{{Somewhat}} Wordless Tuesday: Christmas Edition

It is ALLLLLLL things Christmas around here and the Barrett family is SUPER into it this year!! I'm not sure if us parents are having more fun or the kids. Here's what we've been doing.....

Pinky came back!! Pinky is our elf and every year on December 1 he comes back to our house. The night before he comes we watch the "Elf on the Shelf" movie with popcorn and then the past two years Pinky has brought the kids a gift (as well as a letter) when he first shows up. The kids just love waking up to see what new spot he has chosen to sit in for the day. 

My neighbor friends and I at my church's women's Ornament Exchange Event. I was fortunate enough to get to be involved with the planning process this year (as I have been recruited to be on the Women's Ministry Team) and it was so fun! 

Mellany walking to the bus with her neighbor boy friend. 

So proud to be eating 2 (yes 2!) peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 

Old toys.....when put in a new spot.....become new toys again! 

Mellany got this chair at her first or second Christmas....sitting on the floor next to her I just couldn't help but realize how grown up she has gotten! 

Mommy and Charlie night in while daddy and the big kids went to a movie

Girls day = Salon, Lunch, Shopping

Boys day = a movie on the couch while Charlie naps

Ballet winter showcase

Charlie loves playing cars with Johnny

Johnny's Preschool Christmas Program

Charlie's new favorite spot

"Crazy Eyes"

Charlie is developing a love for daddy's hats

We couldn't believe Johnny fell asleep like this...  

Charlie has really gotten into climbing lately....including into the cabinet drawers!

Last week, each of the kids took turns getting sick and vomiting. Thankfully it only lasted about 5 hours and then they were just sleepy the rest of the day. It started with Charlie, then about 24 hours later Johnny started and then about 15 hours after that, I got a call from the school that Mellany had started throwing up and we needed to come get her. So the majority of last week was spent cloroxing and lysoling EVERYTHING! 

 

Thankfully the sickness was over on Friday night because Saturday morning we had our own little family Christmas. We ate cinnamon rolls from Homestead (aka the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had!), drank homemade hot chocolate, opened stockings (which Pinky brought from Santa at the North Pole because the kids have been so good and he had heard we were opening some presents a little early), opened presents from John and I and the kids also exchanged presents. Then we spent the whole day laying around, writing letters to Santa and playing with the new items they got. Once it got dark, we put on PJ's and headed to Starbucks for more hot chocolate. We then drove through one of the local church's living nativity (which was INCREDIBLE!) and then to look at Christmas lights (one house in particular in Rossville, IN). 

(yup, this is ONE house....it was incredible!)

The kids decided to build a wall with all the paper towels from Sam's Club

Eating has become a very messy event

Mellany laid out her new blanket and doll so that I could take a picture and send it to her bestie Charlotte who has a blanket and doll just like it. 

Johnny and Charlie playing and eating at Simons house while I had lunch at school with Mellany. Charlie refused to sit with Mrs. Kelley.....he just looks sooooo grown up! 

Birthday cake for Jesus! 

Gingerbread house party at Johnny's preschool. Johnny didn't really want much to do with decorating the house....he really just wanted to eat the candy. The kids also had a book gift exchange. 

HAPPY TUESDAY! 

Charlie: 15 Months

After two failed attempts at going to this appointment because of vomiting kiddos, we finally made it to Charlie's 15 month well visit. Johnny came along for the ride as it was before preschool start time.  At this appointment Dr. Fahler and I discussed eating habits, temper tantrums and communication, the mark on Charlie's arm, motor development and overall temperament/socialization with others.

• He wasn't concerned about Charlie's preferences to food (aka being picky) because his growth from last visit was really good. I also reminded him that this is the stage where all of our kids have been the pickiest and have particular preferences for what they want to eat at every meal. (Charlie also has 6 teeth which is allowing him to eat foods like apples!)
• As far as temper tantrums, I told Dr. Fahler that he has become a "screamer" when he's wanting something and that I mainly try to ignore it....then when he finishes screaming I give him attention and address the situation. He figures (just as I do) that it is an overall communication issue; he is wanting more but can't tell me exactly what he is wanting and so he gets frustrated by that. He reassured me that this was normal and that what I was doing is what he would suggest I continue doing. 
• The mark on Charlie's arm seems to be lightening in color as he grows. We will continue to monitor the mark but he is overall not concerned. 
• Dr. Fahler was really impressed by Charlie's gross and fine motor skills. I told him that Charlie likes to play with my Tupperware...putting magnets inside, putting on the lid, pulling off the lid, dumping the magnets out and then repeating the process over and over. Now that he's also walking, it hasn't taken him long to learn how to run! 
• Charlie has become VERY happy and is officially no longer colic!! He loves to play with other kids and is quickly becoming another jokester in the house. He does just about anything to get a laugh and loves when Mellany and Johnny do the same so that he can laugh at them. 

Charlie did get 3 immunizations at this visit which seemed to burn pretty bad (and the nurse warned me that they would). Johnny wasn't a fan of Charlie getting the shots and covered his ears while Charlie cried then patted his back after I picked him up. Several times since the appointment, Johnny has asked if Charlie's "owies" are better....such a caring soul!!

I didn't get a snapshot at the appointment because we didn't really have to wait (HALLELUJAH!!) on Dr. Fahler or the nurse. We did get his stats though, which all look great. We will head back to the doctors office at 18 months! 

Length: 31"

Weight: 23# 10oz

Head Circumference: 50.4cm