12 Days of Christmas

Christmas 2014 we counted down all 12 Christmas days. Ellie has always been fascinated with the song the 12 days of Christmas. She really enjoyed the Christmas countdown and Christmas celebrations that came in 2014. For some reason the way it went we actually had celebrations nearly every day for at least the first five or six days. Anyway, in 2015 Ellie and Max both decided they would also appreciate the 12 days of Christmas countdown. Although we didn't do as much stuff for most of the days, she still hold true in celebrating every day and appreciating that it was Christmas.

As day 12 closes our Christmas tree is still standing and Ellie's Christmas hat is right beside her bed. She even said a prayer for the 12 days of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. This makes me smile. I love my Ellie Bean!

Clair can't sleep

Clair has a really hard time getting to sleep at night, but for afternoon naps it's not an issue at all. So she still naps and we still struggle to find the right bedtime routine and practices to help her. Each night is a unique challenge and who knows what it will bring. 

Tonight I went into her about an hour after bedtime because she was crying. I asked what was up. She said I forgot to give her nose medicine. I gave it to her. Her response, " you forgot to give me my nose medicine you silly!" In squeals and giggles of delight. 

She's that kid that will keep me straight forever. Love her and hope that she learns to sleep better. 

They love each other

I was able to take a whole week off and be home with the kids for Christmas break. I am so thankful for this time with the kids. Some of the time David is home with us, and sometimes he is working. But for a good two weeks. I get to be the primary caregiver, the one that plays with them and cares for them. One that gets frustrated and the one that laughs with them. I'm so grateful for this!

Christmas is great! I am blessed by being able to spoil the children. But the best thing about this time this week has been seeing truly how much they really like each other and love each other. Yes, they fight. I think all siblings fight, Or I choose to believe that. But I also see them able to be each other's best friends.

They play together pretty nicely. Of course Ellie likes to be in charge as she is the oldest and take several serious. But with that, she shows how she truly loves her siblings. She's always willing to help them and look out for them and teach them. She is even willing to let Max make rules now and again and some of their make-believe games. I found these lovely note from her to Max telling him how happy she is that he is her brother. It melts my heart!

Today Max and I were sitting on the couch watching Ellie do her magic show. They were laughing and giggling with each other and something or said along the lines of oil she loves you Max. And he looked at me with the most perfect happy innocent and honest eyes and says "I know she does mommy." It's even better that she loves him so much that he is that confident and happy in that love that they share as brother and sister. 

As for Clair, they both love and adore her. Ellie is always willing to jump up and help clear. When she falls, Ellie is usually the first one by her side. If it's not Ellie, there's a good chance it's Max. Clair is also learning to go potty right now, and Ellie has spent large amount of time in the bathroom with her supporting her teaching her, keeping her company, reading to her. If Clair is sad, her siblings are often the one she wants to comfort her. 

Through the daily ups and downs and busyness of life it is truly hard to know if you're doing things right with your kids. When I am able to step back and see how much they care for each other, it's a sign that I feel like we are doing some things right. This is the best Christmas gift of all!!!

Max art

Max loves to make big pieces of art. Scissors and tape are always involved. He's crazy about tape. 

I have a hard time keeping up and dealing with all the collection in the house. I'm glad he has fun; but I'm running out of space. 

Here's one we put up a while ago. 

Big girl

Last night when I got home from taking Ellie to the doctors David me and said you need to go deal with our youngest. Now, keep it in mind David rarely says this. And I asked what was going on I was slightly pleased when I found out that Clair wouldn't stop putting on underwear. Apparently, she has decided it is time to be a big girl and ditch the diapers. 

This girl has been and what she was doing and her diapers are good for five months at this point. She peddled on the potty before bath for fun. But she hasn't been interested. At one point I was trying pull-ups and aiming for potty training but I gave up realizing it would happen under her terms and on her time. 

I told her she could wear underwear when she got up in the morning. And so we did. Usually she has went through in the morning but today she was dry. The girl did have two accidents in the evening, but, I think that's probably because daddy doesn't really like this potty training thing very much and mommy was not very attentive tonight , feeling under the weather. 

Girl had a great day and her underwear. She Peed in the potty six or seven times. And she can't wait to put her underwear on again when she wakes up in the morning. It's her terms in her time!

A bad dream

Clair was fighting with Max about putting their shoes away properly in her "bad dream" last night. Isn't that sweet; this is a bad dream at the innocent age of two.

I went in to her because she was crying and she started tattling on Max straight away. 

I hushed her as I laid down beside her and told her it was a dream. We snuggled face to face and she quickly drifted back to sleep. 

A "Tale"

Tonight after watching Max pee Clair announced that she too wanted to go pee standing up. I explained she couldn't , only boys can. Her response, "I don't have a tale on my bottom."

I smiled and said that's right. You don't have a Penis, only boys. "Yup. Daddy has a tale too."

She's so funny!