Christmas in January

Grandma and Grandpa Mehmen came to visit last week and we got to celebrate Christmas in January!  The kids were super excited to open some more presents...and I have to say the transport of these gifts was quite easy this year!  Maybe we should start having the Mehmen Christmas in KC!?!  Just teasing...we love to come to the farm for Christmas!  It was fun having them here for a few days.

Jackie-time

We have gotten to experience some neat things lately with Jackie.  First, being her very first go at playing basketball.  She has done great and seems to enjoy it.  She's been doing well with her dribbling and has even made some baskets.  I really like the league they are in.  It is 3 on 3 and the referees are there to keep the game going and help the girls learn about the game.  It's totally low key and definitely been a good experience so far.  They practice for the first 30 minutes and then have a game for the second 30 minutes.  It has been so fun to watch them play!

Jackie's class at school also put on their first Mass today.  It was such a neat thing to see.  Those 1st graders did amazing!  They did everything from the readings, singing, etc.  Jackie's duty was in the chorus and to announce each of the songs.  She read with such confidence and we were so proud of her!  She even came down with a nasty cold today, but didn't want to miss doing Mass. Luckily all the teachers bring a box of tissues with them to Mass!

Bath Time Fun!

Bath night is an event at our house! It takes a lot to clean all 40 toes and 40 fingers!  That's probably why it only happens like twice a week...hence our stinky kids ;) At least it's winter and they aren't outside sweating and playing in the dirt much.   Anyway, I have to give John all the credit on bath night, because he does most of it.  I handle Josie, and then fill in where needed.  Most the time, I'm just taking care of Josie and before I know it, the rest are done.

I got out my camera the other night to get a few shots of Josie in her bunny towel, etc.  It was the first bath she has taken and not cried!  In fact, she was giggling!  She was teamed up with Gwen that night, and she loves to laugh at Gwen!

After baths the kids were hanging out in Josie's room...Beau was putting on a "show" on Josie's stage!

Of course, he was dancing to the music of the Frozen Elsa bank!

5 Months Old

Little Miss Josie Bean is 5 months old today.  As you can see from the pictures, she is quite active!  She is starting to sit up on her own, she loves her toes, and she waves her hands like crazy when she is excited!  I officially retired her 3 month old clothes yesterday.  She hasn't been sleeping the greatest...but will hopefully be back on the right track soon.  She is however, taking regular naps in her crib and going to bed at 7-730pm these days.  For her 5 month old birthday she received her first cold.  She was so congested last night that I ended up having her sleep in her car seat, so she could be elevated.  It helped and allowed everyone to get a little sleep around here.

She started eating cereal this past week, and has been doing well with it.  I kind of forgot how "different" the diaper situation is though, after having cereal mixed with formula ;)  I am hoping starting some solids, will allow her to sleep a little more sound...once we fight off this cold!  My suspicions is that she might be cutting a tooth already too.  We will see about that...

Josie loves to smile and laugh (especially at Gwen...it must be her little squeaky voice!).  She would much rather be propped up, sitting in the bumbo, or in the exersaucer.. than laying around on her back.  She is still on the verge of rolling...she can pretty much do it, but just needs a little boost at the end with her arm.

Happy 5 Months Josie!

Movie Night

We had "movie" night the other night...which really isn't anything out of the ordinary in our house these days.  However, this time we popped popcorn and had candy that Aunt Angie and Uncle Joe gave the kids.  So this made "movie" night even that more special.  The kids thought it was so fun.  Gwen is displaying the movie of choice..."Barbie and the Secret Door."  Good thing Beau really doesn't care, he was just more interested in the M&Ms.  This was our Grand Finale to Christmas Break!

I know John and I were ready to get back on somewhat of a schedule around here.  However, I have to admit...sleeping in a little and not having to worry about getting anyone ready and out the door was nice for the last two weeks.  Gwen extended her break a little today by waking up with a croupy cough, but she seems to be ok and we will all be back to a schedule by Wednesday.

So This Is Christmas

So I'm not going to lie...it was maybe a less than desirable Christmas time this year. Christmas Day itself was actually wonderful. Kids slept in, Josie slept through the night, and everyone was just well behaved and completely happy all day. Leading up to Christmas and the after part has been a little rough. Sickness has overcome us this month and pulling off Christmas was just a little hard and exhausting. I was literally shopping up until the 11th hour. And, honestly...I still don't have it finished.

 We had a great time at the Kennedy Christmas...which was a big plus. But missed the Mehmen Christmas due to everyone falling victim to the stomach virus around here. So anyway, if we could have a do over season...this would be my season of choice. But we move on, and we look forward to the New Year and everything ahead of us.

We are really so blessed beyond measure. Even though things didn't exactly go as planned this year...seeing the smiling faces of our kiddos makes you realize all the other stuff really doesn't matter. So Merry Belated Christmas everyone and here's to a HEALTHY and happy New Year!