Christmas Tidbits

We started out Christmas Eve enjoying the beautiful weather with a walk and some play time at the park. 

In the afternoon, we headed to church for the Christmas Eve service. This is my favorite service of the year. I love the singing, the message, the jovial moods people are in, I love it all. Apparently my kids didn't get this memo. We missed over half of the Christmas Eve service because the kids just weren't having it. It was spent with us running around after our kids in the foyer. 

Then Connor fell asleep on the way to the in law's for dinner and presents. He was less than keen to be woken up to take part in the festivities. Thankfully a gift in the form on a cardboard train turned things around. 

Ian worked well into the night putting together a kitchen for the kids, our big present for them. I was so excited to watch them see it Christmas morning. They didn't disappoint. And Connor wanted to open every present under the tree, whether it was his or not. His favorite present of the morning seemed to be the present he picked out and gave to Isla, an ice cream set. 

 

Enjoying the festivities at our house made us totally late to my parents and everyone was waiting. The highlight there was Connor getting to play with his cousin, Tanner. Also, my mom got both Connor and my brother coffee machines for Christmas and had them open them together. The best part was, Connor seemed disappointed that his didn't turn on...looks like we have a coffee lover on our hands! After all the presents had been open and our tummies were full of food, my mom and I went to Starbucks. Isla fell asleep on the journey and when we got home, we sat in the car for an hour and half in front of their house so little miss could sleep. 

Then it was off to Ian's parents again for their whole family celebration. Ian's cousins played with our kids all night. It was great for all involved. Isla got grumpy and clingy for a little while, but snapped out of it as quickly as she went into it. 

It was a great Christmas. Busier than I would have liked. Our house has more toys than it needs. But we are surrounded by love. And hopefully, somewhere in the middle of the hoopla, my kids are learning the real meaning of Christmas. 

Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.   Luke 2:11

Hope you all had a great christmas! 

Lately {in photos}

1. Papa & Connor decorating the tree

2. A rarity these days...Isla snoozing on me in the middle of the day

3. Bath time! 

4. Me and my mini-me

5. Isla doing a little horse riding

6. On one of our 12 dates of Christmas, go cart riding

7. Another coffee lover in the family

8. And another quarter ride

9. Decorating daddy's Christmas present

10. The finished product

11. Play time

12. Cookie decorating

And if you don't already, feel free to follow along on my adventures on instagram, @JessGrim. 

Sibling Love

As I've mentioned before, my kids don't exactly play the best together. Plenty of body slams and biting happens in this home! Well, it appears Connor & Isla have found something to do together, peacefully.

Isla loves riding on the train, but can't push the button herself. And usually Connor only wants to play with the train when Isla is on it. Story of my life! Last night Connor decided to hop on the engine and the two of them rode the train round and round for a while, happy as could be. Now I know, if I need them to stop fighting, I can just send them to the train!

Christmas Presents

This year is the first year that Christmas presents are really a big deal in our house. Connor finally understands that something great is behind the wrapping paper and wants every single present he sees, whether it is his or not. Up until this point, we really haven't bought our kids presents for Christmas. Usually just one or two small things, and it was stuff they needed. But this year is different. And thankfully I was prepared. 

I knew that somehow I wanted to control how many presents my kids got. First and foremost because they already have so much stuff, but secondly (and really this should be first) because Christmas isn't all about the presents. Last year my friend told me about what they do for presents for their kids and I copied her. Three presents per kid and one to share.  

One to:

Wear - Since my kids are still small and don't have a huge choice about what they wear, I tried to get them something I knew they would like for the "wear" category and something I probably wouldn't normally buy them. For Connor that is coming in the form of Mickey Mouse pjs. He really needed some warm pjs and when I saw Mickey Mouse ones (MM is his latest obsession) I knew he would love them. And since I am not a huge fan of character clothing, pjs are a great compromise. 

Play - Except for the "share" present, our kids get only one toy from us. Well, plus some little things in their stockings. But I think this works great. They already have plenty of toys and I know our car will be loaded up with toys from the grandparents anyway. 

