Disney on Ice!

Mom, Emma, Jen, Charlene, Hayden, and I went to the new Disney on Ice show last night. This was the "Dare to Dream show" and it focused on Tiana, Cinderella, & Rapunzel. The rapunzel segment was AMAZING. The skaters did all kinds of acrobatic moves, flying through the air on skeins of "hair." The girls (and the mommies & grandmas) loved it! We also went out for dinner at the Mongolian BBQ and that was very yummy....

Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Emma & TJ were so excited in the morning so see what Santa had brought. Emma couldn't believe that Santa had really brought her a PINK guitar and Justin Beiber journals. I flipped open one of the notebooks a while later and found that she had already jotted down a little thank you note to the big guy. I love this little girl and her good heart. We let the kids open their stockings and start in on their presents  but Emma was soon sidetracked. She opened some new Junie B. Jones books and asked (I kid you not), "Mommy, can we take a break from presents and go read a couple chapters in my new book?" Are you freaking kidding me?! She is SOOO my kid!!! Love this!

Around 11 am, everyone else started showing up... Mom & Al, Jon, Tim, Jen, Katie, Lucy, & Bubs, Kenny... We were missing Scott & Matthew and Pat & Teresa, but they all had trips out here planned in the near future. We had a great day opening presents, playing with new toys, and eating lots & lots of yummy food. It was a great day.

Christma Eve Festivities

Well, Karen had to work today (Boo!) so I was on kiddie duty all day. Emma, TJ, & I had a nice Christmas Eve, even with me fighting a head cold. We straightened up in the living room. baked gingerbread cookies for Santa, went to the early service at church, and had our traditional (slighty ghetto) Christmas Eve dinner at McDonalds. Actually, the kids had happy meals. I just couldn't stomach it so I had Subway. :) Yes, I realize that Mickey Dees is not exactly fancy holiday food. But the kids love it. And I love that it is usually pretty empty, so they get free reign run of the playground. I let them run wild for an hour or 2 and then we head home with them sufficiently exhausted. By that time Karen was home. So the kids were able to open their new Christmas jammies, sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn, take baths, put out milk and cookies for Santa (and a carrot for Rudolph), hang the "Santa Key" on the front door (so he can get in since we don't have a chimney), read a story, and then, blessedly, fall asleep quickly! Whew! Busy day, but lots of fun.

Crafty Morning...

This morning I decided to do a quick Christmas craft with Lucy & Emma. We used a mason jar, some hot glue, old Christmas ornaments, liquid soap, and a bit of glitter. 20 minutes later... wha-la! A brand new soap dispenser for Christmas day! Turned out pretty cute, huh?

Eagle's Christmas Party

We went to the annual Eagles Christmas party this afternoon. The kids had a great time, as usual. They got to see Frosty and Santa, got a present and a stocking full of goodies, had lunch, and got to play on the playground. It was a fun time. Emma got a gymnastics star barbie and she was very excited about that!

Morning Fun

Today we went to Kith for a craft. It ended up being "cookie decorating day"... Craft & a snack; can't beat that! Then we walked up State St. to the courtyard where the girls played together and put on mini shows for us, singing and dancing on stage. They even cooperated long enough for me to snap some pictures in front of the giant tree!

3rd Annual OGC Christmas Party!

We spent Thursday morning with our BFFS having our third annual "girls only" Christmas party. The girls exchanged gifts, made crafts, played games, and had the occasional squabble. Its par for the course by now. :)