More Personality Than You Realize

Dear Ben, 

When the Good Lord made you, he probably giggled the entire time!  In every little bone in your body, you were blessed with a little bit of spunk and personality that is like no other!  Your little smile can melt not just my heart but pretty much anyone you are around!  Your tiny little body going 90 miles a minute keeps everyone on the go!  You are very rarely still little boy!!  The curls that have become your  trademark are quite possibly one of my most favorite things!  Your daddy never loved long hair on boys but your curls fit you to a tee!  The way your little voice sound sounds as you give your thoughts and insights to us on your red cars is like music to my ears!  I could listen to you talk all day long!  Your personality is like no other!  You are energetic, comical, feisty, independent and you have my completely wrapped.  My little one, my last little baby, I don't want anything about you to grow up.  Not even the procrastination you like pulling at the supper table to avoid eating your dinner!   Oh my sweet boy, you mean more to our family than you can ever know!  

So just how does Ben procrastinate eating dinner... oh, just a little game he called "Show Me Picture Mommy" 

 

Yep, you are pretty much the most adorable thing I have ever seen!  

You, my little love, are one child full of personality for sure! 

Christmas Photographic Traditions

It was actually by accident.  The very first Christmas Bubs and I had with little loves (2008) was a year filled with an overload of pictures!  And Christmas time gave me an even bigger reason to be more snap happy than usual!  

When flipping back through out photos from that Christmas, we realized two of our most favorite pics were sweet little moments we captured of C and W during the festive time!  It was from that moment we decided to create a Christmas Photographic Tradition and recreate these 2 moments every year!   

Charlie's Christmas picture is one he will forever be sharing with his dad!  The "Under the Tree" shot!  A shot where you can't see their faces but I can imagine the silly comments they are saying to one another while I snap my 50 pics of the same frame!!   

I love that this picture has been captured through the years!  My heart melts each time I look at these.  One to see how Charlie has grown and two because I know that this little boy means the world to his daddy and to Charlie, his daddy means the world!  And I love seeing them so innocently together under the tree!  

 

Now my Wylie girl!!  Her pic is typically snapped as the festivities of the Christmas season are wrapping up!  For most of her photography shoots, she was pleasant, however, I get a grin on my face when I look at the one where she clearly was not!  

It seems that in the depths of my millions of pics, I have placed one of Wylie's photos in a very well hidden place!  Therefore, we are lacking one of hers!  I know it exists though!!  

Looking at these reminds me how fast time is flying by!  My little Wylie Girl is a sweet little girl who has such a tender heart and soul!  Those eyes have melted me from the moment I first saw them and these pics show thoese beautiful blue eyes off too!  She looks so grown up this year!!  Slow down baby girl!!  

Bad Mother Alert!!  Bessie Boo, I must apologize for this next bit!  Your picture is always one that is taken after the holiday season as well!  We thought for a few days on your first Christmas trying to decide what your "picture" would be.  Somehow we concluded the  Stocking Sweetheart would be your Christmas Photographic Tradition!  That is the good news.  

The bad news is... for some reason, (I am going to blame it on nap time schedules!!)  the stocking were put up several years and the pictures of you were not exactly snapped!  Now... I realize one might be upset by this!  However, I have more pictures of you on the missing Christmases than you will ever really want!  It is just this particular picture might have been snapped !! 

But no time like the present to get back on the horse!!  I love you baby girl! While I feel like the bad mother for not having your pics like your siblings, you probably were taking a fabulous nap instead and that was probably great for you and great for me!!  

Anyways, here we have your Christmas Photographic Traditions!  2009 and 2013!!  Just call me the best mom ever!! 

And last but not least, Baby Ben!!  In the thinking process of what Ben's pictures should be, I stumbled on one of him in my lap.  I love the way he was smiling in his picture and thought as time travels on, this would be a fun picture to recreate every year!  Year 1 was easy!  Year 2 he was on the move making the picture very hard to snap!  We did the best we could!  But this year I decided to revamp Ben's picture for a more individual picture that was more suited for his personality.  

While I must admit, I will probably still keep making him take the lap picture, I can't help but think this year's change up might be a ton of fun through the years also!  

The new and improved Ben pic... 

My heart is so full with love for these babies!  I love this time of year and love being able to look back on these small moments and see how much they have grown and how much our lives have changed in wonderful ways!   

I love you babies!  Lots and Lots! 

Elf-Tastic!

According to Bess, our elves are "funny and ah-lar-i-ous " .  

My kids love Mr. Jingles and Belle.  And while I know there are moms out there who think the elves are creepy or who dread what they are going to do with them, I am not one of those moms.  I love the elves too.   So please don't hate me for getting into this a bit! 

Mr. Jingles and Belle arrived and brought our new Christmas books for this holiday season!  

The kids were beyond thrilled by their arrival.  

And were even more ecstatic about their breakfast treat too!  Of course, Ben only wanted to eat the red parts of the cereal but ya know... the elves were okay with this!  

 

The days after lead to many silly things.  

Bowling and encouraging Ben to go potty where their first 2 adventures!  

