Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Card Photos

Always an adventure!  This year really wasn't as bad as some years.

Short version:
take picture
drink
order card

Long version....

We have one day a week where we don't have any after-school activities.  It was overcast, but decent temperature.  Chet was out of town, so I jumped on the opportunity ;)  Plus this was my one and only idea, so I just went with it.

Kids were actually really excited when I told them what they were going to do.

I was super excited thinking I got a usable shot the first time around.

























But the kids asked to do it again though....who am I to say no to more pictures?!





























































































Glitter and "snow" was getting slightly out of hand at this point...


























































Not sure what round we were on when Cru finally had it figured out....just give it one big blow!

















































Ok, now everyone do it just like Cru....

























What the hell?

Reese just watched it fall out of the bottom of her hands.

I felt steam come out of my ears at this point.

Cru wanted to do it "one more time" so I asked Reese to please cooperate.  She gave me attitude, so I tried a little reverse psychology...."You can just go inside and you will not be in our card if you're going to act like this."

She happily obliged....to go inside, of course.

This is why I do it when Chet isn't around....he would have been shaking his head and pointing out the fact that I should have called it good with the first shot I got; always pushing the limits.

I had to take my "offer" back to not be in our card and convince her to do it "one more time" ....


































She still wasn't getting a treat though.

















































And then I poured myself a drink....should have done that before I took pictures!  It made ordering our card a much easier process though!




I have a habit of making this process way harder than it needs to be.  Thankful I have amazing little people who forgive easily...and appreciate a good bribe ;)


Anyone else run to the mailbox every day in December ♥♥♥

Friday, December 19, 2014

Santa in the Hood


Definitely, one of my favorite traditions!


























































Books for everyone!

















































What they are hoping Santa brings them....

Cru - bike
























Wish I could get the video to upload of Cru telling Santa how he wants a bike!  Santa replied, "A bike? Are you big enough for a bike?!"  Cru said, "Yeah!  I have a GIRL bike!"  It was awesome!

Everlee - another book like the one he just brought haha!  I think she was star struck!















































Reese - collection of Magic Treehouse books
















































The Allen Family
























The Eilrich Family
























The Cooper Family

























They all thought his beard was sooo soft....just don't pull it!  Haha!

 

Quick question about Polle before leaving...


































Until next year....



































Thankful for our personal Santa time!

Thankful for togetherness with friends!


















































#nevergetsold

Still trying to figure out how it's even Christmas time again???


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Adventures of Polle Week 2

Still up to no good.  And he has a new pen pal!

































































































































One night, I found a note Reese left for Polle.  She asked if he had friends and what are their names....Happy, Susie, Shelfy, and Elliot.  She was thrilled to read that the next morning!  She took the note to school (without me knowing) to show her friends.  Turns out, Polle's friend, Elliot, is her buddy, Carter's, elf!  That was so cool to a couple eight year olds ;)

That same night, he also did this!



































Reese has written him every night since then.  She asked if they could be pen pals.  Polle said yes....until Christmas Eve.






































































Kids were so excited for hot chocolate and Christmas lights!



And then reality set in....I'm bored, I decided I don't like hot chocolate anymore, I don't like this hot chocolate, my lid tastes funny, are we done yet, I'm tired, can we go home.  So much fun.

Not.

Everlee and Reese were a bit under the weather...don't blame ya, Polle!





























































After a busy weekend, the kids found him Monday morning wrapped in Reese's blanket napping in a basket.

It wasn't until "he moved" Monday night, that I realized I never took a picture of him.

Side note - I'm discovering, the ornerier Polle is, the more Reese ponders.  She's never doubted if he's real, but you can see the wheels turning.  She's challenging me ;)

Sunday, December 14, 2014

If you follow me on Instagram (clearly I LOVE it!), you may have seen some pictures (and/or hashtags) posted of Everlee that made you wonder what she's up to.

Or maybe not.

But I have had a few people ask, so here's the story....if you don't care, you don't need to read any further ;)

A couple months ago, I found this super cute boutique on Instagram - CUTEY_PATUTEYSBOUTIQUE.  I don't remember how...maybe another business I follow tagged the boutique?  Anyways, I instantly fell in love!  Adorable, adorable girls clothing ♥

I had only been following them for a month, maybe less, and made a handful of purchases, when the shop owner announced that she was looking for brand reps.  She was going to have a week long contest where you could submit three photos, and she would pick three winners when the week was up.

I initially thought, "Heck yes!  We love her clothes, I'm entering Everlee!" 

Then, I thought, "Umm, no way."

I told Chet about it (not sure what he would think), and he immediately said, "Go for it! What do you have to lose?"

Ok.

So, I "submitted" (post on Instagram and use a certain hashtag) these three photos....







    
































Once I submitted her photos, I looked in on the "competition" for about a day, then honestly, forgot about it.

What do you know, a week later, I was contacted from the shop owner that Everlee was chosen!

I was shocked.

I mean, I thought she'd be a great rep....


































but I'm a bit biased ;)

Skirt above is from the boutique.

So, basically, the shop owner sends me (FREE) clothes each month, I take a picture of Everlee wearing whatever she sends, and post it.  I post certain hashtags the shop owner has asked me to use as well.

Here is the first outfit she "repped"....


































We received the skirt and the adorable boot socks, and I paired them with headband, top, vest, and boots that Everlee already had.  There are so many options for this skirt!  Love it!

What I love about this boutique....free US shipping on ALL orders!  She has great prices and loves to flash a good sale!  And you'll receive a coupon code for 20% with your first couple purchases!


Wearing cute clothes and taking pictures is Everlee's thing, so I am happy I made the decision to submit photos.

Plus, she's my sidekick....I'm ALWAYS snapping pictures of her.  She makes it so easy!


































We are very proud!

I love seeing her almost four year old carefree, I-live-in-my-own-little-world outlook on life radiate in pictures.

























We should all take note.




































So, that's the story.  She's now a #cuteypatuteybrandrep :)



































Here's a link to the boutique, if you're interested!