Nancy our Elf on the Shelf

The Christmas season was glorious this year!  We enjoyed preparing for Christmas by making cookies, making ornaments, decorating the house, placing a few tacky blow ups in front of our house etc.  We also introduced  Nancy, our  Elf on the Shelf to the kids this year. Above is a picture of the kids finding her for the first time. She was motivation for good behavior when we needed her to be, she was a distraction when we needed her to be, and she was just plain fun for the kids to find as she hid throughout the house. 

My sister-in-law commented on how tan our elf looked and I didn't think anything of it until I saw online that there are elves with light and dark skin tones. Apparently I bought the elf with the dark skin tone. Hey, we don't discriminate in this house!

Jack started preschool last Fall

We knew Jack was more than ready for preschool this past Fall.  He was so excited on his first day of school.  His first day was bittersweet for us, but mostly sweet!

First Day! So handsome!

  Thomas was so excited about Jack's first day of school.  He was a little disappointed that he didn't get to spend the day with his big brother.  At least he got to take a sack lunch to "Bubby School" (Grandma Lisa's house).

What I have failed to mention about Jack starting school is this...
Last summer I received a phone call from Jack's sweet teacher letting me know when "Meet the Teacher" day was going to take place and when parents were supposed to go to "Back to School Night" to get the scoop.  When I took the phone call I was two weeks away from having a baby, it was dinner time, Corey was not home yet, two kids were yelling and someone needed me to wipe their poopy bottom.  So of course I played it off like all was well and things were under control while I'm sure the teacher noticed the chaos over the phone.  I might have mixed up the dates she gave me and I might have royally messed up Jack's first introduction to school.  What I am trying to say is, Jack missed the "Meet the Teacher" day at his new school and Corey went to the wrong "Back to School Night."  Bam.  I failed.  Clearly I will not be nominated for "Mother of the Year" anytime soon.

Thomas is 3!

The big Birthday boy woke up and said, "Let's get this Birthday started!"

 It must be genetic!  He has inherited my 'party favor' genes!

Tom woke up to  "Happy 3rd  Birthday Thomas" on the driveway!

Despite the Birthday party cancellation due to sickness,

 the Birthday boy still enjoyed his ice cream cake!

Baby Kate

 Okay, I know I have neglected to blog since the end of August and it's time to get caught up.  Since my last post the most important update is the arrival of our fourth child, Katherine Anne!  She is everything a parent could ask for, healthy, beautiful, a really happy baby and a good sleeper! 

 

Kate's Baptism

Aunt Kristie and Uncle Kevan are Kate's proud Godparents!

Hilarious first family picture...all six of us.

The picture pretty much speaks for itself.  We obviously have things 100% under control!

 

 

 

We probably shouldn't show our faces at Deanna Rose park any time soon...

Number one most embarrassing Jack moment occurred at the park today.   In the middle of the park, surrounded by a circle of other kids, Jack pulled down his pants and underwear because he needed to use the restroom. I saw those bare cheeks from across the park and yelled "Jack Boddicker NO." Thank God he didn't start to go potty all over the other children gathered around him. Needless to say I pulled his pants up as quickly as a nine month pregnant mom could and we bolted from the park.

Bath time and Star sh*#$!

Jack was serenading me during bath time this evening with his own little rendition of a popular  Nicki Minaj song. ( I thought it was Katy Perry until Corey just now corrected me.)

While splashing around playing in the bath, in a high pitched voice, Jack sang,"Star shits were meant to fly." 

I heard this one line over and over and over until I couldn't take it anymore.  I yelled for Corey to come upstairs to hear it for himself!  We both laughed hysterically and enjoyed the new song lyric that came from a four year old just enjoying the bath!

Bathroom renovation, bedroom swapping, and oh, a new baby is on the way...

Well, if I had to sum up the last 6 weeks, I would say we are exhausted and now just anxious!  Over the past several weeks so much has happened.  I turned 30 in mid July which was a day of eating at some of my favorite places, opening 30 beautiful gifts from my parents, and being spoiled by so many loved ones!  Not to mention, Corey surprised me with a wonderful gift which includes a vacation for the two of us at the destination of my choice!!!  Around the same time, my father-in-law started renovating our master bathroom which also turned into a renovation of our master bedroom as well.  Pictures will be posted soon!  The renovation is almost complete.  Thanks to my parents for taking Jack and Caroline for an entire day one Saturday, Corey and I had the chance to potty train Thomas.   Against all odds, potty training was surprisingly pretty successfully! Lastly, just a few days ago we took the plunge and moved the boys into a room together to make room for the new baby.  Oh do they love chatting before bed!  They have hilarious conversations and it's pretty sweet to hear them converse before bed.  If we could just get them to nap during the day, that would be amazing!

The days have been long, busy, and so exhausting.  Corey has been super dad and has really taken it upon himself to do as many things as possible to make my day easier and God love him for that.  I have little gas in the tank as this pregnancy comes to an end and all I can do is focus on delivering this baby on Wednesday. 

The idea of another c-section makes me terribly anxious and I dread the surgery.  I think God knows I have such a weak pain tolerance so he has generously spared me the pains of natural child birth and for that I am grateful.  However, the surgery and slow recovery is no walk in the park either.  I keep reminding myself that the miracle of being blessed with another child makes it all so worth it!

We have no idea what the gender of this baby is and I can't wait to find out!  We have enjoyed discussing with the kids what names we like and whether or not the baby is a boy or a girl.  We have narrowed down a few girl's names but we really don't have a favorite boy name as of yet.  I suppose we should get on that!  More importantly than naming the baby, we just hope and pray for a healthy baby.  God has blessed us with three happy, healthy babies and we continue to ask for his hand in providing us with another healthy little one.  Wednesday can't come soon enough!