December 31

It's hard to believe that it's already New Year's Eve! Tonight marks several milestones for our family; for one, it marks four years that we have lived in this house. There is still so much for us to do to it, but considering the fact that we have twice as many children now as we did when we moved in, I will try not to judge us too harshly.

Chris took Caleb and Daisy to the Magic House this morning. He thought about taking Lily, too, but then she had two potty accidents before 9:00 and he decided she needed to stay home. Smart man.

When they got home, I left for a lunch date with friends. I came home to find this:

Eli was supposed to be napping, but instead he was playing cars with the big boys. I don't blame him; it looked fun!

He was an hour past nap time, but he didn't seem to mind.

His little feet kill me!

Eventually he went down for his nap, and right after he went down, Lily woke up. She kept her diaper dry during nap time, and promptly used the potty. Chris was getting ready to go to Costco, so he told Lily to put some undies on so she could come with him.

She complied. 

And then we died laughing. 

The girl put her underwear on top of her pants! Eventually we got the situation fixed and Chris, Caleb, and Lily went to Costco while Eli and Daisy napped and I made dinner.

One of my favorite new traditions is our annual fancy New Year's Eve dinner. We get dressed up in our "fanciest" clothes and eat crab legs and steak. I was surprised that, a few weeks ago, Caleb asked about the crab legs. We've only done it twice, but he remembered and was looking forward to the crab legs. You know it's a good tradition if the kids are looking forward to it, too!

So as I was finishing up dinner, I helped the kids choose their fanciest clothes. Then I got out the New Year hats, crowns, necklaces, and noise makers.

Lily is wearing her new Sophia the First costume, a New Year necklace, and dress-up princess shoes. Eli has a bowtie and one sock. (of course he's missing a sock.)

Caleb asked for a real tie, with a top hat and a noise maker.

Daisy has a Mexican peasant dress that came from Mexico when I was a child, with princess shoes and a crown.

Fancy, no?

Family picture!

Chris is wearing a suit and ill-fitting top hat, and I have the dress and shoes I wore to the ball a few weeks ago. The kids were quite impressed.

Happy New Year!

Our feast was steak, snow crab legs, roasted broccoli, and twice-baked potatoes. Chris and I enjoyed both champagne and a bottle of shiraz over the course of the evening, and the kids enjoyed some sparkling pink lemonade.

For dessert, we had some chocolate cupcakes with buttercream and Heath bar bits that Lily and I made while the big kids were at the Magic House.

Quite a feast!

Eli liked it all, but he was especially fond of the broccoli.

(I don't know what's going on with that red eye. It started after his nap yesterday, then faded, then came back at dinnertime tonight when he rubbed his eye while holding the broccoli. I know it's not pinkeye, though. At least there's that.)

Yum.

I tried my best to get a picture of Eli wearing a New Year crown, but he wasn't so into it.

This was the best I could do.

I suppose really, that's the story of 2015. It was the best I could do, and it was good enough. Let's hope 2016 is even better!

December 30

Chris has taken the past several days off work, but today he went in to finish some year-end stuff. Since Daddy was away, the kids and I stayed in our jammies all day. Lily's third day of potty training was good - still a few accidents, so we aren't fully there yet, but she seems pretty aware of her body and doesn't need constant reminders. We even left the house this evening for a family trip to the library, and she was fine. Hooray!

The kids wrote thank-you notes today, and as a reward we opened up one of their toys: a marble run.

They needed a bit of assistance to get it set up, and they had so much fun with it!

(Daisy had no idea how it worked. She was trying to catch marbles in the cup, but they didn't come out there.)

I think Lily was fussing for her turn?

Fine, Lily. Your turn.

She was fascinated!

Then Eli woke up. This is the story of him right now: a pile of toys in his wake, boxes and baskets overturned, and one sock discarded somewhere in the chaos. The kid is into everything, and I love it. I mean, yes, it's annoying to have to pick up things eight million times a day. But see that shoe next to him? It's Lily's. At least he doesn't know how to get out more socks, put them on, then take them off and leave them somewhere, then put on more socks, then take them off and leave them somewhere, unlike a certain two-year-old I know.

I know. She looks so innocent reading Goodnight, Moon on the rocking horse, wearing both socks. But don't let her fool you. She went through at least three pairs today.

I can't sit on the ground for any reason without this happening. It doesn't matter what he is doing, or how engaged he is in it; if I sit down on the ground in the same room as him, he will drop what he's doing, crawl over, and climb into my lap. 

Again, it's kind of annoying, but really, really sweet. 

Also, those eyelashes.

And the chubby fingers.

"Ball. Ball. Ball. Ball."

