Finding Neddie

My favorite day of the year came and went - the day after Thanksgiving! No shopping lines for us, instead we went and got our tree, pulled out all the decorations, and ate leftovers all day.  And although we didn't go cut down our own or anything remarkable (the exact opposite, Home Depot actually hah) but it was still special. Christmas through the eyes of a child is magical.

I pared down our decorations this year. but it's still festive. The first time Landon saw the lights he just stared and stared. We put a little tree up in E's room and she just loves that she has her own tiny one.

Josh and I decided to be more intentional with our time and energy this Christmas. In the How We Love class our teacher, Nancy Nojima, was talking about the holidays and about being okay with not pleasing everyone and saying no for the sake of doing it all better. So Josh and I went through Christmas and made some edits. I'm really making an effort to be a better mom and wife through this season - less anxiety and more laughter. Although there are some stressors that I can't just delete (like finding/buying presents GAHHHHH SAVE ME FROM THIS SOMEONE). The worst.

Also, I hope Emerson doesn't remember that she asked Santa for a sled. A SLED. Girl, we live in Southern California! Someone please explain this to my 3 year old.

Christmas is here!

Thanksgiving

How was my last post about October and suddenly I'm talking Thanksgiving? 

Each day this month we've been writing down what we are thankful for. It's become the highlight of my day. Landon invariably is always thankful for Nana (grandma) and Oooh (Uncle Luke) but when we push him a little farther, he has said his hat (for when it's hot), his Luigi costume that he gives a cup of water to each day, and other hilarious things. Emerson too - she's been thankful for her Hanna tags (the ones in the shirts, she likes to hold them) and for chasing daddy when he comes home from work. I want to remember all these things and hold them close to my heart. 

Some other things for my (very) public diary. 

Landon, and how he always plays with my hair when I'm holding him.

The two of them together

All the goodness of him. His silliness, his loud singing, his need to hold little things, his kindness, his comprehension, his happiness.

 Emerson at school and her best friend Evelyn.

The Thanksgiving feast at school and how her class was so disheveled and the other class so orderly and quiet. lol

Hydrating Luigi

If you'd compare me to me last year, I'd say there's more tv, less food from scratch, and more dirty dishes, but the flip side, I'm more relaxed and forgiving of the day going ons. Basically being an average mom has made me a better person. lol And you know what? They are more relaxed too. And forgiving. And happy. 

Love the intentionality of the season and the special way we've been able to cultivate a heart of thanks now that they're a bit older.

OCTOBER

October was a nonstop party - decorating cookies, baking, costume parades, two trunk or treats, pumpkin carvings, trips to the pumpkin patch, hay rides, face painting, corn mazes, halloween ginger bread house decorating, class parties, bounce houses. Phew! I hope I have the stamina to make it through the holidays. lol

But it's been fun. Landon truly "got" trick or treating this year. I love his age and seeing all the specialness that comes with the holidays is such a treat. He loved the Luigi pumpkin that Josh made for him, wearing his Luigi costume, and he really embraced the whole eating all the candy thing. While Emerson is more discerning about her candy choices, Landon is not. All the treats was his motto. lol

And while I'm thankful for the memories I'm so happy to toss all the orange things! Out with the ugly and in with pretty, I say.  Also, November holds my favorite day of the year - the day after Thanksgiving. Yummy leftovers, lounging around, and picking out our Christmas tree ~ the ultimate trio.

Truth be told, Emerson and I have been singing Christmas song since the beginning of October. Each night I sing her a song or two before bedtime and she's been asking for them so that's what we've been singing. She has The Twelve Days of Christmas down pat. lol

But what can I say...It's the most wonderful time of the year. =)