Read - This one is great for me. I love to read and want my kids to love to as well. So I will never pass up the opportunity to buy my kids books! 

Share - This is the big present that is for the kids to share. This year we are getting them a play kitchen. In years to come I am sure the things they collectively ask for could become rather ridiculous...I remember what it was like to be young and ask for the moon! 

And another thing about presents, wrapping paper has always been one of those things that I find ridiculously expensive for what it is. In years past, I have bought it on clearance after the fact and saved it for the following year. I am also a little anal and like my wrapped presents to match. This year I decided to go with a simple and cheap theme. And I like how it turned out. 

I used brown mailing paper from the dollar store and stenciled on the gift recipient's initials to the present. Of course, I also quickly learned that most of our relatives have the same first initial, so for the more popular letters, people got all three initials (first, middle and last name, in case you were confused!). And lastly, to add a little pizazz, I wrapped up some packages with twine. Simple. Cheap. Fun. Ok, fun might be a stretch, but I am using mr. sketch scented markers and smell them every time I stencil the initials on to the packages and that is fun enough for me! 

And in case you were wondering about the more colorful package in the picture, that is Connor's present to Ian. He decorated it himself! 

That Mom

Not only did I try the reindeer headband on Isla in the store, as all the old ladies surrounded her and oohed and aahhed, but I actually bought it. And not only did I buy it, I then took it home and did a photo session with it.

And you better believe Isla will be sporting this beauty on Christmas...for at least as long as I can get her to keep it on her head. Or until Ian takes it off. Whichever comes first, we shall see!

So now not only am I that mom (the one that frequents Starbucks drive thrus) and that mom (I still bribe with lolly pops), I am definitely still that mom (the one with a trashed car. always.) as well.

A Visit with Santa

I took the kids to see Santa yesterday. Leading up to the visit, I really thought Connor was going to have a problem with it and Isla would be totally fine. When we were headed to the mall, I told Connor we were going to see Santa. He flipped out. Like flipped out the same way he does when I say we are going to the post office (not sure why, but he HATES the post office). Things weren't looking good. So I decided to not talk about it more and just go.

When we got to the mall and over to where Santa was, there were plenty of fun things for Connor to look at. Huge Christmas trees, flashing lights and maps to track Santa. With all the fun, Connor did fine. Once it was our turn to see Santa, Santa was nice. He took time talking to Connor and making him feel comfortable before Connor got on his lap. Once Connor was fine, I handed Isla over. Poor girl lost her cool. Apparently she isn't a fan of Santa. And her tears didn't stop until she was safe in my arms. Maybe next year will go a little better, but I still think the picture is cute. And I think it will be fun to watch the kids relationship with Santa change over the years via cheesy Santa mall photos.

And incase you want to check out last year's photo, you can here.

On a more somber note, while I was taking my kids to see Santa, moms on the other side of the country were learning they lost their little babes. This senseless tragedy has made me sick to my stomach. It has made me hug my kids a little more these past couple days and be a little bit more patient with the temper tantrums. I just can't imagine. It makes me realize how much of life is out of our control. And with that, I cry out to God and remember that ultimately my children's lives are in his hands.

What Isla Wore {three}

The more I dress this little munchkin, the more I get used to my role of dressing a girl. A few months ago I wasn't too fond of putting her in dresses. Maybe it is the change of season or maybe a change in me, but seeing this little girl in a dress (or skirt) and some crazy tights is about too much for me. I love it! It also helps that I feel it is more acceptable to dress a girl in an acceptable level of mismatched items. Eclectic and fun. 

Vest: thrifted

Shirt: Gap

Skirt: The Children's Place - hand-me-down

Tights: Old Navy

Shoes: Stride Right 

Never mind the fact that my adorable little munchkin will no longer stay still for a picture. And her bangs are so long, they hang down to her mouth...and she pretty much refuses to allow a clip to be on her head for longer than 3 seconds. I love this adorable little gal and the girly little person she is becoming. She has a serious love of bracelets and purses. Too freaking cute, if you ask me!