Catching Up

The day after Hayden, Payson and Madison's birthday party weekend, I cancelled our playdate plans and declared a "Pajama Day." I was exhausted, the kids needed some down-time, and they also needed the chance to finally open their presents and play with them. The kids were excited to stay in their jammies all day, and we had a great time at home.

The day before, we had gone to a Cowboys game while Grammy and GP graciously agreed to watch the kids back at home. I ran into Santa Claus decked out in blue. I felt bad for all of the kids that were hoping to see him dressed in red at the mall for pictures that day, because he decided to come to the Cowboys game instead.

The stadium, which we first experienced as Party Passers at the OU game last September, was super cool and our seats were incredible. The big screen is enormous and even though our seats were so close to the field, we had to keep reminding ourselves to watch the field, not the screen (out of habit from having a much worse view).

That evening after the kids' party, we headed to a nearby Christmas festival. It was quite cold so we bundled everyone up. Thankfully they love wearing their hats and mittens so we have no power struggles there... yet!

There was some fake snow coming down from a window and
Hayden tried her best to catch some.

Grammy, GP, Aunt Chelsey, Mikayla, Chloe and Emma were in town for the triplets' birthday party. The kids had a blast with their cousins and Hayden loved the extra attention she received due to the higher-than-usual ratio of adults and big kids to little kids. Hayden was thrilled to be holding hands with both Mikayla and Chloe on the way into church on Sunday.

Then, as we left church, she got to hold Grammy and Chloe's hands on the way out. She is so used to fighting over Mommy or Daddy's hands that it was such a treat for her to hold two hands at once.

Hayden, Payson and Madison now regularly have playtime under our bar stools. Madison likes to hand out books to everyone and say, "One for Payson, one for Hayden, one for Madison." It is so cute.

Baby Jesus is a big hit in our house. There is always a battle over who gets to hold and play with the Baby Jesus from our Little People Nativity and from our Advent Calendar. Here Hayden wins carrying two Jesus figures from each set. Mary and "Jofephs" are also highly sought after.

Payson's Daddy gives him a rockin' Mohawk.

My friend, Amanda, always has great activity ideas for her identical twin girls that are one day younger than my three. We borrowed her rice box idea and while it went well, I think it turned into a much bigger mess than she had at her house. The kids loved it though, and it will definitely become a weekly activity.

I got this next idea from Amanda as well. On Hayden, Payson and Madison's last day as one-year-olds, we brought out some shaving cream for some squishy, messy fun. Hayden really liked smooshing the shaving cream through her fingers.

Payson is sometimes hesitant of new things but he jumped right in and before long his face was covered in shaving cream. Although it seems far off, it won't be long before he's putting shaving cream on his face on purpose!

Madison had a blast getting messy, as usual!