We are in the FULL swing of the Holiday season. We got the Thanksgiving decorations Down And Christmas Decorations up they have been up for a week now and the lights outside went up on Saturday! in the snow! and though it used to feel like winter I woke up this morning to the North Pole! On top of our 3-4″ we got another 5-6″ with plans of more on the way.
Thursday night we met up with uncle Joe and his family to huge event where Volunteers Decorate Christmas trees, HUNDREDS of them and donate them to make money for the Children’s Hospital by having silent auctions and sales for them anywhere from $10s to $thousands of dollars, there are so many types styles ideas, you name it they find the bits and pieces and things to make it work. there was a “Camping Tree” with fire-pit, binoculars, tent, gear all over and around. The Barbie Trees have the tall stand up barbies and about 35 barbie dolls on the trees, there’s Grinch themed, Cars Themes, Mickey Mouse themes, Fairy Themes, Blue, Pink, nativity, and sooo many more. They also sell Gingerbread houses/trains more elaborate than you would imagine, Handmade quilts, Wreath and Mantle decorations and SANTA is there but the lines are SLOW or Santa takes a break to “feed the reindeer and drink hot cocoa.” So we didn’t see him there. But we watched Irish Dancers, had homemade suckers, walked the the bakery shop and headed out to BK for dinner.
Nathan Flew to CT for business and Monday I took them to really see Santa. Hailey asked for a “Realistic Cat toy” she really wants a pet. probably because it’s not electronic and Mom and dad probably wouldn’t tak it away as punishment for not remembering to bring her homework home. Sierra asked for a horse, but selled for a Webkins Plush Horses for internet interactive play. Zach asked for Transformers. Aurora (2 1/2)asked for a candy cane since the Elf was handing them out. ;D We spent the evening at “The Square” shopping center enjoying hot cocoa, cinnamon tortillas, candy canes and candy, warming up near the fire pits and watching the Horse drawn carriage’s go around the parking lot while music played. I set up a Cookie Lee jewelry table and sold a few pieces of jewelry in 27* weather. The kids watched the Charlie Brown Christmas movie in the car on the way back huddled in blankets. It was pretty nice.
We started opening the Doors on our Lego Advent calendar Starting Dec.1st counting up to Christmas Eve. it’s really cool! It will be a nice tradition!
Today after Hailey and Sierra went to Irish dance practice we had some time to hit a store and look for items to make homemade Christmas ornaments for the family exchange, I should have gone in with some sort of plan, $28.00 later I’m pretty sure I know what we are going to do. That will be tomorrows project.
Nathan has been brainstorming with Hailey over her Science Fair project. He’s done all kinds of studies on magnetic motors, magnets in general. They have decided to do tests to see which items shield magnets the best. Hailey has made a contraption that seems to be running the tests really well. Hailey is also working on reading a book for her book report. This morning she made the most awesome Lego Mega blog reindeer for Zach and Aurora to play with, I wish I had grabbed the camera, she is still very creative and talented as an artist.
Sierra has a slight cold. She’s been playing on th Wii Fit a lot lately getting some exercise, which is awesome since they aren’t able to ride their bikes to school much anymore. She’s been consistently getting better in Math. She’s one of the top 4 in her class that blasted thru multiplication facts and she’s now passed Division by 4s. (not really blasted it’s taking a lot of studying). She is also a great helper with Zach and Aurora playing horses and all with them.
Zach is doing well in pre-school although he would prefer to be the line leader everyday AND requested today that he not wear his squeaky shoes(even without the squeaker) because he is was the Caboose last time and he blames it on his squeaky shoes 
(no squeaky). People seem to have trouble understanding some of the words he says, I hope it’s not a sign of years to come of vocal re-hab Guess I’ll start correcting him more often. He’s stopped taking naps but gets sleepy and cranky around 7:00 instead of 8:00 bedtime. He has slowed down in his train play and cried like a baby tonight when I wouldn’t let him keep playing with the Lego calendar pieces as we hurried out the door to Irish Dance.
Aurora is trouble, or should I say a piece of WORK. All day long in the middle of the day she waill ask for a bath, at breakfast she just wants candy or cookies, she is all over the place, she and Zahc fight a lot, she’s on the go all the time, her nap is from 11-2:30 and boy do I need it! She loves fluffy animals, loves acting like a puppy or a horse. Shes stinking adorable too and she melts everyones hearts with cuteness. Yesterday at the Church workout she was crawling from mom to mom to mom as we were doing abs – (whenever I get on the floor you can count on her or 1 of the kids flocking) she crawled aroung on her hands and knees and would kiss the moms on their hands, arms, she kissed me on my belly twice. she was so cute and it made the “day” of many of the moms that were touched by her friendly, outgoing and giving personality. She can be so sweet like that many times in the day. Sometimes she just wants to sit on my lap drink her chocolate milk, watch a show and tickle my face.
When I ran out of gas he was the only one in the car and Daddy and Aurora came to our rescue and now DADDY is a HERO! Zach is VERY into Herosand he has been able to see them 1st hand 2Xs in one week!