When Advent Feels Like Lent

Advent 2016

Danny is showing me how strong he is. Tommy is showing Danny how much MORE stronger he is.
Daniel was the one who put his muscles to work on my poor, mangled Advent wreath.
He was so angry because I wouldn't light the candles so he could blow them out while I sang "Happy Birthday to Danny!"
I believe my exact words *before* he turned the candles into nun chucks were "It is most certainly NOT your birthday. Please help your friends set the table for dinner."
 

 THE VERY NEXT DAY...

Daniel woke up at 3am, just wanting to hold my hand. And his demands continued ALL DAY LONG.
This particular tantrum took place at 7:30am, because Thomas wouldn't read to him or play with him...he had schoolwork to do.
Life is so hard when you are two.

Twenty Minutes Later...

Esther came to me crying. Missing HALF OF HER HAIR.
"I don't know where it went! Everyone is laughing at me!"
 

Found it. She tried to hide it in the garbage can in her bedroom. She had found Sarah's sewing scissors and went to work on her beautiful golden-white locks.

The hairdresser we took her to is a miracle worker.

.We've had a stomach bug since before Thanksgiving. It has worked it's way, sloooooowly, through the entire family.
I absolutely MUST document how Nathan is my most favorite sick child. He smiles and smiles and smiles. Even with a fever. This picture was taken 5 minutes after he threw up. I mean, as a mother, I have to be grateful.