Monday, January 5, 2015

December before Christmas

The weeks leading up to Christmas were awesome.  It's seriously the best time of year with kids.  This year, Zane and Emmy and even Smith could do a ton more than last year and were really helpful. 

These two seriously hung almost all the ornaments this year and Smith helped a lot too.  We actually had zero break this year.  Emmy also helped with outside lights and all 3 helped with other decorations. They each got to decorate a little tree for their bedroom too. 



 Special treats...
We may have snuck away for a few special treats. :)


 There were several days in December that were so warm that we played at parks with tshirts and sweatshirts on.
I love this one of Emmy on the teeter totter with Zack.
 Silly faces
 
 This was a rough day for Spiderman and Cinderella... oops.

 Snuggling bros
 Emmy had a playdate with her two friends and they all dressed up and even included Ninja Smith.
 I absolutely positively love spending one on one time with the kids.  This day, Smith and I played with his little guys for hours. I love my sweet guy.
Then we hit a park, just the two of us (and one toy).
He also has started going to the preschool story time on his own, without me in the room with him.  He feels so big and independent.  And I couldn't believe how well behaved and still he was for an entire half an hour.
 We have two elves that come visit each December.  The kids, especially Emmy, adore our elves.  Each night, they move around and do something mischievous or silly.  This day, they knocked over the marker box and used them to play tic-tac-toe on marshmallows.

 My artist, working on a project.  Gigi sent her a craft kit with all sorts of things to decorate and create princesses.

 Christmas cookies!!!!




 Just a little flour.




We also attempted to make ornaments.  They looked so cute with fingerprints in them, but they crumbled when I took them off the counter.
 They use the princess castle for everything, including a tent, hideout, castle, and just a place to snuggle and read.  Love it.
 Emmy reading to Smith
 This picture cracks me up - Smith and I were in Disney Store, picking out a gift for Emmy when he found these two Superhero packs.  I asked which one he would pick if someone was shopping for him, and he layed down and went over the good and bad of each.  It was a big decision.
 A craft we made at home and in Emmy's class...
 Cuties...
 Poor baby Jesus, getting attacked by a snow monster.

 Backyard fun

 Zack and I decided to surprise the big kids with a night out in Downtown.
First, we went to Buell Theater to see Grinch, The Musical.  It was awesome.  We all really liked it.


 Afterwards, we walked around downtown to check out the lights and people.
 Santa even drove by on a horse and carriage. (That's Emmy on Zack's shoulders).
We went to eat afterwards, which led to a late night.  Em was completely worn out.
 ART!!
 Mario
 Flash, Super Molly, and BatGirl
 Smith has sure had his fair share of sickness.  This last month, he somehow was able to get the Flu and Strep Throat at the same time.  Wow, he was sick.  High fevers were the worst.  It took him out for a while.

 Papa came into town for Christmas.  We got to hang out a couple days before Christmas with him.

They played a big Monopoly game.
 The big kids and I went to our favorite hang out, Barnes and Noble.
 One night, we went on a big Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt.  Zane and Em had a list of things to look for, so we each got a Starbucks drink, some glow sticks and went on a search.  I think we found almost everything on our lists.
 We dressed up a little bit for our church Christmas service...


 We found Judi and Bob there, working in Zane's class.


Other tree setting up pictures...
 Better view from below...



 Smith had a little Christmas program this year.  We all went to see him perform 3 songs.  He was cute. That's for sure.







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