Oh, Christmas Tree

All I want is a good picture of my two boys in front of the Christmas tree because my attempt this past Sunday morning was a BIG FAIL :)

Luke was semi-cooperative...

Goofy, but cooperative:

Mason was NOT interested in cooperating at all:

He stole a cookie off the kitchen counter and was pretty pleased with himself... too bad his mouth is full of shortbread and he ripped off his shoes :)

It's good that it's still super early in the season... I'll be attempting again soon.  I'm determined to get one where they're both looking at me (and maybe smiling) :)

At the Park

We've been enjoying the PERFECT weather and spending lots of time outside.

Sunday afternoon we headed to the park for some sliding (and running, screaming and dirt eating).

Mason LOVES to slide!!!

This park has a tall tube slide that Mason tried for the first time...

I think that his face says it all :)

Mason did the slide SEVERAL times, including climbing up to the slide entrance on his own.  Luke HATES heights and so he was really really really nervous about it.

I encouraged him to give it a try and see if he liked it and as I was lifting him into the tube Dave captured the following picture:

It's sad and horrible and kind of hysterical at the same time.  Needless to say, Mr. Man didn't make it down the tube slide, but he had fun sliding on the small one with his brother:

And playing tic-tac-toe...

... and helping his brother come out of the tube:

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

Dave decided it would be a good opportunity to take our 19-week pic... aren't I looking chic in my dirty hair, too-tight MCA tee and yoga pants?!?!? hahaha

The next picture is one of my favorite because it really does sum up this point in pregnancy... Mason wanting to be held ALL THE TIME :)

Here's a picture of Mason with a mouthful of dirt.  Keepin' it real here on the blog.  He proceeded to spit it out and then try to wipe off his tongue with his dirty hands.  I let him wash the rest of it down with Diet Coke :)

It was a dirty, fun, static-filled afternoon with my three favorite boys :)

North Pole Breakfast

I knew I wanted to do something fun for the return of our elf on the shelf, Buddy and was totally inspired by several "North Pole Breakfasts" that I saw on Pinterest. I decided to create my own version and had an absolute blast!

Buddy went ahead and brought enough supplies for Griffin as well - that way in years to come we're all coordinated :)

He had everything set up for the boys including cups of cocoa (complete with ice cubes to make it drinkable - hahaha - that Buddy thinks of everything!)

Buddy brought little donuts with Santa toppers for breakfast...

And "fixings" for hot chocolate including marshmallows and whipped cream...

When Luke walked in the kitchen he was ESCTATIC to see Buddy had returned (and brought with him four days worth of sugar) :)  So excited, in fact, that it warranted high-fives all around...

... and a little elf dance :)

We all sat down to read the notes Buddy had left for each of the boys:

After the notes we moved on to the little gifts that Buddy had at each of the boys place settings:

He brought them each an ornament and a pair of socks to keep their toesies warm

He brought Luke a "Rise and Shine" ornament (for all the days that he has to "rise and shine" for Pre-K, Mason a sandwich with a bite taken out of it since Mason's favorite word is "bite" (when he wants to take a bite of whatever you're eating) and popcorn tub for our new baby, Popcorn!) :)

After opening presents it was time for donuts!!!

And cocoa...

... and modeling our socks from the North Pole :)

I love Christmas and all the fun that comes along with the season.  I love getting to start fun traditions and memories that I hope my boys treasure half as much as I do :)

Buddy is sure to be up to some mischief in the next few weeks and I'll be sure to keep everyone updated!