Merry Christmas

I know it is a little late, but Merry Christmas from our family.

Eating the Gingerbread houses

I don't have a lot of room in my kitchen and not much display space anywhere else.  So I needed to get rid of the gingerbread houses quickly.  Decision made, after dinner the kids were allowed to eat as much of their houses as they wanted, but whatever was leftover was going in the trash.  It was a great decision.  I threw away a lot of candy.
Princess was making a great effort, but then.....

Buddy with the remains of his, he ate a lot of candy in a short amount of time.

Munchkin ate  2 lolipops and her twizzlers before she gave up.

Gingerbread houses

We finally made the time, the kids have been begging to make gingerbread houses, so I finally made the time today.  They wanted to make little houses for each of them, rather than one large house, so they each got their own.  It was a challenge to help each child get a standing house, while still encouraging them to do it themselves.

This is the Princess house, she did it mostly on her own, with the exception of the roof.... It is more than a little crooked.  She dumped a huge pixie stick on top to make snow when it was done.  It was at least creative.

This is Buddy's house, he went for simple, but I think that was because he had the least amount of Halloween Candy left.

This one is Munchkins, I helped her the most, but she loved telling me where to put the frosting, so she could place the candy.  She had the most variety of Halloween candy left, so she had a few more options.

Car Gymnastics

Every afternoon I have the 2 little kids with me when we go to school to pick up Princess, we have to wait in the carpool line while the principal calls the kids over the radio and they are sent out to their parents vehicle.   I usually have to wait about 10 minutes, depending if I am on time or early. 

The 2 little kids hat being strapped in while we wait, so I usually allow them to unbuckle and play.  Lately they are into leaning back the passenger seat and pretending it is a slide. 

It can make for some very static hair.

But it usually keeps them happy and they don't ever complain when I make them buckle back into their seats.

1st Haircut

We finally took a little girl to get her 1st official haircut.  Basically I had to get my hair cut and it kept her entertained for about 1/2 the time it took to get mine cut.  I didn't get a good after picture, but she was so proud to be sitting in the big girl chair and she didn't even move. Maybe she will be like her big sister and love to get her hair cut. 

Daddy's cooking -2

Daddy has a little helper for some of his cooking, he is usually pretty good about getting them to help and they like to clean out any and all bowls.  I think this is him making the pizza sauce, which is why he likes to make pizza.  I cheat and used canned pizza sauce.

We got pizza, (with turkey instead of pepperoni)

Chocolate Mousse - from scratch and absolutely fantastic. It was supposed to be for my birthday, but when he went to make it he realized we didn't have heavy cream in the house, so it was a week late, but I won't complain. 

Daddy's cooking

Daddy had some time off for Thanksgiving and spent some of that cooking in the kitchen.  I love it when he cooks.  He is actually more adventurous than I am.  Some of his experiments are good, and other not so much.   One of his experiments that has been repeated over and over is the Raspberry brownies.  Basically pour a can of raspberry pie filling in a 9x9 pan and then cover with browies mixed according to the directions on the box.  Bake it until done (usually longer than directions on the box)  It is fantastic and we all love it. 

The little Munchkin

This little one is so cute and getting big, she will be three in a few weeks.   She loves to give me this smile, and it is not a good one. 

After a little bit of coaxing, I can usually get one that looks a little better.  By the way, she loves her baby and carries it most places.  (without clothes)

Creativity

This little Princess is very creative.  She colored little Pilgrims and Native Americans in school, and then brought them home cut them out and created her own stage, complete with curtain and stickers.  The video is short, but cute.

New craft

This is one of my new crafts for MOPS.  this is all for the bargain price of $1.80, it is a dollar store wreath form and coffee filters.  Plus ribbon I already had at home.    You can google the idea and find about 10 different tutorials.  I just love the cool look and I can throw it away in December and not feel guilty about it because I can always make another one next year. 

Advent ideas

Last year I posted every day in December about my favorite Christmas decorations. This year I was debating if I should do something similar. (favorite people, or books or something else?)  I need ideas.  Leave me a message and let me know if you have a great idea. 

Tea

The weather has been cooler, so the family has started drinking warm things again. They love hot chocolate, but Daddy usually drinks hot tea.  They finally decided to try it out.  (decaf tea by the way.)  The two little ones loved it, but Princess didn't like it. 

Flowers

I love getting flowers and my husband got me these this week.  They are great and were assembled by a great friend of mine.  You can check her out at her blog.

Reading time

Princess is getting to be quite the reader, she is even willing to read to her brother and sister.

Fall at the botanical garden

We decided to go hiking, and this week that just happened to be a walk at the Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful fall afternoon with fantastic warm weather.  The roses were in bloom, and the kids loved smelling all the different varieties.

 The leaves were all beautiful colors.

 The kids and daddy got to climb trees that had fallen,

 This is Daddy and Nathan on the fallen tree from the other direction.  Jungle climbing.

 I wish they would let you take cuttings because all the holly and other berry bushes were beautiful and I would love some of these to decorate my house.

I love this picture of Daddy, he looks great with his binoculars looking at me.