Holiday Memory Making 2013

Riding the sugar rush wave, my three older children were chasing one another around our home Friday night. It took me a minute until I realized their crazy behavior was driven with purpose. I overhear clever Eliza repeat to her brother,

"They keep telling us that Christmas is right around the corner, but which corner is it?" Aware of the joke, and fully on board to continue running around like mad, Henry suggests,

"I'm not sure, but how about we go check all the corners upstairs?" And just like that, those three hyper bodies bound up the stairs to continue their search for Christmas.

She's right, you know. Christmas is right around the corner. Feeling a little bit of rush myself, I want to update the good old blog here with some of the activities we've enjoyed this season.

About a week ago, we went with our friend Peggy and the Cordingley family to Willard Bay to see the Christmas lights. Of all that we've done, this probably stirred up that Christmas spirit inside of Mom the most. Cuddling up with the kids on a freezing cold night, in a horse pulled wagon, to look at a spectacular display of lights really brought back that Christmas magic.

Unlike last year, the line to see Santa was crazy long and our kids had school the next morning so we didn't stay. It's true. We bailed on Santa. It's okay though, because the kids already had two nice visits with him this season.

 The holiday baking continued with neighborhood gifts and teacher gifts. I like the way the kids swarm the counter when the bowls of melted chocolate appear or how they ask me to turn the Christmas music back on when it's been paused. These are the memories I hope they carry with them, rather than the ones where a frantic Mom asks them to help her find that extra glove or is yelling that everyone needs to try to go potty before we get in the car... (among a myriad of other less pleasant examples).

(two days, three batches and 18 bags later...)

Holiday crafting is a new tradition that Eliza and I have been dabbling in. When the other kids were in bed, she and I busted out my new friend, the hot glue gun, and got to work on a few 'homemade' gifts. We spent two nights together doing this and as cute as our projects turned out, it was an even better reminder that the best one on one time I have with her is when the other Fleglets are asleep.

 

The kids participated in a holiday sing a long at their elementary, a service project providing pajamas for children in need, a Polar Express day (which Eliza forgot to mention - it involved wearing pajamas - oops) and last but certainly not least, her first ever read-a-thon.

Eliza, the bookworm, was so excited to pack up her pillow, a blanket, a healthy supply of snacks and a new to her book, Black Beauty. Henry proved that the entire family was aware of her exciting activity as he prayed that morning,

"And please bless Eliza to do a really good job reading at school today. And please bless all her snacks when she eats them." It really does make my heart happy when my kids remember one another in their prayers.

And finally, a few 'randoms' to add because these photos make me happy; except for the fact that I'm short on Henry pictures. We'll have to remedy this!

Coming home the other day, the neighbor's cat was sunning on our porch. It was a lovely little welcome home.

"Welcome home" says that cat that isn't ours.

Two handsome boys. 

Two sweet sisters 

that don't look much alike;

both beautiful. 

Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Cookies, A Trip to Temple Square

Remembrances of peppermint cookies and hot chocolate are attached to last year's memories of seeing the lights at temple square. These thoughts inspire the online search for the perfect cookie. The one you find involves candy cane hershey kisses. Yes, please. A trip to the grocery store is planned. It's a rushed affair as the deadline for Kindergarten carpool pick up is quickly approaching. By the skin of your teeth, you make it. While their lunch of 'Macaroni and Chemicals' (read: mac and cheese) is being prepared, you put groceries away. Your thoughts continue to outline a mental list of to-do's as you think of what needs to happen before the evening's outing.

A nap for Mom; that definitely needs to happen. Lunch is served, baby is fed, diaper changed, story read to Lottie, homework time with Henry and what do you know? The stars have aligned in your favor. You find yourself curled up on the couch in front of the Christmas tree. You set an alarm. Not too long, but long enough to hopefully recharge those Mama batteries. Next thing you know, you're back at it. Lottie re-appears. 'The middle kiddles,' circle around the counter to help with the cookies. Dough is devoured behind your back. It's okay because you're snitching it too. Monkey see, monkey do. Christmas music plays.

All feels Merry and Bright...except, hey wait, stop fighting you two! It's time to place the dough on the cookie sheets. Except... is that? Oh yes. The baby is awake! Time to feed him. "Play with your brother so I can get these cookies in the oven, please!" You look at the clock. Pretending your James Bond, you decide to go ahead and throw another batch in the oven even though it means that once again you'll be cutting carpool pick up close. "Jump in the car kids! Quick!" Another delay. Lottie decides she needs help with her buckle. Back to the school we go. Big sis jumps in the car. She has news of her first ever read-a-thon. She seems more excited over this than Christmas itself! Seeing her again is one of the best parts of the day. 