"BIRD!"

And that's how things go around here.

While the three little ones napped, Caleb and I played at homeschooling. My biggest concern is finding a math curriculum for him, so we spent some time trying out the free resources the Khan Academy offers. Then we worked on his handwriting, using the materials I got from Handwriting Without Tears.

It actually went really well: he was eager to do our schoolwork, we worked well together, and he tried some things that were challenging for him. I don't think I was too pushy, and he didn't give up at his first mistake. It was very encouraging!

Daisy slept long after the other two woke up, so I went in to check on her. I found her sleeping like this: 

She is lying across her bed, with her feet hanging off the edge, with Jimbo the Bear on top of her. How funny is that? Also, she was out cold. I took this picture first with the gray daylight, then I took it again with the room light turned on, and I took it a third time with a flash. Girl didn't budge.

Also, do you notice her custom pillow case? A certain GREAT Aunt made them for the kids, and they love them.

December 29

Day 2 of potty training went well for Lily. Just like yesterday, she had a few accidents, but many more successes. She's getting better at listening to her body, which is exciting!

I had to take this video to forever memorialize the way she says "marshmallows", which is possibly the cutest thing ever.

Chris took Caleb to a 9:30 am showing of the new Star Wars movie. Chris reports that Caleb was so excited before the movie started, but when they came home Caleb was mopey and dejected.  Poor kid. He said the movie was too long and too scary, but as the day progressed, he began to speak more and more favorably of it. I have a feeling he'll be a big fan by the time it comes out on DVD.

In the afternoon, I went up to the gym and returned home to find Chris playing with all of the kids in the basement. We recently cleaned and organized it so that they have a "race track" to ride their bikes on.

1. Lily is wearing a shirt and underwear, but no pants. This is our go-to potty training ensemble. Sometimes the undies are optional.

2. Yes, this is what our basement looks like after it's been cleaned and organized. It is a disaster. It was once finished, but sometime before we purchased it, there was a flood of epic proportions and the owners ripped up carpet and cut out the bottom foot of paneling. They never got around to fixing it. There are also cracks in the floor that have been epoxied closed. Still, while it's not pretty, it is very functional. Especially in winter. I'm totally embarrassed to even be blogging pictures of it, but whatever. Maybe someday we'll finish the basement, but it's not likely to happen anytime soon.

I love Daisy's scootering ensemble. Her Christmas dress, sparkly star tights, and unicorn slippers. Plus a Hello, Kitty! helmet, of course.

Eli was inside the screened-in area of the playhouse, watching the big kids do laps around the basement on their bikes and scooters. He wanted to get to me so badly, but couldn't figure out the concept of the screen; he kept crawling into it and getting annoyed that he couldn't get through! Finally, I showed him the door and helped him crawl through.

The happy boy climbed into my lap, then crawled off, attempting to do laps just like his siblings. It was hilarious! Chris came around the corner and asked, "You let him out?"

Apparently he puts Eli in the house on purpose to keep him from getting trampled/getting into things that aren't safe. It's like a giant play house/play pen! That husband of mine is pretty smart.

The kids were cheerful and cooperative at dinner, and halfway through Caleb asked if we could do something fun if they ate their dinner. He was thinking of a movie, but I had a better idea...

Glow stick baths!

I know. I totally just clinched the "Mom of the Year" title with that. That's Lily and Eli in the tub; Caleb and Daisy had a turn later. We had some glow bracelets left over from Halloween last year, so we put them in the tub. It was still a bit dark, so I brought in Daisy's Hello, Kitty! lantern to add more light. The kids had so much fun, and got cleaned up in the process.

(Except for the part where Eli pooped in the tub. But Chris handled that, so it basically didn't happen.)

December 28

We started potty training Lily today. 

Up 'til now, she has shown very little interest in potty training, and never successfully used the potty at all. But I decided it was time, and since Chris is off work much of the week and we're hanging out at home, the timing is perfect. Last night, I told Lily we would start potty training today. This morning, when she woke up and I told her that she wouldn't be wearing a diaper today, she immediately lit up. "OH!" she shouted in delight, "Get on Potty Train!"

And then I died laughing.

Luckily, she wasn't too disappointed when I explained to her that she would be learning to use the potty, not actually getting on a specific locomotive. For the rest of the day, every time it was time for Lily to use the potty, Chris and I shouted, "Choo, choo!" and Lily would get annoyed and tell us with a scowl, "Not like that."

Considering her previous lack of interest, Lily did a great job today! She had a few accidents, but many more successes, including one of the solid kind, which any veteran potty trainer can tell you is a big deal. I hope tomorrow goes even better!

