Christmas 2011: mission accomplished

While this Christmas was definitely less hectic than last (newborn baby=chaos), Christmas still kept us busy. Christmas Eve we went to the Ruffs' house so the grandkids could decorate cookies for Santa. This did not take long because the kids were eyeing the un-opened presents. Kate did not care about opening her gifts but spent her time fighting Daniel and Brooke's puppy Bronx for dog toys and treats. Lindsey and Benton knew what to do though, and they loved opening gifts. Benton got a tad overwhelmed and just kept saying "I want to open MORE presents." Daniel and Brooke gave him his first Star Wars toys, and they were definitely his favorite new "men" (as opposed to "bad guys," the two classes of humans in his world).

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The next stop Christmas Eve was Anne and Chris Fairey's house for the Morris family dinner. This was Anne's first year to host, and it was a success. Since they have a playroom upstairs, we did not see Lindsey, Benton, Tripp, or Anne's girls for a couple of hours (until they got hungry just when dessert was served...hmmm...). Kate and Sophie both made a quick appearance then settled in for bed. After dinner we loaded up and headed home to put out Santa's cookies, bid Chippy the elf farewell, and get the kids in bed to await Santa's arrival.

Christmas day we woke up to discover that Santa did indeed arrive. Lindsey has told everyone all season that she wants a Belle Princess Like Me doll, and Santa delivered. She was ecstatic. Benton changed his list daily, but at one point he wanted a batcave, and he was certainly excited when he saw the Batcave (and the man, Robin, and the bad guy, Joker). Every time Benton opened a gift this season, he squealed, "That's just what I wanted!!!" Kate had a couple of gifts but was content to open a bag of puffs and eat breakfast while the kids opened gifts.

We loaded up the car, and, since it was Christmas, let Shelby go with us to Tupelo. We threatened (as we do every year) to put a bow on Shelby and leave her with my dad, her favorite human. We had a brunch in Tupelo, then round three of presents began. Once again, Benton got just what he wanted, Lindsey loved all her gifts, and Kate slept through the fun. Although it was sad to spend Christmas without Ben's family, the kids are at an age that just makes Christmas a delight. We capped off Christmas with a movie (Chipmunks for kids and me, Mission Impossible for the men) then stayed in Tupelo. Today David and my dad went after-Christmas shopping, and I met up with my closest friends from high school for our annual Starbucks reunion. Being out of the routine left Benton confused, as evidenced by him asking my mom all day, "Are we going to church?" and "B, do you know God?" Benton can throw a fit like no other, but he definitely keeps us entertained.

It was a merry Christmas for us, and we are grateful for the family and friends in our lives that make us feel loved all year long.

Happy birthday, baby girl!

Today is Kate's first birthday! It must be fun to have two older siblings around birthdays, because they make the day an event. Kate's party will be in January, but we are still celebrating at home today. Yesterday Lindsey and Benton had friends over, and they wanted to decorate a gingerbread-man-shaped cookie cake for Kate. After decorating, before they would eat, they insisted on sticking a candle in it and singing happy birthday. Kate loved all the fuss over her.

Today L&B woke Kate up by singing happy birthday again. Her big day started on a sour note with a checkup at the doctor that included a finger prick and three shots. She was not a happy girl, but she soon perked up. David took off today, so the whole family went to Newk's (all the kids love to eat there; Kate and I shared a five cheese pesto pizza, so she was covered in green). Then we went to the cupcake store. Lindsey picked out a vanilla cupcake with santa hat icing, Benton picked out a chocolate cupcake with Christmas tree icing, and Kate got her first ever cupcake. Oh, how she loved it!

..Kate has been such a blessing since the hospital sent her home a year ago in a stocking. She is our little ham and loves to make others laugh. She adores her brother and sister and keeps us laughing with her antics. Happy first birthday, Kate a roo!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth

This has been Benton's theme song this year, but now Lindsey can join him. She lost her first tooth Friday! She had been saying her tooth hurt for a while, and the dentist said it was just loose. She complained all Thursday night about it and could not sleep or eat (she can be a tad dramatic). When she got to school Friday, Miss Natalie took care of it and pulled the tooth! I was in Tupelo and got a text from Natalie with a picture of my snaggle-toothed girl. There is no better place to lose a tooth than at school, because you get to wear a sticker, the class sings the tooth song to you, and you go on the lost tooth board. And the best reason to lose a tooth at school is because mom does not have to pull it!

