Ringing and singing in the new year

Goal one: to be better about blogging. Goal two: to appreciate the wonderful family I have and be present. At. All. Times.

Winter break fun

We have enjoyed our times bowling this year. Jack met Wade there one day and kate took a friend. Then, we met another family to bowl one night. Two games is our max for sure, but it's a lot of fun and if I ever break 100, it will be more fun!

Jack got Lincoln logs as a gift and has enjoyed building with them. It's a starter set, and I foresee adding to it as he gets older. Way more fun than Legos for me!

Jack got a shaving kit for Christmas and has been busy shaving. Baths are even cool again. And he always has us "feel my face."

Play doh. I hate play doh. Good thing Santa brought it since they both asked for it.

Christmas time is here!

Matching jammies. Yep.

Waiting for Santa at Anne and Ben's.

Ready for the Christmas meal!

Loving my nativity scene. Thank you, mom, for building it for me yearly. Love my lights.

School is out for break!

We had a lot to accomplish over Christmas break! Lots of baking and time with friends. We have begun making lists of things we want to do so we can make sure to enjoy our break. Hot cocoa and a Christmas movie? Bowling? Baking treats for the neighbors? Giant gingerbread men? Dance party? All goes on the list. We may not get it all accomplished, but it gives us a plan for the holidays.

Once made, Jack promptly took an arm and devoured it.

Out to Mexican with friends. Kate and the girls did an art camp that morning and Jack and I picked her up and we met for cheesadillas.

Carri babysat and introduced these sillies to Snapchat. I got pictures like this sent to me and died laughing. We are the luckiest people to have such wonderful babysitters who love our kids as much as we do. It's always nice to hear our kids ask when one of them is coming back - or tell us to go out so they can!

We attempted baking soda and four ornaments. They did not work though they were beautiful. They cracked and would not have hung well. And we worked so hard!!!

School days

Kate's school had two weeks of Christmas-themed dress. One was snowman and I craftily made this for her, complete with hat. I am a little sad it all fell off when I washed it, but I guess it served its purpose.

Santa came to visit at Jack's school. In fact, he came twice in one day to accommodate the two sessions. Since Jack goes both, he saw Santa both times. So, when Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas, Jack replied, "I already told you. A trombone." Silly, Santa.

His afternoon girlfriend, Stella.

Kate had a skating party during school on ugly sweater day. My friend snapped this pic for me of Kare enjoying herself.

Jack's lunch crew. Hailey, Reed, and Lilly. Jack is no dummy!!

Parent visitation at dance

Never easy to get good pictures during these visitations. Never. But kate sure loves her combo classes. And being in class with her good friend, Ava, from southern oaks.

Happy birthday to the number one girl

Eight. So old and so young. This one knows how to love like no other and also push buttons. She is fiercely independent but so sensitive. She is loved by so many and admired by me. She is an old soul in a world of newbies. She is loyal to the end for anyone in her circle. She loves all kids smaller than she is and she loves Jack best of all. She wanted a paint party for her birthday and decided that instead of gifts, she would ask for donations to give to charity. She took the money in herself and didn't want a story about her desire to give to the Children through Goodfellows. Her name was noticed by her principal and she was mentioned in her school news for this great deed. That pleased her more than anything. Her hear has been filled with unknowns and she has surpassed all goals she set. She is a hard worker and I love her very much.

We were able to have a mason family pizza party birthday for her once we were out for break. She loves having her cousins over to play and we don't do it enough. They usually go to Mimi and Papaw's to play.

Happy birthday, sunshine. Keep painting. We need more like you.

Building houses

Of the gingerbread sort.

Kate's was her own. Jack needed help. In fact, he found it a bit tedious.

More attempts of fun with Santa

My micette

Kate was a micette in the Nutcracker this year. She was dying to be one, so she was quite pleased with the assignment and fulfilled her duties in her role. She cheered on cue, cried on cue, and taught the soldiers on cue. Some of these pics are from the professional, but he was the only one allowed to take them when they were on stage.

So very proud of this dancer. She loves being on stage and is such a good leader with her musicality.

Frannie came in and got to see Kate dance her role.

And Jack. Always there to support.