Getting Christmas Right

So let me just warn you - this is one of those posts where I just randomly share thoughts - probably more for myself than anyone. Our current series at church is "Getting Christmas Right". I feel like that is something we try to do with the girls, without giving it an official name. Part of what allows us to really take time to enjoy amd make memories during the holiday season is getting lots done before the season arrives! (Thanks to my mom teaching me how it is done!) Prior to Thanksgiving Day, our house is fully decorated, gifts are all purchased and usually wrapped, and Christmas cards are ready to go. This allows us the time and opportunities to enjoy making memories during the holidays.
The girls have an Advent box (Ronnie calls it our "Christmas Vacation" box since that is what it reminds him of visually). Each day includes a different Christmas activity. This year, we have incorporated a lot of service project ideas and doing things for others. We have done a lot of baking to share, nursing home visits, giving away toys, some random acts of kindness, and thoughtful notes to others. We have made gingerbread houses, had Christmas dance parties, read Christmas books by the tree, and so on. We have gone to do various Christmas activities around town.
Tonight our main event is making the nativity scene (using animal crackers, graham crackers, EL Fudge cookies, coconut, marshmallows, and icing). Should be interesting. Tomorrow we having a "Happy Birthday Jesus" birthday party for our neighborhood playgroup.
So even though I go to bed lots of nights thinking of things I didn't do right, or will hopefully do better the next time as far as parenting, I do feel like we do try to get Christmas right. Thinking and working ahead gives us the ability to slow down during the holiday season to enjoy the simple pleasures. I hope it is something we are able to always prioritize and do. For us, it helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to your family and I hope this holiday brings lots of joy, peace, and incredible memories for your family!
Check out some of our favorite pictures from some of our holiday activities this year:

http://animoto.com/play/NWFV3f0ptgnrFBvIQJlocg?autostart=true

Christmas tree . . . take 3!

So we are a house full of traditions - especially around the holidays. One tradition that we don't budge on is when we put up our Christmas tree. It is ALWAYS before Thanksgiving. Whether or not the lights go on is up for debate, but it is always up and ready for the day after Thanksgiving. This year, we spent lots of time putting up our tree, docorating with lights and beads, and what seems like thousands of ornaments! Apparently Ella thought we didn't have enough ornaments, because she made several more (8 1/2 by 11 size :) to tie on the back of the tree.

So catastrophy #1 - most of the lights went out on the tree on day 3. The Scrooge side tried to come out of us and threaten to steal our Whoville joy, but we pushed it away. Down the tree came, fixed the lights, and up it went again. We thought that made for a pretty funny story after it was all said and done. Little did we know . . .

Last Thursday, Ronnie was upstairs with the girls (and luckily the dog to keep himself out of trouble) and they heard a crash. I came home to find the tree on its side. Apparently, our poor little tree stand had finally had enough and gave out. Amazingly enough, we only lost one ornament (plus another in the clean up - but still minor!!). So our tree is up - for the 3rd time. I am optimistically hopeful I have seen the last of my tree decorating skills until 2011!

Goodbye Pacis!

If you have been around Kinsley much over the past 2 years, chances are you have seen her with a beloved "paci". She is quite fond of them. To be honest, I knew it was going to be a challenge to part with them. However, last Thursday I was ready. She also has developed the habit of tugging and twisting her hair while she has a paci, so I thought if we got rid of one, maybe that could eliminate the other. (The verdict is still out . . .)
So, Thursday night we bagged up the pacis for the paci fairy. We packed a bag, put them on the porch, and decided to wait until the next morning. For those of you unfamiliar with the "fairy", she comes to take away your pacis to deliver to other little babies. In return, she leaves you some sort of present. (Kinsley requested Chocolate when daddy called to tell her to come pick them up.)
At bedtime, the tears began. Luckily, when we went to the porch to retrieve a paci, the fairy had already come and gone. Instead of going to bed with a paci on Thursday, Kinsley went to bed with a chocolate bar, pack of gum, and a dum dum sucker. In her mind, that was a fair trade for two years worth of love of her pacis. Naps have been a little difficult, but overall she has done great.
Other recent events: Seeing Santa at the mall for the first time this year. The girls were amazed. I will say, the Santa at Oxmoor mall just might be the real deal - Ella gave his beard a little tug to check and make sure. Made this Miracle of 34th Street loving mommy so proud!
Daddy daughter lunch date at Ella's preschool was a special day last week. Ronnie loved the lunch Ella packed for him - including an Ale 8 :)

Family Halloween Fun

Late October brought some fun times to our house. Some of our fantastic friends, Forrest and Margaret, were married Oct 23rd. Ronnie and I would like to let you know that we have now seen 2 of our matchmaking endeavors make it to the altar. More than anything, it is so exciting to see two well derserving individuals find their mate. They asked Ella to be the flower girl, and our sweet girl did a fantastic job. She was a trooper, and it was a long weekend. She is a pro at the flower girl responsibilities, though, and looked beautiful. On a side note, the day before she got some "Twinkle Toe" shoes. (If you aren't familiar with them, it is like a disco party in a shoe.) Although she really wanted to wear them for the wedding, she decided against it, saying the crowd needed to watch the Bride and not her, and in her fancy shoes, they would all look at her. Kinsley was also not a big fan of the fact they didn't sell the shoes in her size. Daily, she asks "Where my fancy nancy shoes?"