Another exciting thing: Today, Caleb finally finished the ginormous Lego set he got for his birthday. He has been working on it for months now! He wouldn't let me take a picture of him with it, so I handed him my camera and let him take his own picture of the big project.

And when he handed the camera back to me, I totally snuck this picture:

I don't feel sorry about taking a picture against his wishes at all.

Other big news: today is Eli's 11-month birthday! I tried my best to take some good birthday pictures (as well as some to use for his 1st birthday invitation!), but the cold, dreary, rainy grayness of everything was not helpful. I got out my studio lights, and thanks to those I managed to take some pictures. 

At 11 months, Eli naps twice a day, for anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours at a time.

He goes to bed in his crib at 7:30, and sleeps until about 11:30, when he wakes to nurse and join us in our bed.

He wakes up around 6 or 6:30 most mornings.

Eli recently mastered crawling, and can pull up to his knees or standing.

He likes to sit back on his knees, but doesn't cruise.

He is working on Downward Dog.

I haven't weighed him recently, but I'm guessing he weighs around 19 pounds.

At this point, Eli has no teeth. 

None.

And no sign of any coming soon, though I realize he will eventually get some.

He nurses about 5 times each day, as well as whenever he wants in the night.

Eli loves to eat real food; particular favorites are beans and blueberries.

He has become very communicative. 

Eli signs "milk" when he wants to nurse.

He is working on waving hi and bye, but is usually figures it out too late for it to be useful.

He says cat, dog, mama, ball, bird, hi, bye, and dada. 

He might also say the word more, and he's working on milk.

He likes to give big, open-mouthed kisses.

And he loves his siblings.

Other favorite things are balls, cars, and animals (especially those that let him pet them).

We took him to the YMCA pool tonight, and he was so happy.

He loves to snuggle and be wrapped on my back.

He thinks peek-a-boo is hilarious.

I think he is hilarious.

And then there's this girl. She got some non-toxic fingernail polish for Christmas, and is so pleased with her pink fingernails. 

I am so pleased with this picture, which perfectly captures how sweet, soft, squishy, and snuggly she is right after she wakes up from a nap. It's the best thing ever.

December 27

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and realized that our power was out. Luckily, I had my iPhone handy and was able to check the electric company's website to see their estimate for when our power would be restored.

They estimated it wouldn't be until 11:50.

Boo.

Still, we managed just fine. Chris ran out and got us some coffee, and used a match to light our gas stove to cook breakfast. It was dark and gloomy, but thanks to some candles I got as Christmas gifts, our home was well-lit.

When we made the 25-minute drive through the rain to church, we saw flooding all around us. When we drove home from church, we had to detour because the interstate was flooded. Really. Thankfully, we were able to make it home; just a few hours later, most of our possible routes were closed due to flooding.

When all the little ones went down for naps after lunch, Caleb was desperate for something to do. Christmas gifts to the rescue!

Chris' parents gave Caleb this Spirograph for Christmas. Once I showed him what to do, he worked diligently to create new designs.

Then Eli woke up. 

That funny boy should have napped longer, but whatever.

Notice his missing sock? Removing socks is his new trick. Between Eli and Lily, I am forever picking up discarded socks, and forever wondering why the clean socks are missing their mates.

Oh, how he wants to go downstairs. No way, kiddo.

I went to the gym, and while I was gone, Chris' mom stopped by and this happened: 

Gayle gave Caleb a set of child-sized hockey sticks and a street hockey ball for Christmas, and he begged her to play with him in the basement. She raised a hockey player, so she can handle a stick like a pro. Caleb was so happy!

When Gayle left, Caleb and Chris walked her out to her car in the rain. Meanwhile, Eli did this:

I couldn't tell if he was happy or sad, or some combination of the two, but he crawled over to that window, pulled up to his knees, and patted the window while he laugh/cried until the boys came back in. I'm pretty sure he loves his Grandmother.

I'm also pretty sure I love the new sidelights on our door for this very reason.

Then Chris cheered Eli up with a dance party.

And after dinner, we used *another* new Christmas gift to play bowling in our long hallway. It certainly does look like a bowling alley!

December 26

I took the past few days off from blogging, but don't worry: I took plenty of pictures, and I'll go back and write posts for the days I missed. 

Today was our first quiet day after all of the Christmas festivities, and it was lovely. We stayed in our jammies until noon and hung out at home all day, playing with new Christmas toys.

Grandmother and Grandad gave Lily a piggy bank last night, along with $2 in quarters. Lily promptly put all of her quarters in the piggy bank, but this morning she was desperate to do it again. I unplugged that piggy, emptied it of its contents, and set the girl to work.

She was so happy!

