Fa La La

Feel that magic! It is really amazing what happens when that crazy date of December 25th approaches. This is really the first year that the magic of the season filtered itself into our life. Well, maybe not the first time, but certainly since I have been an adult. Preparing for the craziness that Christmas brings brought it's own challenges while being pregnant and randomly immobile. But, the joy that the season creates in the little ones is truly magic. MAGIC!


I know that Isabelle really is just starting to understand the world so I know that she really did not understand who Santa is or what all the presents are all about. But...Devon sure did! Building the excitement for weeks was just as much fun as the morning after Santa arrived. I think the cutest thing that I learned from Devon this year is that Santa travels in a fire engine.

Between the classic Christmas shows that captured the hearts of the kids and the milk and cookies that just seem to be everywhere, we have tried to embrace the spirit in every way.





These hats arrived in the mail and I had to attempt (in vain as it turns out) once again for a Christmas picture that really captures the unique and precious beings that I love.



Yep, some were better than others...


Devon just rocked that cute hat every which way!








One of the things on my New Years list is to really learn how to take pictures! I hate being limited in any way with my camera.






Since we live in such a rural area, we really can't walk around the neighbor hood to see the lights. Well, I guess we could, but that would be one long night. So, when we got a great tip of his crazy house that goes all out for Christmas, we had to see it. We had a break in the weather and packed up the kids in the car and headed out.








And let me say we were not disappointed one bit.





The wonder and awe were in great force that night.




Having thrown our share of events for the public's enjoyment this was really nice to be on the receiving end for one.  I really appreciated how much work and love when into this display.  And, we were totally walking on this persons front lawn.  It was really nice.








This was actually one of Devon's favorite area even though he looks bored out of his skull. It was filled with a little train and a hip swiveling Santa. This little man is so addicted to trains.  I have recently decided to embrace this love of his...even the Thomas ones!  Oiy!  Yes, that was hard and I am working on it every day. 











If you look close you can see the rain dappled coat. It was really coming down pretty hard by the time we left.






And this was only the front lawn...you got to walk through the archway and into the side/back of their house.  WOW!  Total Christmas overload!
Of course Scott and I were totally thinking about how we could create this madness for our clan.





Christmas morning was finally here. With presents neatly wrapped and stacked, the kids got up. The magic was finally going to become real for them..




And magical it was! The excitement and joy and laughter was just so real and infectious. It was so great!




Grandma Papa sent this wonderfully decorated gift! 




Cheesy smiles and all!













Isabelle was even getting in on the excitement when she discovered a gift that was way under the tree that needed to be unwrapped! So cute!




Anything with wheels was a HUGE hit! 




The head lamps were a different story.  Izzy really understood how to point her head and make the light beam shine but got bored quite quickly.  Maybe while camping this might be more fun?










All in all, this was such a great day. Great on so many levels! Great because it really invigorated me for the future. Great because there was so much to learn about where magic comes from. Great because of the joy it brought to both Scott and myself and especially the kids. Great because I got to feel kicks all day long from #3. Great because we were in pjs all day long. Great because we got to be a family for an entire day without any work interrupting the joy. Great because it was just plain...great.


I hope your Christmas was as great as ours!

Tree hunting 2010

We were just so lucky! So, so lucky! The original day we planned to go I chickened out at the last minute. It entailed a few phone calls to Scott saying we were going and then five minutes later calling to change my mind. We ended up waiting for fear of Izzy-zilla and her destructive ways. So, needless to say we were thrilled when Friday came and the weather was stunningly beautiful!


This is what we *had* to travel by on our way to the tree farm.


Did I mention ever I absolutely love where we live! (Sorry Mom)




The moment we drove into the farm, I knew we were going to find my perfect tree. The tree I have dreamed about getting for years and years.




The branches and the needles were perfect and shapes were really unique. I doubt I will ever be happy with a store bought live tree again. That is how much i love our tree.




Ok, enough about me! The kids were somewhat excited as well. I think from their point of view it was a bit different experience fir them.




Devon kept stepping on the trees and then saying "Sorry tree". It was a fun game for him. Then it got expanded to rocks, twigs, branches and grass.




The both of them totally kept up with us for the most part. However, the lower branches were covered in dew/rain droplets which both Scott and I did not even notice. However, Devon did.








A mini tantrum followed. It was kind of cute actually. I asked him after a few minutes if he was done crying and he begrudgingly said yes.

We knew the time clock was ticking. So, we found the perfect tree!







And Scott started chopping. Well, sawing...




And Devon helped out carrying it off to the car.







Well, with the help of Izzy as well.






It was such a joy having so much fun with the kids. Heck, I felt like a kid while we were there! Of course I got away with doing very little actual work.

It was clearly a wonderful time for the family. It is activities like this that I dreamed about before our kids were born. I just love our little family so much!

Release the Kracken...or is it the Crackin?

We did it. We might have jumped the gun, but this is a bell we don't think we can un-ring. I keep thinking that this might have been a huge mistake. I mean, why on earth would someone purposely make a huge change when there was nothing wrong in the first place. We just jumped head first into the pool and we don't know if we are in the deep end or the shallow end.



We converted



Isabelle's crib



into a



toddler bed.



We purposely uncaged the beast. She now has free roam of the bedroom at all times. So with her new found freedom a few key things needed to be changed.






Unfortunately, poor Devon had a lot of his things taken away. Most important was his beloved bucket of cars. It seems like everyday something else leaves the room. Of course this is all done to facilitate naps and nighttime sleep. It seems that while Izzy was caged, both were great sleepers. However now that Izzy is free she is a really bad influence on Devon. The first few naps, they did not sleep at all. But, that was to be expected...right? I do have to admit I love hearing those two talk, laugh and scream with delight alone in their room.



I should add that the joy in Izzy's eyes now at nap/nighttime is delicious. She loves having this control. While I know it will be short lived I just want to savor the wonderfulness of it all. I know once she figures out the door, life will be HELL. I am hoping that is well after the new baby arrives.





While our books will never be quite the same or even usable, it is so worth the change over. My little lady is growing up.



I do think it is funny what happened to Devon during this transformation. First off, he now has two beds to jump on...JOY! Secondly, he has rediscovered the baby mirror in Isabelle's crib...I mean bed. Everyday he will jump up and land on his knees right in front of it. Then he will see his reflection and yell "DEVON" in a husky tone. Adorable does not even come close.



He also has developed (well he did it once) a climbing thing. Let's hope it was a fluke. Of course I took a few pictures before I corrected him!





So we have been living with this reality for a week now. And some days I just shank my head and wonder if this was right most times I just know it was right for our family. Izzy has grown in her independence and Devon has been able to really show how how much love he has for his sister. There has been countless times I witnessed over the video monitor these charming acts of brotherly love from him. He will deliver the magic dog, or put a blanket over her or even try to help Izzy stick to the rules of bedtime. That is the best reward. Wow, I got cheesy there! Sorry!



Enjoy the little insignificant things tonight!



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