You know our after school routine.  Homework, first.  Then, hopefully Andy arrives to begin supper, and I work out - usually the kids join in for a bit.  Quick shower, and a few episodes of our recent family binge watching show "Survivor".  But, did you know that we usually wear matching outfits each night?

 Ok, it's not really "night" it's more like "early evening"... Pink or red, pink or red?

12:34am is officially Sunday Funday, right?

Time for #2!!!  We packed up the Tundra, and hit the sunny pavement for our favorite tree farm, B&J Evergreen.  It is the best - with tons of beautiful greenery and activities for the entire family.  With the weather topping out at 40+*, we made a day of it.  First, to find the perfect tree with long needles. It was a split decision, so we opted to draw from a hat.  Long wins!  

After the ceremonial standing ovation, as Daddy chopped down the tree, the kids and I hopped on the tailgate and sang Christmas songs.  (Seriously.  It was quite Norman Rockwell.)  

Then, a sleigh ride through the woods,

a petting zoo with goats and burros,

a horse ride

and a chat with the Big Guy!

(gasp!!  This is as close as Harper has ever gotten to actually making eye contact with Santa.  Making progress, making progress...)  Bennett requested a fainting goat.  Yes - he asked for a fainting goat.  Santa smirked at me, and told the Boy that he wasn't sure he would be delivering live animals this year, he would have to check - and then asked for any other options.  Nope.  Just a goat, please. 

Heading home, and letting the tree rest, it was time again to turn up the music,

and warm up the cider and get some games

this week's partner in crime.  

#dreamteam  #daysix

Friday, December 4, 2015.  I can not disclose my activity for this evening.  It was top secret - but I can say that while KT and I were in the house, we were not in the family room.  However, the white couch was full of boys - eating pulled pork sandwiches, drinking from their respective Yeti tumblers and watching "Survivor Man".

The holiday spirit is filling the house - I think it's the Christmas lights on the house and the Glee Holiday Station playing on Pandora 24/7.  We love to sit by the tree and sip hot toddies and coco and play games or watch "The 25 Days of Christmas" on ABC Family.  It's all very perfectly cheesy - and I LOVE IT!!!!!!  So much, that I told Andy we should get two trees this year, so we could light one up by the fireplace and one in the front room.  Ask and ye shall receive...

I think this might just be the best Christmas ever.

Sweet Harper has been making me practice my patience (even more) lately.  She really likes her baby of the family status.  In her world, this means that everyone does every thing for her.  And her world is actually pretty accurate - her only problem is that she's still trying to convince Mama of this structure.

Andy and Bennett (being the exact same person) like to cater to her needs - and know that it's just easier to do things for her.  This is where we disagree.  And, we have had several conversations about helping our baby girl grow into a big girl with responsibility.  Just to clarify, "responsibility" is  like opening the snack cupboard and getting your own snack, and not sitting in bed yelling down for Daddy - or Bennett - to get you one, and bring it upstairs, in the Mickey Mouse bowl with some water, too, please???!!!  Or putting on your own socks instead of making Daddy do it because you are just too tired and the paper cut on your finger just hurts SOOOOOOOOOOO bad...

Harps is smart, and she knows what works for Daddy doesn't always work for Mama. But, she's also stubborn, and keeps trying to break me down.  Tonight, she got out of the tub, and was "so freezing, mama.  SOOOOOOO freezing!!!!!".  I told her to pick up her robe and put it on.  She said she couldn't because she was too cold, and she just wanted mama to do it.

No.  No, Harper, I will not pick up your robe and put it on you.  Take a step.  Pick it up.  Put it on.

Harper cried for 15 minutes, dripping in bath water and tears.  Andy came up stairs to see what was wrong, and I told him to go away.  Bennett tried to come up stairs and I told him to turn around.  Harper cried and cried and cried.  And then, she put on her robe.

Mama - 1 Harps - 0

Grandparents' Day at ORE 2015!  The weather was a bit dicey, but Grammy and Grampy made the trip to have lunch (twice) with the Ninja and the Gnome.  Pretty sure all four were excited for their lunch date, and trip to the book fair.  (aside note:  It is pure genius to have a book fair, and invite in all the grandparents. Pure genius.)  Pizza and rainbow salad bar were on the menu, after a few pics and more tears, Grammy and Grampy were back on the road.