It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Our little town hosted it's second annual lighted parade and it did not disappoint.  Although the air is usually crisp, the atmosphere and the creative floats, make the parade something you don't want to miss. 

Daddy and his boys are bundled up and ready to enjoy the parade in their hats!

We sat on the curb in the cool night air in great anticipation.

The floats that went by were festive and full of lights. And the parade ended when the Jolly Elf himself came through:

It was fun last year and even more so this year.  I hope this is a tradition for our town and our family for many years to come!


We spent the weekend after Thanksgiving, prettying up the house for the holidays.  I used to love to decorate and went all out.  I went through a few years of bah humbugs and only put the tree up.  But...with three little people, I wanted them to see the fun.  I got out the nativities and village only to find they were wrapped in newspaper from 2006.  Oops, it had been a little longer than I thought!  The village below is special to me.  My second year of teaching is when we got married and the class gave me a surprise bridal shower.  The school house, firehouse and museum were the pieces the class gave to us and the students in my class at that time all signed the bottom of the schoolhouse.  Oh the memories - especially since that was already 10 years ago!  

We began with a stern  sweet talk about how these things were not toys and if anyone played with them, we'd have to put them back into the boxes. blah blah blah

So, the fun began:

There is so much more, and even more in the attic.  We'll attempt that another year when the are able to help haul everything down the steps with me!  I do have to say, besides the occasional touch, they've been very good about leaving everything alone.  They do love, love, love to plug everything in though.  I guess the sparkles get everyone into the holiday spirit.  We can't wait to enjoy the festivities of the rest of the holiday season!

Bling, Bling, Brooke's got new ...

EARRINGS!

We were shopping with the fam - meaning Mama, Papa, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins when I asked Brooke if she wanted to get her ears pierced.  I've always wanted to have them done, but she always hesitated. This time, she was finally on board.  She climbed up into the chair like nobody's business, sat there swinging her legs, and with the support of all us girls cheering her on, she got her ears pierced like a pro. 

and was happy as a clam until she heard the pop of the guns!

She cried for about 30 seconds and then went to pick out a treat for being such a big girl.  She left the shop with princess fingernail polish, lip gloss, and two new sparkly earrings. 

It was a surprise to daddy, so he had to inspect the new sparklies too!  Zach reaction was priceless.  He noticed before anyone that someone altered his sister's appearance and with his lips pursed into an ohhhh, said, "Brookie, you got earrens!"

For the next week, she loved to show them off to whomever would look and oohh and aahh over her!

The Reasons We Won't Be Ordering School Pictures...

1.)  Mommy, being a candidate for "Mommy of the Year", didn't even realize it was picture day until the kids were at school.

2.)  Mommy spent 1 minute picking out clothes that would look good in pictures.

3.)  Mommy spent 30 seconds on each kiddos hair that day.

4.)  The pictures tell it all:

 

I love these goofy little people more than words can express, but holy cow these pictures make me laugh at them - hard!  Too funny.  Maybe Mommy will win the award next year, this year isn't lookin' so good!

Climbers

Upon walking into the kitchen the other day, this is what I spotted:

This is never a good sign!  This means one of the climbers has been climbing into territory that is off limits!  In this case, the climbee was "hungry for some candy."  I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of things to come as my little ones contiue to become more independent. 

Wordless Wednesday...Cock-a-doodle doo!