Christmas Eve

The morning of Christmas eve Ethan found a note with Dasher...
We read it and in it Dasher said that Santa said it would OK for the boys to hug him today...
Dasher said he loved them and will miss them but will be back next year...

Ethan was very surprised and excited about being able to touch Dasher, as the normal rule is no touching...He hugged and talked to Dasher all day and later that night said goodbye and wished him all the best until next year!

We headed over to Grampa and Grandma Hofstetter's in the early afternoon...

Ethan and Toddy were very excited to enjoy some family times together...

Not to mention the food, treats and presents...

 Colton enjoying some sweet potato and turkey

Looks like Ethan is enjoying the yummy Christmas dinner

I asked Toddy to smile and this was his pose...What a character

 Turkey has set in and daddy and Colton had a little nap upstairs

New markers

After having Christmas with the Hofstetters we came home and the kids 

opened their Christmas PJ's...

This year I picked up the PJ's at Value Village and washed them up...

They looked practically new and a grand total of $10 for the 3 pair!

We put cookies and milk out for Santa and added a carrot for rudolph...

Ethan and Toddy sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn (Ethan made this blend at school)

Ethan painted Santa a picture which he left as well...

Then the kids said bye to Dasher with plenty of kisses and hugs

The kids watched a couple Christmas cartoons...

With all the excitement that day Toddy soon became tired and was starting to meltdown
so I took him upstairs and we snuggled together on the top bunk bed
 as I read some Christmas stories to him...
I really enjoyed that alone time with Toddy that Christmas eve...

Soon after Todd fell asleep Nate and I got Ethan ready for bed with more stories and cuddles...

It was almost 10pm by the time Ethan fell asleep...

Colton had a cough/cold so I got him to sleep but I was up a few times with him that night!

After all the kids were down Nate and I put on a Christmas movie and cracked open a fruit sparkler in which we enjoyed in a wine glass with a cheers for our 2014 Christmas eve...

I felt like my mom arranging all the Christmas loot...

I just love the special feeling that comes with the Christmas season...

Nate and I both have very fond Christmas memories as children that we talked about that night...

Apparently my dear husband use to find and sneak a peak at all his gifts before Christmas...

His Santa use to wrap all the gifts...My Santa would just place them unwrapped around the stocking...His family was allowed to open their stocking once they woke up but would gather together to do all the wrapped gifts...My family use to wait for everybody to get up before we entered the living room where all the loot was...
Nate and I both remember some early Christmas mornings...Our poor parents!!

I found myself wondering that evening (like I did last year)
if keeping the magical secret about Santa was the "right thing" for my kids...

I never lie to them so I cringe a bit when we talk about Santa...

I need to put more thought into this because on one hand I want my kids to enjoy the childish magic of Christmas but on the other had I don't want to lie to them
or make them sad one day when they "find out"!

Can the child like magic still be there without Santa being real?

Ethan's 1st School Christmas Production - It was "Beary Good"

Ethan and the JK/SK classes were Panda Bears for the Christmas production...

Ethan has been singing 

"Panda, Panda, Pandemonium...

Panda, Panda, Pandemonium...

Pandas on the left, Pandas on the right

Pandas all black and white"

Or something like that...

As you can see from the pictures, 

Ethan was excited to be at school at night with his daddy, mommy, 

aunty Shayna and her boyfriend Travis!

He was a very cute little Panda Bear!

Ethan's Class

Nativity 2014

This year the whole family was able to take part in the nativity production through the church...

With Nathan's new job and schedule (days with flexibility) this is just one of the many things we now get to do as a family.  Last year Nathan's work schedule didn't allow him to take part.

Last year my mom, Ethan, Todd and my pregnant self participated...
However it was more special this year to have Nathan with us!

We had so much fun being able to play a part of this beautiful story of our saviors birth... 

Last year the kids had so much fun that I think this will be a family tradition...
It's a great way to remind us of the true meaning behind Christmas.

Ethan told me he wanted to be an angel this year...

So when we went to sign up Ethan was put down as an angel,
Nate agreed to be a wise man (what a good sport),
and the little ones and I as townspeople...

Things changed at the first practice because Ethan was scared to be with the angels 

and so far away from me...He decided to switch to join us in the town.  

