This Year's Ornaments

We like to pick out ornaments for each child that serves as a reminder of their year. Elena received a Clara ornament - she began ballet this year and attended the Nutcracker with Ma... and LOVED it! We gave Evan a Hot Wheels ornament - it's actually just like one Ben received growing up. And Asher got a little Moose ornament.

As a photographer I'm just really proud of this picture :)

Asher just wanted Mom and could not be persuaded to get excited about his bag.

Nope! I don't care!

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

I think at some point every kid faces the crushing disappointment of finding out that the one Christmas gift you want in the entire world is deemed too dangerous to own by their parents.

A few weeks ago, Elena was browsing a Walmart circular when she suddenly stopped on a page and gasped with glee. She had found a picture of a very happy girl making the most scrumptious cakes with a miraculous toy - an Easy Bake Oven. Elena ran over to me announcing that this was the toy that she "most wanted" for Christmas.

My immediate thought was - no way. Way too messy, way too dangerous for solo play, way too big to store in my kitchen (since it certainly couldn't be kept in her room).

I needed a reason to give her, so I first pointed out the price. When I told her, it was $18, her eyes widened - $18 must be a lot of money based on my tone of voice. Then I looked at the picture of the packaging and saw that the recommended age was six and up (perfect!). I explained the "6+" symbol to her and that it is there to protect 4 yr olds.

She turned around; engulfed in disappointment.

A few minutes later she came back and asked me, "Mom, do you have $1?" Sensing a trap, I didn't answer her question, but reached out for the circular she was again handing me. And then I saw this:

I burst out laughing!! But Elena never cracked a smile. She acted like the new price and recommended age had always been there, that I was crazy for thinking otherwise, and she still does not admit to tampering with the circular. Heaven help us.

Another Moose Party

We had a little family party for Asher on his actual birthday, December 8th. We ordered pizza, sang happy birthday, and then ran out the door for youth group (he's definitely living life as a third child).

My quick attempt at a moose cake: I think it looks like a teddy bear/cat with antlers.

Our extravagant decorations and birthday card from his sister.

"What? ANOTHER BIRTHDAY PARTY?!?!"

SO loved!

Happy Birthday Asher!

The Elkins' Family Tree

Early this week we loaded up the kids and the bungee cords to go get ourselves a tree. The weather was pretty chilly, which I really appreciate when doing something related to Christmas. We looked for the absolute tallest tree we could find in our price bracket, and found a great one. It was probably a foot taller than it's peers. Score!

Then came the fun part of decorating it. I felt like I was racing the kids; first to find the breakable ornaments before they did, and secondly I was trying to get as many as I could on the tree before they all ended up in one large clump.

It was a very merry time!

"Hey, this one has my name on it!"

The first of many attempts to get to those ornaments

This is the tree nearing completion:

These ornaments are not waiting to be hung; believe it or not, they're on the tree.

... and apparently this was Elena's favorite branch.

Asher's A-MOOSE-ing First Birthday Party

(I tried to get clever with the title, but this is all I was coming up with. If you have suggestions, I'm all ears.)

We were in Houston with our Elkins' family over Thanksgiving. While there, we had a little party to celebrate Asher's first birthday (he's turning 1 on Dec 8th).

His siblings and cousins loved singing to him!

I think this is as close as he got to the cake; barely touching it! :)