Christmas Festivites

We had a wonderful month of December filled with family, friends, food and Christmas celebrations! I could easily do 5 or 6 posts on our adventures, but I will keep it short and sweet with a summary!

Since I am room mom for Brinley's class, I lived at her school the last week before Christmas break.  They had a polar express day where they wore their pajamas, watched the movie, drank hot cocoa, ate cookies and took pictures with Santa.  All of which I had to help coordinate and execute! Another day was party day where I had to get pizza, drinks, all the supplies for their craft (they made Christmas trees out of ice cream cones, green icing, and various candies to decorate) and wrap 22 "penny" presents for all her classmates. On this day, I was up at the school for 5 hours! I was one exhausted momma, but it was worth it when Brinley told me I was the best mom ever :-) After school that day, Brinley also her dance Christmas party. The girls got to watch the Nutcracker, sing Christmas songs, eat cupcakes, and had a visit with Santa! After the party, I dropped the kids off with the Smith's to see  Marian's Christmas concert because I had a coaches meeting for Brinley's softball this spring (I got suckered in!) I don't think I have ever slept as hard as I did that night.
Brinley and Clayton with Santa at the dance studio

On Clayton's actual birthday, we met up with the Smith's to head down to Moody Gardens Festival of Lights.  It was a perfect weather night, just cold enough to wear hats, but not so cold we were miserable.  Clayton loved the lights and ran the entire walk screaming "Look" "oooooh" "WOW". People were laughing at his enthusiasm.  The kids even got a chance to play in "snow" while we were there (aka-ice brought in).
My family in front of the big tree at Moody Gardens

Another night we made Gingerbread houses with the kids. Brinley was very meticulous with her house, making sure it looked just like the picture.  Jason had to do most of Clayton's because he just wanted to eat it. As soon as Jason gave him the ok, he dug in!!!

A few days before Christmas, we made and decorated our cookies for Santa.  We normally do sugar cookies because those are our Santa's favorite kind.  At Brinley's school, they read a book that said Santa loves chocolate chip cookies, so that is what we had to make....our Santa was a little disappointed ;-)

Christmas Eve we packed up all our presents and headed over to my parents house for our celebration.  Instead of doing the traditional Christmas dinner, we decided to do appetizers.  We had chick fil a nuggets, tamales, cheese dip, ham/cream cheese roll ups and plenty of desserts! It was wonderful to just stand and pick all day instead of one huge meal! It may have to become a tradition!!! After snacking, the kids opened their presents from Mamaw and Pops, or Mamaw Claus as we call her.  The room was filled and we came home with a car load of fun goodies to play with.  Brinley's favorite, her American Girl bed for her doll.  Clayton came home with a remote control Cars racetrack that takes up half his room!
The cousins- Reese, Brinley and Clayton

In the middle of the present opening chaos

Once we got home, we got in our Christmas pajamas, sprinkled reindeer food made at school on the lawn, and put out Santa's cookies and milk.

On Christmas morning, we had to wake the kids up to open presents.  We were on a tight schedule because we had mass at 9:30 and then had to be at the Smith's by noon and I had to cook my dishes to take over there.  The kids were so excited by all the presents left for them.  Brinley was especially excited that he left her a note on her new paint easel! Clayton really enjoyed his bat cave too!

I love this picture! Both of their expressions of finding socks and underwear in their stockings! Santa had to be practical this year!!!

The aftermath of present opening

We went to mass and enjoyed a beautiful Christmas service.  We were asked to bring the gifts down, at first we were hesitant, in fear of Clayton running down the aisle or something worse! But they gave the kids the collection basket to carry and Jason had a firm grip on the back of his collar ;-) and it all went great!

We headed over to Smith's for Christmas day lunch and more present opening.  After stuffing ourselves, the kids got even more presents!!! Brinley loved her Tinkerbell fairies and Clayton got a huge Lego ship complete with a shark and cage!

