Holiday highlights

Yeah, I know its a month late, but my excuse is that we got Netflix.
No explanation needed really, if you have Netflix.
But, after no TV for 5+ years, access to shows and movies has taken over all freetime.
You don't need to mock me, I already feel like a loser, but an entertained loser.

Here we go with the Highlights. (consider this my big sacrifice for the month, I could be watching a streamed movie right now instead)
Christmas eve.
We made all the kids sleep in one room, hoping to keep them asleep and contained till morning.
Worked, mostly.
One of the fave's. BlueBird candy factory Jawbreakers. Local. Love it.

Not for chewing.

Z. is well ahead of the others in her quest for the center.

Is that piece of candy as big as your head?

Other favorite. 7 1/2 foot beanbag. Almost big enough. Jawbreakers, beanbag and Netflix. Great combo.

Gifts at home, gifts at grandparents. Spoiled. No wonder Z always asks "is this all?".

Thanks to cuz "Ashey"for the hours of entertainment. I phone apps that distort your face are the best!


T. very seriously poses to be made fat, and old. Just don't let him ask for an iphone next year for himself.

S. and T. kept us adults entertained for a while with their version of "Hide and Seek". 2 year olds idea of hiding is if I cant see you, you cant see me. Too funny!

Last but not least.
We got this awesome Playmobile version of the Nativity before Christmas.
This picture was the last one, taken by the kids, before the baby Jesus disappeared.
I was thinking that one of the handmade gifts Z. made under the tree just had to contain the baby.
I was thinking how cute and sweet that was to wrap him up and present him as a gift, so I didn't say anything about it.
Then Christmas came and went with no sign of the figure.
(By the way my craft gifts from Z. were awesome even if she did accidentally sew one of them to her bed!)
We did finally find him in January in one of the toy purses in the little kids room.
Fortunately.
The set just wouldn't be the same without Jesus!

Remember the Simpsons episode....

...with the tall guy in the little car?

How blessed we are to have such a good sport for a husband/father.

Opposition in all things

I have been forced to re think " creativity" as a good quality.
Typically after creating something new and fun I feel good.
Last few months I have noticed the good feeling and the law of "opposition" though too.
It is starting to feel like for every creation around here there is destruction, just as equal.
Its true I have never had a puppy before so I haven't seen the law play out in such detail.
I shouldn't be so surprised, I knew puppies chewed on stuff well before hand.
I just never have lived with a destroyer!
Plaintiff, I mean Harley Puppy.
New haircut for S. Created by mom because of necessity, she wont leave in a ponytail or clippie!

Snowmen and Gingerbread houses created (and eaten) by the family.

D. creating a beautiful painting of a TypeOne for his friends restaurant. The laundry room was a studio for some weeks or a month or two, but well worth the end result.

Then you leave for a while and the wall is destroyed(who eats wall, seriously, it cant be very tasty!)
and a chair or two will never be the same.

Look at that innocent face.
You get a puppy, you get to deal with "all things".
I have stopped counting the things she has destroyed, mangled, and digested.
I think each of us has something though that is hard to forget that she got to.
Like Z.s entire collection of sillybands,in 1 gulp!
Time will help us forget, and I have heard it will also stop her chewing.
Until that day comes, I wonder, if we stop creating stuff ,will she stop the destroying sooner?!