On "wear your festive Christmas attire" day, Lindsey claimed to be a reindeer wearing an elf hat. She got mad that people kept saying she was a cute elf.



These are from the annual mother/daughter tea at church hosted by some of Lindsey's friends. I had to leave early, so I did not get any pictures of the actual cookie decorating, but I snapped a couple of the pre-game coloring pages.



Remembering MaCille

It does not seem fair that my grandmother died right before Christmas, but it is also certainly not fair that some people never get a family member like MaCille in their lives. I know the best Christmas present she could get was walking up to Jesus and being reunited with her husband. In fact, she will get to spend her first Christmas with him in 13 years, so we need to rejoice for that.

I am blessed to have had my grandmother in my life for 31 years. She met all three of my children. Kate will not remember her, but we have pictures to prove she knew her. I am sure MaCille sang "ba-oh, baby" to her as well as countless other children who she has rocked in her lap.
Benton and MaCille got along fabulously because they are both great snugglers. The last time we were at her house while she was healthy, Benton ran right in and jumped in her lap. He also loved her walker because it was the perfect place to store his toys.
Lindsey will remember MaCille, and not just because she has the memory of an elephant. In fact, yesterday Lindsey was writing (her favorite hobby) and needed her pencil sharpened, so she brought me the pencil and a little wooden pencil sharpener shaped like a rooster. I asked if she knew where that sharpener came from, and she said, "Of course. MaCille gave it to me because I like to write." MaCille also loved to read, and I think that hobby skipped a generation and landed with me (like how sewing skipped me but hopefully will land on Lindsey). But what Lindsey will forever be indebted to MaCille for is her bobby. Anyone who knows Lindsey knows that bobby is her lovey that has slept with her every night of her five years of life (and isn't showing signs of going anywhere anytime soon). MaCille gave me bobby at Lindsey's baby shower. So MaCille's memory will live on in our house through a worn-out but well-loved blankie.

I have the special honor of keeping MaCille's memory forever through my name. My first name was also her first name. I do not think any other child, grandchild, or great-grandchild was named after her, so I am very thankful for the name Mary. It's funny that in high school I hated having a double name and wanted to drop the Mary, and MaCille did not like that idea at all. However, she did not go by Mary herself.

On a side note, as I have been writing, I've tried spelling MaCille several ways. I think each grandchild probably has his own spelling of her name. I guess that is why mom picked B as her grandmom name--no way to misspell that one.

We will miss MaCille in this house, but we are all better off for knowing her.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears teh Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31: 28-30

Breakfast with Santa

We took the kids to breakfast with Santa at Cedar Hill Farm on Saturday morning. Benton is a bit skeptical of the big guy this year, and he keeps saying he just wants to call Santa. We walked into the breakfast and Benton got a bit shy. As we stood in line to see Santa, Benton acted brave. It was our turn.

Lindsey ran and jumped in his lap and promptly told him she wanted a Princess Like Me Belle doll. Benton clung to my leg several feet away, so he told Santa from afar that he wanted Transformers. At this point, we put Kate in the lap with Lindsey and attempted to get a picture.

(I love how Kate and Santa are looking at each other. They both looked surprised to see the other, then she SCREAMED!)

We ate a delicious breakfast, then it was time to go. The adorable ending to this morning was that Santa gave each child a book that he wrote a personal note in. Lindsey of course loved this part. However, this is where Benton's breakdown began. He told Santa he asked for a Transformer, not a book. He was adamant that Santa was ruining Christmas. The elf worker tried desperately to explain to Benton that the book was just a little treat and the Transformers would come on Christmas day, but there was no consoling the kid.

Outside the restaurant was the farm, and Benton calmed down quickly when he saw all the animals. There were precious baby goats and sheep to pet and even a peacock (side note: the night before a bird flew into our house. So random and so creepy. Benton thought we had a peacock in our house. So he assumed the peacock at the farm had found its way home). All was merry and bright at this point, so we decided it was a great time to load up and head home. At which point Benton began breakdown #2: he wanted to see the monkeys (at the farm. Because why wouldn't there be monkeys at a farm?).

