Santa 2015

I finally made it to Bass Pro yesterday where we take our free Santa picture every year. The kids changed into their pj's in the store because flannel Christmas pj's plus 80 degree weather outside don't mix. And I thought it would be cute to wear Christmas pajamas instead of dressing up this year. Levi was all about telling Santa what he wants for Christmas and sitting in his lap. Mattie had been excited...until she got close to him and decided that he was kind of scary. She didn't scream and cry but it took some cajoling to get her to stand next to him for the picture. "If you want a toy from Santa, you have to get your picture with him and tell him what you want," so she acquiesced.

Also, we have been battling colds/allergies/infections since the weekend before Thanksgiving, so both kids have been to the doctor this week. Levi has a double ear infection and sinus infection. Mattie has a slight sinus infection. This hasn't slowed them down at all of course, but they haven't been 100% either. So, all in all, this year's picture isn't too bad!

Christmas Cheer for Everyone!

Everybody participated in decorating our "yard" for Christmas this year. Our JOY sign is out and the ornaments and bows are hanging along the front entry fence. 

On the way back to the cabin, Daddy let Levi drive the gator (steer). He did a great job manipulating our curvy driveway and took it very seriously.

We also have our tree and stockings up and had a fire the weekend before when it was rainy and cold. Bella enjoyed it after all our Thanksgiving traveling wore her out. Such a rough life.

Little People Toys

One of my favorite toys growing up were the Fisher Price Little People - but I always called them my Finger People because, well, I did exactly what Mattie is doing. They are perfect for little fingers. There are pictures of me about the same age doing the same thing. Because I come from a family of hoarders, we have pretty much all of our old toys saved - I have all my Barbies, Barbie cars, Barbie house, My Little Ponies, Polly Pockets, Dolls, games, Lite Bright, spirograph, you name it. A veritable treasure trove of 1980's and 90's choking hazard, dangerous toys that I somehow survived. And what I find funny is how much Levi and Mattie seem to love playing with all of these vintage toys over the current versions of them. When I broke out the Little People the last time we visited, I fully expected Mattie to be the one playing with them - but it was Levi who was all about setting up the house, cars, and people. He loved it. This time they were both into it and played with them the whole visit. Ahh, the memories.

Pop and the Potato Helper

We spent Thanksgiving in Boerne with Pop and Gram, Great Grandmother, Uncle Brewer and Aunt Sabrina who flew in from Chicago, Aunt Hannah and Eric, and Uncle Jacob. Both Mattie and Levi love to help me in the kitchen as much as I will let them, even if all they can do is watch. One job Mattie helps me with is washing off potatoes after I peel them. So when she saw Pop peeling potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, she wasted no time dragging a chair to the sink to help. It is a testament to your patience, but Mattie helped Pop wash every potato as he peeled them - a lot of them.

Oh Deer!

The deer proliferate in my parent's neighborhood and many come running as soon as you throw out any food scraps or deer corn. They are so comfortable around humans that a few will come right up and eat out of your hand - whether you want them to or not! Levi and Mattie enjoyed feeding this Mama deer some bread and feeling her sticky tongue lick their hands. There were several more deer standing just off the porch, but they just waited until the bread was thrown to them.

Halloween Hay Ride

For Halloween this year, I took the kids to my parent's house again to do the annual hayride through the neighborhood. It makes trick or treating so much easier! And we got tons of good candy - only 16.2 pounds this year. I sent a bunch with my sister to take to work and some to my Grandmother as well but we still brought plenty home with us. Levi was a pirate this year and Mattie was Minnie Mouse.

Levi's costume was pretty simple. A long sleeved striped shirt that I bought a size big from Wal-Mart that he can grow into and use, a piece of red fabric for the sash (that I already had), and his sword, eye patch, and hook all leftover from his pirate birthday party. Voila!

I just bought Mattie this dress and ears set from Wal-Mart, from the dress up section in the toy department. She is a happy girl. I just put a long sleeve pink shirt and some pants on underneath and she was good to go!

I tried to get them to take a picture together. This was about the best I got. 

Whack a Bird

We frequently hear a thud as a bird flies into a window on our cabin. I guess we really blend in with our surroundings. Most of the time they just keep on going, but sometimes they hit so hard that they are dazed, confused, and can't or won't fly off right away. Today we had one of those.

This little guy (or gal) didn't appear to have any injuries. He did keep curling up one foot, but I don't know if that is related to his collision or not. Nor did it seem to bother him. Levi ran inside to get his gloves so he could hold the bird too.

Mattie ran inside as well and came back out with "mittens" on. One is a mitten, the other is a sock. She cracks me up. I put my glove on her so she could hold the bird as well.

I finally put the bird on the edge of our bird bath, hoping it would regain its senses and fly away. It hung out there for quite awhile but the last time I looked and was about to go out and check on it, it was gone finally. I did go look around the bird bath but didn't see it on the ground anywhere so I'm going to assume a happy ending and that it finally flew home!