 

You're all back together again; except for Dad. Speaking of...

The husband is called. With a loving tone, you encourage him to be home early. The promise of peppermint cookies is made; if he is on time. "I'll try my best." Down to the basement, you go on a hunt for baby sized winter gear. Hooray, you are successful! Returning with a handful of hand-me-down goodies for the baby, it looks like everything is set. It's time to gather and organize six pairs of gloves, winter hats and snow pants. The bag is perfectly organized with the necessities. What do you know? You even know where all of the kid's socks are. Sweet! How about that hot chocolate? Dang, where's the thermos? Another call to Andrew.

"The thermos might be locked up in the gun case." What the heck. So random, it's not even worth asking why in the world it would be there. Boys are weird. Hot dogs for dinner, because we're fancy. I'm still cleaning up from the cookies, so please cut me some slack and fear not, ya'll. White chicken chili is on tomorrow's menu.  You check the clock and call the husband again.

Baby is fed once more, diaper changed, lotion applied (poor thing has awful eczema) and the bundling process begins. Daddy's home! The hot chocolate comes together, the car is loaded... except, "Wait! I have to go potty." We're on the road. Finally! Mom blares the Christmas music as Dad stops for a Pepsi. You bite your tongue.

The husband navigates the parking lot as you curse your decision to share your husband's Pepsi. Last year, as a pregnant woman, your bladder was always on the brink when you were out and about. Way to successfully recreate that blessed feeling!

From a parking garage full of crazy drivers to the crowded and cold streets of downtown Salt Lake City, your family surfaces to a bright and beautiful scene: the ZCMI candy windows, majestic lights, traffic cops ushering your though busy intersections...you have arrived.

And then it's,"Hold my hand!"

 

 "Is the baby warm enough?"

 

"Who wants hot chocolate?"
"Can we have the cookies yet?"

 

"Wow! The temple is so big!"

 "Will you take our picture? Thank you!"

"I need a bathroom!"

And then finally it's, "I'm so cold! My legs are tired." - Lottie.
"Do you want to ride in the stroller?" Her stern reply,
"No!"

After spending just the right amount of time observing the lovely lights, we head back to the car. Our cookie fed, hot chocolate filled, kids meander into their car seats. The previously grumpy three year old waits until your eyes find hers. Full of intent she questions,

"Can we please come back again next year?"

Satisfaction swells as the memory of the day's efforts disappear.

"Absolutely, sweetheart."

Suspicions Confirmed

It finally happened. I crossed over to the land of the smart phone (and subsequently joined instagram). It wasn't too long ago that I voiced my concern about having the "Internet in my pocket" and the probable neglect that would follow. Here I am; a sell-out. But oh, I am a really happy sell-out who is enjoying her new phone very much.

Even so, I find comfort in the familiarity of my blog and the laptop which allows my fingers the freedom to type as fast as they want; with quick access to the frequently used 'backspace' key. The allure of instagram with its convenience and insta-cheerleaders makes it easy to understand its appeal. Re-connecting with my friends who bailed on blogging and catching up with those who've kept a lower profile is the best part so far. My friends have beautiful lives and darling kids and it's so great catching glimpses of it all.

I can't say for sure, but the history that this blog contains of our family's story with its attached detail - I hope - will hold me here. Instagram is awesome though.

As far as getting to know my phone goes, it continues to delight me. I made friends with Siri and am guilty of tell her 'good morning' when I wake up; among other things. Andrew with his Samsung Galaxy and Ali with her iphone5s, we'll keep you posted on our favorites and frustrations between the two. Not that this is anyones business, but I feel inclined to say that Andrew's company pays for his smart phone and I've joined my brother's family plan (he works for Verizon). Having done this, I now pay twenty dollars less each month than I did for my 'dumb phone.' #yayfrugality #sorryAndrea

Another feature that I use a lot is using my 'voice' to text. It's awesome. My kids think so too. Tonight at dinner, Eliza asks,

"Mom, can I have another cheese meltie question mark?" Laughing, I reply.

"Sure period." Henry picks up on what we're doing.

"Please pass the salad period." Increasing the volume in his voice, "Now EXCLAMATION POINT!"

We're all laughing, Lottie included. The children hear me make command after command as I "text" by voice; including the necessary use of verbally assigning the punctuation (in case this conversation didn't make sense to you). Lottie wants to join in the fun. She adds,

"I want some more too Christmas mark!" She meant to say question mark. Henry, Eliza and I are laughing.

