Gingerbread House

Our wonderful neighbors brought over a gingerbread house kit for the kids to make. What a treat! It was a new experience for all of us, and everyone had fun decorating - and eating - our delicious gingerbread house!

Happy Belated Birthday!

Remember my last post about how busy we've been around here? Well, sometimes when you get this busy, you forget very important dates. This morning I noticed that my "Events Calendar" I have hanging in my kitchen was still set on the month of November. So I flipped the page over to December and there it was.... My father-in-law's birthday. Over a week ago!!! I feel so bad! I'm sorry, Bill! We didn't mean to forget your birthday!!! So from all of us, happy belated birthday! We love you!!!

Don't you just love those bare feet?!? Didn't realize how huge they look! :)

Busy Times

That's what these are... VERY busy times.

As we near Christmas, things only seem to get busier. Sad, but true. Last night we had our Fall Showcase for our home school co-op. I put together a display for the class I taught this Fall, and Nathan and Amy got to perform on stage with the other preschoolers. There were many other presentations and everyone did a wonderful job.

Yes, I know this picture is dark... Our camera was acting up. Can you spot Nathan and Amy?

Then earlier today Amy did her little Nutcracker dance in her ballet class. They have been working on it for several weeks now, and today they let the parents and family come into the room to watch as they performed it for us. They danced to the Sugar Plum Fairy music and it was just too cute for words!

Nathan is currently at his new gymnastics class (Bill took him). He was promoted from his regular preschool class. I am anxious to hear how he likes his new all boy class!

Tomorrow we begin the fun of Christmas baking. The kids are excited and I'm looking forward to just staying home all day and slowing down enough to enjoy this Christmas season!

Snow!

In this part of Texas, really cold weather is rare, especially the kind that brings snow. But last night we were blessed with a somewhat heavy downpour of beautiful white snow! I saw earlier in the day a forecast for possible snow but I didn't believe it. Afterall, it's been several year since we've had any. That year we actually had a "white" Christmas (it collected on the ground somewhat), and that seemed like a miracle as it was. But the snow we received last night lasted much longer and gave us probably a good 2 inches of snow. It was a stunning sight. I found it hard to pull myself from the window when it was time to turn in last night. I couldn't believe it was still snowing several hours after it had begun!

The ones who really got a kick out of the snow were the kids, of course. Alex and Nathan were especially overjoyed by the cold, fluffy snowflakes. They took to poking their tongues out to try and catch the snowflakes, when they weren't busy making snowballs to throw at each other that is. At one point, Alex stated, as though he'd made a sudden discovery, "Oh, that's why it was so cold today - because it was going to snow!" Interesting way to look at it.

This morning we were all pleased to see that quite a bit of snow was still there. It was melting quickly, however, so we rushed to put on our warm clothes, coats, hats, gloves, and shoes and headed out the door. It was by far more fun playing in the snow in the daylight hours! We made snowmen, snow angels and had snowfights. It was a great time. It didn't last all that long, though, because when you aren't used to that tingly numbness that overtakes your frozen toes and fingers, you tend to tire quickly of it.

And as you might expect, now that we have warmed our bodies with fresh dry clothes, hot cocoa and warm cinnamon rolls, the kiddos are all asking to go out in it again. I guess it would be cruel for me to delay them any longer. Out in to the cold we go! Hope we don't run out of warm clothes to change into!!!

The Nutcracker Ballet

Today Amy and I went to see The Nutcracker. We wore our semi-dressy attire, making the outing all the more fun. We also went with several other mother/daughter friends, a tradition I hope we continue in the future. There is nothing like an excited group of little girls, all aglow over the beautiful costumes and amazing choreography of the ballet. Amy was mesmerized by the performance. Her eyes were glued on the dancers the entire time. She only became a little squirmy after intermission, at which time I think she just lost some of her focus. But even then, she continued to watch with delight. It was such a treat to experience this with her. Afterwards, we all went out to a tea room for lunch.

And don't think the boys were being left out of all the fun. They spent the day with Granny, who took them to have lunch with Paw-Paw, followed by milkshakes and playtime at McDonald's, and ending with a trip to the store where she bought each of them a remote-controlled dinosaur. I think it ended up being a special day for all!

Field Trip to the Texas City Prairie Preserve

Yesterday we went to the Texas City Prairie Preserve. There the kids learned about water quality, marine seining, and prairie life, with bird and plant identification as well as insect sweeping. It was a long day for the kids - and me! And there were times when they seemed totally lost in the discussion. But Nathan told me he loved "hiking" through the prairie and they all loved going down to the lake, especially the boys who got very wet and muddy playing in the lake. I think they could have done that all day!

Nathan's Tooth

Nathan has lost his first tooth. I can't believe it! He still seems like my little boy, too young to be losing his baby teeth. But sure enough, he showed us the other day that one of his bottom front teeth was loose, and in the wee hours this morning, it came out. Unbelievable. And oh, how excited he is for that tooth fairy to come visit. I have a feeling she'll be showing up tonight. :)

Below is a picture of my little guy with his missing tooth. It's a little hard to see because it was a very tiny tooth; this was my fourth attempt at obtaining a picture to show off that toothless grin!