"WHAT?? Cars pajamas?!?!?!?!" BTW- he is pant less due to a diaper malfunction

After presents, Hannah wanted to sing Christmas carols around the neighborhood.  The girls made song list which consisted of:
We wish you a merry Christmas
Last Christmas by WHAM (Brinley absolute favorite Christmas song.....weird right?)
Jingle Bells
Feliz Navidad
We walked to 4 houses on their street and the kids belted out the songs.  It was quite hilarious to watch.  Everyone got quite a kick out of the kiddos, especially Clayton who was dancing and singing the last word of each line. 


As you can tell, we had quite a busy month! Which is probably why I have been stuck on the couch for the past 3 days with strep throat, sinus infection and double ear infection! But it let me catch up on blogging!

Now that I am caught up, my new years resolution is to stay up to date!

Clayton's 3rd Birthday

Clayton's actual birthday is on the 18th, but to save mommy's sanity from having to throw a party the week before Christmas, we have his party on the first weekend in December! This year's party was a shark theme.  Ever since shark week on discovery channel, he has been obsessed with sharks (see his Halloween costume in the post below). Having a shark party was actually easier to throw than I thought it would be.  Thanks to my new obsession, Pinterest, I found lots of great ideas to make the first birthday party at our new home successful!

Here is the shark cake I made

Since the Christmas decorations were already up, I wanted to make it look like a party for the little guy! Here is my "water" entryway into the cake room.  Jason made use of the extra moving boxes and made shark bean bag toss game that turned out super cute!!!

Here are a bunch of the boys digging for treasures

Clayton blowing out his candles

The crew who helped us celebrate

The birthday loot....I didn't need to buy for Christmas did I?

Happy 3rd birthday Clayton! You are becoming such a little man! You are talking up a storm by using sentences.  Your favorite one is "what you doing?" You are very inquisitive and want to know how everything works.  You sleep with an entourage of stuffed animals in bed, you LOVE cars, snuggling with mom, pushing your sister's buttons, making everyone laugh,singing Christmas songs, wrestling with the dogs, Scooby Doo, dinosaurs, playing and watching football and soccer, and driving your jeep in the backyard! You are an amazing eater and most meals we wonder where you are putting all your food (you get that from your daddy) Unlike your sister, you LOVE anything sweet and would rather dessert than your meal. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and we love you very much!!!

PS- as i type this you finished your 3rd day of potty training with no accidents! Way to go and keep it up!

Catch up time---October

Well, this move has really done a number on me! I feel like I have been running around with my head cut off since September 27!!!! We are finally somewhat settled in the new house and loving it! We breezed through October like it never happened. Although these posts will not be as detailed as I would like, I am going to try and catch up so I can start 2012 fresh.Jason and I headed to Arkansas for the Auburn game and to shower Wendi with great things and her little boy, River.  We had a great time visiting with friends and cheering on the HOGS (who won!)

Me and my girls, Rachel, Wendi and Amanda tailgating

We also had a great visit with the cousins, Wyatt and Liam, from Switzerland.  They had a blast playing with each other. It was as if they are together all the time! On a hot day, we took the kids to the Oil Ranch for some fall fun. The kids got to ride horses, feed cows, ride a train, play in tee pees and run wild!!!
Clayton, Liam, Wyatt and Brinley

This is the kind of picture you get when you wait until the end of a long, hot day to take a picture with the pumpkins!

Clayton feeding a cow



One night we had a Halloween party for the boys since they were going to be leaving before Halloween.



We also attended a Halloween party at our friends house that was tons of fun!!!

For Halloween, we carved pumpkins.  Jason carved Clayton's but he had fun pulling out all the insides.  Brinley drew the face our hers and I helped her cut it out

Of course for Halloween, we went trick or treating! Our new house is on a circle with about 20 houses.  All but 2 were handing out candy, so it was a great way to get just enough candy and meet all the new neighbors! The kids had a blast and Clayton really loved getting all the candy!

My sleeping beauty and Shark getting ready to trick or treat

Soccer season has begun!

This past Saturday, Brinley had her first soccer game of the season! We have the same coaches as last year (including Jason as assistant coach) and 4 players back from last years team. 
It was a hot, humid morning, but the season kicked off to a great start.  Brinley scored 1 goal.  She was very excited and ran off the field to give me hug and five. 

