Fourteen.

My nephew is fourteen. How did that happen? I remember when my sister went into labor and we all piled into the car and raced to Indianapolis. It doesn't seem like fourteen years ago, but I can't remember life without him either. Funny how that is.

I didn't get to be with him on his actual birthday but that didn't stop me from celebrating when he was up here for our Thanksgiving/Christmas weekend.

My sweet little nephew has grown into such a handsome, kind, loving, smart, funny and all around one-of-a-kind guy.

I hope he always knows just how much he is loved and how many people would go to bat for him. He's such a special kid.

Happy (belated) birthday, bub.

-17 and snowing and blowing

Seriously? -17? 

It is frigid. Frigid! Frigid! Plus, I think our heater is broken - breaking? And our air vent in the master bath is leaking frozen water. Brrrrrr. It's too cold for Daredevil to even play in the snow. We tried it yesterday and it took longer to get him in "gear" than he ended up wanting to be outside. And yesterday the temperatures were positive! 

Is it too soon to say how desperately I'm missing this view? 

I found myself looking up books on how to retire to Costa Rica. Oy! 

On this note we are heading to breakfast and to Olbrich for their holiday train exhibit. 

Elf on the Shelf

ODo you have an elf on the shelf? This is the first year Santa sent us one. He is a lot of fun. We never know what kind of predicament we will find him in each morning but he doesn't disappoint. Our elf looks a little different than most families - maybe we got a special elf? I will never know but we are having a lot of fun with our Bernard. Daredevil really likes it when Bernard brings him back treats in the morning. 

Here are some of what he's been up to around here! 

I can only imagine what he will dream up the rest of the month!!!

Off target

I ask daredevil to bring me his shoes. 

He brings me his slippers. 

I say no - you're shoes for outside. 

He shakes his head no and hands me his slippers. 

I go get him his shoes. 

He looks at his shoes, throws them on the floor, picks up his slippers and does his best at getting them on himself. 

I guess someone didn't want to leave. 

He was asleep less than five minutes later. 

We definitely missed his music class - again. 

But we are slowly getting better and we are slowly getting back in our routine. 

The house is presentable. We are eating home cooked meals, gifts are wrapped, holiday activities are getting done, we've been out in the snow, etc. It feels good. 

Daredevil has super wide/big feet. Winter boots for him always end up being Kamik boots which are normally $45-$65. We found the pair we needed and it was somehow on sale for $20. Then we got another 20% off making them $16! What?!? Crazy. Last year we totally paid $63 for his boots he maybe wore 3 times. 

I'm sorry this is so random. I'm so random right now. My brain is all over the place. I need to reign it in so I can sleep! I just keep thinking about all these new babies and showers and holidays and and and and.....

Oh and another funny... Daredevil loves candy canes. I bought the mini sized ones. He eats about 3/day. 

A Handmade Holiday

Daredevil and I were over at the Madison Moms blog a few days ago with some gift giving ideas! 

Check us out here: http://citymomsblog.com/madison/a-handmade-holiday/

Happy fa-la-la-ing!

Traditions

This was supposed to post on 12/20... Whoops! 

What are your holiday traditions? Do you have small daily traditions or just ones on the actual holidays?

We are still building our traditions. Right now we do four things daily between thanksgiving and Christmas. I know, four is kind of a lot but hear me out 

1. Daredevil gets chocolate bites from his daily advent. 

2. Our elf gets himself into new trouble. 

3. We do our good deed for the day to share His love and light with others. 

4. We do a holiday inspired family activity. 

It takes a bit of planning up front to organize everything but once you have your game plan and supplies, things tend to go off without a hitch. 

For instance, today, Daredevil had his bite of chocolate during our afternoon snack. We ate our way through our gingerbread house making. We sent all the goodies to Mr Tech Guy's office. And, Bernard moved to way up high on our china cabinet in the dining room. In future years it all may get combined. Time will tell. This year we're having a good time with it all. 

I hope Daredevil values family traditions. I know I loved traditions growing up and I hope we build strong traditions and memories, too. 

Real life.

Reality. 

I'm sick. 

My sister's car keep breaking down - so she's kind of stuck in Wisconsin. 

Daredevil peed through his sheets. His freshly changed sheets. 

Ollie threw up on the floor. 

I can't find our tree skirt, stocking holders or tree topper. Of all my decorations, I can't find the important stuff. 

I gained 6 lbs on vacation. 

Daredevil can't stand coats/hats/mittens and I can barely get him to keep clothes on. 

But... 

My incredible sister not only cooked me dinner and washed dozens of loads of laundry, she dusted and vacuumed my upstairs living spaces while I unpacked. 

My brother brought dinner home for the rest of the family. 

My husband gave Daredevil his nighttime bath and spent a lot of time helping Bernard hang up lights in Daredevil's room. He made sure they were perfect. 

My husband is back at work after a month off and I have the luxury of being at home because he provides for our family. 

It may have not been the easiest transition back but all-in-all I think we've managed ok. Not only did we have guests a few hours after getting home, but we also had to cook, clean, unpack, finish Christmas gifts (sorting/wrapping) and just get everything put in its place. 

One day at a time. Slowly but surely. Life is good. I am blessed.