December has been wonderful! My intentions this Christmas season was to keep things slow, purposeful, and very easy. Considering we have been anticipating our newest arrival I wasn't sure how much time or energy we would have for Christmas preparations. We kind of assumed he would be here by Christmas but alas it is Christmas Eve morning at 4:30 AM to be exact and no baby. The nice part of that is I got to do lots and lots of Christmas stuff with the kiddos. The bad part... 4:30 AM...yep pregnancy insomnia hit hard this go around and most days I'm up by 3. I try so hard to fall back asleep and never can but at least I get to enjoy this view for a few more days.
December Delight #1: Tree Lighting
We went to our annual tree lighting here in Larkspur and the kids love seeing Santa there. Grandma Decker even got to join us this year which was extra special and nice for mommy since I kind of panic when it's dark and we are trying to keep an eye on all 3 kids in a crowd. We still managed to lose Ryder who has become the king of getting himself lost lately.
December Delight #2 - Dunkin Donuts
We don't live close to a Dunkin Donuts so my kids have never been to one. However, we pass by one on our way to our midwife appointments so I made it point to stop one cold morning with the boys. They were in heaven. Ryder especially, who after about one hour said, "mommy, I know we just had donuts so why is my body telling me it wants more sugar. I really want to get another donut." Oh, the magic of sugar my son.
December Delight #3 - Quiet/Nap Time
I am so thankful all 3 kids either nap or have a quiet time during the day. Ryder never sleeps, Rilyn sleeps probably 4 days out of the week, and Sawyer sleeps every day. Regardless, I get at least 1 1/2 hours of mostly uninterrupted me time, which lately due to the awesome 3 AM wake up calls I've used sleeping. Ryder has quiet time in his room and Rilyn in my room. They entertain themselves really well and Ryder especially needs this time to play and be alone. I've considered doing school during this time because we could accomplish so much but I have to remind myself that not only do I need the quiet but so do the kids. Also, it's very amusing to see how Ryder entertains himself...
December Delight # 4: Polar Express Reading
Our library hosts a Pajama Time Polar Express reading complete with activities, hot chocolate, and cookies. The kids look forward to this every year and it is probably their most favorite activity. You know because hot cocoa and cookies.
December Delight # 5: Mom's group Christmas Party.
The leader of our group puts on a such a meaningful party for the kids. We read through the Christmas story and do activities for each part. It ends with a birthday party for Jesus. We love spending this time with friends and learning all about God's gift to us.
December Delight #6: The start of Renovations
I say the start very lightly because after two full days of work after 5 full months of a delay our contractor informed us the beam he needs wasn't delivered so he'd be back after the first of the year. Ya thanks for ripping off our garage roof, leaving thousands of dollars of materials to sit in the snow, and a making a very pregnant and hormonal woman want to lose her mind. So, actually this doesn't even qualify as a delight just a rant...
December Delight #7: A Visit with Santa
Once again our library comes to the rescue with a no line FREE visit with Santa. Come visit Santa, do activities, sing songs, don't pay for your pictures, and definitely don't wait in line. Umm...yes please!!!
December Delight #8: Cookie Decorating
Of course, we needed more cookies and frosting in our lives.
December Delight #9: Crafting
We didn't get to tons of crafts this year, because really my kids just aren't that into them. But, they LOVED making ornaments. We made clay ornaments and angels, and pipe cleaner candy ornaments and they loved them all. Even Sawyer was very particular about who is getting what ornament. Ryder went with the same theme as the cookies obviously...all the blue!
December Delight #10: Life
Really just spending my days with these 3 little crazy kids is the best ever, and knowing this boy growing oh so long inside me is the best delight ever. I feel like the worst mom some days. Again hello 3 AM wake up calls, but when I reflect on all the smiles we've had this month I guess we are doing an okay job as parents. These pictures don't even tell half the story. We've watched Christmas movies, sang Christmas songs, Rilyn has wrapped up things around the house and placed them under the tree for us all to unwrap 3 seconds later, colored in our advent book taking us through the birth of Jesus, read ALL the Christmas books (Rudolph - Sawyer's favorite, Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Ryder's favorite, and The Nutcracker - Rilyn's favorite), a school performance where Rilyn took Elf's motto so seriously "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear," and just spent our days together loving eachother the best we know how.
