'Tis the Season

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  The tree is up and the inside of the house is decorated.  The outside is also decorated, and for the first time in many years, Evan and I put up lights on the outside of the house/garage.  I could have begged and pleaded forever and it wouldn't change Evan's mind about exterior lights.  Carter asked with his big blue eyes and I knew Evan would cave.  We are no longer the 'lamest' house on the block, according to the kids!  :)

The kids were thrilled to discover that Charlie has also returned to our house.  He was in their bathroom the first day and reading a book to his friends today.  He is always up to some kind of trouble!

Taking a relaxing "bubble bath" in mini marshmallows:

Charlie brought them a treat on his first day back:

This morning Charlie was spotted on the fireplace, reading to his friends:

Carter played outside while Evan and I put up the lights.  He was cold when we got inside, so a good cup of hot cocoa warmed him right up!

The kids also received their Santa videos.  Ryan told me he expected to be on Santa's naughty list because "it is just so hard to be good all the time", but when he received a "watch" and found out he has to work really hard on his behavior, (yet was still on Santa's good list), he was in tears.  I don't think it surprised him, but wasn't what he wanted to hear.  Hopefully it will be a motivator to work on better behavior - specifically towards Carter!  You can click on the links below to watch their Santa videos.

Ryan's video

Carter's video