Christmas Magic

Logan made this adorable ornament at school and brought it home in a special bag with wrapping. I couldn't imagine what it was as the kids had been bringing stuff home off and on for about a week for Christmas. Took me a second to a read the tag to figure these just weren't snowmen, they were snowmen made out of a hand print! Duh mom!! Goes to show how little his hands still are! There is a very cute poem that goes with it, if you put your glasses on you might be able to read it, I won't bore you with writing it all. Someday when he's through elementary school and such I will read this and cry.
This is our Elf on the Shelf. Clever little idea 2 women had. For those of you that live under a rock like me (apparently everyone has heard of these), he's a elf you adopt from Hallmark, name him and his job is to watch the children's behavior and report to santa every night! PERFECT! Now every morning he is in a different place when he returns (trust me, you will forget to move him at least once, therefore you will be up at 6:30am like me today on cmas break to move him). The kids are not allowed to touch him and he's not allowed to talk back to the children. There is a great book that comes with him to read to the children. He's got one of my children so paranoid, she gave him her candy bar that the principal handed out for cmas to all the children!! Works like a charm and I suggested he stay out all yr. round!

Well this is crunch week. I need to crunch wrapping, baking and some desperate house cleaning. I think I can do it, we shall see. Made hair appts. for all of us this week, of course at different day/times, so that messes up my days too!

This may be the last post till after Cmas, so i want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!!

December, December, December

Yes, the dogs got new sweaters this year. Yes, they love them!!
I love that they both play in the snow this year. Last year, Logan loved it, but he wouldn't keep his gloves on and hat and so on, so he wasn't aloud to play long. This year, he's all about following the rules.
Rich got to go out hunting this year on the first day. That has happened in awhile with his work schedule. So, happy he was and glad to share it with his kids. Olivia was grossed out by the whole thing and Logan, well, he said it was a kangaroo!! Give the kid credit, from a 3yo. perspective, it kind of look a like a 'roo hanging. Imagine the stories that could generate from that at school!!
The cat has no sweater yet, but it is only the middle of Dec. and Olivia hasn't gotten her hands on one yet. He sure does like laying under my tree though.
December is a crazy month. So much to do, my head swims. Making sure everything is bought for school and wrapped and who we missed. Who has santa shop, who needs a toy for toy drive, who's cotton candy day is it?, and YOU WANT WHAT!! All to say is that is gets pretty crazy this month and I am glad when cmas vacay starts and that part is done. Much harder with two kids instead of just one. I love Christmas. For those of you that don't know that!! Just wish I didn't need so many lists for everything and that this brain of mine could remember it without having to write it down!

Got the cmas cards done. Not sure how I feel about them. Every yr. I say I'm going to switch company's , only to feel rushed and just order them anyway. Logan won't/can't smile without closing his eyes, so no smiling this yr. Let's hope that coordination comes through before next cmas card time!!

On another note. When it's this time of the year, you want to appreciate the things in front of you and take time to...take time. I have heard two stories this week of babies being born. One baby, full term, with alot of problems (in my opinion should have been caught) didn't make it to see his first cmas. Another baby, was born 1lbs.15oz. at 27 weeks and is now breathing on her own. Believe me when I tell ya, that's early and that's tiny. This was the 3rd or 4th try for these parents who have buried babies in the past. I look at Logan once again and think about just how blessed we are. His Could'ves, Should'ves are so simple compared to what some families struggle with.

So, this 3yo. thinks and tries to rule the roost here. You know, like every other 3yo. Let me see how far I can push them, see what I can get away with and if I cry a little, just where will that get me. Yeah, I love the 3's. He's trying, give him credit. He wants to say where he wants to sleep/nap, eat, drink, and play. Kind of funny those toddlers. He shouldn't forget, I already went through the 3's once already in this lifetime! His sister may have pulled the wool over my eyes then, but the older, the wiser i get.
All in all, he's doing pretty good. He's not a crying or screamer, so he doesn't carry on that long when something doesn't go his way. He started saying "please" along with "thank you". BONUS. He has started talking more and more sentences, which makes for a fun day. I can't wait until cmas this year and see his eyes light up.

