Holiday Hullabaloo

 

 I got this scarf last week, made by a friend of mine.  Taylor immediately took it as her own and she wears it quite well!

 We took a trip to see a light show on Saturday night.  Like, the same night that 1.3 million other people had the same idea.

 We finally saw some lights after just over an hour in the car waiting in line.

 The girls making sure they had the best view.

 It was neat but I'm fairly sure it would have been a lot neater minus the long wait.

 But with 4 kids and 4 adults in one car, we had plenty of entertainment and certainly left with some memories.  Maybe we'll go on a Wednesday next year?!

 This is how the lights look at the point you're not sure you'll make it to the end!

 Sunday we went out for brunch to celebrate my Grandma's 85th birthday.  We got there a little early and took advantage of the sunshine and photo ops.

 Taken by our personal 6-year old, not so tall photographer!

 What do you get the 85 year old that has everything?  Apparently, a dancing Chihuahua that also sings "Feliz Navidad."  (Not our gift!) She was rather entertained by it!

 More photos after brunch.

 Taylor rode in a different car so she had missed the pre-meal photo extravaganza.

 Taylor has been asking to fly a kite everyday for a month now.  It was no windier this day than any other but I finally just said, "sure."

 It was actually exciting.

 And you only ever had to wind up about 5 feet of string.

Mission accomplished.

In reference to last week's post regarding repeat dance costumes, the problem has been fixed!  Exciting to 5 -year olds and confusing to moms.....They order costumes for the June recital in October because they 1) Take a long time to come in and 2) Aren't returnable.....hmmm, guess things can happen when you need them to?!  We'll take it.

 'Tis the season for holiday nails.  First try is holly.  Not too bad....from a distance!

 Santa came by.  Maybe not the best guy to play the part but the kids were pumped.

 While the truck was in our cul-de-sac, a man got out of the front, climbed the ladder and had to show Santa (who was currently in his own world robot-dancing to the music) that there were actually kids outside and the he should wave to them.  He then tossed us a handful of candy canes that ended up in about 100 pieces.  Taylor noticed the strap-on beard.  "This must not be the real one," she said.

 Glasses and lipstick - "fancy" she calls it.  Where does she come from.

 Taylor and I spent a good chunk of yesterday baking cookies and such.  I took a picture of her hard at work but it will not load for the life of me.  This was the result of her work.

Chase got to wear his pjs today for Polar Express day.  We decided the elf ones were a little risky so he played it safe with the Ninja Turtles.

 Taylor had Kenley over for a while this afternoon.  They used the treadmill for a stage and threw quite the concert.

 Fun trip to Stevie B's tonight with Bryce and Emmy.  Tickets were won and there was a claw machine victory - good night!

And to top it off, there was a package with new Christmas ornaments on the porch when we got home.  Two more school days until the break begins.  I think I'm more excited than they are!

Overdue

My personal blog statistician informed me this morning that I am a blog slacker....

This morning I was home for 21 minutes between dropping people off and picking people up and so forth.  I managed to take a shower, dry my hair and get out the door all without forgetting anyone or anything.  I thought that was impressive but I guess I should have posted some pictures too.  :)  Right now I have 62 minutes until I need to leave to get Chase.  Figured I'd better use the time wisely, so here goes...

 Saturday we went to Dick's to pick up Chase's basketball uniform for this season.  Do you know how embarrassing it is to pick it up and then lose it before you ever leave the store?  I do.  Luckily, it was found.

 Sunday we went to Bryce & Emmy's house to watch the parade.  It was appropriately chilly parade weather!

 For reasons I can't figure out, one group was passing out used stuffed animals and Taylor was a lucky recipient.  It even talks.  Still don't get it, but she was happy.

 All the kiddies.

 Monday was ballet open house.  Taylor's feet to head flexibility was rather impressive.

 Chase acted like he was too cool for watching an entire ballet class (ON MY LAP..... I thought my legs would never regain feeling. He is heavy.  You would think they might bring in a few extra chairs?!?) but I think he actually had a good time.

Taylor loves every minute of it.

They got to try on their new recital costumes for this year at the end of class.  I would normally have a picture of that here but for the fact that they walked in the room wearing THE SAME EXACT COSTUME AS LAST YEAR!!!! Not even kidding.  There were 5 out of the 11 girls that were in last year's class.  They have since made arrangements to order new costumes but imagine the disappointment of 5-year old girls when they saw that outfit! 

 A moment that needed to be captured!  They were sitting together - without being asked - reading - not fighting - having a good time.  Christmas miracle.  

And Megan, I'm glad you think our life is interesting enough to ask for more pictures of it.  ;) 

December?

It would appear as though there has been a blogging delay?! It's December?  The end of November actually included me spending much of my time working...I know, unheard of.  I was a moving assistant as Dave changed his office location.  That process is now complete!  I should have taken pictures.  Oh well, here are the pictures I have from the last few weeks.

 Chase managed to snag "Library Superstar" - he's a happy camper now.

 He also finally got to take the long-awaited trip to the treasure box.  In his class, he can earn 1 "superbuck" for every 10 days of good behavior.  After you collect 4 dollars, you can cash it in for the treasure box.  The trick is that there are cheaper distractions along the way (lollipop, popsicle, etc.) but he held on to his money and was thrilled with his selection!

 Taylor had a little Thanksgiving program at her school.  Preschool parents can be a little OCD with the picture taking and I just couldn't do it.  This was my best view while there were no arms in front of me taking pictures and without blocking anyone's view behind me.

 Luckily, there is usually someone from the school that takes pictures and puts them on their fb page. So I stole these and still got to watch the show.  

You can see that Taylor was totally a performer this day.  You could definitely hear her voice among the others.

 I took Grandma with me to the big show.  We took a backstage pic after the program, where her teacher was feeding them juice boxes and marshmallows.  No wonder they were so happy to sing!

 The boys went for Chase's first official sleepover at church a couple of weeks ago.  Taylor asked to take this picture and send it to them so they would know we had fun too.  She still would have rather been with them!

 We went to Thanksgiving lunch at my uncle's house the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Apparently the tennis ball machine was the highlight of the day.

 There were nearly 40 people there and these are the only two pictures I have to show for the day.

Oh wait, just realized I could steal another picture!  My cousin and his wife offered to let all of the kids ride home from my uncle's house in their car (1+ hours).  Looks like a party bus!

 We also made the yearly pilgrimage to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa.

 Finally, no parents in the picture!

 

Chase took Santa a long list.  Taylor told him she would mail her list to him from Macy's.  So you guessed it, the next day we were at Macy's.

 We got the tree up.  The kids were rather useful this year.

 They did most of the decorating.  Usually they stop having fun after the 3rd ornament!

 Taylor had been bugging Dave to take her out on a "Fall date" so that left Chase and I to have a date of our own.  What else would we do - go to Q!

 I always get the kids Christmas pjs.  Well, I saw these at Target and made myself pass them by for like 2 visits.  The third time I couldn't resist.  Won't be long until I can't get away with this.  He could not stop laughing at himself once he got them on.

 I joked with him that he could wear them to school for pj day this year if they had it.  Wouldn't you know it that yesterday he came home with a paper saying they are having a "Polar Express" party and you can WEAR YOUR PJS!!! He's pumped, but I'm wondering if elf pjs are first grade cool?!  I guess we'll find out!