Christmas was tomorrow.  Such a perfect little day...

The Heart and Ballet

This morning was a little magical. After working out with me, Ellie asked if she could do ballet. I told her that of course she could and put on some classical ballet music for her. In the middle of her performance, Ellie and I have this conversation:

Ellie: "Mama? Mama! For real, I can here my heart talking."
Me: "You can? What is it saying?"
Ellie: "My heart says, 'I love my heart.' Like, when I'm loving someone. My love is to marry someone, like, when my heart says, 'I'm in love.'"

I honestly think these special moments are why God puts children on Earth. Everyone needs to be touched by a child. It could be a niece, nephew, student, a friend's child, or your own. It really doesn't matter. In all of our beautiful and chaotic lives, a child brings normalcy, joy, and magic. The magic is in his or her eyes. It's in their tiny voices when they speak. It's in the hugs so tight that you think you could never escape. Then you just melt right into that tiny little body who is keeping you safe and comfortable without you even knowing it. The magic is there for the taking. It is full of life, vibrancy, and is the most vulnerable kind of magic you will ever know.

Our Cake Monster

I think it's safe to say that Caleb is our messiest child, at least when it comes to birthday cake! He couldn't even wait for it to be placed down in front of him before sticking his tiny fingers in.

Here is a little progression the first birthday cake eating:

Connor and Eliana were very proud of their baby brother and couldn't resist a cake licking too! 

 Ellie and Papa started a small frosting fight. 

 Then, we laughed because Connor was almost pacing back and forth. He doesn't like getting messy. I think watching this whole charade was making him twitch! haha...That's our Connor.

What a fantasic first birthday Caleb had. I suppose I should get going on his first photo album, eh? All in due time, my dears. All in due time. 

Holy Schmoley! Caleb is one!

"How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you. And longer if I can." -Ellie Gould 

It's no surprise that Caleb, was, well, a surprise. Moving past the times that you may have talked to me us during pregnancy, the eye rolls, and the jokes that we were "two and through," we honestly couldn't be more elated to have this lil guy in our lives. Were we so shocked that it took nearly all of pregnancy for it to sink in that we were, in fact, having a third child? Yes. Were we nervous as heck? Yes. Has this past year brought us more sleepless nights and stress? Yes. However, this past year has also brought us more joy than we thought possible. October 2, 2015-October 2, 2016 has taught us how to seek more grace, how to communicate more than ever, and just how strong we are individually and as a family.  You see, Caleb is the smiliest and happy kid. He has a smile for everyone. He learns from his big brother and big sister in ways that astound us. Lil CT was brought into this family to teach us, make us laugh, and to give us one more little human being to love with all of our hearts. 

Having a child changes you. Having three teaches you. What are we if not a student of this world? We need to except change and see it for what it is. Caleb is one of our three. I am so grateful. I am overwhelmingly humble. I am a parent three times. I think my heart grew 100 times. 

Keep smiling little man.  Stay happy. Laugh. Love. Live life to its fullest. That's really what this journey is all about, kiddo. We love you more than you can ever really understand.