Speaking of.....the kids are pretty much done, bought for already. Now to go onto my never ending list of everybody else. Olivia got smart this year, well let's say it's probably been simmering in that brain of hers for awhile now. She put two and two together of why amazon shows the books that santa bought last yr. in the "items you have purchased" and the ones we think you would like to purchase....tricky that kid. Note to amazon, keep stuff to yourself next time. I played it off of course and said well, really Olivia, do you really think we could buy all of that and besides, me and daddy don't go shopping together anyway. I know somewhere she's thinking, you guys told me you were going to eat last week and then you told someone else you went shopping that night..........hmmmm, I know I screwed up that day and caught myself but couldn't backtrack!

Speaking of , too smart for your own good. Olivia has been asked by her teacher to do some 4th grade work in class this yr. She's knows all the 3rd grade spelling words already and her reading/comprehension is through the roof. To know Olivia is too know she analyzes way too much for her own good. But it's paying off in her studies. You tell her to give you 100% she's going to give you 180%, that's Olivia. Not sure where she gets it from, I'm always quick to take the easy way out. Maybe it's Rich, although I wouldn't admit it was ALL him!!!

More Halloween

This is it and then I'm done, over Halloween. The kid's had a chance this year to t-or-t with their cousins, mackenzie and JJ. My boy and that bag. He carried it like that almost the whole time. He was so proud of that bag.
Notice how my children do not pose well together. Blame it on the age thing again!

These bags were ridiculously full. I have sorted and hid all of it. I had a crazed 3yo. who screamed "candy" day and night. Out of sight, out of mind.

Halloween

Ok, the other family pic was much better other than when Logan moved and his face is a swirl. This was the other pic, not as good......you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.
He truly is my superman!!
Group photo, let's see who can sit still the longest!! These were taken at the zoo btw.
Who knew Logan had a love for jellyfish. He would not leave them and talked about them non-stop. Maybe cause they were the only animals closet to his size at the zoo!! I swear there is a superman in the photo. Can you hear me screaming Nikon camera as the holidays approach!!
These two cousins. Can't you see this is about4-5yrs. Got trouble written all over it.
Once again, my hero.
TWINS!

Olivia has a wonderful teacher again this year and she is tons of fun, but she's tough also. This is her in the red/black coat. They led the parade and carried on cheers through the field. She's everything a teacher should be!!!

This yrs. halloween turned out to be great, minus some family members but they know who they are, so enjoy the pics your not in!! LOL A little bit of humor on my part. I need it after the week I had.

Logan picked up on saying Happy Halloween, which was so darn cute when he said it. But then he also caught on to trick or treat. I got a knock on the bathroom door one day and he was outside yelling trick or treat! I thought I would melt.Knock again... trick or treat. So he caught on to the concept, just not every door you knock on. Wasn't sure if it was his way to get me out of the bathroom or he expected a candy thrown under the door. Whichever, it was cute.

He was much more into halloween than the older kids this year. I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't expecting cooperation like we got either. He was happy to walk, carry his own bag (if that wasn't priceless enough with that bag that was as tall as him), and to be very polite. He told everyone trick or treat and he was right at the door knocking and he also told everyone happy halloween and "bye". He's my polite child. Hope it lasts. The kids did have fun and they got way too much candy but well worth it!

I don't recall ever complaining my bag was too heavy to carry and my legs hurt and just how far are we from the house. I walked and walked and carried my bag (well pumpkin really) everywhere to trick or treat. I wore those moon boots and coats and gloves and it snowed and we froze but it was the best day ever. The kids these days complained about their bag and actually turned down candy b/c their bags were too heavy already......I couldn't believe my ears. Maybe it's just easier to go to the store and buy these days or maybe the adventure isn't there anymore, I don't know but i know i got mine the hard way and it tasted really good...........

Pa. Weekend

Look Mom, I caught a butterfly with my net! Or as Logan would say "barfly"...hehe

Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Jimmy
Logan is at the stage where when you tell him to smile he automatically closes his eyes. I remember this with Olivia. Don't know why, but that's not a smile.

Olivia, Aurora, and Logan at grandma's & pappy's. Cute kids I must say!!

