Long Weekend

We had a much needed long weekend and quality family time over the holiday. Thanksgiving proved to be terrifying cooking for 16 people, but overall the meal was a great success (just don't ask my husband about how much salt was in his gravy).

G and T drew pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner at school today. I don't think they actually did eat anything except rolls and pie.

It's funny to see the difference in perception of how many people were there. Gracie also noted her favorite grandma Heather who actually doesn't exist. She has an aunt Heather who wasn't there, but how much can you ask from a 4 year old.

The day after we stayed in pj's all day-HEAVEN. We watched movies and got out Christmas decorations. Very low key, just the way I like it. Saturday we went for it and cut down a tree at a local farm. We haven't done this before, so it was a step towards Daddy's Griswold Family Christmas dreams. The kids had a great time running through the trees finding the 'perfect one'. Gracie and Tater loved all of them. Benny of course didn't like any and wanted to leave. He also wants pie for breakfast, so we can't win with him.

Then it was time to decorate and the season has been in full swing ever since! We are watching movies and drinking hot cocoa with reckless abandon. I love it.

I Was Vewy Thowsty

Report from daycare: Benny was caught twice drinking water from the toilet with his hands. Daddy: Gross buddy, don't do that! Benny: I stuck my finger up my bum, too. Thankful for Purel today.

Thankful

'Tis the season for thanks and I am really trying to focus on enjoying our little blessings this week.

Instead of how fat I feel, I am thankful for a halthy and strong body that allows me to do anything I want.

Instead of how messy my house is, I am thankful for our abundance toys and clothes to entertain and warm our little ones.

Instead of how many bills we have, I am thankful that we both have jobs and can afford what many cannot.

Instead of headaches from noise all day long, I am thankful for the little voice that just yelled down the stairs "Mommy, Gracie, Tater come eat pancakes!"

Instead of feeling too busy, I am thankful for quiet moments of being present with my kids. We read, we enter Gracie's new dog house she built and compliment her decorations of sharpie on the basketball hoop/front door.

Instead of Benny's nightly battle for bed, I am thankful for a safe warm place for my family to sleep.

Instead of sunday morning obligation, I am thankful for worship, faith and those that teach my kids about Jesus' love.

Another little voice is calling! "Mama! What do I smell like?! Like pancakes you are missing!" ha ha. Time to go!

Gracie Reads a book

Ok it's obviously memorized, but still cute to me. Click to watch!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Doc McStuffins, a hamburger, and a racecar driver. We had a great time trick or trating around the neighborhood with friends, and even visited Gracie and Tate's teacher's house! Such a thrill to see her! Gracie only slightly mortified us by asking where Mrs. Goheen's husband was and if he "got dead". Good Lord, this girl...

Aaaaand...the morning after:

Classic.

First Pets

The kids have been working hard to earn their next reward on their reward chart, which was gold fish. We went to the pet store yesterday and it turns out you can't just buy cheap fish in a bowl anymore?! Any way we figured it we'd need expensive tanks for all three or cheap ones for individuals plus accessories. We ended up going with betas in hopes that they last longer than a week. I was an idiot and said something about not dropping the fish in the store or they'd die, so now Tate has been obsessing with the thought that any second his fish will just drop dead. Awesome. Luckily they bought the amended version of the story where the fish only die until you flush them and they they find the ocean and come back to life...

Here they are!
Tate and his fish "Grandpa Ron" after his great grandpa in California.

Benny and his girl fish "Tutu"

Gracie's fish Molly. She refused to be photographed and insisted Molly doesn't like it either.

Terrorist

We are being tortured and deprived of sleep by a ruthless 3 year old terrorist.

It's been a week of wakeful nights and each night has been worse than the last. Monday night we found him eating cookies at 2am, after he promised he would stay in bed if we would just leave his door open a crack.

We have been called every dirty name he knows when he is pounding on the door wanting us to give him otter pops or turn on his light. His favorites are "stupid daddy" and "naughty mommy" but he has also added "daddy has a stinky bum" and "mean mommy" to the list. Every item in his room is fair game for being thrown at the door and pounded into the floor.

We honestly don't know if he is scared or just using that as an excuse because he knows we'll feel bad. His other excuses are so random that I feel like it's all just a master class in toddler battle of wills. We would LOVE to make him sit in his room and CRY IT OUT (or actually scream it out) but his brother and sister are next door and have started crying too. They can't stand the sound of him anymore than we can. I called the doctor's office today after getting roughly 4 hours of sleep last night (not consecutive!) and we are bringing him in for a check up just incase he does have an ear infection or something. What will we do until Friday though??? I think we have done everything short of drugging him-bribary, rewards, consequences, tough love and a 2 hour back rub that got me nowhere. If you have any great ideas for us, I'll listen!