The newest Ruff

Our family welcomed a new member Thanksgiving weekend...Chippy the Elf! We knew about the Elf on the Shelf when Lindsey was little, but at the time we did not get one because we knew it would scare her. Plus, its initial intention was to "watch" misbehaving children and tell Santa, and we knew she would not like that idea. But fast forward to this year, where a certain three-year-old needs his every move recorded and reported to the big jolly ole man. The Elf on the Shelf movie came on tv, and as the kids were watching Lindsey told Benton it was a nonfiction movie. Without thinking, I corrected her. Lindsey's response, "It's about Santa and his elves. What could make it fiction?" Smooth move, mom. At this point, we decided we needed an elf. So the kids napped and I ran to Target, and the kids awoke to Chippy on the tree.
Since then he has appeared in many crazy places around the house, and the kids always get a good laugh.
Until the day Chippy messed with Benton's toys.
We have a few toys for Kate on our mantel in the living room, so I thought it would be funny to put Chippy in the back of one of Benton's toy trucks. Benton, however, did not see the humor in Chippy playing with his toys, so as soon as he spotted the elf Benton ran to the living room and chunked the elf across the room while yelling "MY TOY!". Meanwhile, Lindsey broke down in a sobbing fit because Chippy loses his magic flying power when you touch him. Luckily, Benton calmed down enough to apologize and Lindsey was satisfied that an apology would make him fly again, so all is well in our house. Until the next breakdown...

So much to be thankful for

Another successful Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the kids are watching the DVR-ed Macy's parade as I get Christmas decor out of the closet. Three kids after my own heart.

Monday night David's life-long friend Michael and his wife and daughter came over to eat and play. Lindsey entertained all the little ones so the adults could catch up. We are so thankful Lindsey is learning to read (and loves to read) so she can entertain little people for us.

Tuesday we went to eat at David's uncle Jim and aunt Missy's house in Hernando. Some of their family was in town, and it was good to fellowship with that side of the Ruff clan. Benton loves his cousin Tripp, and the moment they see each other someone says, "Wanna wrestle?" and they run off to do their three-year-old thing. Funny story about Kate and baby Sophie. Kate lost her lovey sometime over the weekend. We thought she was too young to be attached and pulled another one out of the closet. Tuesday when Emily arrived and put Sophie's car seat down, Kate spotted Sophie's lovey (which looks exactly like Kate's, but has Sophie's monogram). Kate crawled over with lightning speed, snatched up the lovey, and started doing a baby dance and squeeling. When I would try to take the lovey away, Kate put a death grip on it and did her pteradactyl scream. So Sophie agreed to let Kate keep it for the night, and we went to the children's store early Wednesday to buy Kate a new one.


Wednesday night was the spot on the calendar Lindsey has talked about for weeks. This was the night she was invited to her first Girl's Night Out. Nani took Emily, Brooke, Lindsey and me to dinner and the Orpheum to see the musical White Christmas. I got Lindsey dressed in her Christmas outfit (breaking a rule of etiquette before Thanksgiving, but it was a necessity). We went to Houston's to eat, and Lindsey passed the time there writing out her family tree. These days her favorite pasttimes are writing names of everyone she knows and writing out math problems. It is obvious she is my child; hopefully we can intervene early and find her some hobby that involves something other than academics. After dinner we went to Starbucks and Lindsey had her first S'bucks beverage: hot chocolate. She was adorable sitting at the counter with all of the adults, sipping her hot drink out of the red cup. Then we headed downtown. There were activities for children before the musical began, beginning with Santa. (This year Lindsey is anxious to tell Santa what is on her list, but Benton keeps saying he just wants Santa to call him.) There were also crafts for the kids, so of course Lindsey was in her element and we eventually drug her from the crafts table and found our seats. The musical was wonderful! And to my astonishment, Lindsey stayed awake for the whole thing. I'm talking about 11:00 and she was still wide awake talking about her favorite parts of the musical (the song "Sisters," which ironically is also Nani's favorite song from the musical, and the farmer man who only had one line).

Thursday we switched up our usual routine and went to Booneville to visit Macille, then we headed to Tupelo to enjoy lunch with my family. Now that there are five little ones there is never a dull moment. Luckily it was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy playing outside (the boys all hit golf balls; Lindsey wrote names on a family tree). It was a bittersweet holiday because Ben and Ashley and the boys are moving to Baltimore this weekend. Selfishly I'm sad I won't be able to see Wilson and Charlie every time I'm in Oxford, but I know this is a great opportunity for them and they are blessed to have her family nearby. On our ride home from Tupelo we started planning a road trip to Baltimore--this just gives us a great place to visit.