It's been a good December. We are excited to meet this boy but know I'm just hoping he waits a couple more days to make his appearance. I would have been fine with yesterday or even early today, but he's missed his chance and now has to stay for Christmas. Too bad for him, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be magical.
December Delight #1: Tree Lighting
We went to our annual tree lighting here in Larkspur and the kids love seeing Santa there. Grandma Decker even got to join us this year which was extra special and nice for mommy since I kind of panic when it's dark and we are trying to keep an eye on all 3 kids in a crowd. We still managed to lose Ryder who has become the king of getting himself lost lately.
December Delight #2 - Dunkin Donuts
We don't live close to a Dunkin Donuts so my kids have never been to one. However, we pass by one on our way to our midwife appointments so I made it point to stop one cold morning with the boys. They were in heaven. Ryder especially, who after about one hour said, "mommy, I know we just had donuts so why is my body telling me it wants more sugar. I really want to get another donut." Oh, the magic of sugar my son.
December Delight #3 - Quiet/Nap Time
I am so thankful all 3 kids either nap or have a quiet time during the day. Ryder never sleeps, Rilyn sleeps probably 4 days out of the week, and Sawyer sleeps every day. Regardless, I get at least 1 1/2 hours of mostly uninterrupted me time, which lately due to the awesome 3 AM wake up calls I've used sleeping. Ryder has quiet time in his room and Rilyn in my room. They entertain themselves really well and Ryder especially needs this time to play and be alone. I've considered doing school during this time because we could accomplish so much but I have to remind myself that not only do I need the quiet but so do the kids. Also, it's very amusing to see how Ryder entertains himself...
December Delight # 4: Polar Express Reading
Our library hosts a Pajama Time Polar Express reading complete with activities, hot chocolate, and cookies. The kids look forward to this every year and it is probably their most favorite activity. You know because hot cocoa and cookies.
December Delight # 5: Mom's group Christmas Party.
The leader of our group puts on a such a meaningful party for the kids. We read through the Christmas story and do activities for each part. It ends with a birthday party for Jesus. We love spending this time with friends and learning all about God's gift to us.
December Delight #6: The start of Renovations
I say the start very lightly because after two full days of work after 5 full months of a delay our contractor informed us the beam he needs wasn't delivered so he'd be back after the first of the year. Ya thanks for ripping off our garage roof, leaving thousands of dollars of materials to sit in the snow, and a making a very pregnant and hormonal woman want to lose her mind. So, actually this doesn't even qualify as a delight just a rant...
December Delight #7: A Visit with Santa
Once again our library comes to the rescue with a no line FREE visit with Santa. Come visit Santa, do activities, sing songs, don't pay for your pictures, and definitely don't wait in line. Umm...yes please!!!
December Delight #8: Cookie Decorating
Of course, we needed more cookies and frosting in our lives.
December Delight #9: Crafting
We didn't get to tons of crafts this year, because really my kids just aren't that into them. But, they LOVED making ornaments. We made clay ornaments and angels, and pipe cleaner candy ornaments and they loved them all. Even Sawyer was very particular about who is getting what ornament. Ryder went with the same theme as the cookies obviously...all the blue!
December Delight #10: Christmas Light Looking
We put on pajamas, grabbed hot cocoa, and some popcorn and headed into Castle Rock to enjoy some lights. The kids also did this with Grandma Decker earlier in the month so they got two special nights of this.
Really just spending my days with these 3 little crazy kids is the best ever, and knowing this boy growing oh so long inside me is the best delight ever. I feel like the worst mom some days. Again hello 3 AM wake up calls, but when I reflect on all the smiles we've had this month I guess we are doing an okay job as parents. These pictures don't even tell half the story. We've watched Christmas movies, sang Christmas songs, Rilyn has wrapped up things around the house and placed them under the tree for us all to unwrap 3 seconds later, colored in our advent book taking us through the birth of Jesus, read ALL the Christmas books (Rudolph - Sawyer's favorite, Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Ryder's favorite, and The Nutcracker - Rilyn's favorite), a school performance where Rilyn took Elf's motto so seriously "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear," and just spent our days together loving eachother the best we know how.
It's been a good December. We are excited to meet this boy but know I'm just hoping he waits a couple more days to make his appearance. I would have been fine with yesterday or even early today, but he's missed his chance and now has to stay for Christmas. Too bad for him, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be magical.
