A Tree Hunting We Will Go

The Littles LOVE Christmas.  I mean like the talk about it all year, count down the days, start singing carols at the top of their lungs in September kinda love.  They love the anticipation, the presents, the treats, the twinkling lights on the trees…

But the Christmas tree shopping?  Well, not so much.

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This makes no sense to me.  The Littles are all about being outdoors…and at a farm?!?  It’s like kid heaven.  But for some reason the act of Christmas tree shopping has always put (cranky) ants in our kids pants.

Case in point – our experience last year.  And the year before that.  Oh, and the year before that.
The year before that wasn’t great either, but you catch my drift.

Let’s call it a trend.

But for this year I must give credit where credit is due.  While I’m certain our three Little Stooges would feign to describe our tree shopping process as “fun,” they did manage to contain themselves just long enough for us to (hurriedly) pick out a tree.

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The many tickles and promises of hot donuts probably helped too.

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And they even posed for a few (surprisingly good) photos.  So I guess we’ll keep ’em.

The tree I mean.  Oh, and the kids too.

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And then with their duties completed, the Littles’ moods miraculously soared as we set them loose.  Whoever had the idea to design the Jordan Lake tree farm with a bounce house and playset was brilliant.

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And the tire swing?  Awesome.  Especially when you squish all three of your kiddos onto it, give a big push, and tell them to “hold tight!”

HILARIOUS.

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So there you go…a Christmas tree and a chuckle all in one (relatively) easy trip.

Winner!

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Fall Musings

Just the other day the Little Miss said to me, with a BIG emotive sigh and her classic pensive wrinkled brow…

“MOM.  I decided – I just CAN’T WAIT to be 30.”

To which I laughed, put on my best all-knowing-yet-loving-mommy-look, and gave her some sort of response (that I’ve already forgotten but I’m sure was absolutely brilliant) about how there’s nothing better than being a kid, and she doesn’t need to rush to grow up, and old people like Mama are slow and creaky, and, and…well, go run off and have some fun.

And you know what?  It’s true.

It’s pretty grand to be a kid.  Especially in the fall.

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Like having smores and sparklers with pals on cool fall evenings…

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(Dinner is served.)

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And getting to be as wild and silly as you want at your school’s Halloween party…

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(Sugar in, crazy OUT!!!)

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(Sigh.  Do you think he’ll let me dress him up like this again next year?
And the year after that?!?)

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(Just had to throw these two in.  Because HANDLE BARS.)

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Taking super fun class trips to nearby farms…

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(I’d like to entitle these two photos as “The Little Mister’s happy place”)

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(They may be sun-blind, but at least they’re cute!)

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(Our back-up plan for the Little Miss in case those college applications don’t work out.)

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(Many woeful wails may have been expressed upon the removal of
a certain Little Sir Farmer from his big metal steed.)

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Family excursions to find the very best pumpkins this side of the Mason-Dixon line…

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(“Mo twactor! Mo twactor!!!!!”)

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And finding time to enjoy the season with people we love.

(A certain Little Miss may have been allowed to  play hookie from school so she could
spend time with an “old” school pal who was tracked out for a few weeks.)

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(“Happy birthday, Pops!  Wow, you must be old!  Are YOU 30 yet?!”)

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Yeah, being a kid is where it’s at.

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And thank goodness I’m not 30 yet!!! (*cough*)

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The Little Sir’s 1st Haircut

After putting it off, and putting it off…
and then scheduling an appointment…
and (of course) forgetting said appointment…
and finally having to hide the growing mullet with high collars and interesting hairdos…

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It finally happened.

My third-born…my last baby…my Little Sir

got his first haircut.

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Well, the Little Mister actually went first to give his Little Bro a bit of encouragement.

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And then it was time.

True to form, the Little Sir was totally chill about the entire experience.  He hopped up into the chair, put on his game face, and got down to business.

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Lollipop licking, book reading business that is.

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With a sweet new “do” on the side.

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He didn’t even flinch.

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Well, he also didn’t even crack a smile…until he got some tickles and cuddles from Daddy…

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And had a wrestling match with Big Brother…

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 And showed off his “Big Boy!” muscles and dance moves…

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And got some wine for Mommy.

(Photo credit: The Little Miss)

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Oh wait, maybe that just made me smile.

But you never know.

The Little Sir is one sweet, thoughtful, DAPPER Little Guy!

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