Prepping for Santa

 Hope everyone is ready and excited for the holidays!  Only 4 more days till Santa arrives!  Damien, the Elf on the Shelf, continues to be the daily topic of conversation.  Every morning, the kids run downstairs to see where he landed.  The elf rarely does anything cool or exciting (we barely even remember to move the guy, let alone have him do fun stuff).  But they love searching for him.  He has brought them a few gifts, one being a gingerbread kit, and the kids loved putting it together.  They also keep trying to eat it....only a couple pieces are missing.  #gross 

Every year, the elf returns a little tree that goes in their bedroom.  This year, Damien brought new ornaments so they could decorate their own tree.  And Adley got a bow as a tree topper.

Hudson colored a picture for Santa one day at school, so we laid it out for Damien to take to the North Pole.  A couple days later, a special note from Santa arrived back.  The look on Hudson's face was magical and priceless when he saw that note.  He was speechless and so appreciative that Santa liked his artwork.  Oh how I am going to be heartbroken on the day when their innocence and holiday magic is gone.  Thus we are soaking in every moment while it lasts.

Santa came to school.  Adley asked for a present.  What type of present, "A big one."

I even got into the holiday spirit and made ornaments for my office staff.  Next year, Damien the elf will bring a personal Elf Cam for their rooms.  Just not enough hours in the day to craft as much as I'd like to.

The annual holiday show was the cutest ever.  We didn't think Adley would sing, but she did and she did not disappoint.  One song was Frozen, Let it Go, which is still an all time favorite, so that may have played a part in her belting out musical notes.  Hudson was "too cool for school" to get into the singing spirit.  He kept his hand in his pockets, wore a cute grin the entire time and maybe whispered the words.  He is growing up too fast.

ADLEY

https://youtu.be/vdicYsY0gAc

HUDSON - notice cousin Anderson's background commentary. Hilarious stuff

https://youtu.be/y69vocvEONg

Santa and Mrs. Claus also visited Clearcreek Elementary.  Hudson continues to question why Santa looks different every time he meets him.  I try to explain that those are "Santa's helpers" and the "real" Santa is at the North Pole, but Hudson politely declares I am wrong and don't know because I "wasn't there and didn't get to meet him."  I decided not to argue against that one.

Winter sports are in full swing.  Hudson is better at basketball this year than we anticipated.  It is actually like watching a legit game, versus last year when we laughed during every game as they basically chased after a ball and could not dribble or pass or score.  And Adley is still loving her gymnastics class.

Even Brady is better adjusted to the domesticated dog life; he is handling the holiday stress of bright lights, loud noises and guests better than we anticipated.   

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays!  We head to Louisville tomorrow to visit the Wilson clan and hopefully meet up with some old high school friends.

Hope everyone is on the Nice List this year :)  

Halloween and Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Let me first play catch up and start with Halloween.  Before the big candy day, we had a couples game night, where seven of my local Ohio girlfriends got together with our hubbies to play card games, trivia games, drawing games, etc.  This time it was at the Kemp crib and the game was Drawing Without Dignity (GREAT game btw!).  We always play boys vs girls.  And the boys always seem to cheat and win (and the blame is usually geared towards Chris, shocking), but this time the girls dominated!  It is always a blast to get together with these ladies.  Most of our kids either go to school together or play sports together, so it's nice to step out of the "parent role" ever so often and have fun.

Then came Halloween.  Hudson was Captain America by day and a skeleton by night.  After much debate over which princess Adley would be, she decided on Rapunzel.  She is obsessed with this hand-me-down wig from cousin Hannah.  Now this poor wig has been through the ringer; it is matted and old and falling apart.  I have tried to brush and re-braid it, but it never looks good.  But Adley adorreeeessss it, so we let her rock her matted-up mop of a wig and laugh along the way.

 

Everyone came to our house beforehand for pizza and goodies.  It wasn't very cold, but it was misty and almost raining.  But it didn't stop our crew of eleven kids from running through the neighborhood.  The tradition has been to have the dads take all the kids out for trick-or-treating.  The mamas get to stay back in the cozy warm house and sip on fun beverages.  I hope this tradition never ends. 

 The mandated candy-swap, where he kids trade their goodies.  It's cute to watch.

 Adley started gymnastics and she is obsessed!  She wants to tumble and roll all over the house now.  And she knows she is cute in her leotards, so she will strut herself around and transform into a diva as soon as the spandex come out.  Also note, she is completely potty-trained!  We keep her in a Pullup at night, but she is officially a big girl.

