Makayla's birthday and party

  My little girl is 7 now.  Wow, where does the time fly??  She is an imaginative girl and I like to give her opportunities to explore her imagination.  Her birthday was no exception.  For her birthday night she chose to go bowling, so we tied on the bowling shoes and had a blast on the lanes.  We met some friends there, so that made the night even more special.  For her party she created an interesting theme...Barbie?, no...Hello Kitty?, no...Princess?, no...nope, she decided on a Teddy Bear Picnic theme with pajama's to boot (she's a pj girl to the core-home from school, pj's on!).  We thought about the Build-a-Bear option, but too many friends, not willing to spend that amount of money.  So we set out for a house party.  We lined the walls with butcher paper and painted them like a park.  We laid tablecloths on the floor for the picnic effect, and each of the girls received a teddy bear ear headband (to be in disguise per the song-Teddy Bear Picnic).  We made a beehive pinata and the cake was decorated with teddy bears.  I believe the kids had fun, and Makayla said she loved it. 

Christmas to New Years-tons of family, tons of fun!

   Holiday time means together time for family.  Ours was no exception.  Our house seem to be booming from the amount of foot traffic we got, but this time of year-the more the merrier.  I believe we had two days of present opening depending on who was or wasn't here and when.  I think that added to the holiday fun for the kids. 
   The kids..there were so many kids...ha, ha.. 
   On Christmas Eve-prior to cookie mania-we went to a wonderful dinner at my sister's home.  It was delicious, and I came to understand we have such different traditions, even though we grew up in the same home.  We still carry some childhood memories into our own family, but it is nice to branch out on our own to make these present Christmases ours.  I respect her traditions as she does mine. My older sister and family showed up Christmas Eve-after cookie mania-and was able to share in the holiday excitement of Christmas morning (4:30 AM!!).    

   Of course Sunday was Christmas, but also church for us.  Luckily it was only an hour long for this special holiday, but I was able to bring home the special spirit from that meeting, even after the hustle and bustle of the early morning unwrapping brigade.  We had a wonderful dinner with family and toasted the holiday with sparkling cider. 

   By Tuesday our home was empty, except for a niece that stayed to spend some time with us.  Wednesday I declared a stay-at-home-in-pj's day and that's what I did-nothing!!!  I was spent.  On Thursday I took the kids to Parker to visit with my Mom and Dad since my Dad wasn't able to join the festivities because of work.  They had a blast with Grandpa-he took them to the hills (some of my favorite memories as a kid) and they collected mounds of rocks.  I helped my mother in the home and waited for my kiddos to come home. Friday came and along with it, Jason's sister and her family of 7!  They rang in the new year with us, and it was so much fun having them here.  The kids had their ups and downs, but overall got along great.  We chatted lots, and the kids played many games.  On New Year's Eve we lit some fireworks and sparklers with our sisters' and family.  The kids wanted more and more sparklers, we couldn't keep up..ha, ha.

    As I think of all the family that has passed through in the last few weeks, I notice that we are each an individual personality.  Yet without that personality, the family would not be complete.  They each bring something special to our lives, and I am truly blessed to have them share some memories with my family.

(don't ask about the formatting of pictures-the stinking pictures couldn't make up their minds.)

 

 

Holiday goodies!!

   I love to bake.  My poor kitchen has seen so much activity this holiday season. I was able to compile and distribute my holiday treats to some family friends, along with some that were gluten-free.  I believe at one time I had piles of cookies, a stack of loaf breads, different types of fudge and bags of holiday mixes.  Jason said that the kitchen looked like my personal craft room-ha, ha.  After the completion of that creativity flow, I cleaned in time to prepare my kitchen for finishing our Gingerbread creation.  Then there it was-Christmas Eve-back to the kitchen for sugar cookie mania.  My kids love to cut out the shapes, and I transfer them to the pan to bake.  As soon as they are cooled, I slab on some white frosting and they go at them with a variety of frosting decor and sprinkles of different types.  It's a messy fun, and sometimes sticky, but we have a blast!  This year, my youngest found it refreshing if he took all his clothes off and decorated in his diaper.  Tried to get clothes on him, but wanted to keep the peace and smiles more than breaking the fun to push the issue (so there are pics with my half-naked son-be warned..lol).  We also had the priviledge of having my mom (Rosa-aka Grandma) there to join in the fun. After the fun we sat and talked about the meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.  We read the story from the Bible, and talked about the nativity scene and closed with a prayer. Then, each kiddo got to pick his/her favorite creation to give to Santa as a present and place it on Santa's cookie plate. Then with a glass of milk it was time for bed...that was hard to calm anticipation of the next day...but by 9:30-they were down.
    WELCOME SANTA CLAUSE!

