a tanTRum

This adorable bundle of blonde curls can really pitch a

"BIG ONE"!

I don't even remember what he wanted or I should say why he wanted in the car. I did not remember taking pictures but you got love a phone camera for these moments!

Advent...first Sunday

Celebrate Christ Cards...25 Ways in 25 Days

This year we are changing up our Advent a little since the boys are bigger.  A friend spoke this summer at 2nd Presbyterian about "Keeping Christ as the focus during the holiday season".  I was not able to hear her, though I wish I had, but she graciously sent me the information with some great resources. You can find it here...

25 Ways in 25 Days  Visit:  http://www.vinepropertygroupblog.com/2009/11/welcome.html

Simply print the cards...they include the scripture, concept and "gift" ideas.  We do not do gifts everyday...however we do something considered "special".  I love all of the cute wrapped gifts labeled #1-25, I have seen on PINTEREST but I do not want it to be about the STUFF...we are trying to get away from that.  My goal is to use games, activities, crafts or small trinkets to help make hiding God's word in their hearts very memorable. At the end of December, I hope to hear the boys talking about The Shepard, Jesus' birthday and God's word. I know they are little but if we don't engage those precious minds now and fill them up with God's love for them they will slip away before we know it.

(like this via Pinterest)

We will light a candle each Sunday, read from our cards and do our "activity.  Tonight we read the Christmas story from Luke, set up the nativity, talked about the many names for God and listened to Emmanuel by Amy Grant on the Ipad...this was the highlight (ei..."activity")!

I will try to share our ideas for Advent as we go!

(via Pinterest)

Yes...Sam is singing.  He did lots of "bunnser" shaking too...my wild man!

Just in case someone wants a fast, easy Advent idea...this is my post from Advent last year...it was great and very age appropriate for a 1 and 4 year old.  We did lots of crafts, baking and giving. It is very fast to print and make the Christmas chain.

http://familyofphillips.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent.html

tis the season

for

Advent

Cookies

Decorating

EggNog

Nutcrackers

Cinnamom pinecones

Natvities

Presents

Christ Birth

Giving

Chrismas music

and

much more!

Tanner insisted on putting on the star at this point. Notice we are putting out our Christmas decorations but are wearing shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops...oh Memphis weather! We DO NOT do a "fancy"
tree. Sometimes I wish I had this breathetaking tree but I love that ours houses all of the boys precious ornaments. I will say the OCD side of me puts tons of red and green balls on first...just to "tie it together".

My thankfulness for a "kid friendly" tree was confirmed this afternoon at Target.  Chris and I watched a dad let his son and daughter pick out a "special" ornament...sweet right? They brought them back for the mom to see...she told the little girl "where  will we put it, it doesn't match the tree". REALLY! Ok it was a large turquoise bird but put in in the back.  I did not see if she got to buy the bird but I hope she did and it's front and center on the Christmas tree.

(some of the Ipad photos are very blurry and have awful color)

This is how Chris put water in the tree...with the boys on top of him.

Oh...sweet memories...look at those tiny hand and foot prints!  Someone make them stop growing!  Tanner had already taken some of the "school made" ornaments to the tree in their room.  Have I ever mentioned the boys share a a room?  It has been really great...I have always been worried that being 3.4 years apart would be too far but they are really sweet friends!  Now keep in mind I am typing this as they sleep and are not fighting over the same Hot Wheel when at least 100 are at their feet:)

More decorating...they are VERY serious when they decorate!  Tanner makes the plan (shocker) and then instructs Sam (who chooses to follow some directions).

More decor...now some "friends" have joined the Nutcrakers and the Santas...wonder if Tanner is going to be mad when I clean it up??? For now it's staying...though OCD...I do not mind a mess if it means my kids are having fun, playing and being themselves!



around here LaTeLy

Life has been anything but normal around here lately.  It's Saturday afternoon...Chris is napping and the boys are watching Cars 2...and I have a minute to blog. I am NOT a napper but this is some much needed down/family time for us. I pulled out my camera, totally unsure if I had even taken pictures over the last few weeks! We may have some big changes coming soon...think emotianl roller coaster! I will keep you posted...keep us in your prayers! It hasn't even begun but we know God will be faithful!

 I'M EXHAUSTED...as you can see above we have been sick...bronchitis, 3 ear infections, wheezing...antibiotics, breathing treatments and more!  Chris has been hiding from us, seeing as he runs 26.2 in 2 weeks. On top of sickness...this is our first weekend with 0 plans...HEAVEN! We've had birthdays, Alabama games, SKF events, side jobs, soccer games, we moved at work...and on and on!

 

Oh coffee...thank you for helping me through the last 3 week.  I love Ugly Mug coffee..Saving Grace and Southern Pecan are my favorites! Our neighborhood store sells Ugly Mug which makes me love it even more:)

I am so grateful for a flexible job, a son who wants to do school when he is home from school and as always a helpful husband! We managed to read 3 new Magic Tree House book and to reread Charlotte's Webb! Tanner is begging to start reading Harry Potter but I'm not so sure???

My creativity juices were not flowing so we spent a lot of time outside and pulled some toys out of the playroom closet that we haven't played with in a while. Even on sick days...it's no TV on weekdays...I know mean mama!

Our new pulleys...for the clubhouse!  Tanner has been begging for a pulley system for the clubhouse for months...he even rigged a rope himself.  After we raked leaves this morning, we headed to Lowe's to get 2 pulleys.  The boys had a blast loading up each others buckets!

Hopefully we have hit our quota for sickness!!

and batman smiles

real monsters....

suck their thumbs!

yucko...brains, intestines...

YUCKO...

as Sam would say!

What's Halloween without the yucko stuff?

Halloween morning the boys woke up to some delicious choices for breakfast...toenails, teeth, intestines or brains!  They loved guessing what was in each container.  Sam was not afraid to pull out some brains and eat them...he waked up very hungry.

To Make...Mystery Boxes

recycled oatmeal containers

anything slimy in your pantry

i used: noodles, grapes, popcorn and pumpkin seeds

google it and you'll find tons of ideas