Merry Christmas . . . Take 4!

We wrapped up (get it?) our Christmas celebrations at Kory and Mindi's house Sunday night. After pizza the kids opened gifts and we made snow candy like Laura and Mary did in Lexi's Little House on the Prairie book.

Daddy feeds Henry before the action starts

Frankie and Ben hug, okay wrestle, on the floor

Swiper, No Swiping!

Next year Frankie's getting his own bag of Chili Cheese Fritos so he doesn't have to swipe Daddy's

What do you get when you mix maple syrup, butter, and snow . . . Snow Candy!

How lucky we are to have cousins so close in age!

Big Girl Sleepover

Until Tuesday night, Lexi had never had an official sleepover at a friend's house. With all the fun she and Kristian had, I'm surprised she came home!

Hot tub!

fast asleep!

Merry Christmas . . . Take 3!

7:30am + 8 inches of snow + 2 grandparents = The best Christmas morning ever!

Frankie was so excited with the train table & set Santa brought that he refused to stop playing and open any other gifts. Lexi was almost as excited to give us our gifts as she was about her own. I only cried a little when she proudly presented me with a "gold" mother's necklace bought from the Holiday Shop at preschool!

What a wonderful life!

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Merry Christmas . . . Take 2!

With Frank at work on Christmas Eve, the kids and I braved frigid temperatures and a snow/ice storm to spend the evening with the Carden side of the family. They loved seeing Lexi's gingerbread house and, while it was a subdued evening without our beloved Grandma Arlene, it was so nice to be with family.

Frankie crawls into his bean bag toss game!

On the way home I realized that I'd put Frankie in two left shoes but, everything considered, the evening was a success! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas . . . Take 1!

Because Frank has to work on Christmas, we celebrated Christmas in Wichita this weekend. It was the best trip yet (as you can see in the pictures), here are the highlights from each family member:

Lexi

* playing wigs with Emalee & Aunt Carrie (& later, Popo!)

* My Little Pony remote control scooter

* drums at Cousin Andrew's house

* making her first gingerbread house with Nana

Frankie

* Popo

* Popo

* Popo

Henry

* kisses & hugs

* Lots of action

Mom & Dad

* seeing our kids absolutely delight in family!

Christmas never sounded so sweet!

Lexi's preschool put on a Christmas program and here are the highlights!

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.

—Psalm 101:1

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He Bloomed!

As a teacher, one of my favorite books was always Leo the Late Bloomer (Robert Kraus). A sweet story about a young lion who's always a bit behind his peers. His father worries but Mom is convinced he's just a "late bloomer". The best line is on the last page . . . "Leo bloomed!"

We feel that way with Frankie this week (although Frank was never worried!). He's always been a bit behind: slow to roll, walk, talk. But just this week he's really seemed to bloom! He's talking in full sentences ("I want that, Mama!") and participating in pretend play with Lexi (saying, "Arrrgh, Mateys!"). He thanks people who hold the door for him and voluntarily says goodnight to Lexi & Henry. It's so neat to see his personality come through!

Frankie Bloomed!

She Throws Like A Girl . . .

According to Henry, there's nothing funnier than girls playing football!

This is the first time he's really belly-laughed! The video's a bit shaky because I was laughing so hard at the two of them! At one point, Lexi hit the chandelier with the ball!

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Rockstar Popo!

Frankie is obsessed with Popo. You'd think he was some kind of rock star as much as Frankie talks about him! He will literally be deep in thought playing, suddenly look up, and say, "Popo?" Like he just expects him to magically appear! We let him look at pictures of Popo whenever he's throwing a fit and it calms him down!

Today he picked up my phone and pretended to call Popo. It's so sweet to see him so in love with his Grandpa! I couldn't think of a better guy for him to worship! We all love you, Popo!

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We need this!

This is for all of you who've ridden in the car with us with the sole purpose of "don't let them fall asleep"! Check out this link

And, for those who can't stand to read a post without an adorable picture . . .

$200 Penguin

Here's what $200 worth of preschool ballet lessons will get you . . .

she's the 4th "penguin" from the left in her first ballet recital ever! The highlights were:

1) wearing lipstick

2) being on a real stage

3) getting a flower at the end (courtesy of Keira's mom because she knows we're always late!)

If you get these posts via email you have to go tohttp://wonkafamilylife.blogspot.com/ to see the videos!