A Day in the Life of...

There is something wonderful about having a family. It isn't always easy. In fact some days it's down right exhausting, (that's why I started to drink coffee), but the joys far outweighs the trials.

As a stay-at-home mom there are days where I keep my kiddos home all day. I think these are Peyton's favorite because he HATES to get out of his pjs! Footie pajamas are his favorite and being naked is a close second. He is working on his potty training which has its ups and downs. Oh but he loves getting his chocolate afterwards!

Peyton loves doing puzzles, painting, writing in his Blue's Clues Notebook, playing in the sink with dishes, reading books, and watching TV on our phones. He also loves playing with his sister. He 'roll back' (rolls on his back) with Sadie and 'jum jum' with her when shes in her jumparoo. He is concern for her when he is eating and she isn't. He is also super understanding when I have to put her down for a nap.

When it is warm outside we spend it drawing with chalk, playing on the driveway, drive his cars, play in our car (he has loved that since he was tiny) and of course 'slide' and swing.

I try my best to have the kiddos nap at the same time so that I get some time alone. I feel like it's pretty important for my soul. :) I'm doing a Beth Moore study at church so I try to catch up on that during nap time, tidy/do dishes/ or whatever random housework and then usually end up with some cookie dough and watching parenthood or the voice.

In the evenings, Daddy coming home with some fresh energy is so important! We love to 'high' (hide) in baby's bed which he can now climb into and tickle. He says 'more more' whenever Drew or I tickle him because it's a definite favorite! He loves helping us with dinner and usually plays with his food/microwave along side of us.

After dinner we take baths or snuggle. If they take baths we end up snuggling them in their towels 'as babys' a while which makes Peyton downright giddy.

We have been dividing and conquering for bedtime routines. We take turns with Peyton and Sadie but they both start to go to bed around 8:30. Peyton needs his prayers (which he decides who he prays for - so precious) and songs and books. He has been taking FOREVER to go to sleep and sometimes cries when we leave the room. We're working on it. Sadie just needs some milk and she is OUT! Unfortunately she has been crying many times a night...oh well I get lots of snuggles!

Days at home aren't glamorous. But they are wonderful. I am so grateful to be able to grow and learn and play alongside these two cuties!

Sadie's first 'snow'

 Well, we've had our first two snows down here in Mount Airy and while we shouldn't complain since it did sorta cover most of the ground, they were still pretty wimpy. Thankfully our kids are young enough that one doesn't care, and for the other, a little goes a long way.

The first snow, Drew had to go to church, and Sadie was asleep so my little buddy and I got to go out and play.

 

 Earlier in the day, we drew these... that night we had snow. Crazy weather.

What is a snow day night without some hot chocolate... he is my boy after all! 

The second snow, Sadie was wide awake but it was quiet frigid, so Drew took Peyton out and we looked on from the inside.

 

We did step outside to get a 'first snow' picture. Love these two! Drew built a fire but it was too chilly to stay out more than a few minutes... maybe we'll do more this spring! :)

Our little family's Christmas

 We had a relaxing morning at home Christmas Morning. Drew and I were up late filling stockings/wrapping final presents, and setting up Peyton's new easel.

We decided to start the tradition of reading the Christmas Story in bed first thing Christmas Morning before the kids open presents. Sadie woke up rather early, and after about an hour we opened Peyton's door and woke him up. We have the Little People Nativity that I acted out with Peyton while Daddy read the story. 

I think he would have been completely content with just the items of his stocking. We don't do a whole lot for Christmas because we decided to spoil them on their birthday instead, but he sure did love all of the artsy things and bath toys!

We didn't wrap any of Sadie's presents... who has time for that when you are the ones opening them?  We did stuff her stocking, and she was awake long enough to see what was in it.

Any of you who know Drew well, knows that he doesn't rip the wrapping paper. He tears it at the tape, and sometimes, it takes. FOREVER. Well although I didn't get photographic evidence, he ripped into his presents... I may have put tape on ever inch of one of them... I'll never say.

I sure did enjoy watching my kiddos hang out together!

Peyton helped Daddy make french toast, eggs, and bacon for breakfast. YUM YUM.

NayNay came by to see our presents and hug our necks... I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact we were making yummy food. :)

I sure was a fan of this first Christmas as a family of four! 

Decorating for Christmas

Peyton is at such a fun age for Christmas this year! We decorated our tree the Saturday before Thanksgiving because there would be lots of traveling for this family in the month of December!

While Drew got out the tree and fluffed every. single. branch. (the tree looks great but I am a little less OCD when it comes to stuff like that) Peyton and I made some m&m and snickerdoodle cookies.

 We also danced around the house to Christmas music. :) My kiddo loves to dance.

While the cookies were baking we took a little time-out to snuggle and watch Rudolph.

Peyton loves helping Daddy with everything! so he 'helped' Drew fluff the tree a little while ( and was very close to causing them both to fall).

I loved watching the amazement on Peyton's face when we turned off all of the lights except on the tree. He pointed and jabbered on for a good five minutes straight... He also has a little tree in his room that he loves!

All of that fluffing and cooking made us exhausted and it was already bedtime so we called it a night.

The next night we put the ornaments on the tree. Peyton was such a great helper! We haven't rearranged them at all, and thankfully it doesn't drive me crazy that the tree is slightly off balance. 

It is sure to be a wonderful and eventful Christmas with these two around! I wouldn't want it any other way!