       

Dec 16th-Last day of school for 2011 and Christmas Parties!!

   Oh my..what was I thinking jumping around like this all day?? But I got it done-yep...3 Christmas parties in one day.  I wasn't going to go without the holiday spirit in mind either-nope.  I'm a mom and it's my duty to try to embarrass my kiddos-at least that is what I told JJ (my oldest at 8) when he mocked my clothes I showed him I was going to be wearing.  I believe his comment (said in dramatic whines) was as follows, "Please Mom, don't wear those (my antler headband) and that (my light up blinking necklace) tomorrow-you are going to totally embarrass me." So I showed up with a green Santa and Sleigh with Rudolph shirt, sporting my headband and my blinking light necklace to boot. Ha, ha!! Wish I took a picture-I looked pretty darn cute..lol.
    Makayla's class had a very fun Christmas party early in the day.  They made trains out of marshmallows and candy with frosting to serve as the glue-yummy!!  Her teacher also had tables set up for Holiday games and art, and another table to make snowmen (again out of marshmallows).  It was a great party and the kids seem to really enjoy themselves.  They liked my get-up too.
     Next stop was to pick up Carter from my sister's house-she watched him while I was at Makayla's party-then, off to Tyler's preschool holiday show.  The kids from his preschool already enjoyed in a 2 hour Christmas party with crafts and goodies, and the last remaining part was to perform for the parents their much practiced holiday songs. They were so cute with the handmade antler's they were wearing singing those songs with so much gusto-it was great.  After the show his preschool was dismissed and I bolted off to drop the boys (Carter and Tyler) back with my sister so I may attend JJ's party.
      So I go in to "embarrass" JJ and low and behold his friends were so cool about the whole thing and thought that I was cool to be wearing such fun stuff-then JJ figured they were right and joined in approving of my "style".  Funny kid.  That party was crazy.  So many 3rd graders full of food and sweets, plus it was pajama day for theirr class.  Shortly after inhaling all the goodies the teacher thought it would be a good idea to send them out to run some of that energy off.  They made a few crafts like holiday cards to the parents and tree ornaments, but third graders get done with that stuff in a jiffy if there are snacks around. 
     The day was jam-packed, and at the end of the day I get fully sugar charged kids-so much fun (sarcastic remark to those who need a clarification).  Anywho-let the holiday vacation begin!

Makayla sporting my antlers

  

Piano Recital & Santa Claus

    December is definitely full of so many things to do!! Makayla and JJ have been taking piano lessons now for over a year, and Christmas songs are some of their favorites to play.  They had an informal recital at a nursing home and played a few songs each.  Makayla's favorite was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and JJ's was We Wish You A Merry Christmas. They played a duet as well, and did a great job. 
    Later that night, we went to our ward Christmas party where the kids and I participated in service projects.  The kids made Christmas cards and Christmas decorations that would go along with some boxes of food.  They also assisted in putting together some birthday bags that would go to foster children which included cake mixes and party supplies. When the service was done we all dug in for dinner and awaited the ever so jolly elf himself...Santa.  Each of the kids had a chance to speak with him. Jj is beginning to feel that he is getting a little old to be sitting on Santa's lap, but I requested it, since it may be the last time he does, so I could get a picture. 
    It was a great day, and the kids and I left with knowing that we were able to help make others happy this season and on their special day as well.