Reddy Arrived

We had a special Christmas guest arrive yesterday. He will be here with us all through the holidays as long as we don't touch him. His name is Reddy and he is our Elf on the Shelf.

Reddy hangs out all day watching over Kaelin and Macie. Then after everyone is asleep, he flys back to the North Pole and reports everything to Santa. He will tell Santa their Christmas wishes as well as give a Naughty/Nice report. The only rule is... we can't touch him. If we touch him, he will begin losing his magic and won't be able to fly back to the North Pole.

Every morning he lands in a different spot. It is Kaelin (and eventually Macie's) mission to try to find Reddy every morning.

When Kaelin came down the stairs this morning, she looked in the spot that Reddy was in yesterday. He was gone, but had left a note from Santa. Now the chore of finding where Reddy decided to sit today.

Kaelin has spotted Reddy. She was so super excited. She started jumping up and down saying "There he is. I see him. I see him. Mom, look."

This was Reddy's spot of choice this morning. I wonder where we will find him tomorrow? I hope we don't end up on the Naughty list today.

Things I am Thankful For...

So, this is a little after Thanksgiving, but I spend most of my time these days running behind... running late... missing things all together... or forgetting that I had something I should have been doing.

Oh Well...

One thing I forgot on Thanksgiving... was to take pictures. (I know... I know... my baby's first Thanksgiving... how could I forget to take pictures).

I did take one picture, but it was after we returned from our Thanksgiving dinner at Aunt Debbie's house.

My Thanksgiving day began with a lot of craziness. Macie decided she preferred me in my pajamas (not a bad idea) because every time I went to get dressed, she would just begin bawling. Then once I picked her up, the fit stopped. So, I would put her back down, make it to the bathroom to get dressed, and then the bawling would resume. We did this routine for about 1 1/2 hours. It was not the highlight of my day.

After I finally was able to get myself dressed, get Kaelin dressed with minimal arguments, and then wrestle Macie into some clean clothes, we were able to leave the house.

So, despite the dramatic beginning to our Thanksgiving day, we were all able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch.

I am very thankful...

for my two wonderful girls that keep me on my toes and provide color to my life

for my fabulous husband who is much calmer than I am

for having such a wonderful family that always offers to help out when they know I need a break

Happy 1 Month Birthday Macie

Last night, we celebrated Macie's 1 month birthday. It is amazing how much can change in 1 month. 1 month ago, we were not changing diapers, washing bottles, looking for burp rags, trying to find the missing pacifier, packing diaper bags, or doing the majority of our shopping on the baby aisles.

Macie has definitely added a new level of craziness to our wild and crazy life and I would not change a thing. She is a very sweet baby (with an evening attitude). She is into discovering new things. She has figured out that the animals on her baby swing move- that keeps her occupied for quite a while. She recognizes voices and tries sooooo hard to find out who is talking. She is holding her head up, looking around, sleeping pretty good, eating like she is practicing for the competitive eating circuit, and snuggling with anyone that will snuggle her. She has begun to tolerate baths and diaper changes (not liking them, but finally succumbing to the fact that they are part of a babies life).

What... I am 1 month old today?

The best big sister in the world helped Aunt Debbie make 1 month birthday cupcakes for Macie. She was so proud of herself. She would do ANYTHING for her little sister. It is so sweet to watch.

Happy 1 Month Birthday Macie!!!!

This picture cracks me up because it looks like Macie is about to blow out the candle. This is just so sweet. Big Sister and Little Sister.

Little Sister rocking the hair bow

Small town Saturday night

If you are ever wondering just what goes on in a small town on Saturday night... I can show you.


We are pretty lively around her. These pictures were taken around 8:00 and you can see we are already in our pajamas.

Macie fell asleep while laying in her baby gym. Too much playing makes a baby girl very tired.

Kaelin is laying on the floor watching her little DVD player (because football is on the big TV... of course). If you are wondering what Kaelin might be watching... it is the Season 1 of King of the Hill. She absolutely loves King of the Hill. She and Todd watch that show every night, so we bought Seasons 1, 2, and 3 on DVD.

Date Night

Isn't she just the cutest little school girl you have ever seen. Her shirt reads "Smart Girls Rule" and includes lots of bling.

Friday night, Kaelin and Todd had a date night. He took her to a junior high dance at his school. Kaelin was so excited. She wanted to start getting ready Friday morning. I had to remind her that she was not going to the dance until Friday night. She even willingly took a bath and washed her hair so she would be super clean for the dance.

Kaelin and her Friday night date (I did not ask her to pose like that...)

Hopping Butterfly

We had the privilege of attending a Thanksgiving Feast with "Hopping Butterfly" last Thursday. "Hopping Butterfly" is Kaelin's Indian name. I think that is just the most appropriate Indian name for her.

Hopping Butterfly and her daddy

We were entertained by the 4 year old class performing a couple of Thanksgiving songs for us. We got to watch them shake their tail feathers, sing about Mr. Turkey, and do a prayer for us. Todd and I started laughing (very quietly) during the prayer because the stage was crowded with kids, but we could hear Kaelin's voice very loudly as they sang the prayer.

The Entertainer

Kaelin has become our evening entertainment. We never know what type of performance she has concocted for our enjoyment. We usually get some singing, a little dancing, lots of ballet and gymnastics, and occasionally the guitar comes out.

She is absolutely too funny. She will run up the stairs and not come down until you give her a proper introduction. We have to say "Introducing the fabulous Kaelin" and sometimes she has imaginary friends playing in the show, so we have to give them a proper introduction as well or the show just does not happen.

(If you look closely in the background of the picture, you will see a football game on TV. Todd just LOVES it when Kaelin decides to do a performance right in front of the TV when he is watching a football game.- I think it is kind of funny)

Another form of entertainment comes by way of her dress up trunks. She loves to go play dress up. She usually comes down as some sort of princess, but occasionally she comes down as a Mommy. When she decides to be Mommy, we all have to be her kids and she becomes quite bossy. Hmmmm.... I wonder if she is trying to tell me something.