Fall

Well fall is moving in and out at a rapid pace these days. Seems not long ago we were sweating, now we are freezing and the trees are becoming bare. I enjoy fall, but not what's coming behind it. I have heard people talk of the holiday in december (I won't mention it yet) and counting the days down already. I have also received my first black friday email. I do looove the dec. holiday, but I need to be a millionaire, so stickin bad. I need to get through halloween first, then think about what i need for "that holiday".

Logan is funny. He didn't like the leaves last yr. and is not taking kind to them this year. Not his cup of tea. He was forced into the leaves and couldn't wait to get back out. It's interesting the things he won't touch and doesn't like. Doesn't bother him to do flips off the arms of my chairs though. I'm really starting to see the big differences between boys and girls. There are many, some good and some bad.

Our dogs blend in quite well with the leaves. Sometimes you have to take a second look up the yard when they are outside to find them.

My little boy....he's just got that charisma that makes you want to squeeze and kiss him!!

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I last wrote. Time does fly by these days. As you can see by the pic above, Olivia has been busy drawing. On a sad note, the rain recently washed it all away. Figures, it hardly rains here and after she draws this in the driveway for all incoming company to see...gone.

I am trying to make more time for myself as I would like to get back into reading my books again, but for some reason, I have less time than I did before. Maybe it's trying to get so much done before Logan comes home from school or maybe I just added more to my plate and didn't even realize it.

Logan is doing well in school, I guess. He doesn't say much about it, which can be really frustrating at times. Olivia has a awesome teacher this year and she's being pushed to limits and doesn't even realize it. That's a good teacher. This yr. should be fun, then on to Middle school and I don't think that's going to be as fun.

Well let's face it, the Holidays will be here before we know it. I have started thinking already and I should be doing a layaway by now. Haven't I learned from the previous yrs.! I am still trying to get the kids winter clothes that they need. Olivia is growing at a rapid pace and I can't keep up. Guess she's going to be built like me. Gosh Logan, I could wear 18mos. pants on him and yes, I do with some!! His winter coat that we've had forever, is..*gasp* 12mos.! Ok, I will say, it is made big, but really!!

All in all, that's about it that's been happening here. I did get the halloween costumes. Olivia, of course is a cat. It's the same every yr. we just have to buy a bigger size. Logan is going to be Superman, I had to find something that he didn't have to wear anything on his head!

Marathon

What else do you do in Akron on a late Sept. , Saturday morning? You run a marathon. Not me, but Rich's sister ran it. Beat her time in Cleveland too! The kids ran the Fun Run which is a mile and it's free for them. We chose to keep Logan at home for this. Just didn't think we could handle chasing him all over the place with so many people. Guess we made a good choice, Rich said there were so many people down there, he was glad he didn't have Logan with him. Of course I gave him the option to take Logan with him and I stay home....that didn't happen!

Olivia said she didn't like it, but I think she kind of did. She's not a runner, nor is her mother!

This is Melinda, about to be finished, I believe. At least she still is smiling!!

Fall

This was in my driveway. That Olivia, very artistic!

My little boy has figured out how to steer and drive this Hummer. Now for some reason the steering has always been tight in it, so it's taken some time to get the muscles to turn the wheel. But all said, he's actually a very good driver like Olivia. It can be scary at times.

Fall is just literally around the corner. I have to say as time goes on, I'm beginning to be a huge Fall fan. Before I just didn't care b/c of the next season coming and it hangs on forever no matter what the calendar says. I do love Fall alot though. I love getting the Fall scented candles out and starting to burn them! It's not so hot outside, you can't be outside to play. It's just really nice!! Of course I say that and it hasn't been cold yet or rainy alot, so we will see.

School is going great for both kids. Olivia's biggest ordeal is what she's going to be for Halloween. Logan's is if he's going to ride the bus today! So far, so good!

Olivia and her creativity. When that girl gets an idea, she just runs with it. She got those little pizza tables (that's what we call them that come in the middle of your pizza) and decided she needed to make a setting out of clay. They needed a little help staying up so they got a boost with a pencil sharpener.

I saw these birds having a field day outside the kids' bedroom window and snuck up on them and realized they must have been eating the seeds. There were a ton of them at one time but i scared some trying to get the window open further. Can you spot the birds? They are well hidden!