Church Christmas Program

Maggie has been hard at work on the church Christmas program for several weeks, and last night was the night. Her groups focus was on learning sign language for one of the songs. She really enjoyed learning it and says she wishes she knew how to "talk" sign language. One of the ladies that helped with her group grew up in a family of 4 kids (and 2 parents) with only 2 speakers in the house....Maggie is mesmerized by her story and I think occasionally wishes Gracie could only talk with her hands :)

This video is a little long and not super clear (my cell phone can only do some much)....Maggie is in the middle, with a pink bandana headband (they were supposed to look like they were on a farm) and pigtails.
http://youtu.be/l4IoqMEoU2w

        

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Grandma and Grandpa drove up just to see her preform. After the show she wanted to show Grandma the
view from "her spot".

It's been bitterly cold around here, so we've been trying to keep warm and stay inside. Unfortunately even when we have to go out in -12 weather, baby Chocolate Milk doesn't get to wear clothes....

Friday night the girls had some friends here for awhile. We set up camp in the living room
and they had their own movie theater. They occasionally allowed me to sit in the room too.

Elf at work!

 

They have all the toys in the world, but really like to play "buttons". They just pick pretty
buttons out of the box and show them too each other.

This week is pretty quiet by our standards. We finally get our new countertops on Wednesday, I CAN'T WAIT! And we have the usual kid chasing and meeting running, but hopefully we can get some things wrapped up, so next week we can really calm down and enjoy Christmas. I get a little home sick this time of year, so I'm really looking forward to going home next weekend, hopefully I can have myself organized to finish up the Christmas shopping while we're there.

 

Tooth fairy....

The tooth fairy made a visit to our house last night....Maggie was really excited to find the money tucked in her pillow but she was more excited to see the tooth and a note taped to the front door. It seems the tooth fairy was a little intimidated by Reagan.





Maggie's riding lesson got canceled today so after school we went to a new pottery place to do some painting...





Surprise, surprise, Maggie picked a horse.

Here are a couple pictures from the other day, when the girls "helped" me put up the Christmas tree at the office.....





They likes playing in their "jail", the cleaning lady was probably less appreciative of all the finger prints.

Going rate?

What's the going rate for the tooth fairy these days??

Hanukkah and a family weekend....

Hanukkah is REALLY early this year. So we had the chance to celebrate with lots more family then usual. It was fun to give everyone their presents in person, instead of via UPS. The kids enjoyed all the attention and playing with their cousins.

Almost everyone went to Lincoln for the football game, so the girls got to help Aunt
Barb make the Challah (Jewish Bread) for dinner. They did awesome! I can't wait to try the recipe at home.

While they made bread and played with Grandma and Aunt Barb....Lauren and I took a little rest (it would have
been a lot longer in Uncle Arnie hadn't woken us up!)

After dinner we lit the Hanukkah candles and then the kids got to open some presents. Sarah made
them each a pair of leg warmers, they both LOVE them, but Gracie can really make them into a fashion statement.

 2 little Divas....

When they left for this walk Lauren was in the stroller, apparently they got tired of waiting for Maggie to catch up.

Pops took each of the girls to Target (one at a time) to pick a special present. Maggie got this jeep and
camper for her dolls. Gracie wanted one too, he successfully talked her into a scooter for her doll and a Doctor kit.

On Saturday everyone took a trip to Grandma Margaret's old house. I thought we'd seen almost everything there, but they found an old name plate. We don't know if it was from her desk at the office, or one of her many board position. Maggie decided it was from the school board, and she thinks it's awesome to have it to use when she plays "meeting"!

It was a great weekend, full of tons of fun and lots of memories. Last night at bedtime Maggie's prayer went like this....."Dear God, Thank you for all the great things we did today. Thank you for Thanksgiving and for my whole family. Thank you for letting me be mostly Christian but a little bit Jewish too. Amen."

Thanksgiving!

I'm Thankful for "my sister and my dog." By Maggie, Age 5

The girls and I headed for Omaha Tuesday after school. Wednesday was Mom & Dad's anniversary. The girls were looking through their wedding album and Maggie said, "Grandma, was this generations ago??" Silly girl. I'm not sure what made her think that....maybe the brown and peach floral dresses?

Maggie also told Grandma & Grandpa that they should go to a movie for their Anniversary....by they, she meant, Grandpa, Grandma, Gracie and her. Lucky Grandma and Grandpa, they got to see Frozen (at 2 in the afternoon) on their Anniversary date :)

Wednesday night Maggie and Grandpa disappeared to the basement for awhile....here's what they came up with.....,
http://youtu.be/yTIdWcUUMV0

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Tons of noise, food and total chaos, but it's one of my favorite days of the year.

 

Grandpa had a solution for the loose tooth, but Maggie thought the pliers were dirty :)

Grandpa & Maggie started the day off making the stuffing. I hope she's paying attention, so she
can teach me someday.

 

After all that work they needed a rest.

"Elsie, come to me! Come to me!"

A little after dinner music.

More dessert please!

 

We have SO much to be thankful for and a wonderful day with family is definitely on the list. Now that Thanksgiving is in the books, Christmas is in full swing around here....

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