Basketball Stars

Well Shea has pretty much determined that as a prerequisite to having children, they must all play basketball. So he did all the work in signing them up taking them to practices and games and has been encouraging them to do basketball drills every night.
Obviously it is all easier said then done.

In the end though the kids had a blast.

Bella got over her nerves and nail biting and hanging back and really started being her usual silly self running around laughing and trying hard to get the ball. We are so proud of her improvement and the confidence she built. And she proudly sported her medal for the next few days and now it is on display!

Connor was such a good team player becoming such an awesome passer and learning to not get frustrated with himself was huge! He also proudly made a basket his last game which was definitely the highlight of the season! 

Shea was so psyched about these guys he videoed all the games and showed them off to Grandpa Stanger. He couldn't help it!

Of course Piper had to watch some of the games and to be honest she had a love/hate relationship. Poor kid I have a feeling this is only the beginning...

Santa

Ward party 2017

Bella was only too happy to get some attention from Santa.

Sydney wrote him a note and had someone else deliver it for her---a random boy walking by. 

Connor was too cool.

Piper was not paying attention enough in line, so I took advantage of that and we got her to sit! YAY! (Not happy but not screaming and hey she sat! I was shocked.)

We made sure to write our letters to Santa early this year to make sure he got them in time.

Sydney asked for a princess and surprises.

Connor asked for a video game and surprises.

Piper asked for a baby, or at least that is what we think.

Bella asked for a Barbie and a Fingerling.

Sydney really struggled with the Naughty list this year and her thoughts on the matter were simple:

M: Syd! What are you doing hiding down here? 
(Sydney was hiding behind the couch after bedtime. Playing on a phone.) 
M: What are you going to do when the elf comes and sees that your so naughty? What is Santa going to do?
S: Give me no presents!?! (Shrugs her shoulders)
M: Don’t you want presents?
S: I have a bike, I don’t need presents.(Shrugs)

She didn't change her opinion either and tried to negotiate later bedtimes all through December, based on giving up presents. HA!

Seriously she calls our bluff on everything, she is a true test in parenting for sure.

I thought this might be the year Con started getting more curious about Santa but he was a strong believer as was Bella this year and I loved hearing Piper shout "Santa" around the house or "Elf" as they looked for the Elf each morning. Our Elf got wrapped up in tape, peeked through blinds, hid high, high, high, and sat with baby Jesus in the nativity. It was a fun year with Santa and his Elf, it ended quite early though considering we had to travel far, far away to IDAHO on the 13th. 

The thumb

Well it is no secret that this lady is a thumb sucker.
Not as bad as her sister was.
But it seems more stubborn.

This lady is really struggling with bedtime lately, too it just seems like we took a huge leap backwards lately... maybe it is partly due to the fact that we have found a way to stop thumb sucking.

We tried the vinegar method a few months ago and she just wanted more and more... so yeah that was a fail. 

So after getting a bunch of suggestions via Facebook, we decided on trying the nail polish method. Considering she is obsessed with nail polish we thought it would be a good fit. Unfortunately it has proven a bit harder. It does work but as soon as it wears off the thumb sneaks back in that mouth.                                            

And her sleeping habits are getting a little harder, probably because of the struggle. 

She usually winds up on our bedroom floor, bed, or stairs.

Fortunately she loves nail polish so she doesn't fuss too much about putting it on and will sometimes even go grab it. 

Letting her pick one of her nail polishes to put underneath so they are pretty nails helps a lot. 

And yes it tastes nasty she has shoved it in my mouth just to prove how nasty it tastes. 

And it lingers so yeah, when it is on she is not sucking it. 

Unfortunately she also has started sticking her other fingers in her mouth too so we have tried to put it on all the nails, but then I think it gets yucky when she is eating with her hands. 

Anyway it is a process, and at least we found something that works. 

So we are still battling thumb sucking but at least it seems the end is near. 

{this moment}

Shea got out the heated blanket for movie night and the next second this little Miss claimed her spot. 

She was more than a little proud.

I've never seen a baby more obsessed with the heated blanket/portable heater. She runs right over every time someone gets them out and scoots her way right in. Fighting her way in when necessary. 

But tonight Daddy was happy to share the heated blanket and get some snuggles in and she was in heaven! Shea and I loved how she tucked her hands behind her head for ultimate comfort and that giddy grin, made everyone smile.