Thankful for all our blessings.

Who needs football?

Clearly, the Ole Miss faithful do not. Because we still manage to have a blast in the Grove every Saturday, even right before we watch the Rebs lose....to LA Tech...on Homecoming. Oh well, we can't have it all, and I'll take the #1 tailgating ranking right now. Yesterday was our last game for the season (we have the good sense to skip the last home game against LSU, the #1 team in the nation). This season worked so well with a sitter at the Ruffs' apartment for the kids so we could let them play in the Grove then ship them off and enjoy the game without kids. If we could enjoy the games, that is. So Lindsey and Benton played with their cousin Wilson while Kate charmed everyone into giving her bites of cookies.

When we were walking up to the Grove, we had our three kiddos, and Brooke was with us with her puppy Bronx. Two college girls walked up and started oohing and aahing over Bronx. "How cute!" "He's so adorable!" "What's his name?" To which Benton proudly replied, "Benton." He knows how to win over the ladies.

Community helper day at school.  Lindsey is a cook.  Benton is Batman, because he helps the community fight crime.

Halloween

This little piggy went trick or treating....

Little Red Riding Hood and Benton the Terrible pirate, ready to trick or treat.

I usually detest Halloween. It's my least favorite day. The only redeeming thing about Halloween is that when it is over, my favorite season of all starts. I love the Thanksgiving through Christmas season--the music, the food, the red cups at Starbucks, all of it. But this year, I was pleasantly surprised by a wonderful Halloween.

We started celebrating Saturday with a neighborhood fall social. The kids enjoyed playing with their friends, and so did the adults. Kate retired early to head to bed, which worked out great for David who needed to get home to watch a miserable Ole Miss game.

Sunday we had our church fall festival, and oh my, our church knows how to throw a fall festival. There were big bouncy inflatables, two little carnival rides, every fall game you can imagine, crafts, balloon animals (or sword and flower for my two), and even an area for infants to play in a miniature ball pit and get their pictures made for a craft. The organizers truly thought of everything.

At this point, I thought my kids would have had enough of Halloween and would be content to go to our neighbor's house to trick or treat then call it a night (it worked last year). Oh, how mistaken I was. We met up with a gaggle of toddlers and their parents at the Halls' house and followed the toddlers around the neighborhood. They were little and they were cute, but they were serious about some trick or treating. Kate hung out in the pouch with me and the other adults. Benton went to the first house, said "twick or tweat" with his adorable toothless smile, and scored some loot. He ran to me and said "Mommy! Her gave me a tweat!" He then realized he was behind the crew who had already headed to the next door, so he took off running and caught up with them. Then he ran back to me and said, "Mommy! Her gave me a tweat too!!" He was amazed that the people kept giving him treats. And some of the ladies were charmed by his adorable toothless grin and gave him handfuls of candy. Once we made it around the front loop, it was dark and getting cold, but the kids would not be shaken. One of our friends drove up on his four wheeler with a hayride attached to the back, so the kids and dads hopped on and headed to the back loop for more candy.

dads pulling the kids uphill. I was walking with a baby attached to me, so I did not pity them.

Now we have retired the well-worn costumes and are flipping through the Toys R Us catalog anticipating what Santa will bring

Picture update

We tried all afternoon to get this ornery little guy to pose for a picture with his cousins. Defeated, we came home. I hung this cute pumpkin that Emily made for us on the fence to get a picture, and Benton jumped beside it and said CHEESE!

Neighborhood girls at the neighborhood Halloween party. Lindsey, Abby Grace, Madilyn, Lily, and Hayley

Of course Benton picked the seat on the hayride by Mimi, his favorite girl. They are quite a pair!

Everything goes in her mouth. I mean, it's a dirty pumpkin. I don't know why I thought I could get a cute picture of her sitting beside the pumpkins, because the picture of her with a pumpkin in her mouth is much more realistic.

Girls on the hayride. AG and Maddie were waving to Kate (I took most of the pictures while holding Kate, which is pretty impressive).

Kate loves ritz crackers. Who am I kidding? Kate loves food. Period. But here she is indulging in two handfuls of crackers.