MW 5 Year Old Photos

Once upon a time I got this ingenious idea {from pintrest I am sure} to take my little boy's photo in a tie. I wish I would have gotten the idea when he was a newborn, but gasp---Pintrest was just a little tiny beta dream back then. Shocking...I know. 

However, I decided then that I would do my best to re-create said photo at ages 1, 5, 8th grade and senior graduation. 

My friend and photographer did his ONE year photo for me. This is my favorite.

I put the tie away knowing it would be YEARS until he was five...guess what it wasn't. It was like minutes. I don't know how we got here so quickly, but we did. My teeny tiny 4.5 week early preemie baby boy is five. He's my last, so it is a big deal. He is my little buddy. He shops with me, and snuggles me. He talks my ear off and makes me laugh. I am going to be all alone when he heads off to kindy next August. I may hyperventilate. It's no secret this mama didn't want a stinky boy...but oh my word how wrong I was. He is just one of the best things God has ever blessed me with. And well, now he is five.

And it was time to take the 5 yo tie photos...

MW was trying so hard to smile and be natural and Thatcher he's like look mom this is how you do it. HA

I call this a boy and his dog. 

 This face {next 2 photos}...well it sums him up. 

 And one with the beloved Blankers. I think he looks a little Toddler GQ cover model here.

And then of course a collage of the photos.

Happy 5th Birthday Micah!!!

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Of course sissy was on laugh and smile duty during the photo shoot and then had to jump into the lime light herself. 

Christmas Blitz

We are approximately 2ish weeks post Christmas and the toys are already collecting dust, but that doesn't dim the memories made and joy expressed during the Christmas season.

At some point {soon} I will add in all the fun little things we did, but this post is simply a Christmas re-cap.
Our church has 6 Christmas eve services. Three on the 23rd and 3 on the 24th. Chad is on staff in the children's environments and had to be present for all 5 plus one to actually attend. It made Chad miss out on some things, but teaching our kids about balancing service and life is worth it. My family went to an afternoon service on the 24th. The kids had this cool live nativity in their environments, but because we got there so early we had to hang out in the sanctuary where Micah was thrilled to learn his name has a WHOLE book in the Bible!
It was an amazing church service per usual.

Since the kids and I were riding solo on Christmas eve we decided to invite ourselves over to my parents' house to hangout until Chad was done at 730p. Some friends supplied us with donuts. Win.

At my parents' we had quite competition between us girls: Meg, myself and Lo on who did the most work on putting together the puzzle. Hint: it was me. ;)

Chilaxin' at my parents watching movies, eating cookies, popcorn, cheese queso dip and crackers and meat was the first time this entire season I got to actually enjoy the Christmas season. Yep. on Christmas eve. I know all the moms out there feel me. We are usually the only ones that make this time magical for the whole family. We do the cooking, the cleaning, the baking, the buying, the planning, the wrapping, the elfing {is that a word?!} etc. Sometimes I wonder what Christmas would look like without me. HA!

When we got home we found Izzy had left us our good-bye note. As much grief as this little elf causes, I always hate to see him go. The kids just love looking for him each morning. But on Christmas Eve the magic lifts and we can give him hugs and kisses to say good-bye.

Then it was time to write our letter to Santa and gifts to Jesus. Leighton is just growing up so much. She doesn't need hardly any help writing her letter. Tear.

MW on the other hand still needs lots of help. HA! Boys.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas with Daddy. My heart.

All set and ready to see what the morning brings. I thought they would never fall asleep and well Santa's helper had to make an early stop to help get the bikes over to the house.

Christmas Morning has come!!
The first thing we do each Christmas morning is sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus.

Santa went rogue this year and got bikes. The kids needed them, but it wasn't what they asked for, I was a tad nervous for how that wold go over. MW seemed a tad disappointed but once he realized the other gifts he asked for were under the tree he was happy.

I Love you Jesus!

So our good camera died seconds after the kids woke up, grr. When will I learn. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.

All they really asked for was remote control cars and helicopters. Lo got one of those little tiny drones and MW a truck. After about 3 days Lo and daddy finally got the hang of the drone. It was a bit sensitive to fly. 

Stockings.

Lo rushed over to see what Santa wrote. Crazy that she can read now. Have to be so careful about leaving notes out regarding anything top secret. :)

Christmases are just so fun. I am enjoying  being able to sit and relax in the morning and play. The kids are so fun to watch and interact with.

They got these cool drawing boards. It is LED and with a push of a button the screen clears. Sure beats the old fashion doodle boards. ;) Which they draw on religiously every time we get into the car.

Lo made MW a coupon book of chores or games she would play with him. He loved it. He always wants to play with her, but she either says no or wants to be a bossy Bessie. Now he gets to be in charge.

Another kiss for baby Jesus.

At least is was a decent day so we could test out our bikes and remote control car outside before we headed to Grandma Rachel's for lunch.

At Grandma Rachel's for Christmas part 2.

Lo is always so thoughtful and grateful for gifts...

MW...well if it isn't his turn he is a tad pouty. HA!

He loves stuff. Kind of like his Daddy. HA!

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Then on Saturday we were on to Christmas part 3 with my side of the family. This year my sister's family has moved back so the whole family got to be together for Christmas. The kids, especially, MW was so excited to see their cousins. MW and Landrey are two peas in a pod. They both are high energy balls of life. To me they have 2 speeds: off and full blast. HA! Genes they are funny things. Then there was Lo, she gravitated towards Gannon--he was more her speed, quiet. Of course MW is a huge baby fan so playing with Kamdyn was also a win. It was a good time.

My parents got the big kids their own kindles. For MW the one who loves all things tv, movies, video games and electronic he had died and gone to heaven. He couldn't be more happy than to have his very own device. He had recently tried to take over my old iPod touch, but now iPod touch what? HA!

We do a fun "Bad" Santa game, only it is with good awesome gifts. You know you are old when getting a shop vac makes your day. HA! I also got a selfie stick and well let's say that was fun. MW is really into using. Again with the devices. :)

And then the kids disappeared with their kindles and that is pretty much the last we heard from them for the day. Christmas was once again a fun and wonderful time. We are so blessed with wonderful families who spoil all of us with gifts and love. Thank you for our wonderful Christmases!

Then on Sunday, it was time for things to go back to normal. It is always sad to tear Christmas down, but the sooner it was down the sooner I could enjoy the rest of our break.

I tagged this photo with my new made up lyrics from Where are you Christmas, which I found hilarious. 

"Where are you Christmas? You're in my boxes. We won't see you 'til----next year. Your gone."

Until next year.

I hope everyone else also had a very Merry Christmas.