Enjoying a few Chrismas things in mid-December

Sydney had her first Christmas program yesterday. I was so proud of her. My painfully shy little girl sang every word to every song all with a timid smile that, despite her trying, couldn't be contained.

On the other hand, it was all we could do to keep our second born, throw caution to the wind, fear-nothing, daughter off the stage and out of the spotlight. We did pretty good until they got to "Let it go" from Frozen. Son-of-a-nutcracker! There was no stopping her stealing the spotlight with her (very loud) singing and dancing on that one.

It's been all things Christmas around here lately. This year the candy on our gingerbread houses keeps mysteriously disappearing. One morning, Jon even came out to find Lilly laying on the table gnawing on the house like a dog on a bone. ::Headdesk::

December is absolutely flying by! I found a few pictures from Thanksgiving that I forgot to post on facebook. It seems impossible this time of year, but I'm hoping and praying that everyone gets and stays healthy in time for Christmas so that we can enjoy more moments like this.

Happy Friday everyone!

A room for two

Well, it's been about three years, but we finally have a guest room/office again! With only three bedrooms in our house, we knew a shared room for the girls was in the cards at some point; a few weeks ago we bit the bullet and went for it. So far, so good. The girls have been sleeping together for about two weeks now and things have been going relatively well, although Lillian does like to drag so much stuff into her bed that there is barely room for her tiny body to fit.

I remember somebody else who used to do the same thing.

Since I'm digging up old photos, here are a few "before" photos from when I first did Sydney's bedroom.

To start, we cleared everything out and hit the walls with lots (and lots) of white paint.

The girls liked having a big empty room to run around in for a few days. I liked having a blank slate.

Next up was finding new bunk beds, storage, and curtains. Our bunk bed is from the 9 by Novogratz line at Walmart and our bookshelves are from Ikea. I couldn't find any curtains that I liked, so I bought some vintage fabric online and had my mom help me customize my own. They turned out perfect, thanks mom!

I also sewed a super easy fabric scrap banner. The room is bright and colorful and the girls seem to be as happy with it as I am so far!

When nature calls

Last Saturday the girls and I went on a mini-adventure. We decided nap times and clean rooms were for the birds and hit the road instead. Leaf covered paths, inch worm friends, and gorgeous fall drives trump to-do lists any day.

Not a bad way to burn off some holiday sugar. Move over Halloween, it's Thanks-Mas-Eve time.

Fall Fairy Birthday Party

When I asked Sydney what she wanted to do for her party this year, I fully expected her to want a Frozen party. I was completely surprised when she suggested repeatedly that she wanted a "fall fairy" party. I think it came from a combination of us talking about Fall and a Tinker bell movie she has been watching lately with summer and winter fairies. Whatever the reasoning, it worked out well for me since we have been so busy. Fall decorations doubled as party decorations; win-win. The weather turned out to be beautiful and we had a great time celebrating with friends and family. Here are a few photos of our birthday fun.

Sydney requested a cake in the shape of a leaf. Sharon delivered as usual!

I got lazy with the craft and picked up a cheap one at the store. It was such a fail, LOL!

Giant Jenga in action!

The day had a little touch of Frozen, thanks to some wonderful gifts!

The Happy Birthday song is SO embarrassing!

Thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate! Happy birthday sweet Sydney! We love you!!