I wore something today that was less than flattering. Actually, I take that back. It wasn’t necessarily unflattering, as it was more deceitful – because it totally looked like I was expecting #4 and breaking out the “not quite maternity wear maternity wear”. I mean, it didn’t have a huge elastic over-the-belly waistband by any means, but still……Had I not been wearing my winter-time uniform over this questionable outfit (my uniform being my trusty navy, puffy coat that gets put on in late October and usually stays put until mid March), I think I may have had to answer a few awkward questions. I just changed out of my now very untrustworthy, sketchy outfit and decided to have a looksy to see if maybe it was maternity. Turns out my tunic is non-committal, it doesn’t say it is maternity, but I have no indication that it truly isn’t either. Maybe it’s time to let this one go – it did have ties on the sides and the only other clothes I have owned recently that had anything similar to that also had “maternity” written on the tag. It was fun while it lasted little mystery shirt.
So I can’t remember if I actually mentioned this here or not, sometimes I think I wrote things down when I only thought it and vice versa so if I’m repeating myself I apologize, but I know for a fact I didn’t include pictures so if you have already heard the story I am about to share, just skim these next few sentences and go right to the picture. The other night Lila stated that she would like to sleep with her brother. I don’t mess around that much with bedtime. Mama is kind of a wet blanket for fun when it comes to bedtime around here. You want the dog to sleep in your bed, nope. You want to try to sleep under the Christmas tree – don’t even think about it on a school night. I do let them sleep with whatever “lovie” they might want within reason, and they can listen to music when they sleep as long as it’s not sound track music because that tends to make them feel the urge to sing…loudly.
So when I was propositioned about this whole sibling-sleep thing, it kinda took me by surprise. My first thought was to say no because, well just because. But that first thought was almost immediately booted out of my head by the whole “big brother/ little sister” of it all. That is another chink in my armour. Do something loving to/with/ for your sibling and I will become like clay in your hand, Children. I went from being hesitant to almost insistent. “You are going to sleep with your big brother, whether you really, truly wanted to or not. Does his stuffed alligator make you feel a little less than welcome, too bad. Sure he’s shoved himself into that no-mans-land between the bed and the wall, but still, this is a momentous bonding experience and your mother is living completely vicariously through you right now so deal with it.” I told them I would be back in 10 minutes after I switched over the laundry to put Lila back in her crib because Reese assured me there was no way this was going to work.
I will admit, I completely forgot about them and my 10 minutes may have turned into about 3 hours. But I never heard a peep from that room that would have reminded me that I was supposed to go back up there. When I did go in to Reese’s room (because Brandon was snoring and Reese’s room is usually my plan b for sleep relocation) at around 2 in the morning, I found this:
It doesn’t get much sibling sweeter than that. It definitely could, seeing as these two do have another sister, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that realistically, in this house, it doesn’t get much sibling sweeter than that.
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Thanksgiving has been properly celebrated and it is officially time to ring in the Christmas Season around here. It started yesterday morning when I discovered this:
These are “constructions” (Reese’s term for instructions on how to build something) for a Lego Nativity Set. We now have super big plans this weekend.
Then, my little elves went to work bringing the boxes of Christmas cheer down from the attic and after ever last bit was piled blocking the door to get back inside, it was decided that we would head to the Christmas Tree lot. Lila and I have never been included in this hunt and I would be lying if I didn’t say I was just a little excited. I really don’t think I’ve ever actually been to a Christmas Tree lot before – though I know exactly what it’s like because a visit to a Christmas Tree lot or farm is a crucial scene in every Hallmark Christmas movie, and I have seen a fair share of those in my day.
Our lot wasn’t quite what I was envisioning – thanks a lot Hallmark, way to make me build up unrealistic expectations. There weren’t any carolers, no actual reindeer hitched up to an absolutely adorable nordic-looking miniature lodge, not even twinkly lights and not a single person was drinking or selling hot chocolate. In their defense though, it was the middle of the afternoon and crazy, unseasonably warm so that probably had a lot to do with the less than festive feel to the whole experience. It did smell incredible though and Hallmark has never been able to give me that. And though not what I expected, roaming through troves of beautiful, fresh fir trees isn’t a terrible way to spend an hour.
