Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Sparkle
Last Christmas, our youngest received an Elf on the Shelf. It was a girl Elf, and we named her Sparkle. Since Sparkle had to return to the North Pole that same day we opened her, this is the first holiday season that we have experienced her flights. Below are some of our favorite moments we've captured on camera:
Monday, December 21, 2015
Semester Break
We have our oldest home now for two weeks. Her first semester at USC went very well. However, she brought home with her some new ideals that she decided to impart on the family.
For one week, the family is going waste-free. No trash, no food waste, no plastic bags. Everything must either be recycled or composted.
It's so great to have all my children home! I may not have many years of this left, so I'm truly loving it!
For one week, the family is going waste-free. No trash, no food waste, no plastic bags. Everything must either be recycled or composted.
Other than this, we've enjoyed having her company again. The house is always clean, there's fresh fruit in the fridge, and we have an extra driver to run errands.
It's so great to have all my children home! I may not have many years of this left, so I'm truly loving it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
9th Birthday
It's finally here! I can't even begin to tell you all the discussions, planning, and non-stop thinking we've had about this amazing day! We counted down the months, then days, weeks, hours, and even minutes, as our little one drove us absolutely crazy. But, we wouldn't have it any other way.
It all went perfectly according to the schedule that was pre-set 11 months ago......
Breakfast in bed with 3 waffles, milk, and a fruit medly of strawberries, blueberries, and cantelope.
Since peanut products cannot be brought into the school, we ordered donuts. But not just any donuts. Two dozen! The first dozen where white frosting with sprinkles, and the second dozen were chocolate frosting with sprinkles. Grandma has these pretend donuts at her house, and it is one of her favorite stores to play.
Next was lunch. Daddy and Sissy met her at the school and were to surprise her with one of these three restaurant choices: McDonalds, Subway, or Nagoya (a Japaneze take-out place). They chose Subway since it was on the way and actually served lunch at 10:45am.
After school, we had our family dentist appointment. This was no coincidence of course, because back in June when it was time to schedule the next cleaning, she wanted it on her birthday. What kid loves the dentist?!! Apparantly mine. They were so impressed with her planning this (our little one felt the need to share this story with all the staff there), that one of them gave her a $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card for her birthday.
For dinner, she chose Outback, where all five of us ate for $43.00. It was then time to head home for the birthday celebration. Daddy got her an Olaf pinata, we ate pumpkin pie, then opened presents.
Some of her favorite gifts were a hoola hoop, robe, beanie boo girraffe, nice church coat, a jacket to go with her soccer sweats, and a gingerbread house kit.
Whew! That little one is sleeping now, but she'll start planning the next one tomorrow morning.
It all went perfectly according to the schedule that was pre-set 11 months ago......
Breakfast in bed with 3 waffles, milk, and a fruit medly of strawberries, blueberries, and cantelope.
Since peanut products cannot be brought into the school, we ordered donuts. But not just any donuts. Two dozen! The first dozen where white frosting with sprinkles, and the second dozen were chocolate frosting with sprinkles. Grandma has these pretend donuts at her house, and it is one of her favorite stores to play.
Next was lunch. Daddy and Sissy met her at the school and were to surprise her with one of these three restaurant choices: McDonalds, Subway, or Nagoya (a Japaneze take-out place). They chose Subway since it was on the way and actually served lunch at 10:45am.
After school, we had our family dentist appointment. This was no coincidence of course, because back in June when it was time to schedule the next cleaning, she wanted it on her birthday. What kid loves the dentist?!! Apparantly mine. They were so impressed with her planning this (our little one felt the need to share this story with all the staff there), that one of them gave her a $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card for her birthday.
For dinner, she chose Outback, where all five of us ate for $43.00. It was then time to head home for the birthday celebration. Daddy got her an Olaf pinata, we ate pumpkin pie, then opened presents.
Whew! That little one is sleeping now, but she'll start planning the next one tomorrow morning.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Christmas Parade
One of Eric's favorite holiday traditions is dragging the family to the local Christmas parade. This one has a small town country feel, and the best part is that you can arrive 5 min. before it starts and still find a great seat.
We usually have to bring at least one grocery bag to gather all the candy, which is just what we need only 6 weeks after Halloween. The mayor leads it off at 11am, followed by a band, some teen beauty queens, a few hot rod cars, boy scouts troops, a tractor or two, girl scout troops, one more high school band, and then the grand finale...Santa!
We're usually headed back home by 11:15. Crossed that one off the list. Now back to my nap.
We usually have to bring at least one grocery bag to gather all the candy, which is just what we need only 6 weeks after Halloween. The mayor leads it off at 11am, followed by a band, some teen beauty queens, a few hot rod cars, boy scouts troops, a tractor or two, girl scout troops, one more high school band, and then the grand finale...Santa!
We're usually headed back home by 11:15. Crossed that one off the list. Now back to my nap.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
North Pole Musical
Our youngest had a leading role in the 3rd grade performance last week.
Here's our little reindeer just before the program began. If you have 2-3 min to watch the clip highlights, click this link:
