Winter Update

   If motherhood has a "busy season" it would definitely be the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The day to day responsibilities of laundry, cooking, and taxi service are ever present and added to them is the new job of baker, event planner and private shopper begin!  I'm thankful today because the trees in my yard are gorgeous when covered in an inch or two of snow and I am breathing a bit easier as I check items off of my to do list. 

   I am so fortunate to live where I do.  This morning Charlotte and I drove Liam to school and then went to visit my grandparent to drop off presents for Christmas Eve.  I took my gloves and helped my grandpa shovel the driveway and then I was treated to coffee and stories from my young childhood and Christmas at my Aunt Ella's house.  There's something I love about watching my grandma play with Charlotte.  Really my grandma is the best because she is just like a little kid and loves playing with toys and stickers as much as Charlotte does.  There are times when I question our decision to move to Loveland, but mornings like this one always erase those doubts.  My grandparents have always done so much for me and I am happy that as they get older I can do something to bring little bits of joy to their lives.

   I think Christmas always makes me thing about the things that are really important.  All of the Christmas shopping that I do sometimes puts me in a bit of a funk.  There is such a long list of people to shop for and its so hard to find the time to do it.  Bill and I always try to be savers so it is always a bit awkward to go spend so much in a few short weeks.  At those times I try to remember the amazing moments when the kids come down the stairs on Christmas morning and just go crazy with excitement.  My favorite things about Christmas is not the presents.  Its the time and detail put into cookies that are only made once a year.  It is seeing my whole family at my grandparents house on Christmas Eve.  Its the happy conversations that go on as everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief that the preparations are over and the celebrating can begin.  I love all of the classic Christmas cartoons that are only played this time of year.  I spend a lot of time listening to Christmas music in my car and it reminds me of driving in the car with my family after midnight mass.  Sometimes I wish Christmas happened more than once a year, but without all of the gift giving.  I just like having a time of year when the weather is cold outside and the best thing people have to do is crowd into a single house and enjoy each other's company.

My Home Improvement Crew

Liam has been insisting that he is too big for Toy Story and Lightning McQueen decals on his walls. He is five and three quarters you know! This week I finally let him choose his color and then I braved the snow Saturday morning to retrieve the paint from Lowe's. This is the first painting that we've done since our move in 5 years ago. I can't believe we've been here that long.

The prep work went quickly because I had such a helpful crew.  Charlotte is fabulous at taping.

Liam was really looking forward to helping us paint.  We were not looking forward to that.  He had to wear his rec-specs all day because he had already broken his wire rims.  I took him to Sam's Club later in the day and they fixed them on site!  Apparently they have a full warranty for one year and Liam is going to make them regret that.  I told the lady we would probably be back in a few weeks.

Five minutes into the actual painting I bribed Charlotte with Netflix and candy to leave us alone.  Liam painted a few streaks and then left us to watch Netflix with Charlotte.

Before long we had a finished product!  Liam is happy with his color and now he wants a Cincinnati Reds Stadium Fathead decal for his wall.  He is going to have to wait a little while for that one!