Rollin and Smokin

Christmas Eve was all about getting ready to absolutely relax on Christmas Day. That means finishing up the three-day effort to change Anna's room from a saturated orange explosion into a creamy calm experience. We took the "one wall at a time" approach. And it took three solid coats. But she loves it and I'm excited that it's done and I won't have to muster the energy after Christmas!

Mark is smoking some Poor Man's Burnt ends and that means I'm not cooking AGAIN. It really is Christmas!

Everyone got busy wrapping their gifts for each other and finishing up last-minute task. 

Christmas Eve Bingo revealed the theme for the year....polar bear pants 9plaid for the boys) and some type of Chicago themed t-shirt. I tried...I really did. Etsy delivered Anna and Everly's shirts ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Of course, I had purchased nondescript Old Navy back ups just in case. 

The kids WOULD NOT go to sleep. Finally, at 3 am, I texted them and told them to plug their ears and keep their doors closed. Creating magic is a team effort and this team is ready to go to sleep!

Easter Feast

All the Easter baskets in a row...sneakily placed in the night, even though I know for a fact that there were certain teens still awake in the house. I almost got busted when I stepped on a squeaky stair, but I expertly avoided detection. The mystery remains. 

Even Winnie got a little Easter surprise. She didn't love the massive chicken friend. Or the millet sprays. Or the carrot toys. 

She wanted the real goodies in the big baskets.

The girls weren't concerned...Winnie can't get to them from the floor. 

Or CAN SHE??

The classic party toys were a big hit!

AJ loved her "Anna Banana" toy 

And Everly loved her little blue monster so much, it brought her to tears. 

But my favorite was the part where Mark did most of the cooking. Smoked meats for Easter this year!

I contributed a gorgeous bowl of Snicker Apple Salad. 

We ate and played at the Flynns. 

Because that's what we do. 

Happy Easter!