Quality

My hours at work have changed.  I am now working 7-4pm.  I used to work 6-3pm.  Most people may think that 7-4 is the better choice.  I do not feel that way.  I have worked 6-3 for 3 years now.  It works for my family.  Kip doesn't go in until 9am so our children do not have to leave home terribly early.  The biggest transition for me has been the afternoons with the children.  We do not get home until 4:30.  Playtime has been cut down because we have to eat, get baths and go to bed at a decent time.  I am sure that most working mothers struggle with there not being enough hours in the day.  I bet stay at home mothers feel the same way also.  I have been extremely emotional and basically feel like I am not batting a thousand at anything.  I am trying to remember that it is quality of time spent not quantity.  I know that the years of having Callie Grace and Caleb in our home are fleeting.  I truly want to soak in each second that I can.

On to a brighter note...
We did manage to go to the library yesterday afternoon.  We got some really great books.  Callie Grace choose some books on dental health and eye health.  She told me that she wants to go to the grocery store to get some more fruit.  Caleb chose some adventure books that totally fit his personality.  I love that they love going to the library.

When we got home, we did tattoos and made snowflakes.  I haven't done snowflakes in ages and the picture that I took of them will prove it.  They enjoyed making them so I guess that is what matters most.  I have now googled how to make snowflakes so I think we will try again this afternoon!

Callie Grace's tattoo

Caleb's tat (he likes to call it a tat)

Don't laugh...

And last but not least.  Callie Grace wanted to play hair shop.  I obviously have no shame because I am going to post the finished product!

Game Night

We had our first official family game night last night.  It was completely crazy but (I think) the children had fun.  First up, Chutes and Ladders.  I haven't played that game since I was a little girl.  Caleb and I weren't quite as enthralled as CG and Kip, so we stopped with Chutes and Ladders.  Kip and CG went on to play Candy Land.  Callie Grace liked Candy Land the best!

Pumped up and ready to play!

Don't let this face fool you.  She plays to win!

Proof that I was in attendance.  Can you tell that I was in day 4 of a horrible headache?

Tidbits

We enjoyed a nice, long weekend!  Callie Grace spent Thursday night with Moira.  She loves going to spend the night with them.  I think my brother, Callie Grace's Uncle James is the human jungle gym!

So, that meant Kip and I had the night to focus on Caleb!  We took him to Monkey Joe's.  That child LOVES Monkey Joe's!  He jumped on every jumpy castle and made some new friends along the way.  Kip and I have decided to save our money each month so that we can have a Monkey Joe's birthday party for him in September.  Man, that place is expensive for a party but it is going to be so worth it!

Saturday morning, I called my brother to say that we were on the way to pick up CG.  He told me that he had kind of promised them a trip to Chucke Cheese's.  Our family had never been to Chucke Cheese's.  We really had a fun time!

Caleb LOVED riding this horse!

Uncle James and Moira

CG and Moira loved this thing

That night, we watched Kip shoot off some pretty awesome fireworks.  We went to SS and big church on Sunday.  Caleb spend Sunday night with Mimi and Papa because Callie Grace had an 8am dentist appt. this morning.  Kip and I really enjoyed Callie Grace time last night.  I took CG to see Tangled.  We both liked the movie a lot!  When we got home, we played and I painted CG's nails pink.

A picture I took of CG at the movie theater

Frosty the Snowman

We had some very excited children on Sunday morning.  To say they loved the snow is the understatement of the year!

The little girl who loves to pose for a picture!

Frosty the snowman!

Callie Grace got Kip with a BIG snowball!

Caleb was eating the snow!

Once they were frozen, they came in to warm up and watch a movie!

Christmas

We enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Day.  Caleb asked if Crosson was at Jesus' birthday party.  I told him that he definitely was at his party!

Santa was good to Callie Grace and Caleb...

CG's stash

Caleb's stash

Daddy and Caleb putting Criss Cross Crash together

We enjoyed seeing all of Callie Grace and Caleb's cousins on Christmas Day.  We had Uncle James and Moira over for breakfast.  Then, we went to Aunt Trudy's for lunch.  Lastly, we went to Aunt de's for dinner.  Each visit was special.  The children were loved on so much.  I am extremely thankful for our families.

Christmas Eve

We went to Miss Cindy's house for breakfast and to open presents.  Callie Grace and Caleb were so excited!  They loved everything but CG especially loved her doll with the rocking horse and her camera.  Aunt Mandy and Uncle JB gave her a Pinkalicious dress to wear.  She wore it for 2 days straight!:)  Caleb loved the Alphie robot and Weeble Wobbles.


CG's camera

Cabugs

CG with her dad and new baby

Pinkalicious girl

We also went to visit Kip's dad and stepmom.  I took absolutely no pictures but we had a fun time!

Christmas Eve night, the babies sang 2 songs at church.  Precious.

My sweet babies



And one more time!

After the church service, our friends Lori and Gerald came over for dinner and more presents.  The children love spending time with them!



Gerald, Callie Grace, Caleb and Lori

We had a very special Christmas Eve filled with lasting memories.  The babies helped me make cookies and sit them out for Santa.  They were so excited that it was difficult to go to sleep but they finally did it!!

Let's Get Together

My friend Christmas get together was last Tuesday night.  These are friends that I have had since middle school/high school.  These friends know the good, the bad and the ugly.  And, I know the same about them!  These friends are married and have babies.  Yet, when we get together, I still see them as teenagers.

Many of these friends stood by me as I buried my mama, married Kip, buried my child and birthed 2 more.  You know what?  It doesn't get much better than that.  Words do not adequately describe my love for them.

Cheers to each of you.  I wish you happiness and peace in the coming year.

Love,
Katherine

Jamie, Amanda and baby Samantha

Shannon and Tiffany

Sommer and Rileigh