Halloween

My little monster/cowboy (not cowgirl, mind you - she was a cowboy)

Grandma got C this cute Halloween outfit

A "catch-up" since Reed's birth post

Since Reed has been born, I've hardly been online at all.  I've been taking lots of pics, though, so I need to post them.  Here is a "catch-up" post.

Think these new parents are tired?

Grandpa came to visit

and we carved our pumpkins

Charley can't get enough of her new baby brother

My sweet boy

Enjoying the snow

Charley feeding Reed a bottle

Morning snuggles

Paula getting her baby fix

Charley's collages - one for dada, one for mama

Follow up to "too much stuff"

A quick (pictureless!) post:

Well - we had our Christmas gift opening yesterday, so that I could put all the decor away today before movers come tomorrow.

It took us 2 hours to get through it.

Because - 1) Charley got so much stuff, and 2) she could care less about opening her new stuff!  Where did this kid come from?  (Again, the "no appreciation because she has too much" thing.)

My mom sent me this link to a blog post...  right along the lines of what I'd just posted.  Yes, mom, you are guilty...  ;)  Maybe you realize it's not just me?

Here it is:

http://igaveupbynoon.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-message-to-those-without-children.html

 I mostly totally agree (except with some of her DO buys - even some of those, like pajamas, I disagree with.  But the wooden toys and experiences - she's right on.)

Charley's "actual" birthday

I'm super behind on posts - and this will probably be the last one for a while.

Charley got to celebrate her birthday by having a party with her friends, and later on her "actual" birthday as she refers to it.

We opened presents, had cake and sang to her.  She had a blast.

This kid has more stuff than any 10 kids I know put together.  I always said, when I was pregnant, that I was going to be careful to raise my children to be appreciative of what they had, had a few things they valued, and make sure not to accumulate a bunch of "stuff".  Yeah, right - that lasted about 2 days.

We have accumulated more stuff than I care to admit.  I think we've doubled what we own since having kids.  Thank goodness we aren't moving ourselves, but...  I fear we've exceeded our weight allowance and are going to have to pay dearly for all this "stuff"!

She has so many toys, I've literally put away enough already to supply Reed with toys until he turns 1, for his 1st birthday, 2nd Christmas, 2nd, birthday, and 3rd Christmas.  Plus, even with those put away, I have enough to supply 3 rotations of toys.  Her room is full right now, plus I have 2 trunks full of toys that, when she gets bored with the ones that are out, I rotate.  Crazy, right?

If it were up to me, I would do this:

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/

I read this great blog post by this mom, in which she literally gets rid of ALL of her kids toys, after becoming tired of their lack of appreciation.  I really like it - perhaps I'll do it...

The problem is, Charley appreciates nothing.  Ask her what her favorite toy is?  No idea.  She doesn't have one.  She has so many, she could really care less about any one of them.  Plus, she gets so many gifts - from family, friends, neighbors, etc., she always is asking - "What did you bring me?"  Sigh.  The opposite of what I'd hoped for.

And, in 1 week we'll be celebrating our Christmas gift opening...  and she has quite a mound of stuff to open, yet again.  And, this is before visiting both sets of grandparents!  Yikes!

I'm thinking this upcoming move is a perfect chance to weed out.  With new stuff coming in, perfect chance to give old stuff to those who could really use (and appreciate!) it.

And clothes?  Ah, clothes.  She has enough clothes at her current size to outfit 2 kids comfortably.  So does Reed.  And we already have clothes for both kids for the sizes to come - I think Reed is good until he turns 1!

I read in a magazine about a family who requested for gifts, instead of things, experiences - such as dance lessons, soccer sign-ups, family zoo memberships, etc.  What a great idea!  Of course - this will be much easier once we are back in civilization.  :)  Until then - I'm thinking money for their savings accounts would be good...  For that matter - that always makes a perfect gift!  My brother and his wife sent piggy banks for both kids for Christmas - so, even coins for them to start their own savings would be fun!

Anyway...  that said...  here are a select few pics from her birthday!