Happy

This boy makes me happy. This is my view of Forrest most of the day. I can't stand how big he is getting. Such a big boy these days. Being surrounded by little kids all day everyday is tiring but so rewarding. Little things like saying I love you with their chubby little hands and standing on the beach with my boy's arms hugging tightly around my legs are exactly the things I never, ever want to forget.

The Golden Knights

Here is my Forrest admiring his trophy. He spent the majority of his weekends this fall on the soccer field. He played on our community's Golden Knights soccer team and loved every minute of it. No scores were kept and everyone played for fun. His soccer team had their closing ceremony yesterday and gave each player their own trophy. I am so happy that he has found a sport he loves.

Little Reindeers

Summer is very fortunate to have such a sweet and fun group of girlfriends (Laney, Bree and Nami). I love these girls. Yesterday they had their class Christmas party. Summer and her classmates did fun projects with their parents complete with their reindeer antlers and sweatshirts painted as reindeers. Super low-key and super cute. I love this girl so much. I can't believe she is half way through Kindergarten. I am so grateful I am able to be at all of her functions. I love you, sweet Summer.

Pictures with Santa

Starting with Summer's first Christmas, I have gone to the mall and stood in line to get my kids' pictures with Santa. For four years, I have failed at this attempt. When Summer was little she would always be so excited in the line and then as soon as we would get to the front of the line, sheer terror would overcome her. I would put my screaming child on Santa's lap and then say, "Just take the picture!" Maybe I am sick but I would think that the screaming child on Santa's lap would be a classic shot. I am happy to report that this year I can finally start this tradition. Summer thinks it is hilarious now. I put their picture with Santa in a silver frame and I can't wait to see our collection grow. Until I can find a front entry table, the kitchen window is the perfect spot to display their picture with Santa.

p.s. How cute is that little deaf elf we named Collie? He reports back to Santa each night if they have been good or bad. I find him all over our house at different places every day... I think my kids love him, too.

The Abominable Snow Monster

We have been watching a lot of Christmas movies around here. A favorite is Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Forrest LOVES the Snow Monster. I called for Summer to run upstairs this morning while Forrest was in the shower. I had used David's shaving cream to make him into the Abominable Snow Monster. None of us could stop laughing.

Good Morning

This morning I found my two kids wrapped in a quilt on the sofa watching a Christmas movie. That sofa location is their favorite TV viewing spot. They were snuggled up together in their pajamas (how funny is forrest's bed-head) and it really was so cute. I love these two and I am so glad they have each other.

Christmas Trees

We made our yearly trek to the local Christmas tree lot this evening. The kids were beyond excited. We have gone to the same one for the past 3 years. Summer and Forrest have the routine down now. They play hide-and-seek in the rows of trees, look for candy canes and I of course always make them pose for pictures. We found a perfect tree and let the kids stay up way too late decorating it. I love these little kids. Those smiles are so sweet. I love that they were smiling at their Daddy who was making them laugh for me while I took the picture.

Gingerbread Houses

Forrest's Chalet

Summer's Candy Store

Jack's what-is-left-of Santa's House

Peyton's Toy Store

One of the fun things the cousins did was to make gingerbread houses. I had lots of frosting and candy decorations on hand.

I'm Thankful For...

How cute is this print by Laura George?

When I ran across this print the other day it actually reminded me of Summer and Forrest's sweet prayers they say before bed. They literally ramble off everything they can possibly think of each night that they are thankful for. The things they whisper are usually the simple things that I take for granted each day. I am thankful for my little ones who remind me daily to be thankful (especially for the little things).

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving

We had a fun Thanksgiving week at Kure Beach. Here's my Forrest in his Indian costume he made in preschool. He loved having Grandma and Baba at his school for his Thanksgiving program. We spent Thanksgiving at a rental house right on the beach and Forrest made sure that I packed this for the big day.  The week was spent playing with cousins, swimming, sleeping in, eating and lots of lounging. Perfect.