Shifting gears: in my head my imaginary readers were laughing at the Eliza and Henry notes I recently posted. For that reason, I have another GEM for you. Courtesy of Eliza, here's a note she wrote after the neighbor boys threw snowballs at my car when we came home from Church on Sunday.    

The guilt this must have inspired is top quality. :) Sadly, when she went out to deliver it, the boys had gone inside. I like the part where she says she will tell their Dads!

Other happenings:

It snowed! And just like I love, it arrived over the weekend.

 I love their Dad so much.

Forrest reached his seven month mark. He's not sleeping through the night. During a twelve hour stretch, I usually nurse him once and sometimes send Andrew in to help him find his pacifier. He is, however, army crawling like a champ. Because when babies do anything, they do it "like a champ." He cries like a champ, snuggles like a champ and poops like a champ.

I'm over the moon in love with him. That's still the same.

This is a classic Forrest expression:

Closed mouth smile accented by the most delicious baby cheeks. Sigh.

I also took my first selfie:

And finally, last Thursday the Relief Society put on a progressive dinner. My home was one of the appetizer stops. My home hasn't been that clean in a LONG time and it felt very Christmas-ish. I asked Andrew to take a few photos before the kids had access to the rooms again!

 It's especially lovely when the lights are turned off, if I do say so myself.

 It was prettier when the appetizers were splayed across the table.

 Fresh carpet lines make me feel peaceful. And that's that. Happy holiday y'all!

In Their Words

"Breaking news!" My daughter declares from the back row of the car. It's 3:15 p.m. and I've just picked her up from school. Following our typical afternoon greeting, her impending announcement sends a charge of second grade excitement through the car.

I don't have to feign enthusiasm. I love hearing the details of her day; especially ones dealing with her time away from  home.

"What? What is it?!" I ask.

"I'll just wait to tell you when we get home." What a tease. I tell her I can't handle the suspense. Satisfying my request, she plunges into the drama that unfolded in the lunchroom today. It all began, according to Eliza, with an apple.

"That apple was a good idea, Mom. You'll never guess why..." Suddenly, I do have a guess. But I don't tell her.

"I LOST A TOOTH AT SCHOOL!" I'm sorry friends, but she's right. For a seven year old, it just doesn't get bigger than that.

"You did?" I make sure to gasp back.

"My mouth felt all weird while I was eating my apple, " She pauses for more air, "And then Kambree tells me that my tooth.is.bleeding. AND SO I WAS TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!! On my way to the office, (not sure why this required their attention) I just pulled so hard and it came out. This first grader saw it happen and said to his friend, 'Hey, did you see that girl just pop out her tooth?'"

"So is this tooth loss number five or is it six?" I ask.

"Number seven."

Missing tooth featured here. Cute, Eliza

Lucky seven. I sure love this tender heart of ours. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to go see a free screening of the new Disney movie, Frozen. As Andrew said, "They nailed it." The songs, the humor, the storyline... everything was fantastic. We loved it.

At the emotional high point of the film, I look over and see that my sweet Eliza is bawling her eyes out. It didn't surprise me in the least. It happens whenever we watch, well pretty much anything that's aiming to tug, even if it's a gentle tug, at the heart strings. She is s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e. Her feelings are delicate and easily hurt. On the other hand, she is remarkably thoughtful.

And, when she doesn't mean to be, she is super hilarious. Eliza has a habit of adding to our lists; whether it's a grocery list or a 'to-do' list, she likes to pretend to be the grown-up  as she adds in her two cents.

As a sampling, here are a few "additions" Eliza  Andrew made to his to do list this past weekend. Don't worry, I can interpret.

The first five, were written by Andrew:

• Fix van squeal
• Top off Sequoia T-case oil (fyi, his replacement car following his accident is a toyota sequoia. we like it a lot)
• Rake leaves
• Christmas lights on house
• Replace light bulbs - fireplace, downstairs

And then Eliza added the following:

• Watch youtube
• Forrest Duty
• examine Christmas tree lights (okay, I wrote that one.)
• carry totes (that one too.)
• Well done!
•  Find out what does the fox say
• Take a poo-cation (a long one) 
• Pay Bills do on weekends Friday, Saturday, Sunday 

Just wait! There was a backside as well. 

• Get new plates on car
• Read scriptures
• Thank whoever gave us candy (That would be Michael Auras. THANK YOU FOR THE GERMAN CHOCOLATES!)
• Show respect to Forrest
• Shave beard
• Put Christmas lights in are rooms
• learn to like xmas
• SLEEP!
• make a xmas present for Mom
• watch the bad words show (she is referring to the BIG BANG THEORY - ha ha ha!)
• eat left-overs
• go out to movies with us
• don't argue with mom (a humble reminder)
•  shave mustache 
• and you're done, Go MAN Go!!!!