Below are pics of two favorite things the kids love to do...give "bunny ears" and strip down naked.  Hudson is the best big brother, always looking out for his sis and teaching her fun things.  Adley continues to find her voice and wants you to hear it.  It is usually heard by singing songs...Elsa, Moana, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Jingle Bells, etc...you play it and she will sing it all.

 Hudson was recently a Star Student of the Week.  It was all about him for an entire week of school.  He got to decorate a poster and share it with his class:

Favorite Subjects: Reading, Math, Science

Favorite Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Football

Favorite memory: Vacations to Florida

When he grows up he wants to be a police officer and Tom Brady.

We recently had a Friendsgiving with a few of my girlfriends, their spouses and a combined twelve kids, ages 6 and younger.  We've been friends since college and are fortunate to be able to get together yearly for a girls trip (9 years and counting!).  This was the first time some of the kids got to meet and play together.  The weather was nice, the bounce house up and it was a great afternoon.

Thanksgiving was held at LollyPops house this year.  It has been awhile since the clan has all been in town at the same time to celebrate.  Even though the kids see each other nearly everyday, they loved hanging out.  Claire and Adley had to wear "fancy dresses," but that didn't stop them from playing in the pile of leaves Pop raked for them.  And after lunch, the boys had to take their shirts off, go downstairs and play video games.  Not sure why these kids don't like to wear clothes.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season in store.  We all know this time of year can be stressful and overwhelming, so try and stop and count your blessings ever so often.  Occasionally overlooked and often taken for granted, be grateful for the little things as well as the big.  Remind yourself of what's important in life, for one day you might wake up and it's all gone. 

Happy Holidays!

Fall in Finally Here! And Costume-Season has Begun!

Chilly weather has finally arrived!  Which means cute robes, fuzzy slippers and cozy blankets.  Adley has no problem posing for the camera.  And she never hesitates to give you her opinion.  She all but demands boots, accessories and now curly hair almost daily.  Her favorite phrase is "I'm hungry."  And then she takes two bites and proclaims her belly is full.  Ten minutes later, "I'm hungggrrryy!"  I have debated making her starve or go to bed hungry, but she's too dang cute sometimes.

Chris "picked a pumpkin" at Costco and carved it for the kids.  I bought this cute carving kit with fun pictures and little tools, thinking we could have a pumpkin masterpiece on display.  Instead, Chris wanted to carve it freestyle.  OMG, I couldn't stop laughing.  If you look closely, there is a small rectangle at the top of the pumpkin.  That is a forehead...Hudson requested one and that was Chris' interpretation.  The kids were beyond impressed with their daddy's work.

Haunted Hot Dog Roast

Our town had a Halloween event that was really cute for the kids.  It was led by the Springboro Area Historical Society and started off with trick-or-treating down Main Street in our cute little downtown.  A cookout that included hot dogs and s'mores was next.  Then we took a walking tour through downtown Springboro.  The "ghosts of Springboro past" came out and told us the history of the town. Thought that was a clever way to learn some history while running around in costumes and staying up late on a week night.

 

Four moms trying to wrangle nine small children hopped up on candy and hot dogs...

Frozen on Ice
The family had a girls-only afternoon (which included Pop) and we went to see Disney's Frozen on Ice.  Adley was mesmerized and belted out every song and danced her little heart out.  Claire, well she had a different reaction.  She was stunned like I have never seen any child before.  Shocked.  Mute.  Literally frozen to her chair, never moving and probably never blinking.  I have never seen such a quiet child.  I love quiet-Claire.

The most expensive snow cone cup ever was purchased....which gave Adley the most adorable brain freeze ever. So I dubbed that as money well spent.

Hudson finished soccer season.  His team came in 2nd in their league so they got legit trophies, instead of the everyone-gets-a-participation-medal.  Next up, basketball!!

Windmill Farms

During last weeks Patriots football game, the mamas packed up the kids and went on a hayride and did some pumpkin picking.  The kids loved it!  And the moms loved NOT having to watch their darling husbands yell and scream at the television.  The dads had a "play day," drinking beer and watching the game.  #wifepoints.  And the Patriots won in case you missed that game #doublewifepoints

Monster Mash
Daycare had their annual Halloween Party.  It rained, so everything got moved indoors, but it was still a good time.  The boy cousins are going as matching skeletons that glow in the dark.  Adley and Claire continue to dress up in their normal attire = princess dresses.  Adley was Ariel this time.  And it was a special costume because it was a hand-me-down from cousin Hannah!

We're gearing up for the big day on Wednesday.  It's supposed to be rainy and chilly, so we are sticking to our annual tradition.  Everyone comes over to my house early for pizza and costume prep.  Then the dads and big kids go out and collect their candy.  The mamas and babies stay back in the comfort of a warm home, all while drinking wine and enjoying a calm evening.