Ethan and Todd made so many new friends and reunited with others from last year...

It was so sweet to watch how excited the kids were and 

how kind all the older kids were to my little men...

Ethan said that Aaron Puddicombe, Bret Hill and the Bridge girls are his new best friends...

Todd warmed up to the oldest Thorne boy, Devon and the above mentioned big kids as well.

  

The amount of children that were around to play with and run around with between practice and the shows made for a very wild ride that my boys and I will not forget.  

Until next year nativity!

 

Junior Kindergarten update

School has been an adjustment for my little E...

The first couple of days of school Ethan appeared eager and excited, 

however it didn't take long for his feelings to change...

After his second day of school he said to me after I picked him up from the bus stop...

 "I don't want to go to school anymore Mom it's too long and I miss you too much"

gulp...oh no I thought to myself

The rest of Sept and October was spent giving Ethan lots of time and patience...

We realized how difficult this change in his life was on him...

I remember one evening spending some extra cuddle time with him at bedtime...

That night I will never forget how he looked at me with his 

beautiful crystal blue eyes that were tearing up and said... 

"mom I'm too little for this"

I let him cry while I held him and validated his feelings...

Which is so hard for me to do because I just wanted to tell him 

it's OK and everything will be OK...

During this time I struggled on what was best for Ethan...

My heart was telling me to keep him home for anther year,

but my brain was saying to stick with it a little longer as he might grow to enjoy school.

I knew Ethan was ready for school and with winter approaching 

I felt Ethan would get board at home...

Keeping him busy and active in summer is one thing...

 but during the winter (with a baby and toddler) I knew it would be much more difficult. 

I was worried about my little man during this time...

It was hard to see him sad and it was hard to see him struggle...

Some things we did to help Ethan during this time was

spending special one on one time with Ethan...

Ethan and I would plan activities for after school that he could look forward to.

We also gave him break days from school...

This and being with him while he let out his emotions 

to all help him through this difficult time...

The two pictures below were taken on a Thursday at the beginning of October...

It was a particular day that Ethan just seemed sad after getting off the bus...

I talked to Nate about watching Toddy and Colton while I spent time with Ethan...

I told him I would do whatever he wanted to do...

We played outside in the front then just as the sun started to set I followed him to the park while he rode his plasma car...Some kids from his bus were there so he played for a bit then we went back home...Then he wanted to do crafts and have a snack...So out came the paints and he pained about 20 pinecones...By 10pm he was ready for bed...So I cuddled and talked to him until he fell fast asleep.

So proud of my little man!  

It is now the middle of  December and Ethan just loves school...

Around November Ethan really started to look forward to school...

He loves his teachers, especially Ms Spence

I am so curious about his days at school and ask everyday...

I can't say I get too much of the scoop but just seeing him happy just makes me feel great...

Sometime while cuddling with him at night he will start talking about his day unprompted...

I just love hearing him talk about his experiences and thoughts...

So so proud and happy for my little man!

During a visit to the school this is what was hanging up on a bulletin board outside of their classroom...
Now that looks like a happy Ethan!

Colton and Toddy around the house

I asked Todd to smile and look and this is the face he made

Finally he gave me a smile

I remember Ethan use to do this also...Todd thought this was pretty clever!

I took the shots above of Toddy and Colton today while Ethan was at school...

Side note: Nate is gone to Toronto for the week at a work conference...

I just get such a kick out of my boys...

They each have their own little personalities 

and they keep me laughing and kissing them all day because I can't handle their cuteness...

Seriously I know I am not alone in saying this but my children amaze me all day long.  

They could be doing just about anything and if I take a minute to really watch them and be present in the moment I am blown away by how amazing their little spirits are...

Pure joy and happiness seeping from their presence and I can't help but feel their beautiful energy!

Did I say how much I love Toddy's curls...I seriously don't want to ever cut it short...

I hope he will let me keep it long and curly because he rocks this look!  

I put a man bun in the other day and I have to say he was looking pretty fine!

Somehow Toddy found about 6 soothers today and was carrying them around...

He was pretty excited and proud to have so many and was quite possessive about them...

