Christmas Time

It it that time of year again. I think it came too fast, but it's here. The kids are so excited for Santa, and thankfully Santa is done shopping. We set up our Christmas stuff the other day, and the kids love it. Since we have the bookshelf now we have a place for stockings. Not sure why, but this is my favorite thing. 

 We set the tree up and getting 4 kids to all smile and look at you isn't easy.  We almost had it with this pictures. We got new ornaments and all the ones that grandma and grandpa Arrington. I think our tree looks pretty sweet. Now to keep the 2 year old away from it... not likely.  

 I had all of the kids looking at me and just as I pushed the button I saw Emery. Ah so close. Good thing she is so cute. 

The boys are at an interesting age. They still believe but there are kids in their class who don't. Beck told me that someone said Santa wasn't real! I told him that kid was crazy. Camden asked when Santa would leave little things in their stockings. Last year I would put a toy in their socks maybe once to twice a week and left a note from Santa. Looks like Santa will be returning with that again. I also need to figure out Christmas projects to do like we do every year. Although we'll do one every other day. I love December, there is so much joy in the month. 

Few Small Things

I am finally getting on my regular work schedule, so I'll actually have time to do other things besides sleep. I am so glad I only did part time. I love working. It's so nice to get out a few nights a weeks and I love more that it's at night and not during the day. When I am driving home and I see people coming into work I think to myself how much that would suck. I would rather stay up late then go to bed and have to wake up early.  

The boys keep asking me to eat lunch at school with them. For one, school lunch doesn't look or sound good and two, I don't want to take Emery and Jacks into the lunch room and have to deal with them there. On Tuesday I decided to surprise them and take them to lunch. Out of all of the places they could choose they picked McD's. Ugh. I remember my mom taking me out of school for a surprise a few times, so it's something I want for them too. They had a lot of fun. We even went and got ice cream after. 

 Jacks isn't the only one who sleeps with toys. This is how Brad found Emery the other night. She had two babies in her shirt. She never really did give us a reason why. 

 Beck lost another tooth. He was hoping it would fall out at school, I guess they get a little bag or something for it, but there wasn't any way it would have lasted all weekend. Now I know how my parents felt when my teeth fell out fast, all I see is $ for braces. At least Cam's are falling out slow. 

Jacks

Since it's been colder we moved the kids rooms around so they are away from windows. None of the kids cared, except Jacks. The first few nights he wasn't having it. He took his pillow and blanket to where he wanted to be. 

 Now he at least will sleep in his bed but the bed is right under the light switch, so he turns the light on all the time and plays. He has been falling asleep with the toys he was playing with. Now he freaks out when we turn the lights off. We put a night lights and that helps. The only good thing is once he's tired he will lay down and go to sleep even if the light is on. 

My few weeks of full time work is over and I survived! I am so thankful for the job and even more thankful it's only part time. It will be a good amount of hours. No way I could do full time right now with the kids at home. We are usually so busy that the nights go by really fast. The kids don't really notice anything at all. I have taken more naps, but that';s about all. They know I go to work, but are asleep the whole time. It has really worked out so well. 

Kids

Brad and I went out the other night and my niece Kiara watched the kids. It's weird because it wasn't that long ago that she was born, or at least it seems that way. The kids love when she comes over. When we got home they had done an art project with the kids, which they loved. 

 We were getting ready to go out today and I told the kids to get shoes and socks. Jacks loves when this happens and so he was excited to do so. He came into our room really sad because he could only find one shoe. Jacks has the best imagination on him and he told his a dinosaur ate his other shoe. it was only after we found it he believed that a dino didn't eat it. 

New Things for Me

I got a job! I have always wanted to do something to earn money and work, but I also want to stay at home with the kids. It's hard to find something that works both ways, but I finally found one and I actually got the job. I'll be working at the hospital 3 nights a week in the HIM department, pretty much medical records. I have done it a few nights now and so far I love it. There is a lot to learn but having so much to do makes the nights go fast. It's perfect because I am home all day with the kids and then at night I go in for a shift and Brad is still home to watch the kids. My first day, it was just an orientation, I came home and Brad made this poster for me. Emery didn't like that I had so many arms. Not sure I really do all of those things, but it was a cute picture. 

More Kid Time

  Since school started we have noticed a big difference in the boys, mainly Camden, and not a good one. He gets really mad, says things he doesn't mean, but are hurtful to the kids he says them to. He also has been wanting to just be alone. We are at our wits end and not sure what to do, but we have made a few small changed that have seemed to help a lot in the short time we have done them. Each night I go in and talk to Emery, I never thought the boys would want to talk also, but I was wrong. Each night for the past few nights we have separated the boys and I go in and talk to them for a little bit before bed. Camden has had an almost 180 in his attitude. The second night I told the boys where to go and he said because he knows mom is going to come and talk. Then last night he told me to not forget. Each night he has opened up more and more. Each day he is happier and easier to... be around, for lack of better words. Last night he didn't want me to go. Beckham has always talked well, but has liked our little talks too. 

Another thing I'm doing is letting the kids help cook. They ask to learn how to, so I figured it's a good thing for us to do together. Camden is really excited about cooking. It will take a long time for me to get used to them using knives. 

He helped make chicken pasta and it was really good. 

New Pictures

We went out on Saturday and took new pictures of the kids. The fall colors are beautiful right now and usually make for good pictures. 

 I love this. Jacks was a little late on throwing the leaves, but it is still cute. 

 Oddly enough Jacks had the most pictures where he was smiling and looking at the camera and eyes open. I couldn't decide on my favorite. 

 And a huge miracle, all of the kids looking in the same place, at the same time, and no weird poses. 

We've got some cute kids.