Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar...

...not me...couldn't be! 

 Gumdrop stole the cookie from the cookie Jar! 

Silly Gumdrop must have heard Noah inquiring if he got hungry when flying home to the North Pole each night. Noah wasn't sure if he would have time to rest or eat when making his report to Santa. I guess now we know!

Gumdrop Returns 2013!

We had begun to wonder whether gumdrop would return this year or not. Last year he appeared the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, he took just a bit longer to make his annual grand entrance. 

With a clever poem, he reminded the boys of the rules: 

#1 - He can't talk to them with his voice

#2 - They can't touch him or he will lose his magical abilities to fly back to the North Pole each night.

This year, Gumdrop wants the boys to focus on serving others & being generous. 

To help them get started, he left an empty box they are to fill with their old toys to donate to boys & girls who are less fortunate. 

The boys were so happy to see Gumdrop! All three belted out Santa Claus is coming to TOWN!!! 

New Tradition - Watkins Turkey Trot!

On Thanksgiving Day morning, Luke & I participated in Watkins Elementary's First Annual Turkey Trot!

Yes, you can call us crazy...for a number of reasons. Maybe because we were running in 30 degree weather...maybe because we did it on what is arguably a mother's busiest day of cooking the entire year...maybe because of the crochet turkey hats we wore! 

Luke met up with some of his buddies from school to run in the one mile fun run. 

I was so proud of Luke for coming in 7th over all! 

Next year, the turkey trot is sure to be even bigger and more fun. We both decided we want to go back...and maybe even get Daddy & the little boys involved. 

Thanksgiving Week Crafts

After the first day of sleeping in on Thanksgiving break, the boredom set in. I must have heard, "Mom.....I'm BORED!" about a thousand times. So, when I was at the craft store buying yarn and saw Thanksgiving crafts 40% off, I didn't hesitate to pick some up! 

We made turkeys, foxes & owl puppets with glitter peel & stick pieces. 

And, after chasing the boys away from my "nice" bead collection, I decided to get them their own set of beads. Yes, boys like to string beads too! 

 

We also continued our annual tradition of Thankful Hands. 

Each boy traced their hands on colored construction paper and wrote what they were thankful for. 

 When I take these hand prints down, I file them away in my box of special things as keepsakes. I love looking back at how much their hands  have grown & what their little hearts were thankful for that year. 

Cruz's First Music Program at LAP

2013 - Learning Academy Preschool

Music Program

2 Years Old

All dressed up and ready to perform a medley of 5 Little Ducks (went quack, quack, quack), Twinkle Twinkle Little "Me" and God Created Seven Days.  

The grand finale with all the school was Thank You Lord for Making Me (clap, clap, clap, stomp, stomp stomp).

These funny little faces make my heart smile!

Every moment is our family's "last" since Cruz is the baby. They are so bittersweet and we are treasuring every one! 

Nov 2013 - Thankful for...

my boys...

What would I be without them? Who would I be? Where would I be? 

I can't imagine. 

I am so humbled God entrusted me to raise these three amazing little boys. 

They are my heart. I am their mom. I would be lost without them. 

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

Halloween 2013 Recap

Halloween 2013 didn't disappoint!

We started the afternoon by making witch's broom sticks with pretzels and string cheese!

For dinner we made mummy dogs. 

The boys could hardly wait to dress up and (despite Luke's expression in this photo) they all had a great time trick-or-treating in our neighborhood...and the HUGE bag of candy we now have proves it!

We ended the night on a high note with a glow stick bath!