Randal the Elf

This was our 2nd year with our Elf on the Shelf, Randall.  The kids LOVE him!  Sometimes he hides, sometimes he's playful, and he always brings a special treat.  The kids enjoyed waking up and looking for him.  Here is what he was up to this December...

His first night was an introduction, or a re-introduction.  Then it was a tree spot...

Randal enjoyed zip-lining through the kitchen

 Then...he hid in the jungle (plant)

 He pretended to be Santa, by riding the sleigh and using the girls' stuffed animals

 Just hanging around the house...

 

He even hid in Riggs' treats!

He helped celebrate Delaney's 9th Birthday

 Hiding in the cookie jars (that are never used...)

 Cruising in the Barbie cars with Barbie on Charlie's new table

 Hiding among the snowmen and garland

 I hope he's not drinking our wine!!!

 Silly Randal, is using our curtains as a hammock.

 Sleeping on top the frame

Randal went fishing!

 OOoh, a fun interactive project...

(I can't seem to find the picture of the treats the next day...COOKIES!!!)

Chilling on the big mirror

 Ready to play Wii with the girls.  He even found his own chair!

 Aw! :( Last day...so he was hot tubbing with some Barbies and left a goodbye note on the mirror.

See you December 1, 2013, Randal!  Thanks for a fun month!

Merry Christmas!!!

Break My Heart

So, some sort of flu-like virus has been slowly making the rounds in our house.  Delaney was sick for 7 days straight with almost every symptom possible.  We had two days of health, and then it hit both Rowena and Charlie.  And, on Charlie's birthday...which is why we have yet to celebrate it!  It's no fun to have a cake when no one can eat it.  And, he hasn't even received his gifts from his Nana or sisters/parents yet (we were waiting for the cake part).  So, thankfully he's been enjoying his gift from Grammie and Poppy (I think we should just give him his gifts).

Well...Saturday, Rowe and Charlie seemed to finally be doing better, and WHAM!  Kate starts vomiting!  Boo!  In fact, Kate threw up so much in our bed during their movie night, that we slept in the family room on our new air mattress (That's sick Kate on the couch):

Last night I wasn't feeling very good, so I was laying in bed (mind you this is at midnight) and Rowe is wide awake due to her 4-6pm nap.  She keeps asking for things and when I get them for her, she throws a fit because she wanted to help or I didn't do it the "Rowena way."  I finally snapped and yelled at her.  Her response to me (through sobs and tears), "Mommy, I want to go with you and I want to do things with you because I love you and I like being with you and doing things with you."  Wow, kid!  That just broke my heart.  At this point, she's laying on me sobbing and I begin too.

How can you deny this kid all of your love and affection!?!?!?!

It's December...Time to Decorate

Today we decorated for Christmas.  My three elves were very helpful when Peter was at a surprise 50th Birthday Party and Charlie napped.

Then, Peter and Delaney went out to get the tree (Kate is sick and Rowe was napping).  They picked out a great one, and the kids were excited to start trimming the tree while enjoying egg nog and Christmas music.

The Polar Express

I know of the book.  And the movie.  But, now so many towns are doing a Polar Express for kids and families.  Such a neat idea.  Some are through the local park districts, but the one we did is for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and raised funds for the local one (Will County).

We watched the movie on Friday night to get ready and surprised the older girls with a special trip on Saturday morning.  My parents got tickets for all four kids and the four adults, but since Rowena and Charlie were still sick, Grammie stayed home with them.

We started at the local train station.  We arrived an hour or so before departure and participated in the fun activities there...

Face Painting

Mini Golf and Ring Toss

Coloring

Enjoying the Harris Lion, Hot Cocoa and the local train organization's hats

Then we boarded the train...

The elves read the book The Polar Express

And we sang Christmas carols and received chocolate coins

When we arrived at the North Pole we went for lunch

And saw Santa

Then went to Santa's Workshop (the Fire Department)

And we got to check out the gear, fire trucks, and talk to the firemen about their jobs

Then we headed back toward the train station

And headed back home with more Christmas Carols.