All things Christmas!

I'm sorry, these pictures were taken from different places on my computer, so they kind of go back and forth, but just hang in there with me! 

 

A couple of weeks before Christmas, the kids had their Pre-K Christmas recital.  Aren't they so cute all dressed up (I made them wear the same thing to church Christmas Eve, too!)?   These were just a few shots I got before we hurried out the door!

Sweet peas!!!

 

This was our first Santa sighting this year, at a bank in downtown Mansfield.  He was very sweet, and even had a real reindeer with him!  He told the kids that chocolate chip cookies were his favorite, so we had to make those instead of sugar cookies this year (which was ok, because we had already decorated Christmas sugar cookies at our neighbor, Donna's, and chocolate chip are much easier for Mommy)!

  Here is a very lame picture of their Christmas recital.. They are just to the left of the right-most microphone stand, second row from the top!  They did SO GOOD, they sung all the words and even had some sign language incorporated into the songs.  We were very impressed!

 We also had another "breakfast with Santa" event, where the kids wore their jammies and got to visit with another Santa.  I got a lot of questions, as this Santa was not nearly as.. "authentic".  From now on, we will only be visiting one Santa per season. :)

 And on to a fun and super easy Christmas craft- home made flour dough Christmas ornaments!!!  Here they are painting them after we got them out of the oven..

 Just in case Santa forgot something, we sent him some Christmas lists with our names and what we wanted.  I told them how to spell and they wrote out everything themselves- it took a WHILE!

 Just a sweet peanut butter jelly face

 And another sweet face :)

 Our gingerbread house wasn't NEARLY as frustrating to make this year as it was last year!!  They had fun, and I think it turned out pretty good!

 Here we are on Christmas Eve, next to the chocolate chip cookies and milk (and they LOVE this little people Nativity scene that Grandma got them last year!).

 Christmas Eve- after Santa came!

 Here are just a few I got on Christmas morning.  I hate that I don't ever get many, but there is just too much going on and I want to watch and enjoy instead of messing with my camera!!

 Half-asleep Daddy helping Nate unwrap some toys.

 New pink boots!

 A BARN!!

 Furniture for my DOLL HOUSE!

 

 These were taken at a little Christmas party/gift exchange we had at a friend's house.  The kids had fun frosting ice cream cones and decorating them like Christmas trees!

 

 Back to Christmas Day- WE GOT SNOW!!!!  They went out with their brand new umbrellas!

 This is their Pre-K "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas party, in their little class room. 

 Here is a close up of their sweet little lists they made for Santa. LOVE!!!!

 

 Back to Christmas morning- new jammies and slippers!!  Bonus!

 

 More of our snowy Christmas Day..

 

 Playing on the Kindles they got for Christmas!  These things are AWESOME!

 Watching snow fall on Christmas Day..

Whew.. that was a lot of Christmas!  And I'm sure there were some things I missed, but this Christmas was so wonderful- the kids are at the PERFECT age of being so excited and not asking too many questions.  I hope it lasts a little longer!  Already looking forward to next year!!!

Ballet!

Whew!  Ok, in my defense, I have been trying to make this post for at least a week, and couldn't figure out how to upload pictures.. I love the way blogger just makes these random changes and expects me to figure them out.  They need to know I am not that smart. 

 

As you all know, Lilly was in a "Princess Ballerina" class from September to December this year.  It was her first experience with a dance class, and she LOVED it!  She did great! 

 

Here are some of her outfit choices (they could wear whatever they wanted)..

 

At first, I noticed she was watching everyone else more than she was really paying attention and following the teacher, but after the first few classes she began to focus and try to emulate what her teacher was doing.  Repetition was the key (and the fact that she was having fun)!

 

In December, they had a recital to show the parents what they had learned.  I know I am biased, but Lilly was definitely the cutest! :)  She is easy to spot in all the photos because she's wearing a white bow.  Also, she has silver writing on her leotard because I bought the one from straight from the dance class, and the other parents were smarter and went and found better deals on their own..

 

 

 This was her favorite little friend, Asa.  I'm glad they hit it off, because I really enjoyed talking with her mom during class.  We have plans to meet them at the museum next week!

 Showing her best plie!

 

 Daddy even left work early so he could come see his baby girl dance!!!  She was so happy to have him there!  Of course Grandma was there too, and even our sweet neighbors, Mike and Donna came.  I think she felt pretty special!

Four years old- Birthday quiz!

Somehow Nate and Lilly are already 4 and a half (how did that happen?), and I know I was supposed to do these quizes on their actual birthday in June, but I ended up asking the questions on their first day of pre-K (September 4).  I meant to get this on the blog months ago, so here it is!  Keep in mind, I just asked the questions (sometimes had to explain) and wrote down the answers- no prompting from me, I promise!)

LILLY
Favorite color- purple
Favorite movie- Hello Kitty
Favorite TV Show- Mickey Mouse
Favorite thing to play- Dollies
Best Friend- Mommy (Awwww!)
What do you want to do when  you grow up?  -Go to work with Mommy and take pictures :))
Favorite sport- Football (?)
Favotire restaurant- Chick-Fil-A
Favorite Book- Tangled
Favorite Lunch- PB and J
Favorite Juice- Milk and Juice
Favorite Song- You Don't Know You're Beautiful (One Direction)
Favorite Snack- Crackers
Favorite Store- Target
Favorite Ice Cream- Chocolate

NATE
Favorite color- Green
Favorite movie- Lion King, Cars
Favorite TV Show- Team Umi-Zoomi
Favorite thing to play- Trucks
Best Friend- Lillly (Awwww, that's for sure)
What do you want to do when you grow up? -sing and dance and drive a car :))
Favorite sport- Baseball
Favotire restaurant- Suzie Q's
Favorite Book- Berenstein Bears
Favorite Lunch- lunchable and yogurt
Favorite Juice- red juice, milk
Favorite Song- Rumor Has It (Adele) Can you tell we listen to MY music in the car??
Favorite Snack- Fruit snacks and graham crackers
Favorite Store- Target
Favorite Ice Cream- Vanilla