5 on Friday - Volume 19

ONE. My mom and I took Mac on the Polar Express train this past week and it nearly blew his mind. We told him that day we were going on an adventure to the North Pole and he was so incredibly excited about it. He loved the train ride, the hot chocolate and Santa. But most of all, he loves that bell. It hasn't left his hand in a week and he constantly rings it and says, "I believe, mama." Melt my heart. 

TWO. Ryan and I took the kids ice skating last weekend. It was the first time for both of them and I really wasn't sure how either kid would handle it. Mac was a rockstar on the ice! I couldn't believe how well he handled himself. I know he's a very coordinated and athletic kid, but I was super impressed with how well he handled falling and what a fantastic attitude he had about not being good at something right away. Every time he fell he'd get right back up and say how much fun he was having and how he's just going to keep practicing and get better. I don't handle being not good at something, so he certainly doesn't get that go-getter enthusiasm from me. It was amazing to watch and I've never been so proud. Mim, on the other hand, was not a fan of ice skating. At one point she just threw herself on the ground and kicked and screamed. That she definitely gets from me. 

THREE. The kids have been really into Christmas lights this year. They absolutely love seeing lights on houses we pass while driving and on the homes on our street. Last week while Ryan was out of town, I surprised them with a fun drive through Santa's Magic Kingdom at Jellystone Park. We had an early dinner, got dressed in our jammies, swung by Dunkin Donuts and picked up hot chocolate and donut holes and headed out to the park. It's about a 20 minute drive from our house and they did great in the car. Once we got there, they got out of their seats and sat up front with me, while we blasted Christmas music from the radio and ate ourselves into a sugar-frenzy. At one point both kids were climbing on me while hanging out of the sunroof gawking at the overwhelming display of lit-up Christmas weirdness. It was so strange, but so much fun! Mac ate 9 of the 12 donut holes and literally almost bounced himself out of the car. 

(photos by Jessica of Emma Constance Photography)

FOUR. Can we take a minute to talk about just how cute and little the kids were last year? Every year I make a photo calendar of the kids using all the photos I've taken (and we've had taken) over the past year and these are the photos that are staring at me this month. I can't get over the cuteness. 

(photo by Jodi of Fresh Art Photography)

FIVE. And speaking of little and cuteness, I'm just going to leave this here. I can't even.

Happy Friday!!