Trinity Christmas Program

 Trinity Family Center's annual Christmas program was held on December 12th.  We had 3 kids participating this year.  Maggie and Tommy did a great job singing and Teddy's job was to be a cute little angel.

Maggie was picked to hand out programs!

She took her job very seriously.

Maggie is over on the left, 3rd from the end

Tommy 

Teddy and one of his teachers, Ms. Lisa

Teddy and his buddy Nolan after the show.  

FIVE

Our Maggie Jane turned 5 on December 11^th.  It’s hard to believe you are 5 already.  You were our first and only for so long.  You are the perfect child to lead us into parenthood.  For the most part you have always been pretty easy. We always joke that you are our teenager, you are 5 going on 14.  You love music and music videos.  You love dancing, gymnastics, dresses and all things girly.  You love to play board games and card games.  You are smart, pretty, respectful and make mommies so proud every day.  You are loving and nurturing with your brothers 97% of the time. 

I always call you my best friend (yes, I know they say you shouldn't be “friends” with your children).  We both love cheeseburgers, chocolate milk, and candy—oh and peas; it all can’t be unhealthy. :) You are always "my helper".  Mommies love doing "big girl" things with you one-on-one.  I asked you the other night if you will promise to always be so sweet—you said “yes, until I am 20”.  I explained that when you are 20 you will be away at college and you got sad and said that “you always wanted to live mommies”.  

5 things we love about you:

1.       Your positive attitude - how the littlest things can make you blurt out "best day ever!"

2.       Your long jokes that rarely have a punch line.  :)

3.       How expressive you are with your feelings—you have the biggest heart.

4.       Your laugh.  I occasionally catch you laughing in your sleep too!

5.       Watching you grow into the big sister role and dote over your little brothers.

Thursday night we had presents and cupcakes at home.  Maggie's teacher made her a crown that she refused to take off all day/night.  She also had gymnastics after school so she is wearing her leotard in all the photos. :)  

Maggie received her first pair of tie shoes

A new electric toothbursh

Paw Patrol painting activity book

Connect 4

A new Elsa bathrobe

Opening her card from Jane and Mark.  She was delighted as always!

The barbie hair and makeup head

Opening her big gift--a tumbling mat!  

Friday Morning Maggie got to stay home and have  special day with Mommy Susie.  She was so excited to do her "Marker Maker". 

Susie made Maggie of special breakfast of Grandpa's pancakes!

Then it was off to Chuck E. Cheese.  She could  have picked anything..zoo, MOA rides, bowling, etc.

Saturday was her party with her cousins.  She asked for an ANNA cake.  Aunt Becky sweet talked her cake lady into making this beauty!  It turned out great!

Maggie and Ella

Maggie, Ella and Fiona

Grace was really into taking "selfies" that day

Comedians

Susie helps get the kids up and dressed with me but then she heads off to work and leaves me and the 3 little turkeys alone to finish our morning routine.  We have it down pretty good.  We turn on Paw Patrol—this is must.  I pump and nurse Teddy simultaneously.   Maggie does her nebulizer treatment. Tommy cuddles on my legs and watches TV :).  I try really hard to stay relaxed in the A.M.  I try not to stress over 5,  10 or 15 minutes.  And I try really hard to make sure everyone has a good morning, no yelling or crying before we head out to start our days.  The other morning though Maggie and Tommy were in cahoots, they wanted to play and they wanted to do everything together—at toddler pace.  I had asked Maggie to run back upstairs and get her glasses, well since Tommy was attached to her hip he had to go with.  It takes him like 5 minutes to go up the stairs.  I was not amused.  Of course once they got up to her room I could hear them starting to play with the dollhouse (I was downstairs putting Teddy in his car seat and making my coffee).  I started nagging them, like hurry up, we need to get shoes on, hats, coats, etc.  Turn off the lights etc..  Just nagging them, not yelling but I was being persistent since they were off in la-la land that morning.  I see them start to come downstairs and all the lights are still on upstairs so I tell them they need to go turn off the lights and get their little butts to the mudroom, we were really starting to push the time at this point.

I turn to walk to the kitchen, Maggie and Tommy are coming down the stairs.  I hear Maggie say to Tommy, (in a defeated voice) “Come on Tom,  let’s just start listening to mom.  This isn't working.” 

This is our morning

Sunday at the Farm

35 has been a super cheesy age for me.  Not sure what happened but it seems like the way I see the world, people, things, etc has been shaken up and  shaken for the better.  I have always loved my family, both my immediate and extended, but I think I appreciate everyone and everything more than ever.  I don’t know if it was the birth of Teddy or just me getting older, but for the most part I am so darn happy and lovey lately, it is scary.  :)  I just wanted to give you a heads up. 

Sunday I took the kids over to my parents farm.  It was nice because for once there weren't a million people or a million things on my dad’s to do list for the day.  So Tommy and Maggie got to fully enjoy and soak up all of grandma and grandpa’s attention.  Tommy and Maggie got to help grandpa and I split, gather and throw firewood in the house.   They both loved it.  And it was something  me and my sisters did growing up with our dad at the farm.  I know it is cliché but it really is the small things.  To have my dad helping Maggie and Tommy and spending time with them—doing a simple chore meant the world to them and me.   

When we were leaving Tommy went sprinting across the ice covered driveway to say goodbye to grandpa.  It was seriously like a scene out of a movie, it had just started sleeting.  Tommy’s little legs running towards grandpa, he gets almost to grandpa and his feet slide out from under him.  Tommy landed on his butt and grandpa scooped him up and Tommy gave grandpa the biggest hug ever.  Pretty sure I had tears running down my face.  Tommy had the best day with grandpa and it wasn't much, a gator ride and picking up firewood but it was the world to him. 

I am so thankful I got to grow up on farm and experience so many things.  I think as a kid I didn't always enjoy it or think it was cool but as a an adult with children of my own, I am thankful that my parents still have the farm, the land, the tractors and the animals.  It is so nice that all the grandchildren get to experience all these things, they sure are lucky kids.  I know farming in the winter sucks and my parents are getting older and there are probably so many bad days were nothing is going right and it would just be easier to not have the farm but then there are days like this one—makes it all worth it.  

Teddy and grandma got to snuggle in the warm house while we worked, he enjoyed his quite time with grandma.