Kindergarten is such a special time. Watching Henry learn to read and write has been a joy. While rocking a fussy Forrest in the "Christmas room" the other night, Henry plopped down in front of the Christmas tree and underneath its majestic lights, he wrote his list to Santa:

"I wont u motorcyle"

I want a motorcycle

"and u parachute"

"I doont"

not sure what this one is

"U kor"

a car

"emunemz"

M&M's

"and mints, gum"

"Mi Moms foon numbr..."

My Mom's phone number... 

and that's where I had to crop the photo because

that cute boy wrote down my cell number correctly. :) 

Full Bellies, Full Hearts

Like a festive Thanksgiving feast spread, our holiday weekend was full of diverse, lively, nostalgic and delicious experiences. From sitting down to two beautiful dinners, to bowling, to decorating ginger bread houses and a return visit to the stables for horse back riding (whew!) our weekend was made memorable.

Stuffed in between the merry making, I hauled out the Christmas decorations, swapped decor and dusted; which was scary as I realized the full measure of my neglect in some areas of my home. Yikes! On Friday, the kids were on car cleaning duty with Dad. Andrew also silenced the screaming banshee who once haunted the engine of my car and worked in the yard while I prepared for the lesson I taught on Sunday. The kids did their fair share of complaining over their work related duties, but knowing the fun waiting for them around the corner, I didn't feel bad about it one bit. Work is healthy, yes?

Here's the photo rundown:

Can I begin by acknowledging whose been on top of each of our thankful lists?  

We're pretty thrilled that this little guy joined our family this year. I included Lottie and Forrest's car seat in the collage as the pair of them giggle at each other while we are out and about picking up kids from school each day. I'm thankful that Forrest, along with my other kiddos, continue to grow strong and well. Sometimes when I scoop him up and smother him with kisses, I grow lovesick. It's the best kind of sick there is. I'm just in love with this baby. He's my fourth, but as I've said before, falling in love with your children is a new, fresh experience each time. I am rich because I have them. They are my treasure. Andrew too. Oh, I'm sorry. I think I heard you just gag a little.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, we gathered with the Mays crew for dinner. Nana had a fun 'decorate your turkey' activity waiting for the kids. Lottie wasn't feeling her best, but she definitely had fun participating. And when I say "participate," I mean stuffing huge bites of cupcake in her mouth while I arranged her 'tail feathers' on a toothpick. 


It was great having the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off from school. I love slow mornings. I tried to appreciate the moment. "Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Your kids are alive with excitement. Savor this." But like that last slice of pumpkin pie, the moment passed in a blink!

Thanksgiving Day began at my parent's home where my Dad took a few photos of my family. I couldn't help but request that I take a few too.

 Love.

In keeping with tradition, we met a few of my siblings, parents and a part of the Jones family for a morning of bowling. Poor Andrew couldn't bowl as he's still dealing with consistent back pain. Yes, he's in therapy three times a week and seeing his doctor regularly. Poor Ali. She's the most inconsistent bowler on planet earth. In between her THREE strikes, were gutter ball rolls.

 Following our fun morning, we were off to the Flegal's to help prepare the day's feast. 

My kids are very fortunate to have cousins close in age and proximity. Going to Nanna's is a mini-vacation as the children disappear into the land of happiness with their cousins. 

I used to pride myself on making sure I took photos of everyone and everything. I've slacked off big time. I blame the cute baby.

Black Friday shopping isn't worth mentioning. Except for the fact that I should probably remind future self that going alone is lame and sad! My Mom and I did have a good experience at Michaels, but later that night I braved Target by myself. It was a waste of gasoline. I'm craving a solid girls night out, I think.

Friday we worked and decorated (yay!). Saturday we went to the stables to ride horses, hit Shivers for lunch (enter the nostalgia) and the kids decorated ginger bread houses.

(Shhh! Don't tell Henry I don't have a photo of him on the horse. I do have some great video of him trotting though.)

When I asked my Mom earlier this month what she'd like for Christmas, she replied:

"Andrew." It turns out his handyman skills are in high demand. So while the kids went to town on their gingerbread houses, Andrew helped my parents with a few projects. I'm his lady pimp, sending him to work on other people's projects while I receive the credit for the "gifting of his services." I'm such a snake! Seriously though, it worked out well as my Mom and Dad were super appreciative and Andrew, Captain Frugality, would much rather give a gift of his time. 

It was a great way to kick off the holiday season.