Putting coins in a piggy bank is very serious work.

Caleb's big gift from us was a remote control helicopter, and today he and Chris tried it out. It's technically for ages 14+, so Caleb needed a little help at the controls 

Eli watched eagerly from the sidelines.

(Don't worry, Mom. He was safe. The helicopter didn't come anywhere near him.)

The helicopter is really small and really light, and designed for indoor flight. Caleb was really excited about it!

Slowly but surely, the boys are figuring it out.

Eli lost interest soon enough, and crawled off to do other things.

Also today, one of Daisy's Christmas gifts finally arrived in the mail. 

She decided it was well worth the wait, and only responded to the name "Anna" for the rest of the evening.

December 25

I'm sorry, I really am, about the number of pictures I am about to share. But it's Eli's first Christmas, and we celebrated our own little Christmas this morning, plus one with Chris' family this evening, so today really does warrant a lot of pictures. 

The kids didn't get to bed until about 9:30 last night, which is two hours past their usual bedtime. We really hoped they would sleep in this morning.

They didn't.

My fabulous husband got up with them, though, and since I made cinnamon rolls and an egg casserole yesterday, all he had to do was pop those in the oven and I woke up to breakfast and children ready.

Before we could get to presents, we had to take the traditional "Family in front of the tree, wearing jammies" picture.

What, that's not a thing? Says who? In our family, it's totally a thing.

We give the kids matching jammies on St. Nicholas Day, and Chris and I still wear the jammies we bought to match Caleb the year I was pregnant with Daisy. Isn't it fun to watch our family grow?

Then I wanted to take a picture of just the kids in front of the tree, but this happened: 

Where is Lily?

She was off being two, refusing to be in the picture.

Finally, I suggested to Chris that he get some rice puffs (one of Eli's gifts last night) to bribe her to be in the picture. 

Umm... not quite what I was hoping for, dear. 

He stuffed her mouth full of them, not thinking at all about how that would look for the picture.

So there's our cheerful, messy reality, courtesy of rice puffs.

I love these brothers in their matching jammies!

Daisy tried to help Eli figure out a new toy from last night.

But then she just started playing with it...

And Eli was totally annoyed that his sister was hogging his toy. So it goes, little man. You'd better get used to it!

I wrapped Eli's gifts in bird paper; this one was a bird feeder. He was delighted!

Grace sent Lily these darling little koala bears. The mama is wearing a baby on her back, and Lily fell in love with them!

Then we took a break for breakfast.

Isn't he cute?

Chris pointed Eli's sweet little toes out to me, and I had to photograph them. Someday, they'll be big, stinky toes, so I'm trying to appreciate them now.

I gave the kids all umbrellas for Christmas. Some kids might think that's a lame gift, but mine were thrilled!

They were pretending to be Mary Poppins.

The mini-trampoline, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa, was a big hit!

And then, it was nap time. All three kids napped for close to three hours, and Chris and I put things away, cleaned the basement to make room for all the new toys, and generally recovered.

Then it was time for Christmas, Round 3, at Chris' parents' house. 

The girls and I were all wearing hair bows, so we took a picture of our festive attire.

Dan and Eli were happy to see each other!

Eli had so much fun exploring the den while everyone else was playing and talking.

Goodness. Isn't he sweet?

Some day, I'll be a good enough photographer with fancy enough equipment to photograph this spot well. But this isn't the day.

Eli was totally interested in all of it: the lights, the packages, the ribbons, the ornaments!

This is officially my favorite picture of Eli's first Christmas.

I love this.

And I love this, too. It's only missing Grace and Adam. Sally recently moved away, and we were expecting that she wouldn't be home for Christmas. What a wonderful surprise it was to see her here!

Eli still hasn't mastered the present-opening. 

But look at Lily. Do you see the fluffy lamb in the corner? It's her new favorite gift. It sings "Jesus Loves Me" in a voice that is not at all obnoxious (really) and she has named it "Lambie".

Also, she has a candy in her hand. When we told her we were going to see Grandad and Grandmother, she immediately asked, "Grandad give me candies?"

She knows. 

When I told Caleb we were going to Grandad and Grandmother's and there would be more presents, he looked at me in shock. 

"There are more presents??"

His mind was blown.

Daisy seems to have a thing for Eli's toys.

All in all, I think it was one of my favorite Christmases ever with Chris' family. It was just perfect!

When the girls went to bed around 10:00, they insisted on wearing the new, matching, footie pajamas Grandmother gave them. They were so excited to be dressed like babies! (Their words, not mine.)

It was a full, busy day, and we are so very thankful. 

For family, for abundance, for Jesus. 

We are thankful.