More Christmas Traditions

I have sat at a blank screen for almost an hour. I could go on and on about how great my kids are etc. Truthfully they are great. At the moment though they are driving me nuts! Since they have been sick they have gotten into this awful habit of not going to sleep and staying in bed. Needless to say I am trying to break that habit and it is tough.

Today was such a nice day. We had school and they did so well. They went to Aunt Toni's and it was nice and quiet until Ari began his crying/screaming. I know it his teeth but I can't just lay around with a baby all day anymore. Stuff has to get done. Finally he is calmed down. The kids get home and were great. Then after dinner I don't know what happened. Anthony worked late so it was just me. Ari was fine playing then the older two messed with him and he just became angry. They were being awful. The noise in the house went from being zero all day to 100. I am not exaggerating. Jingle Bells sung/screamed off key is enough to make anybody want to lose it on top of a crying baby. Needless to say. I questioned all of my sanity. I figured 3 3 and under would be hard. So far we have done well, but tonight is one of those nights I wonder what was God thinking when he gave us another baby so soon. I do love all my kids. Sometimes they wear on me. It is hard to be joyful and love them at that time. Right now I need a shower and well Ari is awake nursing. Poor little boy is struggling with teeth. I can't blame him but it has been over a month of sickness or hurts and it is enough to wear on me. I just have to keep remembering one day I will miss this!!! Enough of my pity party but please tell me I am not alone as a mother in losing my sanity at one point? What do you do when you get to that point and it is only you that can take care of them? 

Sooo onto the wonderful things about my children. I am linking up with Christy from Counting God's Little Blessings today. I guess I need to read her title to appreciate my kids today.

Christmas really is much more fun with kids. There is something magical about it. Eli really gets Christmas this year and he can not wait. 

Friday Larry brought us some special movies. 

 

I figured we would watch one that night. Instead we actually decorated the Gingerbread train. I started that tradition last year with them. We did a house, but this year they wanted a train so that is what they did. Unfortunately it was not the most successful. They didn't send us the right parts in the kit so it was a little off but we enjoyed decorating it. 

While we waited for the train to set up we had a dance party to Christmas music. Lilliana loves to dance. Eli more or less loves to jump around and make as much noise as possible. 

Ari hung out for a bit all this while. I think he spent the majority of the time in his jumper. He loves it. 

 

Then we finished the poor train. It was a wreck when completed but the kids are VERY proud of it. 

 

That night Larry rode on the gingerbread train. 

 

He also ate some of the candy. Like I said this was very poorly constructed. I can only guess some of it rolled off and the dogs got it but we will blame it on Larry. 

Saturday I worked on Christmas presents. We also woke up to our first "Good" snow of the year. 

 

The kids did not play in it as they went to visit Grandma and then it was mostly gone. I woke up to Eli informing me Winter was here because we got snow. It was really cute. 

We had a pretty relaxed day. We went out to eat with Aunt Tracy and her family. She had been away to Japan for a couple weeks for work. It was exciting to hear and read about her travels. The kids missed her. I don't know how much I have made this known but since before Eli was born Aunt Tracy has had a special place in her heart for him. Eli LOVES her too. Lilliana has warmed up to her too now that she is older and loves visiting. We are blessed as Anthony's family loves our kids soo much and takes them frequently. The kids love visiting too. 

Saturday night Larry got into the band aids. 

 

The kids thought that was funny. I didn't video as Anthony let me sleep in so I didn't get to see their reactions. They told me all about it though. 

Sunday I worked on more Christmas presents. We decided we would stay home from Church one more week due to still runny noses and coughing. Anthony got in the mood to clean for which I am grateful. He tore apart the kitchen and cleaned a lot. I have to say it has been neglected for a clean every little thing clean for a bit so it was time. Eli loved helping! 

 

Sunday night Larry made us muffins. 

 

We had a wonderful day of school. Ari is sooo close to crawling too. He is on all fours rocking. Soon they will all be on the move. 

Some other Christmas traditions we still have to get to this year are baking sugar cookies, going to look at lights, opening pajamas Christmas Eve and reading the Christmas Story, Reading the nutcracker with hot chocolate. The ones we have done already is start the advent calendar, invited Larry into our house with our own version, kids got their ornaments. I can't think of anymore at the moment. I am sure I am missing some. Regardless they really do make it fun and exciting. 

Now that they are all finally asleep. Hopefully I can get a shower and some sleep myself. Tomorrow will be a better day and even if they are wild and crazy I will remind myself they are blessings.