 

Hiding in lunchboxes and leaving Christmas Tree Cakes for school lunches and getting creative with Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head!  

 

Cruising Around in the Mystery Mobile with Scooby and Racing through the streets with Spiderman! 

Until they found themselves tangled in a web of colored lights in our kitchen window wreaths!  

Streaming Festive Fun upstairs while the little loves dozed away at night! 

And playing Twister with a few of their long time friends! 

Then they were found hanging from our kitchen pot rack after delivering new Christmas shirts for everyone!!  

Then we all got a laugh when they decided to turn our noses into Rudolph Noses while we slept!  

Those silly elves hung our new Christmas jammies from the ceiling fan

and surprised us one morning before school by giving us a coloring fun tablecloth!  

  They offered us a delicious breakfast of Scrambled Snowballs and Snowball Cereal!

While Charlie slept, those silly elves plastered festive bows anywhere their little hands could reach.  They even thought to decorate his school clothes too! 

Our elves have a hard time leaving!  

This year, they helped to present Charlie with a special Christmas present from Santa! 

And as sad as it was, FINALLY, 2 days after Christmas, our elves left us with one last festive treat before they headed back to the North Pole!  

Mr. Jingles and Belle,  we loved every minute you spent with us!  Thank you for all the laughs you gave us!  Can't wait to see you again next year!!   

Sidebar -  I now have a box of Elf Items that are used by Mr. Jingles and Belle. While I enjoy having fun with the elves, it is nice to have some "back up ideas" tucked away in the attic.  This year, it was brought to my attention that our elves were doing some of the same things as last year!  YIKES and WHAT?  Kids, you aren't suppose to call out the elves for repeating some of their tricks!!  That might hurt their feelings!!  Plus, cause deep late night thinking to your tired momma!!  So, just for the record, I am guessing none of the above elf-tastic things that were done this year can be repeated.  Sure would hate to be called out 2 years in a row!!  Thanks Wylie!!!  

The Joys of Christmas Tree Day!

The Date I should have written this and for some reason or other couldn't (probably laundry...):  Dec. 8th

One of my MOST FAVORITE days of the year is Christmas Tree Day!  I marked it on the calendar this year - probably a month in advance!  I love this day!  I love everything about this day.  

We all cram into the car, together and YES there are Christmas carols playing on the radio!  I preface our departure from the driveway by reminding everyone that this day is one of my favorites and to please make it enjoyable!  Then I proceed to go through what could make it unenjoyable... fussing, whining, tattling, complaining about how long it might take... all the best lines I can think of!  And then, we hit the road!  

The road can be short, or the road might be long!  I never know because searching for the perfect tree is not a time limit kind of thing.  You just know your tree when you see it!  Might find it at spot #1, might not.  No complaining, remember that was a rule!

This year, stop #1 was ... NOT the spot!  While we did enjoy a nice family photo thanks to their props, our family christmas tree, the perfect tree, was NOT at spot #1.   So being the very particular tree loving mother I am, I reloaded my children and smiled at the love of my life and off we went to spot #2.  

 

Spot #2 = Nope.  Our tree was not there either.  

Should have known because my camera was also choosing to be difficult at this tree farm.  This was the best pic I got at that location!  See... it was a sign! 

 

What to do ?   Why of course... load everyone up again, in search of spot #3!! 

Spot #3... SUCCESS!! 

When I tell you our family tree was dead center as you walked in and was standing proudly in front of us... I am not lying!!  In fact, the trees in front of it were gone so it was large and in charge and right there for me to see!!  

I also will not lie and say I did not suffer over this decision.  Bubba likes to give his input but he knows how much I love Christmas Trees and how this decision is massive in my book!!  He is totally okay and patient with me as I ask for trees to be measured and walk around them fifty times and stare at them from every angle!!  Bless his bones!  This year, he even had our tape measure ready to use just in case the tree people didn't  !!  LOVE HIM!!   

After a very long deliberating session and after having the poor tree boys move the tree to an open spot so we could really see the tree... my heart was super excited about spot #3 and our perfect Christmas Tree!    

Onwards we headed to the homestead!  Perfect Tree and kids!   

Christmas Tree Day would not be complete without my dad!  The most prepared man on earth!!  Dad and Bubba together work diligently and efficiently to make sure of 2 things on Christmas Tree Day!  1)  That the tree is going NO WHERE.  Because our trees have made some rather massive falls in their time!  and 2) that the momma of the house is happy, happy, happy with every angle and position of her tree!   

So thankful for their hard work and patience as they move, shift, pull and secure the tree!!  

 After the boys are done, my favorite part begins!!  

The placing of the lights on the tree is a pretty extensive process for me!  I LOVE LIGHTS!  LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!  I don't think a tree can have to many.  I think they make a tree more than beautiful and I love them!  This is why, to this day, Bubba has strung zero strands of lights on our trees.  He is totally fine with it taking me 3 days to meticulously place each strand and bulb where I want it.  He thinks I am insane, but he lets me do it.  And I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! 