No one should be buying a Christmas tree wearing flip flops
Mattie’s idea of perfect for our low ceilinged house…right before Lila fell into it
“Hey Reese, stand here and look super excited”
Little had a blast running through them all, completely lost in the wonder of this little pop-up forest. We barely saw her the whole time we perused, but you could hear her cackling and taunting her brother and sister with “chase me” so we always knew where she was.
She would have been fine to stay there all day, frolicking
Mattie never did quite seem to grasp the concept that even though they were lovely, we would not be purchasing the 9 ft tree. I can’t tell you how many times she would squeal to us that she had found the perfect one – only to be shocked when we reminded her that we have ceilings.
You can’t see it, but all 3 of these people have very different ideas of what they are looking for
Reese never really suggested a tree, never really even seemed to connect with the idea that one would be coming with us. He just liked to slink around behind them all, popping out and scaring us….and chasing Lila.
Creepin’
We finally found “the one”. It was perfect, symmetrical, full, fit into our house and budget. The girls even hugged it, welcoming it into our family and our Christmas. All that went by the wayside when Tree Man discovered a huge split down the entire length of the tree. Sorry Friend, you are not to be a part of our merriment. Your story is not here with us. Good luck to you.
Can we keep it dad?
Thanks, but no thanks
Finally, we did find one that was equally lovely, and well priced and fit into our house and was completely intact. It was chosen and drug to the front of the lot where we watched with pride as it was trimmed down by the same guy that, ironically enough, usually loads my pumpkins into the car at the Little Red Barn and also has the name Brandon….which made it very awkward every time I would call for my actual spouse while we were tree scouting.
If he has to get a job one day, Reese would like to be the man that chain saws the ends of the Christmas trees
Not quite understanding why we had to put our tree in a net
Our tree has been given its own room, the furniture rearranged for optimal tree-viewing and enjoyment, because this tree’s gonna do work after it comes to our house. It’s going to be loved on and dressed and undressed and dressed again sometimes several times a day. It will be hugged and tugged and heavily pet. This tree is going to be slept under and hid behind – it will be completely worn out and most likely have bald spots by the time Christmas actually arrives. But it will be loved and then mourned when it finally has to leave. Christmas trees are an active participant in what makes the holidays magic at our house.
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Tonight we opened the first door of our Advent House. In the past, there has been candy, sometimes coins and a few times little treasures like pencils and tiny toys….but even though the kids say this is their favorite little tradition that we do – I felt like I wasn’t doing a very great job. Trying to fit something into that tiny little box every day, something that would actually make them happy and excited….it’s harder than it might seem. But this year I had an idea, paper folds very easily and you can write words, lots of words, big words small words, active words on just a little piece of paper. So tonight they opened door number 1, the note said something about it being terribly cold out (yes, even though yesterday had a high of 70 today is frigid) and the best way to end the day was with warm soup for dinner and a treat by the tree before bed. We ate milk and cookies on a blanket by the tree
Three girls and one boy, Mama likes a cookie under the tree, too
Even Crosby likes to get into these cozy, Christmas moments. He is, after all, a member of the family, too.
They thought it was awesome. Turns out, they seem to enjoy spending a little time, doing a little something way more than a little piece of candy or a cheapo eraser set. All was calm and all was bright, until Lila tried to take a drink of her milk while lying down. That caused a bit of an issue but nothing too bad, but at least it kind of broke the mood so that when she decided to sit on the table to hold the donkey from our nativity set, then fall backwards hitting her head with a really disturbing, solid thulump sound, we weren’t too upset. The peace had already been rattled, this was just the clear indicator that it was now time to go to bed. Festive, gentle, twinkle lights, crash…..oh well, Mama Tried.
Mama Tried 