Halloween followed the next weekend. We made the trip to Caneyville for Trunk of Treat. I already don't like to think about it that next year Ella will be in school and our on a whim trips will be few and far between. Our family decided to be the 2 little monkeys jumping on the bed + the dr. + the mama. It would have been too obvious for me to be the mama, so we did a little switch up for our church's trunk or treat. The girls loved that we all dressed up - probably started a new family tradition.

Of course, the girls didn't want just one Halloween costume this year. So Friday night, we headed out to dinner with our two fairy princesses. (Two days before Halloween. But when you are 2 and 5, all outfit options are super cute!)

Slow Down!!

Recently, Kinsley celebrated her 2nd Bday. That's right - the big 2. How is it even possible? Wasn't it just yesterday that Ella was turning 2 with her "geen" (green) bday party, and Kinsley hadn't yet joined the Cordrey clan? Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't turn back time for any amount of money to pre-Kinsley days . . . unless it was to relive all the great moments we are experiencing. I am thrilled that we get to enjoy special moments together. I just hope that in 20 years I can say that we enjoyed the time and didn't take moments for granted. I know it will pass so quickly (and if I had any question about that one, more experienced moms that see us anywhere in public tell me that - atleast once daily!)

We left the day after Kinsley's birthday to go spend a week at our favorite beach location. Panama City Beach, FL. I know, I know - there are probably hundreds of "nicer" beach locations. Not a single one, though, holds the memories of PCB - especially Dunes of Panama. From playing Encore by the beach with good friends, spending so much time in the pool playing "sand removal" that my eyes burned, Baskin Robbins birthday cakes, sharing D403 with more friends / family that I can remember, the list goes on and on. And that is just from my childhood! Now I get to relive special moments there with my girls and it is fabulous! Kinsley was thrilled with games and rides, and made sure grandad knew she could spot them independently every time we passed either! Ella enjoyed the pool, learning how to swim underwater. (Ok - let's be honest - she really enjoyed the store by the pool where she got to pick snacks. She did practice swimming, though!)

Now our travels are done for the most part for awhile. Home to enjoy the fabulous season of fall. Don't worry - pictures to come of this fantastic season and the most beautiful girls enjoying some nature moments!!!

Good memories!

This weekend has been beautiful, so we have tried to enjoy some outside time. Yesterday, I took the girls to Henry's Ark. I can't really even think how to explain this place. It is a cross between a zoo and farm, where the girls are especially partial to the animals roaming free. Kinsley especially loves hugging and kissing the goats (yes - you read that correctly). Ella enjoys petting the deer (and being the big sister who carries the carrot bag and shares with Kinsley as willingly as she chooses!!)

Today we took the girls to Familypalooza at Southeast Christian. Pony rides, inflatables, cotton candy, snow cones, and craft time - wow! We left with both girls crying - the sign of a really good time had by all.

Happy Labor Day!!

Vacation

We recently came home from summer vacation, which was fantastic! The first week we spent in Gulf Shores with Ronnie's side of the family. It was great - the girls had a great time with their grandparents, Aunt and Uncle, and getting spoiled by all the attention! The four of us shared a room, which proved to be interesting sleeping patterns for us all. The first night, Ella was laying in bed with Ronnie and I and out of the blue said, "This is like the worst night ever. Let's go home!" We all started rolling. We adjusted, though, and by the end of the week, everyone managed to sleep through the night!

Then we left there, and traveled to Panama City Beach, FL. Ronnie and I consider this the perfect vacation location. To many, it is known as the "Redneck Riveria". However, we love it!We have decided it is because of the familiarity after spending so many vacations there. I practically spent every vacation at Dunes of Panama, D building, since before I was Kinsley's age. Apparently, it is good enough for the President, too! When we got there, we realized the Obama's were in town. So, of course, we had to set out to find them! We found them at Baypoint, where we saw lots of secret service, police officers, yellow tape blocking off their pool, and no first family. Ella said, "Who are these Bama's? (spoken like one would refer to the slang for Alabama). She was ready to head to the capital of PCB - Walmart! Don't worry though, we did manage to catch a glimpse as they were leaving town. We tried to make this week as low key as possible and we were pretty successful! We ate at the condo, enjoyed the beach, and just relaxed. My sweet girls probably wished I had taken a break from the camera, too, but that would just be asking too much!

Ella enjoyed putt putt (Kinsley - not so much. By the 10th hole, she had thrown her putter three times, and thrown her ball too many times to count! I believe she was over it before we even started.) The girls loved playing games, earning tickets to win prizes (A.k.a. mom and dad paying too much money for trinket junk), and playing at the pool. To be honest, there aren't a lot of major details to share about the week because it was just that laid back . . . exactly how we wanted it!