Normally we really are not up to much; however, December was abnormal because we were up to our eyeballs in "much"! I will admit that it was self induced but needless to say, January is a welcome respite.
Where did I leave off, Thatch's holiday program?
Shortly after that I decided that we needed to redo the bathrooms for our impending visitors. No, not Santa and the reindeer, Grandma Jonesie and Papa, AND Mee Maw and Grammy! Yes, it's true, we have visitors in the winter! My photos of the thermostat haven't scared you all to pieces yet. The only thing that made the impromptu remodel a bit of a pain is that Jonathan happened to have a major surgery three days prior. He had a pair of hernias that really put a kink in my plans that I made after his diagnosis. Selfish hernias. Actually, what really happened is that I took the opportunity of Jonathan being unable to do work to pay someone to actually complete it! I am a vicious, vicious woman. The final result is delightful, up to date and makes me like living in my house again :)
Anyhoo, Jonathan percoceted his way through the remodel and I have my refreshed abodes. Loves them.
New and Improved! Yay :)
Hall Bathroom-this really doesn't do it justice.
So after all the craziness, I decided we needed a movie night. Organized movie nights soothe all chaos...said no one...ever. Especially not my movie nights. The big show? Charlie Brown Christmas. Classic.
Thatch received arm warmers from his Kindergarten Aide, Miss Karen. He rocked them for 3 straight days -it was like Flash Dance all up in here.
After the feature we built a Snoppy house and decked the halls. So much fun!
This was such a bad idea. There was tinsel everywhere!
I just thought this was funny, so I had to add it.
That would be both of the boys testing the structual integrity of the box.
Boys -1 Box-0
The house, all finished and with it's occupant. They both ended up in the box by the end of the night. Adorable.
Honestly, why do I even try to take these. I really need to read that new dummies book.
After that my Dad and Jonesie showed up for the big show....CHRISTMAS! Woohoo! Christmas Eve night we went to church and then came home to make cookies and get ready for the big guy.
Oh My God. Love this little baby!
Writing out note and putting out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa.
Thatch rocking the antlers and Harper eating her shiny red shoe in the background. She's definitely a shoe lady.
Papa getting some love from his babies.
Writing a note to Santa
Papa and the girl who replaced me...
Coops and the Papas.
Later that night they were allowed to say goodbye to Buddy. Touching him wouldn't hurt him for a few, special minutes and that's where I captured this gem.
Thatch saying his farewells but Coop wasn't ready to let go...
These stinking pictures aren't showing up in order. I'm doing something wrong here but I'm over it. This is the after-Christmas party. Obviously. Darn it.
Santa brought Coopie a new blinging trike!
And Thatcher got Bucky, the pirate ship that doesn't shut up sings!
Papa couldn't hang so Coop rubbed his head while downing some eggnog.
No joke, this is my favorite picture of Christmas Day. I love that little Cooper.
And they started hitting the wall around noonish.
Thatch engrossed in something, Tahoe eating something and Coop probably body slamming his Papa.
Soon after Papa and Grandma Jonesie departed from their "vacation" clearly more exhausted than when they arrived. Yars and I hung out, played with the boys and did nothing. We thoroughly enjoyed his sick time...but as you know, I get restless.
So the last day of his time off I made us all go enjoy the warm weather and head to the ice park! I suppose it wasn't that warm if there was still an ice park but it's all relative people.
Here they are being spun in a snow bowl by me. Taking a picture while spinning this took epicly mad skills. I will pause here for your applause.
Bundled up baby!
Me chasing Coopie through a maze. He thought it was hilarious. It was my worst flipping nightmare come true.
This was the most stable way to pull him. His way was closer to surfing.
This Hernia was seriously starting to annoy me, I had to pull and carry everyone. I mean, look at how much fun we're having!!
At least he was able to take pictures, I haven't been in one in months!
And Harper fell asleep, it's the carrier I tell ya.
Me calling Grammy so she could see us live on the webcam :)
Family Photo-everyone is technically in it.
The ice throne. <Insert Game of Thrones joke here>
My rosy cheeked menfolk.
Riding the "train" (it was really a tractor pulling some cars, remember we were in North Pole so it had to be a little redneckish). Jonathan was clearly uncomfortable with the shocks in our car ;)
Me and the little ones :)
This is for Jonesie and Papa ;) We're just one big oil family!
And then we found a literal ice train. Nirvana was achieved.
Oh crud, out of order again. This is for Jonathan's locker...so he knows why he's at Flint Hills that day making bacon!
And a smaller ice slide. Fun :)
Harps is like, where are we? What happened?
Here's some video of the ice slides...a mother's worst nightmare but fun for the crazies!
So after that we have New Year's Eve, which really isn't that fun when you have little babies. Let's be honest, you know it's true. This year we went swimming at the pool and it was surprisingly enjoyable, even with Cooper having a swimming panic attack and clinging to my neck like I was a floating door and he was Rose from Titanic. They turned the lights down, had music playing, balloons in the water and the waterslides were running. Seriously, lots of fun! Oh, did I mention the free pizza? Solid NYE for sure. We were home by 9, everyone was out by 9:30 and I think even Yars and I hit the hay early-ish. Of course, Jonathan couldn't swim because of the surgery glue and Harps didn't because of me only having two hands but wishing for all three children to see 2013 so they hung out and took a couple of pics. Nothing spectacular...
She's like "Oh.My.God. I love these!!!"
