Cutie Pie knows the truth....and handled it well.

Maybe it's because she figured it out on her own. But, Ru knows there is no Santa Clause. And it doesn't seem to bother her at all. She handled it far better than I did when I found out. For those who don't know I threw a Santa statue candle at my mom when I found out. But unlike her mother, Cutie Pie has a quiet dignity about herself.

This morning Cutie Pie was playing with a Disney Fairy. She said, "Fairies aren't real." I told her that she was right. Then she told me, "Then the Tooth Fairy isn't real either. But, she left me jelly beans." I said, "The tooth fairy isn't real. And just like on Saint Nicks Day I leave the candy for you." Then I told her how much fun these things are for kids and she agreed. I told her it's also fun for adults too. She told me that she also knows Rudolph and Frosty aren't real. I told her that she was right. At this point she seemed ok with everything. I told her that I was proud of her for handling it so well. And reminded her not to tell the other kids b/c that would ruin it for them. I then went to do my walk.

After I got done with my walk I went passed the kitchen and I saw her take her fairy doll and tell GH that Santa was not real. I brought her into the bathroom and asked her to repeat what she said. She tried to tell me that she told GH that Santa was real. But, eventually admitted to telling him that Santa wasn't real. I told her that I was proud that she figured it out on her own. And that she seemed to be handling it well. But, that she was not allowed to tell any kids about it because that might ruin their Christmas. She seemed to understand that this might upset GH. She asked where the story of Santa came from. I told her it originated from bishop Saint Nicholas. And she seemed happy with that answer. Thank God.

I am hopeful that this realization happened TODAY. As yesterday was the last day of school. Most of her classmates are about a year older than her. They are 9 and she is only 8 until July (it's just plain awful;D) But, they are in 3rd grade and 9 years old. So maybe most of them know already.

I was so worried about making it through this Christmas and being able to tell her the truth about Santa sometime in the summer. But, this worked out ok I guess. So all is well....as long as she doesn't ruin the secret for other kids.

Christmas at the ranch

All photos courtesy of Aunt Crystal and her Facebook account:) Thanks Crys!

Christmas in the Bohemian Ghetto

candy cane hunt

We have been busy spreading Christmas joy via candy cane hunts. Well someones family decided to give us a candy cane hunt of our own:) Heidi's boys came over and hid some candy canes for my kids. There is still one candy cane hidden. Those boys know what they were doing:)

Thanks for the fun Heidi:)

Candy cane hunts and bad parenting

My moms recent health issues made it "impossible" for me to throw a big candy cane hunt (even though the weather would have been perfect) I was just a bit too stressed. So we decided to just stop by some peoples homes and hide candy canes in their yards.

photo courtesy of Kim and her FB page:)

The kiddos had a good time. We stopped by the Crow family's home. Apparently, Big Dog only wanted out of the van to go potty. But, I was oblivious. And I was dragging him all over the Crow acreage with his pants falling down. (I am a very observant person;)) Luckily, Mrs. Crow noticed  Big Dogs problem.  Mrs. Crow invited us in for hot cocoa. It was delicious. GH was being a whiny pants as usual. He thought it was too hot. It wasn't, it was perfect. But, that didn't stop him from whining for a good five minutes. Lucky for me the whining didn't end because while we drove to the Q family's home GH continued to whine. But, this time he wanted the cocoa. We don't have the best timing;D I suppose letting the kids eat candy canes for a good hour and a half didn't help attitudes.

Mrs. Crow out did herself again. We left with a bag of treats. My husband says  "Mrs. Crow can really bake."

The Gingerbread House

Decorating the gingerbread man

We haven't been able to do any crafts or activities for Christmas:( But, we did make time to decorate this gingerbread man:)

The kiddos were so glad when I got home that night and did the gingerbread man with them. But, I think I was more happy to be at home with them. It's nice to be with people who actually love me:)

Decorating our tree (Magdelaina)

Pictures from our trip to Santa's Woods

Christmas at the Ranch

You know what makes Captains Awesome's Christmas merry and bright? That's right! Making our children cry is the highlight of every holiday:D

 Don't feel too bad for GH. He's totally spoiled. And he got lots of cuddle time with Grandma.

 GH and Big Dog not only got train tracks from Stephanie this Christmas. Aunt Shell also gave the boys more. My boys are sooo happy, especially GH.

My favorite guys in the whole world:)

 Spider monkey was there. He is almost as tall as I am. I can't believe how fast he's growing. He is also such a good boy. He could have played his video games. But, instead Spider monkey played Candy land with all of his little cousins. Cutie Pie was so happy to be able to play Candy land with Spider monkey, Charlie and Lola:) It really made Christmas extra special for her.

 More cuddle time for GH. He's so abused.

 When it came time to unwrap presents GH could hardly contain himself. He was shaking with excitement. You could see the shaking from across the room:D

 Big Dog loves getting noisy toys:D

 And if you won't get GH's toys out of the boxes for him....he'll just ride the boxes around the house.

Merry Christmas a few days late:D

Christmas morning was exciting.....

 Somehow all my kiddos managed to get on the good list. They have certificates to prove it:D

We hope you all had a fabulous Christmas with plenty of time to reflect on its true meaning....and a little extra time to enjoy lifes little extras:)