The Holiday Cheer Continues

The start of another weekend full of holiday fun!!

After a morning of school off to STL again for an overnight with Lulu and Poppy for the girls and a night out for me and Poppa! Everyone was excited!!

 

Saturday morning cookie baking and decorating with Lulu and Poppy!!

All 5 girls!! Lots of laughing and one crying because it was nap time and momma was back (she loves her momma!)

Back home for more parties! Girls Night Out for me and Poppa had a boys night.

It was a great night, lots of laughing involved! Gas station gift exchange and reindeer antler challenge!! Holiday Sangaria also made it a lot of fun!

Ended the weekend with a morning with Santa and the littles and Trudy's first carousel ride!

First wrote him a letter.  Asking for a horse, doc mcstuffin, and Santa and reindeer.  Littles not interested in writing him a list but for the record Matilda would like a soft horse and Margaret answers the same every time we ask "I not like Santa".

All calm waiting which is big progress for the littles. They are so working on courage lately in things more than Santa. They are so close to getting it!!

Instant classics!

A memory I will always remember!

All smiles back waiting for the carousel!

I love all the magic the holidays bring.  Don't get me wrong with the pictures of just smiles it's real life in my house.  We are more tired than normal, my kids have meltdowns over things I can't even understand,we forget things like Poppa's boots for our party so he wore tennis shoes (haha!!), travel is so worth it but hard at times, I have one little girl who will wear what I want her to but first chance to change into royals shirt she jumps on, our dog hates the car so much it's a shedding mess to bring him and he may have covered our lunch Friday in hair (gross!), the list goes on.  It can be a true circus with 4 littles 4 and under but at the end of each day I feel truly blessed to be part of it and I know Poppa has the same sentiment. We still have one more weekend before Christmas!!

White Christmas

Tonight was EKs Christmas recital!

White Christmas!

She and us are so lucky to have such special grandparents that drove 2 hours to watch her perform.

We love Pops!

And Mimi! Special flowers from Mimi.

And Lulu!

EK did a great job!!

After the show EK was so excited to see Santa and Mrs. Clause!

Ended the night at Orange Leaf, EK's favorite!  

A little late

4 1/2 .... Time is flying!

Some days I just want to freeze time and then other times I just love watching you grow and explore this world.

You have the biggest heart and I love getting reports from your teacher that you are the kid to go play with someone who is alone. Still our little momma hen.

You are hilarious and make us laugh daily. You are a negotiator that's for sure!  And love to be in charge.  

You made me a momma and I am forever grateful to be your momma.  Never stop being YOU!! 

Selfie I found on my camera.

We love you Etta Kate!!!

Oh Trudy- 18 months

18 months, Oh Trudy!!

You are forever my baby but you are now a full blown toddler.  You are little miss independent.  You hold your own with your sisters, know what you like and don't like and are still a happy little lady with a little fiestiness in there.  I say often that I swear there is a little old lady in you.  I'm not alone your school teacher agrees.  Last week when I picked up she says "you know Trudy could run and does run this class"! You may be the youngest of 4 but you have big plans and the attitude to make it all happen!

You love: playing with balls, your teacher Ms. Brittney, still a mommas girl but loves her poppa just as much lately, anything sweet, gluing at school, babies most of all your pink polka squeak shoes!

Eating: you will try a lot but still love waffles but lately oatmeal is your favorite, you even get the bowl and oatmeal out!

You don't like: when things are off schedule and coats

You learned: many animal sounds, new words each day, saying cheese to camera, how to shake your booty

I love your big laugh lately when everyone else is laughing, makes me laugh harder.

Your currently the best sleeper in the house sleeping all night in your own bed.

We fought off your first flu bug Sunday night and who would have known that an 18 month old would make it to the toilet every time.  My little old lady!!

Note to Trudy:

As Poppa will tell you when your older, a message from Mimi.  Can't lost the battle of TRY!! 

Our baby, Trudy, Gerty, Gertrude we love you and you truly complete our family of little ladies!

Holiday Weekend Fun Begins

First holiday weekend delivered lots of fun for all!

Holiday Party with friends was a blast! Night out with no kids, gift exchange for girls, white elephant laughs for boys, good food and drinks.  Oh what fun was had!!

 

Supper with Santa at the Butterfly House with family.  

One out of our 4 likedSanta.  EK was really excited to ask Santa what his reindeer's names were and elf's name.

 Everyone else had a great time with the crafts and food. 

MM loved the penguins and igloo the most! 

 Photo booth fun!

Back home to wake up to St.Nick filling out shoes!

Love the excitement!

Maugs was so excited to show her Charlie Brown her new Christmas snoopy jammas.  Charlie Brown has gone to school daily lately.  She gives me a report on his behavior!

Littles had to change!

Even got the farm decorated. 

EK had a birthday party with friends from her old school.  Love that we have been able to keep in touch with these friends.

 

Lots and lots of fun! Bring on next weekend!! Love the holidays!!