Lila's 5th Birthday

My little Lila Bug turned 5 in grand style.  She has never really had a big birthday party, so this was her year.  She knew exactly what she wanted right down to cake flavor and napkin color.  So we had a peace sign themed party at the Big Bounce, and I think it was everything she dreamed it would be.  Lila is not a kid who demands attention, and I was glad to do something for her where she got to be the star.

The following Monday, which was Lila's actual birthday, we decorated her door.  I couldn't wait for her to wake up.  She was pretty impressed with the glittery "5".  We all wore party hats at breakfast and the birthday girl got to start off the day with a big piece of cake. 

It is cliche', but I can't believe Lila is already 5.  I can still remember every detail of the day she was born like it happened yesterday.  She was and still is our miracle baby.  She has grown into quite a creative, independent and articulate little girl.  She is small but fierce.  When she makes up her mind to do something, there is no stopping her.  She fixes her own ponytails in the morning and dresses herself for school.  She loves to play restaurant, and loves to help cook and do crafts, and she loves to watch Duck Dynasty.  Lila transitioned into being a Big Sister better than I ever could have imagined, and like her Aunt Jana and Nanny, she seems to be a baby person. She has natural instincts about babies.  She talks calmly to them when they are crying, and if she sees they are playing with something that they shouldn't have she will offer them another toy.  She is quite a thinker, and makes me laugh all the time.  This is a conversation we had the other day.

Lila:  Thank you, Mommy, for helping me clean my room.  I will pay you.

Me:  Lila, I'm your Mom.  You don't have to pay me.  I help you and you help me.  That's the way it works.

Lila:  But...I want to be paid.  

I call her "the negotiator".  It is really hard for her to take "no" for an answer, and she always has a counter offer (which really gets on my nerves).  She has a reward chart that she puts stickers on and when she gets 25 stickers she can pick something from the dollar section at Target.  The other day she comes up and says, "I only need 6 more stickers, but can I just have the cash?"

Christmas 2012

I was very much looking forward to Christmas this past year.  Probably because last year I was very pregnant, and spent Christmas on my couch trying not to go into labor, and my participation in Christmas activities was minimal.  I knew it would be a crazy whirlwind, but I was determined to enjoy every bit of it.  

We woke up on Christmas Eve with a big surprise...Santa had come early!!!  He left a note saying he knew we would be getting up early on Christmas Day to leave town, so after the Trail of Lights closed the night before, he brought over our gifts, so we would have time to enjoy them.  

The little girls got Pillow Racers, and Crayola Wonder markers, and Lila got a pink "wild style" scooter, but I think her favorite gift was...

Furball the Furby.  In fact, I think the quote was, "your the best Mommy in the whole world".  That made standing in line (at HEB:  they ran them on sale for $20) for the annoying little thing worth it.

Also a favorite was her very own Guy Harvey fishing t-shirt

 The little girls loved their new smart phones,

and Landry had the best time putting this bow on the tree and then taking it off.

We had a great day relaxing at home and then it was off to Church and then to Gran's.

We were very excited because we got to meet our cousin Gracie for the first time.  Lila had been talking about playing with Gracie for days, and tracking their journey from Colorado to Texas.

Gran liked her wreath.  I was thrilled to give this to her.  I really like to give gifts; I totally look forward to seeing people open what I give them.  I was so excited to give that Furby and this wreath.

These guys had a great time handing out gifts, and they did a pretty good job reading the names on the tags.  I remember when I was a kid how thrilled I was to pass out the gifts

 A highlight was this Duck Dynasty wig that Scott gave Jai.  Everyone had a good time trying it on

Christmas morning we were on the road to Hallettsville.  I missed not being with family at all for any holidays last year.  Our holidays are so laid back; there is not one ounce of formality and anything/everything goes

 There was pyramid building...

 napping...

and skeet shooting (also some side betting on the skeet shooting).

Next, it was on to Nana's house for more opening

So, Natalie got a daschund necklace, a daschund Christmas tree skirt and a daschund golf club cover.  She's really young to be compared to the old crazy cat ladies, but just sayin' I think I know what her future holds.

So, it was a crazy whirlwind, but we are so blessed to have so much family to celebrate with.

Pre-Christmas Fun

We did a lot of Pre-Christmas activities this year.   We started off the weekend after Thanksgiving in Hallettsville at the Courthouse Lighting and parade

My favorite from the kiddie parade was the grandparents being pulled by their reindeer grandkids.  My overall favorite was these old 1940 Farmall Tractors wrapped in lights (There were 6 in all wrapped in all different colors).  A close second was a float titled "Home For Christmas" sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of a soldier saluting the flag.  There is nothing like a small town Christmas.  The whole town is draped in lights and decorations.

My favorite business decoration was this Santa driving an oil field truck filled with toys, and in the window they had little work boots instead of stockings.

Lila, Granny Greer and I went to the live Nativity.  I haven't seen this in years, but it hasn't lost any of the magic.  They have live animals, and singing and dancing.  It is quite a production.  It was by far my favorite holiday activity.  It was a great chance to slow down and focus on the true meaning of Christmas

Next stop on our pre-Christmas tour was the Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade.  This was our first time going, and we had a blast.  I highly recommend it. 

They had all the kiddos' favorites:  Abby Cadabby, Elmo, Curious George, Clifford.  There was live music and of course Chuy's can't do anything without Elvis and the Chuy's Fish.  My favorite was the police bagpipers.  Each child brings a toy to the parade, and toward the end of the parade, trucks come around and all the kids load their toys in the truck beds to donate to the Blue Santa toy fund.  

Next up, was Lila's school Christmas program.  Her class performed routines to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas.  My bug was front and center and performed like a pro:  Singing her heart out and dancin' up a storm.

Lastly, we went to the Trail of Lights.  This was also a first time thing for us.  It was an adventure for sure.  The Reeds and Cashes came along for the ride.  It was very pretty, but very very crowded.  

Football 2012

Halloween 2012

Halloween 2012

Lila-Witch

Audrey-Pumpkin

Landry-Ghost

The girls were troopers.  Lila and Charli took turns pulling the littles in the wagon, and they had a blast.  They would wave their little treat bags at people like they knew what they were for, and they loved the glow sticks.  Once again, our neighborhood went above and beyond for Halloween.  One house and hot dogs and chili for everyone, and another made cotton candy for the kiddos.