Up and Down

We took down our tree.  We usually leave it up until January 6th, but Little Prince needed to have the freedom he has when we are not stressing about him wrecking the tree.  I didn't want to take it down but he needed me to.  So as a compromise, to keep it more festive I took the lights from the tree and put the lights up around the house.  It looks wonderful.  I also took the candy canes I found everywhere and put them in Christmas box.  It looks like a Candy Cane bouquet.  Now my house is as festive as ever and Little Prince is happy too.

Winter is Coming

We had a storm yesterday.  In the morning I woke up and where there was only green grass at that point it looked like this:

By yesterday evening, it looked like this:

The little girls were very excited to see the snow and headed out first thing morning to play in the snow.  They were out a half an hour and then came in for hot chocolate.

A Moment

I was having a rough day, nothing major just cranky kids and a moody teenage daughter.  I was feeling grouchy, sitting next to Little Prince while he was eating his breakfast (or rather looking at his nutella sandwich and poking it.).

Little Prince knew.  Without a word, he knew.  He reached over and placed his chocolate covered hand on my arm and left it there, patting my arm.  It was like he could feel my aggravation and was wordlessly reassuring me that it would be okay.  It was a little thing.  Just a small sweet gesture that he hasn't done before.  My sweet silent boy letting me know he understands more than we can ever know.

Three and a half!

Thanks to this adorable little sweetie, I am working on 3 1/2 hours sleep.  He is a cutie and I don't mind, but it does make it hard to function.  I did get a few things done and make some broth.  Tomorrow is laundry and cleaning Little Prince's bedroom.

There are a few things I would like to do in his room in the future.  I think he will do better if we go back to a toddler bed and I want to get a couple of nets to hang up and put his stuffies in.

Gratitude Sunday

Sunday's heart felt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful.

This has been a lovely week and I have so much to be grateful for.  I am truly blessed.  Here are just a few things I have to be grateful for this week.

1.  Cute little helpers making cookies with me.

2. A wonderful Christmas with my family.

3.  Feeding lots of yummy food to my family.

4. A visit from Santa on Christmas Eve.

5. These lovely children who brighten my every day.

6.  Christmas movies with my family.

7.  My littlest girl (sweet Princess Snifflefritz) turning six!

After the Fun

It was a lovely relaxing day today.  Our neighbours stopped by for a visit, we enjoyed leftovers, I tidied from Christmad, and the girls played with their Christmas presents.  To wuote my girls, "This was the best Christmas ever!"

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas day.  Everything went perfectly.  The kids loved their presents and have declared this the best Christmas ever!

cookies and friends!

The girls and I spent our day making cookies.  It was a fun thing to do on Christmas Eve and the girls loved it.

We planted candy cane seeds.

Later on, our neighbour and Santa came to visit and it was wonderful!  I swear this year feels like the ending of every great Christmas movie.

Now all my kids are snuggled up in bed in their Christmas eve jammies and I am waiting for them to sleep so Santa can come.

Almost

The big day is almost here and I am ready for Christmas this year.  We have been enjoying the kids, enjoying the movies, enjoying life.  The little girls are just getting the movies and are so excited.  Princess Magpie is soft-hearted and cries over parts of most Christmas movies and is always so happy with the ending.

I plan to make cookies with the girls tomorrow during the day and our neighbour is going to come over and play Santa tomorrow evening.

I am feeling very contented and relaxed and excited about the holidays.  I love that both little girls have said that their favorite part of the holidays is our family and the Christmas dinner.

This is the girls watching The Santa Clause.

My tender-hearted Princess Magpie.

Six!

My littlest baby girl turned six years old today.  She is still all sweetness and softness with a gentle soul.  She is creative, loves all things artistic and all things small and cute.  She is by far the best present I ever gave Princess Magpie.  I love to listen to the two of them giggling together and imagining together.

Happy sixth birthday, baby girl.  I love you.