Christmas preparations

We had promised the kids that we would put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. They were SO looking forward to it! We just got a new tree because sections of lights on our last one quit working. So, Friday morning, we bring the tree up to begin the assembly. We quickly realize we have 2 part D's and no part C's. This is a problem. Of course, we bought this at Target and it's Black Friday. The manufacturer was not terribly helpful. Five-year-olds don't understand why we can't put it up, when "you told us we could do it on Friday!!!!" So, J called Target just to see if they had one. Thankfully, they did. So we boxed up the defective tree, J returned it to Target and picked up the new one. He said it was amazingly quick and easy so thanks to Target for that! So, after a bit of a delay, we did finally get the tree up.

The "finished" product: (We had to do a little re-organizing. You can see we're a little bottom-heavy -- you get a pretty good idea of preschool reach.)

The next day Aunt Casie came over to decorate gingerbread houses. She had everything pre-made and portioned, so it was all ready to go. The kids had a blast! I think Elle ate as much as she put on her house, but oh well, I suppose that's half the fun!

Will's finished product

Ellie Kate's finished product

 Casie and I actually decorated some, too. But I must have taken those pictures with her camera. The kids still want to eat their houses, but I've been trying to convince them they are just for decoration.
This past weekend, we had Breakfast with Santa at church. It was cute and the kids had fun. I was shocked that Elle did so well sitting on Santa's lap! She's afraid of stuffed snowmen we have in our house, so I figured there was no way! Surprise, surprise - she did great. Will asked Santa to bring him chapter books and Elle followed by also asking for books. Santa is quite pleased with these requests :)

making ornaments

more crafting

Just a few other pre-holiday pictures. I try to take advantage when they're all dressed up (or at least have on a matching outfit!).

Finally, Charlie the Elf has made his annual appearance at our house. Both kids are really into it this year. They race around each morning to find him, talk to him throughout the day, and tell him goodnight. Charlie has gotten a little more creative with his locations this year, too.

"Baby Brudder"

Ellie Kate is catching on a little more to this baby brother idea. She still thinks there is a baby brother in her tummy, too, but for the most part, I think she's catching on to some of what's going on. The other night I had her feeling my tummy while Baby was moving. She felt a good kick and immediately pulled her hand away in fear/shock. She looked at her palm then ran to J and said, "Daddy, Baby Brudder kicked me!" and showed him her palm. It was really cute.

Will loves feeling the baby move. Before bed the other night, Baby had the hiccups so I let the kids feel. Ellie thought it was "eww, gross!" Will said I needed to take a drink of water so  his hiccups would go away. Will is very excited to be a big helper for this baby, and I really think he will be. Hopefully he won't get too disappointed in the non-interactive newborn phase.

We have the nursery all painted and the furniture moved in. I still need to clean some things out and get clothes washed and sorted. Hopefully we can get that in the next few weekends. We're about 10 weeks away now (at most). Everything is looking good. I take my 3 hour glucose test tomorrow. I was diabetic with Will, but not Elle. Maybe it's just boys. I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing regular and they quiet down when I do. I just have to keep reminding myself to stop trying to do so much (I just don't feel like it's really that much!!). Otherwise, I have a very active little guy. I love feeling him move around all the time.

Cuddling with Baby Brother

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving post before the actual day?! What is up?? Well, nap time for the next 7 minutes, so here we go.
This is Thanksgiving art work at our house. The first are turkeys the kids helped make/decorate. Then, I asked them to list 5 things they were thankful for to write on the feathers. The last picture is from school -- adorable!

Will is thankful for: Christmas, turkey, houses, newspaper and Red Raiders (as in Texas Tech - he thinks they're pirates)

Ellie Kate is thankful for: birthdays, babies, colors, Casie, and Christmas trees

Too cute not to post

These are just a few cute pics from the last week or so.

They will totally hate me someday for posting these, but they were too funny. Elle insisted on wearing her tutu like this.

"I'm beautiful!"

rocking out - hilarious!

And I'm absolutely in love with this first picture below. Will was not posed at all, just working away and I asked him to look up. This perfectly captures this stage for him.

Autumn leaves are falling

Twirling, swirling,
They all fall down!
(This is part of a song the kids have been singing at school and just seems appropriate for these pics.)
We had great weather the last 2 weekends so we got some good leaf-raking done. This weekend was easier since J was home. While the kids didn't exactly help, they did have fun walking through our piles of leaves and attacking us with the bubble shooter. I need to remember that for next year - it was a great distraction for them!

Excuse the messy hair - this was shortly after naptime :)

I think our tree is so pretty right now!

Getting Daddy with the bubbles

It was dusk, so these pictures are pretty dark, but there's a sneak attack happening here.

Will's first game at the Fieldhouse

Lucky Will got to enjoy his first KU basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse last Friday night. He and Justin went and had a great time! Justin said he was "pure joy - the happiest I've ever seen him". Apparently, Will was enthusiastically cheering for every Jayhawk basket. He was thrilled to get pictures with Big Jay and Baby Jay. And he loved seeing all the big trophies in the Hall of Fame. I tried to portray just how lucky he was in getting to go to a game since Mommy was 18 before she went to a game there! I'm not sure he got the point, but he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Rock Chalk!

Tinkerbell and my knight in shining armor

If nothing else, my kids get good use out of their costumes each year!
First was the Halloween parade at J's office. They both have trick-or-treating down pat this year and had a blast! Their bags were so heavy with candy afterwards that they were dragging on the ground.

The lobby of each floor had spooky decorations.

I love their expressions in this one!

Can we go now?

And, they're off!

Checking out their loot

 Then we had Halloween brunch (the day before Halloween) with Grammy & Grandpa.

They got to decorate pumpkins

And have yummy treats!

On Halloween, they got to wear their costumes to school and have a party. I LOVE this pictures of them!

 Then we had trick-or-treating in our neighborhood on Halloween night. Aunt Casie came over to help. We went to 9-10 houses on our block and called it good. As in the past, the highlight is handing out candy to the other kids who come to the door.

waiting for trick-or-treaters

Happy, happy girl!

Shoving a whole pb cup in her mouth...just like her mama!

Look at all that candy!

And the silliness begins

We had beautiful weather and lots of fun. Incidentally, I also had a doctor's appointment on Halloween. All is checking out great. Baby boy is still big. We discussed moving my due date up to Feb. 12. However, I told her I wasn't too concerned about the due date. My kids never seem to make it to that point anyway. I know we'll have a c-section, so we'll schedule a date and if he makes it until then, great. If not, he'll come when he's ready. Now it's time for getting the house (and ourselves!) ready for this new baby and upcoming holidays. Lots to do, but I really do love this time of year.