Christmas Rap....Up

Here's my attempt at a Christmas "Rap" so be sure when you get to the end to give me a clap.  This took me forever and ever to finish, hence the overlap into March, it's time for this post to diminish.

We started the season with chopping down the best tree around.  We knew we had to go to South GA so the perfect tree could be found.  After searching high and low and taking way too much time, I wore Dan down and and the tree became mine!

It stood over 10 feet tall and Dan wrestled it in the door, by the time he got it up, you can bet he was sore.

Thank goodness for all the help with the lights, it was sure to keep us up even longer untangling them into the night.

MB lined up her nativity beside mine and matched them with care, although soon after I told her I didn't want to share.

We got new pajamas and it totally blew her mind, she loved everything about Christmas and we talked a lot about being kind.

We made treats for our wonderful trash men and tried to be sneaky, it was fun for us when they came by that day and through the shudders we decided to peaky.  They were confused at first and then they started to smile, then they helped themselves to the pile.

We couldn't forget our wonderful mail carrier and she found a gift waiting in the mailbox, she wrote us a sweet note and brought us a CD the next day and we think she rocks.

Santa's favorite and most wonderful elf was busy as a bee, he renovated my sister's doll house made by my Paw Paw for MB.

We spent time with cousins and mimi was so brave, she invited all the grandkids over to bake cookies and over them we did rave.  While the cookies baked, papa took us for a hayride, all was fun until off the back I started to slide.

We feasted at a reunion with the Milam clan, and these adorable kids sang carols and Frosty the Snowman.

Our littlest tot looked adorable in his festive attire, he was dashing and charming and someone whom all the ladies admire.

This one was silly in her new bike helmet, she isn't fan of riding but she does like to wear it.

Ben was wild as usual and tried to drive MB's scooter, he didn't care that it had strawberry shortcake on it and he couldn't have been cuter.

We loved our time in Americus and Ben got a new truck, he was so excited to see it and thought he had the best luck.

Maw Maw with her grandchildren on one of the takes, we were mainly concerned that the swing was going to break.

We had my Paw Paw's favorite scripture burned into his old paddles, it was a special moment for us to remember him and all that matters.

The best picture of Maw Maw with her greats, they adore her and think she is first rate.

Ben on Christmas morning enjoying a big country breakfast with a mouth full of food, he kept cramming it in and was in such a great mood.

These sweet cousins just enjoyed being together, they too ate good but would rather....be playing.

Ben was super scary in Sam's super hero mask, he loved wearing it and scaring others was his task.

This was my most thoughtful gift to date, I had never been so moved by a plate!

Our little princess loved the doll house, she was in such shock she was actually as quiet as a mouse.

The people and animals were moved all around, she has since proved that she's the best home decorator in town.

Ben getting tired from all the events, he had to lay down on the floor and ask for help from his parents.

s.

MB was surprised by her grandparents with an bitty baby doll, she also loved the matching pajamas, those were the most fun of all.

Ben was pumped to get a super sized truck, he pushes it all over the yard and likes to take it through the muck.

So now you know why it took me so long to write this up.  I struggled with my rhyming and consider finishing it pure luck.

First Haircut

I put it off as long as I could...the dreaded first haircut.  I loved his sweet curls but I had to make a decision when he started sweeping his hair back with his hand because his hair was always in his face.  He was constantly slicking his hair back so I caved. 

BEFORE PICS:

Sweet mohawk.  This was at the end of him slicking his hair back.

No one should have this kind of bang problem.

Oh my, this was the hardest part to let go of.  He would go to bed with a headfull of fresh curls and wake up with a matted mess.

Trouble.

Thinking about his first haircut.

Feeling better after we promised he would still be the cutest thing around.

DURING:

We went to Pigtails and Crewcuts and loved it!  They were great with kids and Ben didn't shed a tear.

Getting suited up.  He chose the yellow taxi.

Not sure what to think but the other kids seemed to be doing okay.

Can I trust these snacks?

The snacks were a total hit.

The length in the back before she started trimming away.

MB biting her lip while waiting for the final results.

He thought she was crazy!

How could you do this to me?  Oh well, at least they gave me snacks.

My snack cup is almost empty.  Make haste!

They gave me this measly car instead.

Seriously, my cup is getting low.

Bye bye mohawk.

The duster was as big as his head.

Not the clippers, anything but the clippers!!!

Big sister had her second haircut!  She got a tiny trim and enjoyed the experience.  Her first haircut was on her third birthday.

It's getting long.  She wants it to grow all the way to the ground.

The blowout.

AFTER PICS:

Looking so grown up.

We celebrated with ice cream, a family favorite.

Back just a few hours later and looking so different!

He seems much happier about his situation.

Mom, it's about time!  What were you even worried about?

Saddest part of the whole experience.  Miss those curls.

But honestly, how could you not love his new "do"?  He is so stinking handsome!

Rough and Tough - Before and After

Boys really are different.  I wasn't even all that surprised when Dan called me to tell me about Ben chipping his tooth in the bathtub.  Lord have mercy, he is wild!  My mom sent me this "before" picture taken over Christmas so we could remember what he looked like with a full tooth. Dan has had major dad guilt over this one and probably won't feel better until the permanent tooth makes it's way in.  Since this incident, he already has sliced his thumb/thumbnail open and made a trip to the clinic.  We made friends with the doctor and all the nurses because I have a feeling it won't be our last trip. 

So happy with his grill.

So happy with his partial grill.  I still think he is as cute as ever!

The full effect.  Let's pretend like my hand doesn't really look like that in real life, okay?  Thanks.

Oh yes we did!

Add this to the list of the other 100 things I said I would never do when I became a parent.  I have to admit, I was way more excited about the minivan purchase than I thought I would be.  I guess I had come to a breaking point with cramming the car seats and kids in the back seat of our Explorer and not having room for other folks.  I'm in love with the new ride!  Funny note, we bought this late Saturday night and drove it to church the next morning.  We had a hard time finding it in the parking lot and we confidently approached another van.  We tried to unlock it but it didn't work.  Dan started worrying that he hadn't noticed a dent in the front bumper and hadn't done his due diligence and I was concerned because the color seemed more blue than it had the day before (nothing wrong with the color blue but I was worried that the picture in my mind of our new car was failing me).  Thank goodness we were just at the wrong van and we were just a few cars down.  It's one of those moments that probably took a few seconds but it was embarrassing nonetheless.

Saying good-bye to the old sportier friend but thankful for the fun memories.

Saying hello to the new family ride and looking forward to our next road trip.  Well, I guess I'm looking forward to it as much as you can with two little ones who'd rather be playing and jumping around the car than riding.  :-)

Wordless Wednesday (Viva Mexico)