Gnomes at Sunset

It's snowing today, so we are taking it slow. The boys are quietly playing beneath the glow of the Christmas tree and I've been enjoying a warm cup of cider while I tidy the kitchen. I've been pondering the similarities between the seasons in nature and the seasons of life. I'm really enjoying this season I'm in now and relishing in the joy the children bring me each day.

Bedtime Stories

I happened upon this scene tonight before bed. Hyrum is such a loving big brother and it was so fun watching him read books to his younger siblings!

Deck the Halls

Today we pulled out the Christmas tree and decorations and went to work! I love the Christmas season and the cozy feeling of glowing lights, laughter, and hot chocolate. The lights on the tree were all in working order (unlike last year) and the littles had a lot of fun decorating! 

 I'm pretty sure Oliver hung most of the ornaments. The tree was a little bottom heavy. 

 The big kids took turns climbing the ladder to put decorations in the middle, and Daddy and I made sure we got a few up top.

I sure love this Mr. Stannix of mine!

Sawyer basically pulled the decorations off just as fast, if not faster, than we were able to put them on. Slowly, we put the decorations back on out of arms reach and the tree became mostly decorated on the top and not so much on the bottom.

While the Christmas music played, some of the kids hung out beneath the tree reading picture books and enjoying the peacefulness.

We finished the night off with a Christmas movie and started our Polar Express puzzle. 

The puzzle is a new tradition I wanted to begin this year. It was fun to have us all gathered around the table sorting and searching for pieces together! I can't wait to see it finished!

Happy Birthday Darling

It was a busy Saturday, but we managed to squeeze in a birthday celebration for our favorite guy! He always finds time for us somehow while juggling his own business and a busy church calling in the bishopric. He puts his best effort into everything that he does and gives selflessly of his time and energy day in and day out. He works hard and is a good provider. He's there for his kids and makes sure that I always know I'm loved. I am so proud of him and the man he has become! Happy birthday darling!

The Main Hub

The place where bellies are filled and love is felt as we gather with family, friends and extra kiddos that are hanging out.

His Own World

Today I caught Oliver, playing in his own little world. I love watching their imaginations grow and stretch. Listening to him play away with different voices and sound effects while I folded clothes was the best!

Roommates

 In the dark of Winter, it is so nice when the sun graces us with its presence. As I carefully placed Sawyer in his crib at nap time today I couldn't help but snap a picture of his sunny snooze. A part of me wished that I could curl up next to him and enjoy the warmth of the light pouring through his bedroom window.

With Mr. Stannix out of town for a few days I ended up with two new roommates. When I went to bed tonight I discovered Camilla and Ollie snuggled up together in the middle of my big bed, dreaming away. I just smiled to myself and then tucked in beside them. When Mr. Stannix is away I plug in all of the nightlights because the house always seems extra scary without him around to keep me safe. I usually stay up as late as I can before I let myself be overcome with sleep. Tonight, I was secretly grateful for the extra company, even if they were already asleep.

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Sawyer is ONE

 November is a month of birthdays in the Stannix home. Sawyer turned ONE yesterday, but we waited until today to celebrate with family! It was nice and low key. He napped all afternoon while I iced cupcakes and made dinner. At a year old he is sleeping through the night, standing on his own, and full of giggles and wonder. He still wants to be snuggled to sleep most of the time, and sometimes he will push away and want to be put in his crib to fall asleep on his own.  He's pretty much down to one nap a day, but still sometimes wants two. He is such a sweet boy and we are so glad he is a part of our family!

Warmth

As Winter is upon us I wanted to share a few thoughts on the importance of warmth. I've been doing a lot of reading recently about Waldorf education and the importance that Steiner placed on warmth. I find the whole thing fascinating and it really makes sense to me. Steiner believed that the amount of physical warmth a child received before age seven would positively impact not only their physical health, but also their capacity for emotional warmth as adults! Because children have a high metabolic rate, they rarely 'feel' cold, even though they are. When a child is sufficiently warm, their energy can be used to support the developing brain, heart, and other organs.  Things like warm socks, wearing hats outside, drinking warm tea, eating warm soup, candle light, warm hugs etc. are all things that can positively affect a childs well-being. Keeping our children warm during these colder months is essential to their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

"Warmth holds a very special place in the life of the developing child, because it works throughout the entire spectrum of human experience. There is physical warmth, emotional warmth -- the warmth of love, of generosity, of true morality-- and all of these "warmths" pour over and merge with each other. Perhaps most importantly warmth is the essential ingredient in transformative work. Without warmth we cannot change, and the life of the small child is consumed with processes of growth and adaptation. Warmth helps us be healthy human beings on many different levels."

 ~Adam Blanning M.D

 

 

The Laundry Pile

After all of the kids were finally asleep I made my way to my bedroom to tackle the laundry pile. 

When I flicked on the light I discovered that a snoring Oliver had somehow found enough room to tuck himself in on the edge of the bed.