Have you Elfed Yourself?

Have some fun -- get into the Christmas spirit!

Click Here to watch the White Family Elves!

Thanks Claudia!!

Meet the Future
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collingwood

My good friend Michalann drove down last week to continue in our long tradition of craft days. And she brought her cute baby, who is just 2 weeks older than Eliana. Naturally we had to betroth them (did I say that right?) From the pictures, it looks like Eliana wasn't too sure about the match at first. But then she warmed up and grabbed cute Miles' hand -- so I guess it's safe to assume we have her blessing.

30 Days of handmade Gifts.

This blog is too good to keep to myself!



One of my favorites so far is this shirt dress.

Enjoy!

Traditions

For the past four years, we've been going to the same spot to take family pictures for our Christmas cards. We chose the spot because it was close, but now it's become a little tradition. This year, we didn't even consider any other place. And the boys were actually excited to go to our "favorite" spot.

I love the idea of family traditions. The funny thing is that the ideas that I've carefully planned and tried to craft into traditions always kind of fizzle out. But the things that happen by chance, like family pictures and Family Movie Night Fridays seem to stick. I can't complain. . .

Here are our past four years of Christmas Pictures:

2004

2005

2006

2007

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Nicholas

The closer we get to Nicholas 2nd birthday, the closer he gets to the textbook definition of the terrible twos. Here are a handful of phrases that spice up my day.

The Good Nicholas:
"Can I try it?" (I love this one because he always wants to try new food)

"Mommy, look at me! See what Nicholas can do." (He is always doing silly things, like walking on all fours, just to make people laugh.)

"Eliana crying. Need Binky" (This is usually accompanied by a hug)

"Mommy be careful for Nicholas." (He's recently started saying this while I'm driving. I think Josh put him up to it.)

"Can I see it?" (He says this whenever the boys are playing with something. I think it's his way of asking to be included.)

"Oh my favorite!" (He said this at the school book fair as he was running from book to book.)

"Nicholas don't like it." (This may sound like a bad phrase, but he's always polite when he says it, so it goes in the good list.)


Here is where the Mr. Hyde comes out.
(*Note: to get the full effect, all these phrases should be read screaming, with eyes glared and arms folded across chest)
M: Nicholas get off the counter. You're going to fall!
N: "I don't care!"

M: Put your clothes back on.
N: "I not going to!"

M: Nicholas, give Sammy back his book.
N: "Back off!"

M: Nicholas, we need to change your diaper so we can go to the store.
N: "I not going anywhere!"

M: Let's brush your teeth.
N: "Nicholas don't want to!"

M: Mommy needs to wash the apple before you eat it.
N: "Nicholas do it now!"

M: Nicholas, you know you aren't supposed to be in Daddy's office.
N: "Leave me 'lone!"

And if all else fails, he pulls out the big one -- "NO! NO! NO! NO!"

I've been through this twice before, so it should come as no surprise. I was hoping that we would skip this phase. At least I can say that my days are always action packed and full of interesting conversations!

Hooray! I'm 3 months old!

Say Cheese Ellie!

p.s. It's true what they say -- having 4 kids isn't any harder than 3. Maybe it's simply because you can be honest with yourself on four points -- 1) Your house is never going to be clean, 2) Your hair is never going to be brushed, 3) You laundry will NEVER end, and 4) You look at your beautiful kids and finally realize that none of that matters.

Halloween's Over? Not at Our House!

Halloween is the holiday that never ends. This year, Sam and Benjamin dressed up as Star Wars Characters . . .and the costumes continue to be worn on a regular basis. I guess the positive me is glad we are getting our money's worth. The negative me wishes the costumes would go to a galaxy far far away because when my boys play Star Wars, they immerse themselves COMPLETELY in that world and sometimes it's nice to have normal kids running around.




Nicholas didn't dress up. We couldn't pay him to put on a costume. And he wasn't too sure about talking to people he didn't know. But that uncertainty ended when the first handful of candy was dropped into his pumpkin. He saw the candy and said, "OH suckers, my favorite. Thank you so much!" He kept sneaking candy all night long. When we got home, his pumpkin was filled with half eaten candy and empty wrappers. So he now understands the importance of Halloween for kids. This morning, he said "Guess what mom. Saturday is Halloween. Nicholas get more candy. Ok? Ok -- do that." Now that's what I call the power of positive thinking.

And Eliana, well she just went as the cutest girl ever.