Trimming (and Eating) the TREE

This weekend we decorated the tree among many other adventures. I thought it would be a fun tradition to turn the majority of our food for the day into the shape of a tree. I think the elves liked it too. Next year we will see if I can turn everything we eat into a tree or tree trimming, don't say I don't have goals!

Fun Friday

The weather is so mild here in SWMO, we spent the morning after Thanksgiving on a hike at Wildcat. It was a perfect morning, complete with super secret trails and special treats along the way.

OZ according to BE

We were at Nonni's the other night and she was flipping through channels trying to find a football game for the Dad-O to see the score. We came across "The Wizard of OZ" and having just seen "Wicked" Dad-O and I asked Nonni to stop the TV there for a minute. It was near the beginning right when the good witch appears in the bubble in Munchkin land.

This is NOT a show I would ever have considered letting my 2 and 3 year old watch, but I knew the part they were watching was no big deal, munchkins and music, and a little bit of harmless good vs. evil. I had NO idea that the kids would love it so much! The discussion on the way home had both Dad-O and I laughing until we cried.

I had to ask B and E the next morning to recreate the discussion from the night before, it was still too cute, but not quite the same as the first conversation. B asked at one point "where the sister's head went?", and told me "someone would have to lift that big house up and find her!"

I feel like I am living life all over again through their eyes, and it is more fun than I had ever imagined!

I think we may have to try a bit of Mary Poppins next???????

Looking Up

I realize when I look back on the blog that I tend to retreat a bit when I am thrown a curve ball in life. No details, because right now I choose for this blog to be about the kids for the most part, not me. I will say, however, that my family is amazing (and I reference the ones outside of my home) when it comes to reminding me of my blessings and helping me through.

Things are looking up.....................

And yesterday, so were the kids..........

at Dad-O!

Working away on our Christmas lights to "make sure Santa sees our house" (says B).

I am so impressed by the kids in so many ways. But one of the things about both my kids that is worth mentioning is their amazing ability to find joy in such small things. Watching Dad-O climb on the roof was fun, but then they found the box of light clips and "jingle ties" (says E) and had a blast. They remind me ALL the time that there is fun to be had, joy to be found, music to dance and sing to, and LIFE to LIVE.........everyday!

This Christmas is going to the beginning of a whole new chapter of Christmas'. I am so excited to see the way the kids are responding to all things merry and bright this year. I can't wait to see what they come up with each new day.

I will keep you "posted"

Dolly Dimples

8:30 to 8:30

Yesterday the Dad-o and I got an amazing opportunity to spend the day in KC with Uncle Charlie and Uncle Chet. We had so much fun! Shopping on Mission for antiques, a matinee of "Wicked" at the theatre, and a huge and yummy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. They are very good to us, and we are thankful for our early Christmas gift. It was nice to feel like an adult for the day in a slightly different world than our every days these days. Knowing our tag-alongs were tagging along behind Mimi and Papa was a good feeling too. They may not nap when they are scheduled to (or ever) and they may not eat much (or anything) healthy. BUT do they have stories to tell. And at the end of the 12 hour day away, we picked them up at 8:30pm........

SAFE

and a little bit HAPPIER

than at 8:30am when we dropped them off!

We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory. Georges Duhamel

The other day this little baby marched right in the door and said, "Hey Allison, Where's Sam?"

Clear as day, owning yet another room.

It's times like this that I am so very glad that I am documenting their growth on this blog and in other traditions, for I am becoming more and more aware of the impossibility that is remembering them as vividly as I wish I could when they were this small. So each year on her birthday when we wrap this dress around her soft skin,

And see how very quickly she is growing into the dress I wore to one of our wedding showers.....

How each year the "baby" will leave her face and her sweet little body

I will be reminded that the more I write now and the more pictures I take now, the more I will remember, and have to share with their children someday.

Can we have S'MORE?

Our first try at s'mores was inside and fresh out of the microwave (long and not so interesting story) but it was still a success...................and a MESS!!!!!

Where have my babies gone?

Laughing in the Leaves

We had loads of laughs in the leaves on this lovely little day.

Littles in the Leaves

The November weather has been amazing thus far. We are taking full advantage of it. Our current home is a "new build" so we have very young trees that produce little to no leaves on our lawn. This is great for the Dad-O, but not so great for making one of the best fall memories there is to make. ENTER: Nonni and Poppy of course. With plenty of trees in their yard, and a very inventive way of "raking" them up (I must say), we had a perfect opportunity to make the memories and take the pictures. Thank you Nonni and Poppy for sharing the same feelings with me on what really matters to these precious littles in our lives.

November is pomegranate month. We opened our first one as a foursome the other day to bring in the new month. The "beautiful color" was about all that intrigued the kids. They were both troopers and willing to try the seeds and let them pop in their mouths. But I think in the fruit basket is where these will stay unless MomBE or Dad-o are up for a treat. Their faces say more than my words.

The "NICE MEAN" Witch