Misc J in December

Get it? 'Miss J'? Ha. Because she's too cute to skip out on, here are photos that were cut or missed this month. Yes, even though I have a ridiculous number of posts.

What kid isn't cute posing with sunglasses and a sippy cup?
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Waiting in the box for Santa.
She was not instructed to do so.
PLEASE let this mean she will be a rule-follower!
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Cute because 1) She took Cameron's lunch container and put fake food in it.
2) The first picture she has her "I know I'm cute but I don't want to smile for you smile."
3) She has her legs crossed!
And 4) I think baby girls in tights is my favorite. With legs crossed is even better.
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Showing us her Dollar-Store Santa jewelry.
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First time to paint her nails!
Pretty monumental December!
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Disco Green Train

So, today I met Erica in town at Discovery Green for storytime + train ride + lunch. You will notice there is no Cameron in these photos...he was with a friend, celebrating his birthday. First time for me letting him go "with" a friend! Like, in their car and out to eat, etc. He loved it, of course! We had a pretty good time as well.

Doesn't get better than this, folks.
Funny: during storytime, as Landon and I were settling down w/him in my lap, she did not even pause to consider sitting next to me. She walked 2 mothers over and sat next to a little girl with pigtails. This one needs some girlfriends!!!
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On the train!
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To my left and to my right. <3.
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Love!
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With AuntE.
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Swanky downtown lunch crowd.
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The Elf is Gone!!!

You guys, I have discovered this year that I am NOT a fan of The Elf on the Shelf. Do mothers really need one more thing to measure up to? One more thing to DO every day? Plus my kids weren't always very interested in the elf's shenanigans. And it *certainly* didn't help their behavior. (BTW, if the elf is supposed to help your kids make good choices, why did some of you have your elf doing naughty things?)

I'm aware that some of you think he's cute. And you enjoy being creative with him. Every day. More power to you! Maybe your elf needs a sibling? Because mine will be available next year to whoever wants him...

Anyway, our elf is Frazier. Here is documentation of his stay with us. And proof that I tried.

Then I started getting lazy:


And even lazier, with lots of various shelf movement.
Then we were gone for a few days. He did NOT "come with" us.
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Finishing well!!!
Goodbye, buddy. Maybe I'll change my mind in 11 more months...but I doubt it. ;)
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Merry Christmas

Usually I have to sort through over 200 photos for posting and saving and such. This year, I only have 26!!! Very simply: my mother didn't come. When she is here she is really good about capturing all the special moments. All of them. Plus, isn't it easier to take photos when there is someone else manning the children? So, at least I got what I did! (Right, Mom?!)

Attempt at children's photo - Warren is doing something very dramatic over my head. Landon appears to be the only one concerned for me.
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The entire time we've been married we have sort of argued about what our Christmas tradition will be. This year we tried opening gifts on Christmas day. I think it's gunna stick. This is the kids opening ONE present on Christmas Eve. It's a movie for us all to watch. Given Warren's love of film, I think this is a tradition that will also stick.
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In jammies!
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Reading a Christmas story.
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Santa's cookies are ready!
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And so are we!
Putting this together for the kids felt so good.
Thank you, LORD for sending your Son.
And for your abundant blessings!
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The After.
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These little mini-heroes were in the boys' stockings. And now, on Dec. 30, they are officially all missing.
Santa should know better.
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Faux Day!

In case you didn't know, we don't get snow in Houston. On the rare day that it does fall from the sky, it doesn't stick at all. But around Christmas, if you keep your ears on, it is possible to find the trucked-in variety. These photos were taken at a church up here in The Woodlands. Thank you Fellowship for giving us snowball fights and sled rides!

They had a bob-sled hill that the boys loved sliding down.
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Come on Cameron...
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GO!
(Doesn't he look huge in this photo?)
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Landon. Watch the video below for better Landon coverage.
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Climbing up the slide again.
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No fear.
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Playing in the snow! It might be a bit hard-packed, but it's cold and it's white!
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You can see the bob-sled "hill" behind them here.
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Throwing snowballs.
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He's trying to show me his snowball in this photo. It didn't make it, but I still love his face here. REALLY looks like his daddy.
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And now we have *all* snowball and *no* face.
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Watching them play in the snow, I can honestly say I have never been so thankful to have sons that are brothers. Who else would they pummel? Me? Me.
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They couldn't pummel her. She kept her distance.
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Brief appearance on the snow. She doesn't look too impressed.
(Although she does look super cute.)
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High five to giant Polar Bear Puppets? NO problem.
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The boys enjoyed the animals at the nativity.
(After a few days on the ranch, they think they know all about sheep. ahem.)
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Merry Christmas nativity photo!
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