My Lil' Dexton

Dexton has been full of unexpected surprises lately......I would be considered a naive parent if I told you that I had visions of completing motherhood on a high note. Now.  I realize motherhood is an eternal calling. And I'm not encompassing Eternity in this sentence.  At least I hope not.  I'm talking about capping off the infant/toddler stage with cherry on top.  A "hallelujah! we're done and we've done an excellent job" kind of mentality.  Leaving on a high note, if you will.  That was my vision when I embarked on baby #5.  This is not quite the way it has been working out for me.  I love my little Dexton.  But he has come with many personality traits that I did not expect.  Not bad ones.  More like stubborn ones.  Which still isn't quite accurate because all of my children have been stubborn in their own way.  And now is a good time to mention that it is quite possibly not Dexton.  It could be ME that has changed.  I do not have the patience I used to.  I'm tired.  Motherhood has dragged me through the muck and just as I was emerging and felt good again I jumped into pregnancy #5.  So most of this has to do with me and a different stage of life that I am currently in.  Now I've been side-tracked about my original intent of writing this post.  So back I go!

This morning as I was making my bed, I had my little helper waiting for me to go to the kitchen to make him some oatmeal.  As Dexton waited, he started to sing a made-up song.  I heard him and smiled to myself.  What a sweet little boy I have! And then I started to listen to my 2 and half year old......was he singing about punching someone???  He clearly was.  I hastily jumped in and reminded him that punching was not nice but loving people was nice.  Try singing about love, I instructed.  And so he changed his tune.  It immediately became a song about how he loved people.  But more specifically how he loved PUNCHING people.  Ack!!!  I stopped trying then

and just went to make him so oatmeal.  We'll keep working on his song lyrics......

Merry Christmas 2017

HO HO HO!  The kids are ready to race down to the tree.  But alas, they know the drill.  No one allowed downstairs until Ryan goes down and turns on the Christmas lights and music.  Waiting can sure be tough!

This is our first Christmas in our new home!  I have loved decorating for Christmas and I love how my new house is turning out.  

After we did our family Christmas we headed over to Jenni's for round 2.  The Angels Camp house is under construction currently for the attic bedroom.  We decided this would be easier.  And I have to say, I loved having it at home.  It made Christmas so much easier! But I do love Camelot too.....

Nativity 2017

Our annual live nativity happened this week.  This year it was at the Serpa's farm and we used lanterns.  It was quite magical.  (Too bad the iphones don't do as well taking pictures in the dark.)

Don't ask me why Dexton is dressed as a hippo.  Someone brought the costume thinking it would be hilarious and of course Dexton thought it looked just right for him.  And after that there was no talking him out of it....

Christmas Prep

Sugar cookies and Christmas? Yes, please!  Trying to get these sugar cookies made has been very tricky with all the activities going on.  But finally I just said enough is enough and here we are!

There is not much I love more than a good sugar cookie with frosting.  Yum!

If you can't tell, we are getting ready for Christmas, Dexton loves our nativity.  We are trying to teach how to be gentle with the nativity....

Shayli participated in her 1st grade singing performance today and you'd better believe we were there to cheer her on!

The Cafferty's were generous enough to give the whole Reese clan tickets to Aladdin.  We went to the Orpheum theater and loved every minute of it.  The costumes and special effects were spectacular!

Happy Fall 2017 and 38th Bday to ME

We are crossing all of our fall traditions off our list. Our Thanksgiving runner is filling up fast and is one of our favorite traditions.

Here is a glimpse of our Halloween pumpkins. That picture got missed on the last post...

And want to know what else happens in November?? Oh that's right, I celebrate the day my mother gave birth to someone very special.....;) Happy birthday to me and Amber!

That's a lot of candles...

Happy Halloween Viking Style

We went with a family theme for Halloween this year and the kids all pitched in and helped make their costumes.  Vikings with their pet dragon!  It was really fun and a lot of work.....one costume would have have been fairly easy.  But 5?  That took a bit of time. ( Actually I guess it was just 4 since Dexton's was store bought.)  Happy Halloween!

Dexton's Day with a "Heleskin"

Halloween is upon us.  And with that comes all the creepy, spooky things that are loved or hated.  In Dexton's case, it's both - a love and hate obsession. He thinks skeletons are creepy and the thought of touching one can bring him to tears.  But he can't help but be fascinated with it all.  Aunt Liz has a plethora of skeletons. I decided it was high time we show Dexton that Halloween is fun and not scary.  We borrowed her little skeleton which just so happens to be the exact height of Dexton.

We picked up our friend and buckled him in.  And although the picture shows Dexton grinning in this moment, he was definitely unsure about sharing the car with a "heleskin".

I told Dexton that the skeleton was his friend and he was going to hang out with him all day.  I propped that thing right up there for breakfast.  As the day progressed Dexton started to really accept his new "friend."

He played with him.

He fed him.

 He snuggled him.

And when the night came, he tucked him in.  With his beloved binky.  I think we made a giant leap in the spooky Halloween department because major fears were overcome!  Happy spooking!