Brinley and her BFF's Addison and Halle

Brinley's first goal of the season

kicking the ball

Clayton enjoyed the game from the comforts of his own chair with water and soccer ball

The next two week are going to be crazy for us! We are in the process of packing to move to our new house! We are very excited and ready for more room to spread out! 

Zoo date with my lil man

On Monday, after dropping Brinley off at school, Clayton and I headed into the Houston Zoo for the morning.  We got there right when it opened and left after lunch.  We had the entire zoo to ourselves! We were able to watch the elephants get a bath and feed the giraffes. Clayton really enjoys not having to share mommy and we had a very hot, but very fun day!

yes, my son in having a conversation with the chimp

 Riding the lion on the carousel.  He was ROARing the entire time

 Oh no, the lion is going to eat me!!

 Feeding the giraffes was his favorite part of the zoo trip, at least that is what he told me!

First Day of Kindergarten

Last Monday was Brinley's first of Kindergarten.  She woke up super excited and pacing until we left to walk to school.  Jason went in late to work, so he could walk with us.  

 Clayton had to get in on picture taking too!

 My big girl walking to school

 Sitting at her desk in her classroom

 After we told Brinley goodbye, Clayton started crying and saying "I stay too".  He thought he was starting school that day too and was heartbroken he was leaving. I finally bribed him into the library where they were having a "Boo Hoo Breakfast" for kindergarten parents.  Donuts is the way to my lil man's heart!

Brinley had a great first week of school. She is making new friends and really enjoys going to PE, art and music.  She loves her teacher and is exhausted when she gets home in the evenings.  Clayton and I are enjoying our time together while she is at school. He does not miss her at all (I think he wishes he was an only child!)

Goodbye Summer

This is our last weekend of summer and we are sad and excited to see it go! Brinley will be starting Kindergarten on Monday and she can hardly contain herself! We met her teacher and saw her room Thursday night.  She was bouncing from excitement that not only was her class mostly girls (poor teacher) but she also has twins in her class. 

Clayton will enjoy next week being an only child and then he will start his school the following week! This momma is excited for a break and being able to get things done without  the kids "help".

Our summer was action packed and lots of time spent at the beach, swimming and friends.  Our only activity, gymnastics, finished yesterday!  Brinley ended the summer being able to do a handstand for 5 seconds, back roll, and jumping and turning around on the high balance beam.  Her coach keeps trying to get me to put her on the competition team, but mommy and daddy are not ready for that yet ;-)

Clayton spend his last mommy and me class (woo hoo for him being on his own next summer) perfecting his front roll and being able to do a chin up on the bar.  He can also walk on the balance beam alone depending on his mood. I am sure he will miss doing his belly flop into the pit of foam blocks (which drove his teacher crazy!)

Adios summer and please take your 100+ degree weather with you!!!!

5th Birthday

Brinley's 5th birthday has been planned since the day after her 4th birthday party!! Not once has any detail changed (just for the record, she has already planned her 6-9th birthdays down to place and theme!)This years theme was Barbie.  Here is the cake that she helped me design and I made.  She picked the colors, wanted to add the dog on the float and picked out the rocks to line the pool.  She was very involved and has added being a baker to her list of occupations!

 Here is the birthday girl the day of her party at the Indoor Soccer place.

 She had a blast running 100 miles a minute the entire time!!!

 Clayton enjoyed himself too, at least that is what the sweat drenched little man told me

 As the RSVP's rolled in, I knew we were in for a big party.  I guess it was a weekend with nothing going on, because I only got a few declines.  None the less, we all had a great time!!!

 My little family with the birthday girl.

Brinley's actual birthday was on a Tuesday.  For her dinner she wanted to go to the sand place (Lupe Tortillas).  It actually rained for the first time in forever that day, so the back up plan for Chuck E Cheese. Both sets of Grandparents joined us for the dinner and Brinley enjoyed having Chuck E Cheese bring her cake out to her!