This year- new house, taller ceilings, meant one things-  bigger tree!!  This meant MORE LIGHTS!!  I have an extremely large rubbermaid box of lights that is already filled to the gills!  Using what I had, I was able to cover half of our tree!  Yes half.  A bit on the crazy side, I know this! 

This year I discovered strands of 500 lights!  Glory to the heavens!  I was thrilled by this discovery (and purchase!!)  Thanks to my every trusty light section of Walmart, in no time, well, by day 3... our perfect Christmas Tree was completed!  

Bubba will say there are 9,000 lights on here.  I have no clue.  I do know I used 23 strands on the first half.  But so what.  So what if I do have 9,000 lights!  I love it!  It is a simple thing that I worked for many hours on and I love it! 

I will also interject here and say to those who come to my house frequently (hmp hmp Mr. "Brizzell"), we (meaning me and the tree) are not offended by your nickname for the tree...  The Burning Bush.  We know you are just jealous because you wanted more lights on your tree!  

In the end, she was a beauty.  Simply put- just beautiful! 

 

December nights in my mind are made perfect by the smell of a Christmas tree, the lights glowing, cozy blankets and comfy couches, holiday movies and snuggles from babies!  

So if I have to take 3 days and 9,000 lights to make our tree seem perfect, I certainly will!  

Because I love Christmas Trees and I certainly LOVE LIGHTS!!  

  

Until next year's tree hunt... We love you "Burning Bush" 

A Very Merry Merry!

The Bailey Bunch house has been action packed these past few days!  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Day of Chaos and Reorganization that follows have all been filled to the brim with wonderful memories and quality family time!!

Christmas Eve began with a wonderfully scrumptious breakfast at our house! Complete with the grandparents, Paw Paw and Myrtle, our kitchen was bustling with excitement for the day and hungry bellies!  And thanks to a few festive bows, my girls decided proper festive hair attire was just what was needed for our breakfast!  

 

Christmas Eve Service and our traditional Christmas Eve Party made for a busy night!  

Santa knew when we arrived home at 10 pm and then put kids to bed it was going to be a LONG night!!!  

Santa LOVES this part of the night though!  One of "his" most favorite times of the year!!

Christmas Morning started at 6:54 this year!  In true fashion, we all pose while Bubs snaps the first photo of the morning before the fun begins!   

(Please disregard tha massive amount of handprints this photo brings out!  I promise they don't look that bad in real life!!  ) 

 

After the break away down the stairs the chaos began!! 

Charlie was ecstatic to see his Hot Wheels Car Maker, Sulley Mask, Stompee Slippers and his blue plasma car!  

 

But just as quickly as Charlie noticed these few things, he also noticed Mr. Jingles sitting with a note!  The note read: "There is one more present! Follow the ribbon for a special surprise!" 

So off Charlie and Bubs went!  Excited to see what Santa & Mr.  Jingles had in store!  

 

 A Gamecock Basketball Hoop!  A kids dream come true!!  The boy was on cloud nine thanks to this wonderful surprise!!  Good Job Santa!  Charlie is in love with your surprise!  

Wylie Marie was raring and ready for  Christmas Morning!  After flying down the stairs, she immediately spotted her most requested surprise-  Saige the American Girl!  We are SO GLAD Santa was able to find this since the shelves were flat cleaned off when she was told her cousin had gone in search of one!!  Whew!!  

 

The rest of Wylie's list was simple - art stuff!  Of course, Santa thought ahead and found a few other things our little artist in the making might enjoy!   

A new pair of boots for her stylish desires! 

A her very own bicycle pump for her ever flattening bike wheels!!  Clearly she loved this!! 

 

And doesn't ever doll need her own pet!?  Santa was super nice and brought Saige a small dog for her and Wylie to enjoy!  

 

Bessie Boo was all hidden in her presents!!  She found herself a little spot and just went to town investigating and exploring everything!  She was super quiet there for a bit and just enthralled with her new toys!  

Santa was also wonderful to Bessie and brought her an American Girl too!  She was quickly named Eloise.  Eloise changed more clothes during this morning of Christmas Eve than I think she would have preferred but Bess was ALL ABOUT this doll!! (And still is!!!)  

She also requested a great deal of art stuff like her sister!  Once she discovered these goods, she was quickly making masterpieces in the den!!  

  

She did look up from her artistry long enough to strike a pose for us though!!  She loved her new rainy snow boots! 

Last but not least, Ben Ben and his pile o' red!!  Ben wanted Santa to bring him a "red car with eyes and a mouth".  By golly, Santa found every "red car with eyes and a mouth" he could and brought it to this baby!! 

Ben was also excited to see he too had gotten a plasma car!  Red of course!!  While a technical difficulty that resulted from Santa's workshop skills the night before prevented Ben from immediately flying through the house on this... His father decided to attempt to prove to Ben his car did in fact work! 

 

 

The day continued on.  

First with a trip to YaYa and PopPop's house.

Then a trip to RahRah and DooDad's house!  

(those post to follow!) 

Our first Christmas Morning in our new house was perfect!  The happiness in my heart as I watched those around me was (and still is) overwhelming!  I am blessed beyond measure and thankful in more than a million ways!