Another birthday come and gone. Despite the stress of planning, cooking, shopping, cleaning, decorating...she makes it all worth it.
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Our Memorial Day weekend went a little something like this..... We spent Saturday by the pool, Sunday at the beach with friends. It was a perfect, relaxing weekend with beautiful weather.
I took a lot of pictures this week. Easter kicked off Spring Break, which is sadly over as I type this. Choosing one picture of the week was tough; but I absolutely love this picture of my mom with 5 of her 6 grand babies.
It's that time of year again!! This one turned 11 on Friday. They had the day off from school. He woke up on his birthday around 6 a.m. because he was "excited" and couldn't sleep. Honey & Pop Pop treated him and Jackson to lunch at Hooters. Then it was bowling and a sleepover with his closest buds. Instead of cake, it was Krispy Kreme donuts by request. A good time was had by all.
This has been my most favorite Christmas to date. For many reasons. Some are hard to explain. The kids are old. It's official. Let's face it; time is not slowing down. And although that makes me sad, we're at a good stage in life. Jackson likes clothes. And shoes. But he gets Christmas. He gets the sentiment. He understands that "some" still believe and encourages that. He is appreciative and fun. And he's still a goofy, somewhat awkward, and oftentimes annoying and downright obnoxious, teenager. Cameron loves the spirit. No matter his age. He reminds me of Josh. He was the first to wake up this year. He chose to wake up Bella and Jackson before waking us up. He gets embarrassed opening up gifts; he doesn't like being the center of attention. He asked for a new baseball glove and got his first phone. We haven't been able to get him off yet. Before I took this picture, without even looking up, Cam says, "Mom, are you going to take the picture or what?" And Bella. She is the one who reminds us all what Christmas means. I think the boys even love watching her and can't help but feel her emotions. She's the one who hugs you after opening each gift. She's the one who exclaims, "How did Santa know? He got my list!!" And then farted because she was so excited. Our tradition begins Christmas Eve with dinner with the grandparents and cousins. And some present opening. And some entertaining. This year, it was scaled down a bit. The 3 boys aren't very interested in performing any more. Sad face. But the girls, especially Bella, still love to dance. Afterwards, we head home to make cookies and get everything ready for Santa. And bed. The boys helped her sprinkle reindeer food in the yard. Jackson was so patient and helped her spell every word for Santa's letter. After all the traditional Christmas Eve festivities, this....they were restless, excited and just being kids. Christmas morning. Present opening. Cinnamon rolls. Nap time. And more family. Which means more present opening. This year, we had a small, mini Thanksgiving dinner. I made the best ham (in a crockpot, shhh). It was a great day. Twas the last day of Christmas...for our family, at least. The day after Christmas we head back to the grandparents for ... yes, more presents. And leftovers. And family time. Because that's what this is all about. I must explain the many buckets. It's a traditional family beach game we play. The boys love it. We finally get our own set of buckets. I spy.... two brothers getting along because the youngest one got a phone and big brother is helping him to set it up and then they're playing a game together and although they're on electronic devices this momma couldn't be happier that they are, well....just together. And so this Christmas was a good Christmas. Yes, my kids are getting older. But they still love Christmas. And they like each other. And they are so good to their little sister when it counts. And when they can't get along all year, but this time of year brings out the best in them and they are so good to one another. And happy to be around family. And their anticipation is infectious And all those little traditions I thought went unnoticed...I'm starting to see how much it means to them. When your 13 year old, who can barely fit under the tree, still gets on his hands and knees to count his presents. Or goes outside shirtless with his little sister in the cold to throw corn kernels in the grass for the reindeer. Or your 10 year old can't wait to get home Christmas Eve to check the "Santa tracker". And your 6 year old figures out Santa knows their name from their stockings because he wrote "Isabella" and not just Bella.
Later on, Christmas day, while we were getting ready for company, Bella says, "I wish it was Christmas." "Bella it is Christmas." "No," she says, "I mean, I wish it was last night and we were going to bed and going to wake up again." "Yes, me too. I wish we could do it over and over again." |
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November 2018
AuthorMy name is Kaci. I am a working mom of 3. Wife to Josh. Mom to Jackson, Cameron & Isabella. My life is dinner, homework, baseball, basketball, grocery lists, laundry, middle school, wine, video games, and schedules. I started this blog because I love taking pictures, and I needed a place to document our life. I wanted a place to write it all down, to remember little details so easily forgotten in the mad rush that is the life of a family of 5. Through my photos and words, I endeavor to capture our story. Categories
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