Christmas Decorating 2021

 Despite not feeling the best, I did my best to get into the Christmas spirit and did a LOT of decorating!

The girls were also super excited to put up the big tree, but that meant finally biting the bullet and removing all the lights from the tree and putting up new lights.  Something I'm sure my hands are going to pay for, for a LONG time. 

I'm pretty proud of all the decorations!  And Nora is loving them and loved helping hand ornaments to daddy and the girls to hand up.  And so far hasn't messed with any of the ornaments, which I was worried about.  

Thanksgiving Fun

 This year we headed to Columbia City for Thanksgiving.  Fun times despite no one feeling the best.  We even managed to get some great family pictures. 

First COVID shot for the girls

 After lots of discussions with my doctors and the girls doctor, we decided it would be okay for them to get their COVID shot.  They both really wanted to get it but didn't want to get the shot.  After a long wait at Walmart to get it, they both cried and said it hurt soooooo bad.  Poor Lola's arm bled quite a bit.

Before

After

Next shot is December 20th, praying this one goes better. 

Nora 21 months

 Oh Nora! She just keeps getting more fun and maybe more stubborn, but who's keeping track of them.

1. She knows so many words!  Last week, she told me, excuse me! And meant it.
2. Eats when she's hungry... and that's it. There is no convincing her.
3. Has the most amazing laugh!
4. Loves to flirt with people, but often takes a while to warm up, but then the charm comes out.
5. Is a mama's girl and if I'm ever taken, just send her out and she'll find me.
6. Loves play outside and is made when she can't go.
7. Squeals when she sees the cats or Miller chases after his ball.
8. Will tell you No or Stop when she doesn't like what you're doing.
9. Got a few new teeth - at least 2, maybe more!  Poor 3rd kid, I have no idea how many teeth she actually has.
10. Still loves her paci's but I've decided they are going away after Christmas.  Pray for us all!

What a difference a year makes

It’s crazy to think how much can chance over a year but when you have little kids it seems so obvious. Yesterday I tried to recreate a picture of the girls form a year ago. Nora was way easier to work with last year so this is the best we got. Greta and Lola both look so much older too. 

Slow down time!

Fall Fun

One of our favorites days is Leaf House day. I remember doing it as a kid and the girls love to know make their own. This year they did most of the racking and room making themselves. It was our biggest one yet. 

Giving Nora a tour

Then of course we had to jump in the leaves and borrow each other. Nora wasn’t sold on the jump yet but loves covering Miller up and eventually liked running through the leaves. 

Greta the Swimmer

This fall, Greta decided to try out doe the swim team. She made it and she been practicing twice a week. This Saturday we had our first inter squad meet - at her level she’ll get to have 2 or 3 of these I think. I didn’t know what to expect but to my surprise she shocked me! 

2 peas in a pod - Greta and Izzy

First up - backstroke which she said wasn’t her best… she won her heat! 

Next up… breaststroke… which she said is her least favorite … I thought she won but didn’t get the heat ribbon. So 2nd.

Last up…. Freestyle which is her favorite and she won her heat again! 

Then the final results were published and she was the overall top swimmer for 8 and under for breaststroke (so she did win) and freestyle and 2nd overall for backstroke and last to one of her besties who swims 2 levels above her and it was close. 

So proud of her! I love when kids surprise you and kick it up a gear.. She’s definitely competitive so we’ll see where this goes. Season doesn’t end until March so more fun to come! 

Lola the Artist

Lola came home from school and said she had something to show me. He handed me 2 pieces of paper stapled together. I quick glanced it over and asked her if she knew what this was. She said no. I jen proudly told her that he piece of art had been selected to be in an art show. Instant smile filled her face. She was beamed with excitement! 

I then read her her the letter and she explained her art to me. 

Can’t wait to go see it all set up this week!