CHRISTMASY

This post might go unnoticed as a direct result of the New Year, but it is technically still December, so I wanted to squeeze this post in before the month ended. December was a busy month with all of the festivities and merry-making surrounding Christmas. Two of our favorite activities this year included decorating cookies with Mimi & Papa and coloring our own gingerbread play house. The former is a beloved tradition for the littles. One Saturday each December, may parents will take the kids for a few hours and help them frost, decorate, and eat a fair share of Christmas cookies. And the latter activity was a new craft that we happened upon. Michael's was selling gingerbread play houses for $10, so it seemed an obvious choice. We spent two days coloring our gingerbread house before assembling and playing with it (which, of course, I didn't photograph...). Perhaps a new tradition?

365.3: WEEK 51

Have to be quick because TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS! Going to Illumination to see Christmas lights. Getting rescued on my crazy bike ride. Feeding giraffes at the zoo. Making candy trains at school. Cashing in on a massage and pedicure at my favorite spa. Decorating cookies at Mimi & Papa's house. Christmas Sunday.

 December 17th - December 23rd

GINGERBREAD

I will occasionally pretend to be a fun mom and surprise my littles with an exciting activity. The week before last, it was homemade gingerbread cookies. I baked cookies all morning while the kids were at school. We spent the afternoon decorating dozens of cookies. It was picturesque for maybe 10 seconds, at which point frosting started getting all over the table. And the chairs. And a certain 3 year old's clothing (note the outfit change)... In the end, the kids made a total mess between the frosting, the sprinkles, and the m&ms. But everyone had fun and the cookies were delicious! Until I realized that, although I made them gluten free and dairy free, I did NOT make the cinnamon free. SMH. I'll just stick to my lettuce...

365.3: WEEK 50

As we inch closer to Christmas, our days seem busier. We are trying to squeeze in every last holiday-related adventure that we can before the end of the year. I am equal parts excited and relieved and exhausted. It'll be a week before you see, but last night we went to Illumination: Symphony of Light in Tempe and so far, it's been my favorite. We've also decorated cookies, wrapped presents, adorned our tree, hung lights, danced to Christmas music, and ALL THE THINGS. Last week, from start to finish. Snuggling a favorite stuffed animal. Prepping for the first of two concerts of the season. Decorating homemade gingerbread cookies. Feeling overwhelmed. Coloring with colored pencils (her favorite). Taking our new bikes for a spin. My birthday!

December 10th - December 16th

BIRTHDAY

I just celebrated a birthday. And I'm not even ashamed to say that I turned 33. I spent the day surrounded by family and friends. I also spent the day cashing in on a few freebies. Sprinkles Cupcakes and Joe's BBQ, I'm looking at you. Not to mention being treated to the most delicious brunch EVER by my dearest friends, Carter and Blake. It was simply a wonderful day.
I recently realized that I neglected to do pictures of the mr. on his birthday, but was able to snap shots of everyone else on their special day. Oops. He's still special. Also, take that to mean whatever you want. ;)

365.3: WEEK 49

It's one of those days. A day where I basically just want to curl up and hide away from the world. Or mainly from the responsibility of being a parent. Six kids, you guys. What in the hell was I thinking? Yes. We make so many wonderful memories together. And yes. We go on some pretty epic adventures together. But the in-between moments are generally filled with bickering and whining and annoying behavior. Today, I am exhausted by it. So, let's go right into last week. Playing with our neighbor's turtles. Mixing liquids in preschool. Giving to those in need. Finding something for everyone at the library. Experiencing anxiety due to bike shopping. Assembling our new bed. Watching the "scariest part" of Harry Potter.

December 3rd - December 9th

365.3: WEEK 48

IT'S DECEMBER! My favorite month of the year, despite the cold. December just feels so... magical. Christmas decorations and activities and music and movies and presents. Seeing old friends and going on new adventures. And my birthday. ALL OF THE THINGS. Plus, it means I only have one month left for my 365. Hallelujah. I could probably keep going, but it is nice to have a year off from shoving my camera in everyone's face. Just ask the mr. how much HE loves it... Our week last week? Putting up Christmas lights. Decorating gingerbread houses. Visiting with an old friend. Looking for books at the library. Shopping as a family. Hiking Tom's Thumb with my middles. Running the hot chocolate 15k (and missing my goal by under 20 SECONDS).

November 26th - December 2nd