winter birds

are filling the bird feeders
entertaining both big and small alike
not sure if it is the colors against the white backdrop of snow
that makes viewing so much easier for even the smallest ones
but winter is the time that bird watching is the most entertaining
around here.

Mary

Rosie's role in the Sunday school program was Mary
so fun to watch her play her part during the younger kids portion
she was reluctant at first but soon embraced her inner actor
and then she just shined

Sunday School Program

was this morning
I will never tire of watching little ones sing "Away in the Manager"
the energy and excitement that is little kids at this time of the year
is truly magical.
loved watching yahaira confidently say her lines
wondered if boys will always poke each other and appear to be daydreaming
even in front of crowd
rosie's little wave when she spotted me
reyna's call of "come here" to gracie when she spotted her standing in front of the church
an awesome performance

Celtic Thunder

For Casssndras birthday I bought her a ticket to see Celtic Thunder. Tonight was the night.  We ventured into downtown Minneapolis our goal the State theater.  It was crowded and crazy and it seemed unlikely we were going to find the place.  Eventually we did. A note downtown Minneapolis in December is not cool (well actually its freezing).  Thanks in part to the holidazzle parade.
What an amazing concert . Amazing.

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Eating at the cheesecake factory

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Johnny

Has been doing all sorts  of fun things this year. Loved watching the kids watch johnny to see if he actually was drinking the soda. And bonus each got a can after school

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Pizza night

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simple

a string of lights and a curious two year old
adds up to a pretty fun set of pictures

snow

a project today...
playing in fake snow which felt just like the real thing
take water and the snow powder and instantly a bucket full of fun...

I wonder

what she is thinking
I have found her often since that tree arrived sitting there with a book in hand just staring at it
sometimes reaching out to touch an ornament or to peak from a different angle

and when they saw me snapping her photo they quicky joined in for a photo too

It snowed

this weekend
and to celebrate Johnny made his own snow angel in elf snow....

music

in the kitchen
while cooking and doing dishes?
yes please!
what a brilliant invention

I lost her last night

as I finished up one more thing in the kitchen I noticed her absence...
usually she is nearby, it seems at times so near that I stumble over her
so I went looking in the obvious places...no little one.
so I doubled back and looked again...and by accident I noticed a light in the
bathroom that shouldn't have been there and as I found myself starting to
grumble about the child who left the dryer door open and moved to shut it
I stopped when I heard a giggle, and as relief swept thru me quickly at finding her, just as quickly followed by
an oh my gosh I almost closed her in the dryer
she willing posed for a photo
tickled with her new found spot...
this one is a challenge every single day....

Christmas open house

Reyna's early childhood program held its Christmas open house tonight. Evan and his mommy and grandma joined us.  They made mickey ears and met a few Disney characters. Decorated a Christmas tree with lights (their finger tip).
Munched on some yummy food and saw Santa.  Well Reyna didn't. She watched safely from a distance. A fun night for all of us
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Driving

In snow is rarely fun.
But, that first. snowfall is downright awful
My view driving home from Kato this afternoon. Where I barely did
35 miles an hour.
This would be what I dislike the most in the winter
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Snowball fight....

it seems our elf has taken a turn to the mischievous side...
this morning we woke to a snowball fight between Johnny and some ornaments from the daycare tree
scattered around were mini marshmallows (snowballs) complete with forts to protect themselves...
laughter and speculating on who won (johnny of course) filled the morning

love, love, love...

this view
many nights when life calms here you will find me curled up in a chair reading
and this is my company.
love how those lights reflect off that floor

this

could be become a problem in a hurry.
last summer I tried a cherry limeade from Sonic.
and quickly realized two things...
1. they are amazing
2. thank goodness the nearest Sonic is two hours away
a few weeks ago while picking up some food from Taco Bell I noticed on the menu Cherry Limeade...
for the sake of comparison I had to try it.
oh dear just as good as the Sonic version, and much closer at only 40 minutes away.
But, not a problem yet since my trips to Mankato are still a week or more thing.
Enter Pinterest...while browsing recipes one night I stumbled across one for Sonics Cherry Limeade.
Could it be possible, would it be close to that original?
so ingredients were purchased and the recipe made...
oh my word this, this is awesome stuff.
now to find the will power to not venture a few minutes to the store to buy those ingredients when ever the craving rises.
now that is going to be a problem.

Christmas lights

this house was one of the favorites, and was the first that the kids
decided to leave a thank you for...

a rare moment

usually one is running from the other

fishing

Johnny decided to go fishing one day...
which brought giggles to several little ones in our house
Reyna didn't like that Johnny had goldfish and she didn't.