Camo Christmas Tree hunting and "Puddle Jumpers"

Ok, moving in December is not my favorite thing to do.  Though I seem to do it almost every year, I am commited to this new place.  We finally got our tree on the 12th and decorated it the next day.  Our family has a special tradition for our tree.  The tree, in my opinion, offically starts the season.  It gets me into decoration, baking goodies, giving gifts, Christmas mode.  Our tradition is going out to eat and then going to get the tree.  Everyone is fed and happy AND more willing to hang out outside and shake out prospective trees.  Frank was so excited to get the tree we had to promise him fifty times over that AFTER dinner we would get the tree. We went to Applebee's this year.  Little shout out for the Applebee's:  We ordered mac and cheese for Ollie and it came out looking like it had been sitting in the pot for an hour or two and it tasted like it too.  Everyone, knows what I'm talking about.  You stick a fork in it and pick up half the bowl all clumped together.  Anyway, the manager was totally cool about it.  He comped the mac and cheese and let Ollie pick at it while they made him a grilled cheese.  Hey, you try telling a 2o month old he has to wait even longer for his food!!  They rock.  After we ate dinner we all got back into our jackets and drove all the way... across the street to Home Depot.  As soon as we got inside the fence the boys were off like a shot in different directions both yelling "There's a Christmas tree, there's a Christmas tree, there's a Christmas tree."  We were able to convince Frankie to stay close to us but Ollie wasn't having it.  Eventually we played a little game of hide and seek to keep them where we were.  They LOVED hiding in the trees with their camo jackets.  I would call "Where are you, I can't see you," and here them giggling standing between two trees with their faces to the wall.  After Jesse shook out about half a dozen trees for scrutiny I chose one.  Frankie held the "ticket" and Daddy and Ollie hauled the tree to the truck.  So now we have my favorite symbol of Christmas in our living room, fully decorated.  I would put a picture up but with the boys and the dog's help the decor changes almost everyday. 

This last week has been a really wet one.  Frank, like most little boys, loves jumping in puddles.  I, like most moms, hate changing my son's soaking socks and shoes three times a day so we decided to buy golashes aka puddle jumpers for the boys.  They were not easy to find but boy were they FUN!  Yes, I still had to change my son's soaking socks but my kids were able to play outside instead of getting cabin fever inside.  Sane mommy is a happy mommy!

Here are the boys, ready for action!

We had a mini lake at one end of our apartment complex that the boys loved wading/running in.  The water was almost up to Ollie's knees  It was all fun and games till Ollie fell face first into the freezing water.

Here's Frank, racing down the stretch of sidewalk, filled with puddles.

After I got both boys back inside Frank was so wet we had to strip him down naked!  So much for keeping him dry but how many other kids do you know who were out playing this week?  Totally worth it!