O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is set up.  I believe this is about as early as it has gotten for us in recent years.

Last year our tree looked like this....

I debated doing that again this year.  We have a certain member of the family who has trouble remember what they can and can not play with and I was afraid that the ornaments were going to be tempting.  However, I decided to give it a try with the ornaments and we will see how things go.

Nick wasn't feeling well so it was just the kids and I and it went very well.  The older two and I set up the tree and the little one was awake from her nap by the time we were ready for the ornaments.  It was fun to see their excitement.

I think that I have a little fixing to do.  There are a lot of areas like this.....

That need to shifted to fill in areas like this. :)

And the usually "How many kids can fit in the Christmas Tree Box photo."

And the "pretending to be sleeping" photo which they all thought was funny. :)

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was pretty typical for us other than some illness.  Nick ended up in bed all day on Thanksgiving Day with strep.  Not fun and hoping that the rest of us do not get it.  A few of us are battling colds or something of that nature.  I am hopeful that we are sick now and we will all be healthy when it comes to Christmas programs and gatherings.  Hopefully? :)

A lot of the week was spent in preparation for the 3 family gatherings that we had.  I made a lot of my food on Tuesday afternoon and then spent most of Wednesday helping my mom with food and getting her house ready for the 29 guests that were coming on Thanksgiving Day.  The moment that probably stands out to me the most occurred when I was up to my elbows in extra topping for my Apple Crisp on Tuesday afternoon.  I was becoming increasingly frustrated because I had to much topping and not enough room in my pan.  I can't throw away yummy Apple Crisp topping so I had to cut up more apples and make another pan.  After an afternoon on my feet, a toddler at my feet and with nothing ready for supper I was ready to throw in the hat.  Then out of nowhere (well, actually I am sure it was God straightening my attitude) the thought flew into my head that there are mothers all over this world (and probably not very far from me) who would love to have the "excess" problem that I was experiencing.  I was reminded in that moment that the food in my cupboards is more than some will have a year's time.  The fact that I had several options for supper is beyond comprehension for some mothers and families in 3rd world countries.  My attitude changed and I moved on seeing my "problem" as a blessing.  Our (my) "problems" are often blessings that need to be looked at in a different light.

With that in mind here are some photos from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  May we all remember that the blessings that we have are gifts that our Father in heaven has given to us for this moment in time.

 Electronics are always a big hit with the little ones!  This just makes me smile!

 Great Grandpa playing Barbies with some of the little girls.

 Yes, Eric is taking care of the tangles in the yarn for his mother. :)

 Micah playing "War" with extended cousins.

Olivia is taking some antibiotics that are pretty rough on the system and we had a little accident which meant that she got to run around with no pants and her light up shoes.  It was pretty funny.

Thanksgiving exhaustion!

Dentist & Dental Floss

We recently visited our friendly dentist office.  Micah and Rebecca love going to the dentist and frequently will ask how long it is until our next visit.  I am thrilled that visiting the dentist is something that they are excited about and it reflects in how they care for their teeth which makes me even happier. :)

Apparently at this last visit the hygienist taught them how to use dental floss and sent them each home with a little container of their own.

Now, up until 6 months ago I was not an avid flosser.  I would do it on occasion, but nothing regular.  Then I got a cavity between my two of my teeth.  (I was specifically told that this cavity came from a lack of flossing.) I had it filled, but had some problems because the bite wasn't correct and my jaw was sore for days.  Since that time I have been flossing very regularly. :)

So, when Rebecca came to me with floss hanging out of her mouth I was pleasantly surprised.  However, when she nicely laid her used dental floss on the bathroom counter I wasn't so pleasant.  I called for her and told her that she need to throw it away.

She broke down sobbing.  She didn't want to throw it away.  The dentist had given it to her and she wanted to keep it.  I was shocked!  It is a little piece of plastic string.  I have 20 more in the drawer.  My mom has a lifetime of floss at her house.  (Can you tell that we are not big flossers?) If by some chance all of that runs out we can always go to the store and get more.

I explained all of this to her and she finally calmed down and threw it away.

Fast forward a few hours and they are both in the bathroom brushing their teeth when a "scuffle" breaks out amid angry whispers.  Rebecca finally calls out "Mom - Micah is not throwing his floss away...."

Really?  So I call back and tell me that he needs to throw his floss away.

He comes out of the bathroom with container of floss in hand and starts sobbing. 

REALLY?!?!  Not only had he not thrown it away, but he had neatly wrapped it back around the floss container for his next use.  As with his sister, I explained that I have 20 more in the drawer, grandma has a lifetime worth of floss at her house and we can always go buy more.

The sobbing ceases, but all I could do was shake my head.  Who knew that dental floss could be such a treasured possession?

Potty Training (Round 3)

I can hardly believe that I am posting about potty training already!  Olivia is barely 2 and she is, as I tell everyone, potty training herself.

After training 2 kids I was fully ready for child number 3 to be in diapers until she was 3 years old.  I was so anxious to get the other two trained and I started way to early with both of them.  I think that we were potty training for nearly a year with both of them. Way to stressful for this momma.  So, I had decided that I wasn't even going to push the issue for at least 6 months and I was fine with that.

Then came "I go peepee." out of my littlest's mouth. 

Really?

So I put her on the potty and wouldn't you know - she went!  I absolutely couldn't believe it!  And then she went again and again!  She doesn't stay dry 100% of the time, but she does use the potty several times a day and every time that she does I just think that I saved myself another diaper. :)

Maybe the bribe of an M&M is working with number 3!

As she is using the potty I think back to when Rebecca was potty training and this adorable photo that I got of her.

And, in fact, I just recently snapped this shot of Olivia.

Rebecca seems to extend a little more assistance to "her" baby than Olivia, but it does make me laugh that they both did the same thing.