That one picture makes me laugh because technically he is not suppose to have a soother during the day...|Yup my consistency with that one is a big fail!  I sometimes feel really bad taking away something that make him feel safe and secure...Is it really going to hurt his teeth??

And truthfully it is next to impossible to stop this habit because Todd constantly is stealing Coltons soo soo or finding lost ones around the house.

Just love all my boys!  Including you honey!

Breakfast with Santa at Milestones Restaurant

We got tickets for a breakfast with Santa at Milestones restaurant in Masonville Mall this past weekend...First time eating in a restaurant with all three kids!

We survived and the kids had fun...

Colton was even big enough for the restaurant highchair which was helpful...

After breakfast we went to a movie at Silver City

This was the kids first movie experience...

They did great...Ethan and Todd sat through the whole movie and Colton slept...

It really could not of gone any better...

The movie was Madagascar 3 I think...It was cute!

Dearest Colton

Dear Sweet Colton,

I am so honored to be your mom...I think you are amazing!

You are almost 8 months old and growing oh so quickly...

We have literally been mostly attached since you were born...

This is because I baby ware you all the time...
I have to in order to keep up with your older brothers who are very busy.
I have really enjoyed this close bonding time...
There is something truly special about feeling your precious breaths
and strong beating heart close against me all day long...

When I am not in your presence I feel strangely "naked"...
Between wearing you during the day and co-sleeping with you at night our connection is
oh so close...
I have to admit you really don't last long in a slumber with out me close by...
And you have no problem letting others know that you want me...
I am more then okay with this, as it will not last forever!
I feel lucky...
Lucky to be the one that you want to hold you the most...
I see  you reach out for me while you are sleeping to make sure I am close...
It is pretty darn cute...And just slightly melts my heart!

You are eating some solids now but much prefer to breastfeed.
You are getting yourself around on the ground pretty good...
Its kind of like a crawl but your stomach stays on the ground...
Its so cute to see you learning how to do new things.
You laugh and smile lights up my world...
You love to smile.
You are a very happy baby

You love your daddy...
Especially when he tickles you with his whiskers...
 You love to go in the hot tub and bath...You love the outdoors...
You love it when I sing I am a Child of God to you...
You love your brothers and like to watch them and laugh at them...
make the cutest baby sounds...
Recently you started saying dadadada...I remember when Ethan and Toddy use to make that sound.  You love the green soothie soo soo, and get a little upset when Toddy steals it from you...
You smell so good...
I love putting my nose to your mouth to smell and feel your warm milky breath.
I love it when you reach up to my face and grab it...
When your nails are long it kind of hurts but I don't even care.
I love feeding you and watching your darling little cheeks and mouth move in rhythm...
You look so calm and happy in my arms... I love that I make you feel safe and secure.
You are a beautiful little angel sent from above to bless our family...
I am beyond grateful to be entrusted with your spirit and to take care for you...
It is such an amazing opportunity for your dad and I to continue to grow and progress as parents...
I pray often that we will one day make you proud.
My hope is that you will grow to be a kind, loving, happy, self confident, conscious individual...
I just want you to be a happy person.
I want you to be your own person.
I want you to be whoever you are suppose to be...
For no one other then God and yourself knows your purpose and mission here on this earth...
Use prayer for guidance in making decisions.
I will always be in your corner to cheer you on, listen to you, hug and hold you when you need it and pray for you during your trials...
View your trials as opportunities to learn and grow.
Our failures are our best teachers in life...

I promise you that I take this responsibility and opportunity to raise you and your brothers very seriously...I am learning so much about myself and becoming more aware and conscious of who I am and how I can become a better parent for you, Toddy and Ethan...
I don't have all the answers, I will sometimes fail, I will sometimes feel overwhelmed, but tomorrow is another day and I will never stop trying my best...
Just knowing that my efforts will help to set you on the right path towards a beautiful life is all I need to keep going ...
Your dad and I make a good team...
We are in this together and talk all the time about our parenting and how amazingly blessed we are to have you and your brothers.
I love your daddy very much...
He is a good man who loves me and our family to his core...

I love you with all that I am, I love your brothers with all that I am, I love your daddy with all that I am, and above all I love our Heavenly Father and Savior with all that I am.  

Looking forward to the rest of our lives and beyond together little man...

Families Forever baby boy!