And the Party finally happened

Jump for Joy!  My girl got to have her 6th birthday party with her friends!  

 She wore her new outfit from Aunt Fran (though she did have a wardrobe change mid-party because she couldn't do cartwheels very well in her skirt.

 Walker came to play.

 As did miss Reed.

 And Eliza Beth.

 And Hampton, who calls Kate "Katie."  Her mom is named Cate.

 And Jack gave Kate lots of hugs and loving at her party.

 Ta-Da!  Doing the balance beam.

 Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'.

 Gift time:  journals galore...with LOCKS! And bling-y craft projects!

 Everyone loves seeing the gifts and telling who got what.  Such fun to watch these little ones.

 And some cake celebration!

 Happy Birthday, Bugs!  You are loved.

Christmas ROCKS!

On Christmas Eve, the tradition has always been to go to the Mason's for apps and presents with one side of the family and then dress up to go to the annual party we have attended as long as I can remember where Santa makes an appearance and the house screams CHRISTMAS! This year, Jack and I had the stomach flu and Kate looked like she was getting sick (which she denied the whole time). After going to the Mason's party and coming home, Kate decided she was tired and wanted to just play the Wii and go to bed.  Jack and I had already bailed on the party.  Bedtime was a reasonable hour, because Kate knew she had to be asleep for Santa to arrive.  

Jack and I woke and quietly went downstairs.  I tried to avoid all Christmas items under and around the tree in the living room, but he saw the caaaaahrrrr and it was over.  Tears while I changed him.  Tears while I fixed his milk.  So, I went in, got the car, and he drove around while I coaxed him to come out and drink his milk and watch a show.  He got Matt stirring upstairs and soon he joined us.

Christmas morning, Kate woke, came down the stairs (the rest of us were in the family room waiting for her to get up), and we heard her SCREAM!  "He was here!  Santa was here!" We went in there to see just what Santa had delivered (more on that later.)

Being the sweet sister, Kate started with Jack's stocking first, showing him what Santa had brought.  She "ooooh'ed" and "aaaaahhhh'ed" over each gift for Jack.

 Drake had been waiting patiently for someone to open his stocking because he could smell the goodness inside.  After that, this was Drake.

 Again, Kate helped Jack open his gifts.  Honestly, so loving.  He just wanted to run his new trucks (that make sounds) over everything.  The whole wrapped presents thing escaped him.

 My sweet girl and boy.

 Two of Jack's faves:  balls and a cahhhrrrr.

 The drum set.  We went with a cheaper version in case it wasn't a hit.  :-)  Well, I think the birthday gift is looking like drums both can play, because they have had such a good time whacking the cymbal and drums.

 One...two...one..two...three!

 In her own world with Santa's art set.  It is a box that shuts and locks and she can pack it wherever she goes.  And it has an easel for her to color in.  Pretty darn cool.

 Trucks.  That make noise.

 The art kit moved to the breakfast table while we prepared the Christmas casserole.

 We went to Mimi and Papaw's for family Christmas.  Kate got a sparkly baseball cap and sparkly leg warmers.

 Jack used the kids vacuum for most of the time the rest of the family unwrapped presents and then rode on an old toy through the living room. He didn't mind that others were getting new things; boyfriend was on his own.

 Kate and Mason.

 Daddy was outside.

 After afternoon naps and time relaxing, we went to my family's Christmas dinner.  Jack got a train table that will be kept there (to hopefully keep him busy while he is there).

 Kate got a sparkly pink purse from Fran.

 And Jim got new magazines.  And this was Jim for the rest of the time.

 Jack enjoyed the trains, and Kate helped him put the trains together and play.

 We tried for a family picture.

 Kate played and tried to smile.  I was trying the new lens that goes on an iPhone (it is going back).

 And Jack went up and down the stairs during dinner.  The whole dinner.

Merry, Merry day.

A little of this, and a lot of homemade goodness.

I love this little hand.  The one that just rests so unassumingly on my hand.  The one that reaches out for help, for high fives, and for loving.  

 Kate and I made our annual gingerbread house.  She did the roof and one side of the front, and then was finished.  That is still progress.  And she had some great ideas on how to do it.She also made the two stepping stones out of the fondant, and was mighty proud of them.

 We made close to 100 gingersnaps to give to people (and eat a few ourselves).  Yummy goodness.

 Jack is mastering the iPad and iPhone now.  And he is getting better about not bugging Ezra.  They just do their own thing on the couch.  Ezra's is pretty much sleeping.

 Jack's teacher sent this to me to let me know that a) he does not like the apron and b) he will wear the apron if it means he can play in the water table.

 Jack took Drake's ball then promptly laid down on Kate.

 Then tackled her.

 Then sat on her lap to watch "The Chica Show."

 We made some beer bread to give.

 Kate made this in 2009 at preschool.

 Jack made this in 2013 at the same preschool.  I love these holiday trivets.

 Jack dumped the bowl of water INTO the tub of expensive dog food.  Pantless because he spilled on himself, he then went back to check his work.  Nicely played, Jack.

 Tired after all of this.

 A decently warm day for a walk with my elf.

 The last day of school before Christmas break, Kate had her friend over to decorate Christmas cookies and play.  Both girls worked tediously on their cookies...and then consumed them.

 Kate's fabulous stocking.

 A friend sent this to me of Kate at her school sing-a-long.  The t-shirt was made in her class.  So darn cute!

 Friday, Jack and I went back to the doctor because he was not feeling well.  This is what going to the doctor's office is like with Jack.

 Worried about his pulse-ox, we did a breathing treatment.  It improved, but his lungs still sounded full, so we went for a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.  Negative, thank goodness.

 He even feel asleep during the treatment.

 Sunday we went to see Santa at the club.

 Better...

 Monday, Kate and I made Cinnamon rolls.  Five pans of them.  And they were fabulous!  Might be adding these to my homemade goodies next Christmas!

 Kate has been enjoying them (we only kept one pan for ourselves).  She could not believe we could make something that took all day into something this delicious.  Kate has really enjoyed baking this year.

 And I wore my new Paul Bunyon apron from Fran!

 We have been playing Wii like we just got it (we didn't).  Even Jack thinks he is playing.  He cheers, he claps, and he hangs on to the controller for dear life.

 And sometimes, he takes a break to sport a new purse.