Rain, rain, go away!

It rained again today...it has been like a week of rain...we are tired of it.  I think my students are tired of it.  Today it was cold and rainy an even better combo.  Olivia keeps looking outside and saying, "Yep...it's still wet!" She wants to play outside!

Today we cleaned and packed away some of her toys that she doesn't really play with anymore. I was happy and sad at the same time.  Happy to put some of it away and know that she is growing up.  Even she was calling them baby toys.  I was sad because she is growing up so fast and those toys used to be so fun for her! Now we just wait for Santa to bring her some big girl toys! Sniff, sniff...

Christmas Party

Last night we had our group Christmas party.  It was such a good time and Olivia had so much fun.  There was yummy food, good desserts, laughter, and of course a few tears.  We are so blessed to have such great friends!

Great group of friends and mommies!

Don't ask why but she wanted to get in Ethan's crib...and then all the kids wanted to get in

Sweet ice cream set from Emma!

Rethinking last night

I admit I was frustrated the last 2 nights putting Olivia to bed.  After she goes to bed that is when I finish school work, clean up, sometimes exercise, and have a few spare minutes to myself.  I think I have been more frustrated with not getting to MY things.  Then I saw this post about bedtime

because-sometimes-bedtime-takes-forever-and-should

and tonight I had a different attitude.  Olivia isn't a robot and doesn't always do what we ask of her so bed time should get added to that too.  She isn't always going to go to bed on time and I should savor these moments.  I thought about it tonight that one day she won't ask me to read her books anymore or help her blow her nose.  The things she does independently already blow me away...like brushing her teeth, including getting the toothbrush, toothpaste, opening the toothpaste, putting it on her tooth brush, and turning on the water and then brushing!

So from now on instead of getting frustrated with bed time I need to remember that in the future she won't ask for the goodnight song we made up and to sing and snuggle as long as I can with her!

2 Late Bed Times

No post last night because at 9:45 p.m. Olivia was still awake.  She started a lovely, clear, runny nose yesterday after her nap.  So it took forever to go to bed.  Tonight still working on going to bed at 9:30....I am sure she will be out of bed in a few minutes. 

Here is another cute picture from our breakfast with Santa.  Now I need to figure out how to crop myself out of the pciture!

Here's Charlie

I got to move Charlie the Elf this morning before I left for work! He was ready for breakfast.

And then since he is downstairs he will be waiting for her tomorrow morning!

I am trying to do some no mess movement of him because we already have a daily mess so we don't need a mess on top of that!

Charlie the Elf

Our Elf on the Shelf arrived Friday night.  We have been calling him Mr. Elf for the past few days.  All of a sudden today she said, "Mommy that is Charlie the Elf!" Well excuse me! So now we have been calling him Charlie all day.  I was hoping she would be asleep when I left her room but she wasn't so I could move Charlie for tomorrow morning.  Maybe I can sneak in but that usually don't go to well.  But sometimes when I mention that Charlie is watching she will change her behavior...too funny!  Charlie better work his magic!!

Breakfast with Santa and Putting up the Christmas Tree

Yesterday we went to Vines Mansion for Breakfast with Santa.  We have gone there the past 3 years and love it.  The best part is your time with Santa...you kind of get as long as it takes and can make several visits with him.  Olivia didn't cry but was shy.  Santa got her close with a Candy Cane and we got a family picture with Santa.  We ate some breakfast and then visited with Santa again with our friends.  Then we did some crafts and went outside to the garden.  It was chilly!!

Today we put our tree up and watched the Bills game!

It only 12 weeks and some dancing bribery to get the Bills shirt on!!