Sponge Bob Grumpy Pants. AT least he didn't have to wear a swim suit, unlike some other poor soul.
And so we wrapped up 2012 and forged onto a 2013 where we have spent most of our time like this...
Sometimes when he gets tired, he decides that he's going to sleep right where he lays down. This is a poor presumption because it never happens. P.S. Look at that beautiful hall trim :)
Harpie, her Cabbage Patch Doll, whom she loves, and her doggy.
New matching jammies from MeeMaw! Loves them :)
Bear Faces.
GQ. Stinking adorable.
And for the BIGGEST news of 2013!!! Thatcher lost his 1st tooth! It wasn't so much lost, as I pulled it out. Gag. It was that or let it get stuck and him choke on it in his sleep (remember, I always assess the worst case senario). He told me the tooth fairy brings dollars because they are lighter than golden coins. Sounded legit but I guess she was out of ones because there was a glittery $5 under his pillow when he woke up at 5AM and came running into my room. Sigh. I was excited for him until I looked at the clock and then I sent him right back to bed!
Putting his tooth in an envelope so it didn't get lost.
Oh my, this is adorable!
:)
And to end on a cute note...
Have I mentioned how much I adore this little face?
Sorry this was such an novel but I had to catch you up! 2013 is shaping up to be a little less chaotic for now but who knows what's in store! Harpie's 1st Birthday is imminent MeeMaw and Grammy arrive in 40+ hours and then there's Thatch's 1/2 Birthday and Cooper's 3rd Birthday so I have some material to work with to keep you all entertained over the next few weeks :)
Well it happened, our computer went kaput so we sucked it up and bought a new one. It is quite magical and I am in love with it but I have yet to upload pictures so this blog will be boring. I promise I will still do the blog, especially with my new New Year resolution to take awesome pictures!
So until I get my business together...I bid you ado.
Even though it's been hovering between -30 and -40 we have been keeping somewhat busy, and with that...I present this post for your viewing/reading pleasure.
Suckers
We took the boys to get haircuts and Harper somehow fooled me into letting her have her first sucker.
I, Harper Yarsley,will forever love Chom for giving me my first sucker.
Concentrating hard on remembering that these are delicious and to seek them out when ever possible.
And, while we are on the topic of suckers...Thatch was in his first fight at school. He's been bullied in the past few weeks since a new boy arrived into his class. This kid is constantly in trouble and Thatch has had a hard time, behavior wise, since he has arrived as well. Last Thursday I walked in to pick him up from his class, and he stopped me at the front door and said he got in trouble. When I walked into the building the Principal asked if I had gotten his message, which I hadn't. The Principal, Thatch's teachers and I had a discussion about this particular situation the day before and I said that it was becoming a problem. Anyhoo, long story very short...the little boy and Thatch were put in time out together, the teacher stepped away, when he looked back the little boy was kicking Thatch in the face (while sitting down, so like kicking his legs up). Thatch's fight or flight kicked in and he fought. e was sent to the nurse and then put in inschool suspension for the day.
We weren't mad at him, but had to do the whole "we don't fight, keep your hands to yourself, blah blah blah". Honestly, its kind of refreshing that he stood up for himself and we were proud of him. They haven't had trouble with each other since then and the Bully was moved to the AM class. Thatch has had a marked improvement since his departure and I am quite relieved that he's gone. So there you have it, my kid officially had a discipline file.
Here's the official paperwork. The counselor said that if he was allowed to pick sides, he'd be rooting for Thatch :)
I'm saving this in his memorabilia because how stinking cute is this?
Sugar Plums
I had this whole big date planned for Thatch and I on Friday but with the fight happening I didn't know if I should go ahead with it. The thing is, I think what he needed most was some quality, alone time with his Mommy. Jonathan took care of Harps and Coop and Thatch and I headed out to Bobby's for some fancy schmancy fun.
Thatch having his first Shirley Temple :) He liked it!
Coloring on the fancy paper onto of the tables :)
The "Bobby" came by and chatted with us. Everyone could tell we were on a special date and treated us awesomely. Bobby showed Thatch what his name was in Greek. Then he kissed him on the head, as most Greek peeps do I suppose. Thatch thought that was super funny.
Here's us. It was the best pic the waitress could get with this stinking camera of mine. I really should send it in to be fixed! SO...funny story...See that sculpture behind us? Thatch was a BIG fan of it, I could barely get him to keep his eyes off it. He kept saying "I'm not looking at it! I'm not looking, I'm not looking!" Hilarious.
And here's us at the Nutcracker. He even picked this one out to keep forever. His favorite part was the battle between the mice and toy soldiers. I wish Wish WISH that I could have videoed his reaction when it first started. It was magical seeing his little face light up!
Christmas Shenanigans
Thatch had his Christmas performance at school today. Shut the front door, it was AWESOME. I had a hard time keeping the camera steady from laughing! Here are the videos of it :)
Seriously, hilarious right? My rookie mistake is that I wasn't sitting up closer, nor did I realize I could get up and video from the front. Next time, I'm all over it.
And here's what our little friend, Buddy, has been up to:
Oh Buddy, why did you make green milk? It made heinous sippy cups.
Thanks for bringing donuts though. I love your little Buddy sized donuts too ;)
And in other related news, Cooper has taken to reading while on the pot. It's the toy ad from Sunday's paper. :)
So there we are, all caught up! I hope it brightened your holiday season...
