The Well Rounded Mama

MERRY CHRISTMAS (In July!)

We celebrated our second annual CHRISTMAS IN JULY on July 25.  It's a great way to spice up the summer and a great way to spend a fun day together as a family.

Last year, we did it as a complete surprise for the kids.  My favorite part of the day was Caleb waking up, seeing the tree, and saying, "I'm SO glad it's Christmas!"  This year, we decided to let the kids know it was happening.  That way, they got to be a part of it.  They helped get out a few decorations and decorate the little tree.  They loved it!  It was a lot simpler than even last year, but we've had such a busy summer that I didn't want to take the fun out of it by making it a big ordeal that I had to plan for days.  A few stocking stuffers, a few small gifts, some yummy food...CHRISTMAS IN JULY.

 

Katie really wanted to help hang the ornaments.  Apparently, she thought they ALL should go on the same branch!

Our little tree, all decorated and waiting for little people to be ready to open gifts!

I wasn't feeling well so Jason, bless his heart, wrapped the gifts for me.  He was quite pleased with the "Christmas Tree" stacking toy that he wrapped for Katie.

Stockings...haven't found a place to hang them in the new house yet!

Before stocking and presents were opened, we feasted on our now-traditional Christmas in July breakfast: red and green Thai sticky rice.

 

Alaina and Caleb with their stockings

Miss Katelynn...

Caleb...who told us at least 100 times that he loved ALL his presents (all two of them!) and all his stocking stuffers.  Easy to please!

The littles with their stockings

Katie breaks into her tree

Levi with his new animal puzzle...this kid could do puzzles ALL. DAY. LONG.

Apparently Katie likes her puzzle too!

She's a pro...

Levi opens yet another set of plastic animals.  He just LOVES them.  They live in his nightstand drawer and they are his #1 go-to toy on airplanes.  He just sets them up and plays with them for hours!

Now, this may seem like the oddest gift for a six year old EVER, but for Caleb, it was the perfect gift!  What is it, you ask? A TAPE DISPENSER! He was so excited to add it to his growing selection of office supplies on his desk.  He absolutely ADORES organizing and setting up his desk...everything having a place.  With a new bulletin board and a new tape dispenser, he informs me that all he needs now is new paper and glue.

So from our house to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS (in July!)
 

Easter -- A Week Late

We have never been afraid to celebrate holidays on days other than the actual holiday. In fact, I think last year was the first year we actually ever celebrated Christmas on Christmas. When you have little kids, it really doesn't matter what the calendar says.  So, we have always been happy to move things around if it fit the schedule better.  This year, it meant that Easter was celebrated a week late.

For the "real" Easter, we were in Malaysia for spring break.  Although we had done a lot of Easter stuff in school and we had decorated eggs before we left, we didn't do anything else. Easter Sunday in Malaysia was spent visiting our old church and enjoying a yummy Subway lunch (we don't have Subway here so it was a real treat!)  And although the day was nice, we missed the traditional Easter baskets and egg hunt.  So, we made up for it with an Easter Day...a week late.  Does it really matter?  There were still eggs, there was candy, there was hunt, and there was a wonderful Sunday roast.  It was the perfect day!

My sweet seven year old who is starting to look so grown up. 

My almost-four-year-old goofball who couldn't take a normal picture if he tried (not that he would ever want to try!)  

The oh-so-sweet two year old.  Oh, and can I say just how great Crocs look with a pretty little dress...um...NO.  What I wouldn't give to walk into a Target and buy a pretty little pair of white leather sandals! I have yet to find a pair here that don't have some random words or cartoon characters ALL OVER THEM.

A quick shot of all four of them. Sometimes I look at them and am totally amazed that *I* am a mom to these wonderful kids.

When I bought these Easter bags in 2008 I had no idea how wonderful they would be! They are perfect for moving and storing.  Plus, they are super cute!

Digging in!

And the hunt is on!

 

I am SO bummed that Maggie walked into this shot! I just think this is the sweetest little scene!

And is there ANYTHING cuter than little blond curls???

"Those Irish People"

At dinner tonight, Alaina prayed something to the tune of, "Please help those Irish People."  At least a little of our lesson about St. Patty's Day wasn't lost on her.  Or perhaps she was referring to our very own little leprechaun who is very mischievous...caught green-fingered dipping into the frosting while mommy wasn't looking.

 

If you're in a pinch and don't have any clover/shamrock cookie cutters for today, just recycle those valentine cookie cutters...four hearts and you are good to go!

We Had a Pumpkin Party

You've got to do something while Daddy is gone for the weekend!

Eating... 

Cutting, cleaning, and carving...

Drying and Roasting...

Crafting...

and baking .