Paxton is 5!

We took the decorations down and wrapped up Christmas to ring in our middle child's FIFTH birthday on the 28th! With his birthday so close to Christmas, I make it a point to have the holiday all wrapped up so we can put all well-deserved focus on the birthday boy. And his day started out with donuts for breakfast. And in this family, you get a candles to blow out at every meal! The boys were being silly, so Harlow took advantage and blew out the candle. That girl loves birthdays, so much so that we had to sing just to her once too, as though it was her special day. Paxton didn't mind sharing. 

He even let her open two of his presents, since she bawled the whole way through. She doesn't even care what she's opening as long as she's the one ripping the paper. Paxton was more than happy with his gifts, all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers stuff, he loves both! 

He got his pick for lunch and of course it was none other than Happy Joe's. A favorite of all the kids, just for the games. He's always been a little shy and skeptical of the singing, sirens, and horns, but he'll suffer through anything to get to that sundae. 

His second pick of the day was swimming. I snuck out with the boys while Harlow was napping, and she still doesn't know we left, so shhh!! This was a relaxing trip for me since the boys can swim on their own in shallow or deep. I spent most of the time in the hot tub watching from afar. Scoring their jumps into the deep. On the way home from swimming, Paxton said to me, "Mom, you make birthdays really fun!" Heart melted, day made! 

For supper, the whole family got together and went to Applebee's, then back to our place for cake, ice cream, and a few more presents. 

This boy has gone through many phases, and is currently the sweetest and the meanest of the bunch, depending on the day. He stays up the latest and wakes up the happiest. From the hours of 5pm-8pm every night he is wild, rambunctious and loud and it about drives us crazy. He does anything Hudson tells him to, and is always willing to include Harlow or play with her in her room (which is her favorite). He could drink a gallon of milk a day. He has the sweetest shy smile. He has some great ninja moves that he's awfully proud of. He could play the iPad or Kindle for hours on end. And he gives the best full-puckered lip kisses. He is the perfect middle child, happy to be included but content being on his own. We love him a whole lot (and maybe just a little less during that 5pm-8pm period). Happy 5th Birthday Packy!

elf on the shelf

One night I found Paxton sitting on the dining room table, just like this.......

I asked him what he was doing, and he didn't say a word. I asked again, "Paxton, why are you sitting on the table?" No response. Not even a blink, he kept smiling and didn't move a muscle. I gave up and asked Hudson if he knew why his brother was sitting on the table. He sure did! They were playing "Christmas". Hudson was "Santa", Harlow was "a little girl" and Paxton was "the elf on the shelf". His job was to sit there and watch over Harlow and see if she's being good or not so he could report back to Santa. Doesn't he make THE CUTEST elf on the shelf!?!! 

busy weekends

With all three kids in sports now, our weekends have already turned into running from place to place. Saturdays start with Hudson in basketball and then we head to Harlow's gymnastics (With 40 minutes in between. What do you do with 3 kids in the middle of winter, at 10 o'clock in the morning for 40 minutes??) We always pack the iPads, and Harlow usually has a doll and bag with her. Sunday is usually hockey for both boys. It's hit or miss if they want to go or not. Some days they're both into it, and other days we have to drag them there. And they feed off each other, so if one hates it, so does the other one. But if one loves it, then hockey is awesome!

Harlow still LOVES gymnastics! And I can see a complete difference in her from last season. She listens to the instructor, does exactly as she's asked, and waits her turn in line patiently. She doesn't run to the trampoline or ask to jump in the pit, she stays on task and generally loves to climb, swing, jump, and roll.

And "Ta-da!!!" is her favorite part!

Hudson isn't quite as enthusiastic about basketball but he's a trooper. And I have a slight suspicion that he likes it a little more than he lets on. He has lots of friends in it with him, including our cousin Alec. 

A couple weeks ago, we ran into the Snowman and Reindeer after hockey practice. Harlow fell in love with them immediately. Giving many hugs and kisses and happily posed for a picture. She was near tears when we had to leave because she wasn't sure if she kissed them good bye enough times. 

St. Nicks Day

This was the beautiful picture take on St. Nicks Day.....it may look like a choke hold by Paxton on poor Hudson, but it was all out of pure love, I'm sure of it! 

kids at work

After a late night of work, I got home and realized I had forgotten some important stuff in my office that I needed over the weekend, so I packed up the three  kids in their jammies (no coats, and Harlow without shoes!) and we drove the 60 miles round trip back to my office. The kids thought it was great! Hudson loved using my key card to get into the locked doors. He thought it was like a hotel. They've already been asking when they can go back to work with me.

They look much cuter at my desk!

I've been busy at work and haven't had time to decorate my office. Hudson found my bag of Christmas decorations and was appalled that I hadn't put them up yet, as decorating is a priority in his book. He took it upon himself to get my little tree up and any other decoration he could find. Harlow watched and Paxton drew me pictures to hang up.

Thanksgiving weekend....

Thanksgiving came and went a couple weeks back.....It was a busy day for the Johnsons as we had 3 places to travel to. First stop was Grandpa Ray's in New Ulm, then to Grandma Sharon's in Nicollet, and then Uncle Lon and Vicky's in Hanska. The kids all survived with no naps and very full bellies.
Before our adventures started, as usual, I asked for a nice picture together. Clearly a lot to ask for from a 6 year old, almost 5 year old, and 2 year old (going on 14!!!). Hudson was mad because he wanted to be on the other side of Harlow but Paxton wouldn't move, obviously. Harlow was pretty good, but gave me the fakest, not-quite-a-smile smile she could muster. All in front of our naked tree. Needless to say, this picture did NOT make it on our Christmas card this year!

My mom had to work on Thanksgiving and through the night, but she was a trooper and got up with us for some Black Friday shopping.

We hit up the traditional Parade of Lights Friday night and then had supper at Lamplighter. Harlow LOVED the parade, loved loved loved it! She waved and yelled "Merry Pittmas" at almost every float. And her eyes lit up when Santa came by.

Our tradition for years has been to go see Santa the Friday after Thanksgiving, but they switched it up on us this year and moved Santa's visit to Saturday. And on this day, the kids gave me a good picture. Notice Hudson is on the side he wanted to be on!! Made a world of difference!

Meeting the jolly old guy. They waited in a looooong line to see this guy. Hudson asked for 3 scary costumes and a crayon melter. Paxton asked for a fire truck and police car (which I'm pretty sure he has asked for nearly every year he could talk!). And even though her brothers tried talking for her, Harlow stood her ground and asked Santa for a doll and a stroller for her doll. And like every year before, the "Santa" in this family was unprepared for some of their requests and needs to do a little more shopping than originally planned.

Lastly, on Sunday we celebrated Grandma's birthday. Look at those happy, smiling, overly excited kids for their Grandma!! Evident that we love her bigger than the world.