twas the week before Christmas...

It's been a busy, happy week(s) before Christmas 'round these parts. Lots of work, lots of play. A bit of shopping (98% of it online), a lot of eating, and a lot of good time with our families. And a whole lot of random, not-necessarily-festive pictures.

Millie enjoys hiding these days. Her curtains are obvious favorites.

You'll never find me!

Sike! Here I am!!!

You'll REALLY never find me here, though!

 She was right on that one. I seriously did not anticipate her hiding behind an ironing board in the coat closet. Now I've learned my lesson and will keep that door shut...

Millie has a new BFF...the honey bear.

Sit right here while I eat, Honey Bear. 

 She insists on holding him/having him nearby during most of her meals.

MWAH. I love you, Honey Bear. 

 There's constant playing with her toys...and scattering them all over the house. Especially these blocks. They are like her life force or something. She lives for them...and for hiding them EVERYWHERE. Places you might find blocks in our house: the showers, the tubs, random tote bags/purses that are at Millie level, laundry baskets, trash cans, dog bowls, and pretty much anywhere you might accidentally step in the dark. I would be irritated except that I think it's adorable and I just LOVE seeing little reminders of my freaking precious child everywhere. No lie. 

BLOCKS!!! BLOCKS EVERYWHERE! BLOCKS FOR YOU! BLOCKS FOR ME!

P.S. Yes, she does indeed have a black eye in this picture. An important part of Millie's everyday schedule includes tripping and crashing into EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD. Oh, and also climbing up onto and jumping/falling off everything. Bruises, scratches, and black eyes are pretty par for the course lately.

She is occasionally interested in playing with dolls lately. Mostly she wants to stick her (Millie-sized, real) bottles/sippy cups and pacis into their mouths. Or hurl them around violently. Some of these things are cute. Some of these things are scary.

I can't dress myself yet, but I CAN point and grunt urgently towards the accessories I want to wear.

 There's a lot of cuddling going on. Always. Normally I like to be involved, but sometimes it's cute when it's just the kids.

They woke me up again, Nohnuh. I just want to sleep. Why can't I sleep? Only you can understand me, Nohnuh. Comfort me with your kisses.

P.S. In case you didn't catch that, she calls Lola "Nohnuh" and it is seriously adorable. Precious. Perfect. I can't even.

This week she's been going to my in-laws' house instead of school. Her cousins (and aunts and uncles) are in town, so they've been having lots of fun adventures (without me!! waaaaaah).

BABY HUGS!!!!

 They hung out at the mall yesterday (brave, for sure) and like...the girls walked around holding hands. Now I literally can't even.

All in all, it's been a wonderful December. I'm thrilled to have the rest of the week off to spend with my little family (and our bigger family, too). Millie's main Christmas present is already assembled (thank you, Matt...and four hours of free time) and safely tucked away in the garage under a tarp, and I am SO EXCITED for her to see it and start playing on Christmas morning!! I hope she is even a fraction as jazzed about it as I am, ha. I'm also still trying to decide on the perfect assemble-ahead-and-bake-the-morning-of breakfast casserole to have on Christmas morning, so ya know...a lot of grueling Pinterest in my future. Hashbrown casserole? Something sweet, like monkey bread? So many options, so little time. 

I hope you have a happy and non-stressful last few days before Christmas!