Holiday Thyme

I'm not sure who's more proud of this black playdough, me or Malachi, it was the softest, coolest playdough EVER!! I'm a big fan of the thick icing colorings vs. the food coloring. I might have to invest in a few more colors ...


Other holiday crafts -- our cool friend Kelli Collins gave us these totally cool Gingerbread Family kits (homemade I might add) and so Nathan was pretty pumped about making them today. All we had to do was ice them and stick candies on, which was really nice (and mess free!). Unfortunately, or fortunately, however you look at it, Malachi didn't want to eat the candies on the cookies, so mom helped him out with that one. Yummy cookies!!




Violet didn't get to participate in the fore-mentioned activities, but she's pretty happy to be in her bouncy or high chair and sit and watch ... she's such a good baby! And cute too, wouldn't you say?


Somehow I talked Nathan into getting a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I was shocked when Nathan suggested an artificial tree, but I figure saying yes just guaranteed that we could set it up the day after Thanksgiving EVERY year :) So here is our very first artificial tree -- no tree farms for us this year!! Not bad for a $45 craigslist buy ...


I would have pictures of Malachi under the Christmas tree as well, but unfortunately he never stands still anymore. His favorite thing to do is go around and around the Christmas tree, hiding behind it in the corner. I have a feeling he'll sleep out under the tree sometime this month ... speaking of sleeping, he finally took a long nap for me this afternoon ... and, well, it's 11pm and I think I still hear him awake upstairs. So much for the extra sleep ... sigh.

Enter in part of the reason why I'm just in the mood for spoiling tonight. This morning we woke up to a light blanket of snow -- very light, but enough for a kid to have fun with. By this evening, it was coming down in big, heavy flakes. I love looking out the window and seeing "outside" lit up so bright, the moon reflecting off of the white carpet. Snow draped over the evergreens like a fine lace dress. I just want to stay awake and watch it too! That may not be the mature choice though ...


I told Malachi that snow tastes like ice cream (in his case, soy ice cream since he's allergic to milk). He looked at me with a questioning look, and then tried it out. He later told me that it didn't taste like ice cream, but I think he liked the way it did taste because he tried a few more bites.




I just think these two pics are cool -- an accidental camera thing -- captures the movement of Malachi having so much fun in the first snowfall.




Malachi first approaching the snow ... he must have forgot last year :)



Now to the bathroom pics -- we always have so much fun in the bathroom. I don't know what it is -- the fun, no mess, mom just sits there and watch and they have a hay day in a tropical environment -- but we always have a good time (except for today, Violet pooped in her bath ... not so much relaxing ... but that's another story). On this particular day I told Malachi to make a bunch of faces, this is the result.


In case you're wondering, that's an elastic band, that was the toy of choice for that day. Note to self: No expensive Christmas gifts!!



And our cutie pie -- goodness she's cute!!



This setup was Grandmas and/or Auntie's idea. They both LOVE it. They make each other giggle and Malachi shares his bubbles. And I get to just sit there and enjoy it all -- in a tropical environment :)





Nathan was playing ball with Malachi the other day -- it was so much fun to watch. Violet was belly laughing and squealing -- tried to get the video to work here but no luck. .. I'll have to try again later ...

For the first time ever, we made it out to the Merrysville Night Parade -- just Malachi, Violet and I -- a tantrum almost prevented it, but we made it there just on time. Malachi liked this sign too -- anything with lights he LOVES. We're planning a "lights" cruise before Christmas which I think we'll all really enjoy -- there are some perks to it getting dark so early.



Notice the fire truck in the background -- Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa Claus were riding in the bucket, but Malachi really only noticed the truck.

Okay, and crazy mom, someone lost these glasses in the park that night, and I couldn't resist bringing them home. I'm sure you've seen these before, but they're a riot. What we see:



What he sees:



Well, and it's confirmed 11:23pm, and Malachi is still awake. I guess it's time for me to turn in the blog, and go back to mommy mode -- I think this is a record for him ....

Sarah

Falling ...

Back to blogging ... it's been awhile, but the brain and heart have been heavy contemplating what lies ahead ... now we know what's ahead, and though it is not without pain, at least a sense of being settled has returned. So, blogging has as well.

A new digital camera has helped as well. Relatively cheap, but such an upgrade from my previous camera, I took the kids out to the park one day just to experiment and try it out. The picture above is of Malachi running through the master gardeners garden at Jennings Park. Below, he's examining one of the flowers ... and the adventures continue ...












Look familiar Roxanne?







In this one Malachi is searching for a squirrel ... it was on the other side of the tree ...



C'mon Mommy!!!




And a couple of my favs from the Pumpkin Patch ...







Now, if only it would be warm and dry so I could take more outside ... sigh, I may be waiting for awhile!!

Sweet Messes

So, all along I'm talking about the craziness of this season. And, we like to have a little fun with that craziness too. This year we celebrated Nathan's 29th Birthday a little early -- in fact, over 3 months early! I figured that would be the easiest way to surprise him. And boy was he surprised! Here's some of the prep work -- Malachi helped make a pinata for the party. He wasn't so sure what to think of it all at the beginning ...



But he soon learned to love the sticky mess ...



I think he liked the painting best. By the time he was done, the plate was painted and the kitchen table (not to mention his clothes!).


Unfortunately, by this time I still hadn't found my memory card, so pictures of the actual party are scant, but I did get a video of Nathan's reaction -- much like the imagination might picture:




I think Malachi had a good time at the party -- he got to watch Grandpa dive (should have had pictures of that) and even got to go swimming with Grandpa. I think the day tuckered him out. When we got up in the morning, this was what we found in the hallway:

Of course, the camera was downstairs, so I had to step over him to get the camera. Originally his little bum was even higher in the air, and his ankles crossed in supreme relaxation. Oh, these are the moments I love, if only they were easier to catch on camera.

I've also learned one thing -- girls may be stereotyped that they like to dress up, but boys aren't too far off either. Malachi really likes this coon cap Tamie Edens got for him ... to be honest, it scares me sometimes -- the hat I mean. We were outside today and Malachi left it on the grass and everytime I turned around I thought this wild animal was about to attack us.




This is his Buzz Lightyear / Mr Incredible/ Incrediboy outfit. It's new today from Daddy. He thinks it's pretty cool, we might have a hard time prying it from his hands at bedtime.


Violet doesn't do much dressing up or painting (minus the spit up that is) but she's here with every adventure and is cute as a button. She's also sleeping VERY well these days and eating VERY well, which makes her even cuter in my eyes. I love seeing the siblings together.


One little munchkin shot -- I do have to say though, I think she looks much cuter than any camera has been able to portray yet.



Well, I guess that sums it up -- such busy weeks, but so few pictures. I am expecting a new memory card in the mail sometime this next week, so hopefully that will help the documentation of our lives. And, if I can find a time to do this when Malachi isn't grabbing at my thigh.

Next week we are taking off for a few days at the ocean (fingers crossed). It's supposed to be beautiful weather. Our first family vacation in years (well, solo vacation anyway). Wishing you many more sunny days,

Sarah