It's Christmastime in the Martin House!

I do love hearing about Elf on the Shelf ideas and how families use the little fella to remind their kids to behave around the holidays.  In fact, that's pretty much how our family runs, except I'm an oversized, less patient and slightly more grumpy elf than the one in the books.  Instead of gently reminding the kids to act appropriately while having a little fun in the process, I usually threaten and bribe them.  If you clean your room, you'll get to go to Eli's house.  If you get good grades, you'll keep your Wii privileges.  If you stay in your bed all night, you'll get a sticker.  If you act appropriately at the store, I won't lock in a closet when we get home...I'm just kidding!  

I'm always trying to get my kids to remember the real reason for Christmas and a variation of the traditional elf on the shelf idea came to mind.  Instead of having our little elf remind the kids to behave, Bernice is visiting our house in search of a gift.  She's up to a little mischief while in town, but I hope this will be another way to help the kids remember the meaning of Christmas.  And knowing how much my kids love to dress (and undress) baby dolls, I chose to buy an elf that is plush and has a change of clothes...including a tutu!  

She showed up yesterday morning and as expected, the kids are very interested in seeing what Bernice is hunting...wonder how long before they figure it out!

Yesterday, shortly after Bernice showed up, we had to head out because we had a breakfast date with Santa!  

Check out these tutu beauties!

Face painting!

Chit chat and a photo opp with Santa!

Carriage ride!

One of the things the kids enjoyed while at the Breakfast with Santa event was decorating ornaments.  I didn't even consider that a salt and flour mixture would be appealing to a dog.  Not long after getting home and hanging them on the tree, we noticed Keely had just pulled off Adri's ornament and devoured it...including the yarn that we used to hang it!  I moved the other two a little higher and she spent her afternoon laying by the tree next to a pool of drool, whining about how badly she wanted the others! 

Last night, she spent the evening doing this!  I usually feel like that, too, after I eat something I'm not supposed to eat!  The kids felt sorry for her and put out a blanket.  Thanks kids...if she throws up, I'd really like her to do it on the quilt from Mamaw Judy.  

Adri loves our sweet Bernice.  She decided to sleep with her last night...at least until Bernice snuck out and found her way to the refrigerator because it reminded her of home.  She still hasn't found that special gift!

 I love Christmas!  I love the baking, fellowship, decorations, driving around town at night to see the Christmas lights, the way the living room looks at night when only the tree is on, the anticipation of the kids when they see presents start to accumulate under the tree and the looks on the faces of friends and family when they open up gifts that you've so perfectly chosen for them.  More than anything, I love two weeks at home, mostly in our jammies, with my lovely family of 5 doing nothing but napping, eating leftovers, watching movies, going for drives and not being confined to our normal routine.  Yes, I believe December is my favorite time of year!  

Merry Christmas, friends!

I'm tired!

Yes, you're right...I haven't posted in a while.  

I'm tired...soooo soooo tired.  It could be the weather...or maybe the fact that I can't say no when people ask to help with things...or maybe because my 4th grader brings home a reasonable amount of homework nightly with an unreasonable amount of attitude...or it could be because my husband is working more hours than usual and I'm home ....or it could be because I've been staying up too late to watch episodes of How I met your mother on Netflix...or it could be because I have recently started sleeping with our bedroom curtains open so that I can fall asleep to the sight of our new Christmas lights, the moon and the stars.  Whatever the reason, I'm still tired.  Not much of an excuse...but it is one.  

There's nothing better than crossing things off my 'to do' list.  I thrive on seeing a list at the end of the day with checkmarks next to every item.  Oh yes...it's OCD.  I've never denied it.  I get it from the Parisi family.  My Grandma Judy keeps a list of what's in her freezer on the outside of her freezer door. Don't laugh...I'm considering it, too.  My Uncle Joe told me once that he appreciated the card that I sent in the mail but next time, I should try to put the stamp on straight.  To this day, I never put a stamp on mail without thinking of him.  

We managed to get our Christmas decorations up last weekend and I have purchased all but one gift on my shopping list!  Score for Mom!  

Gabe came home from school last week after having had an interesting conversation with someone at school.  Apparently he has spoken to this little boy about what they do in the morning before school.  This little boy listed his morning routine and then Gabe listed his.  He told me, "I said that I wake up, get dressed, eat my breakfast while Mommy reads the Bible, and then I brush my teeth."  According to Gabe, this little boy said that he didn't even know what the Bible was!  Huh?!?!  It was a good opportunity to tell Gabe how important it is to tell others about God because not everyone has a Mom and Dad at home that do it.  It was his little mind that came up with questioning why they would even celebrate Christmas at all.  If they didn't know about the Bible how did they know about Christmas?  I love how his little mind works.  Even in my little inquisitive 6 year old's mind, Christmas is about Christ.  

My prayer these next few weeks is that I won't get so preoccupied with crossing things off my 'to do' list that I forget how special this time of year should be.

Merry Christmas!

A look back...Happy Birthday, Gaber!

A look back...

After my water broke in the lobby of the hospital, I very sloppily headed up to the delivery unit, and 3 short hours later he was born.  The only one of the 3 kids that came on their own, and a week early!  We named him Gabriel Joseph (after an angel and his ornery Great Great Uncle Joe).  Little did we know that he would live up to such a name!

This sweet little peanut was an eager eater (still is) and consistently slept through the night at about 2 months old!  I could see curiousity in his eyes...even then!

Loved by all 4 of us (although Adri was only a twinkle in my eye at this time), Gabe is often the brunt of sibling torture.  Unfortunately, at only 1 year old, Gabe couldn't defend himself.  My, how times have changed!

At 2 years old, I coined him the MOST mischievous child that ever lived!  He's still living up to that!

At about 3 years old, we quickly discovered his love for pets...specifically the cat, Phoebe.  When her last day had finally come, he said, "Where did duh cat go?"  And after I reminded him that she didn't live with us anymore, he responded, "Dat makes my heart hurt."  

Just before his 4th birthday, he learned how to unlock the dead bolt on the front and back doors.  It was quite often that we'd find him playing outside.  He has always loved being outdoors.  I think youheenjoyed the escape as much as playing on the swings! 

By 5, he was an eager to please, strong willed preschooler.  I see those same eyes in this picture...total mischief!

And now, our big 6 year old!  An independent, strong willed, mischievous, foodie, animal and outdoor lover that we'll always be, forever thankful!  Happy birthday, Gaber!