Advent Part 1

Instead of a traditional advent calendar this year, I made 24 ornaments for the tree with a family activity on each.  The kids race to the tree each morning to see what's in store for that day.  We've done lots of things we normally wouldn't get around to and it's definitely going to be a tradition from here on out!  Here are some highlights from the first half of the month.  We can't wait to see what tomorrow's activity is!

Pinecone bird feeders!

Frankie liked making birdfeeders so much he made two!

Gingerbread houses - oh, what a mess!

Cotton ball snowman

Henry loved painting ornaments!  I don't think we've ever let him paint before!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

For weeks Frankie's been serenading us with songs from his preschool Christmas program.  Although he knew them well at home, we had doubts how brave he'd be in front of 90 parents and grandparents since last year he stared blankly at the crowd, refusing to sing a word!

With Grandma & me seated front and center, he belted the songs as well as any four-year-old there!  We're proud of you, Frankie!


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Away In a Manger . . . Ka-Pow!

It's no secret that Frankie & Henry have a full-blown obsession with "guys". We have an action figure draft each morning to divide them up.

But, a new hero recently joined the team. That's right, fighting the evils of the world alongside Captain America and Spiderman is none other than . . . Baby Jesus! After all, for a man who can raise the dead and heal the lame, Venom is no challenge!

Thankful!

We started Thanksgiving weekend with Dad off work on Wed! He's worked Thanksgiving Day for at least the last three years so it was extra special to spend so much time with him!

Thursday we went to Aunt Gayle's for lunch with Andrea's family . . .
















Then we headed to Wichita for three more days of thankfulness! Time with family, a visit to the zoo, and lots of food . . .

Can you guess the reward??

They set a goal:

Lexi - Learn to tie her shoes

Frankie - Stop sucking his thumb

They accomplished their goals . . . We provided the reward. Can you guess what it was?

































If you guessed "Chuck E. Cheese", you win 200 tickets (which can be exchanged for two packages of Smarties and a spinning top!)

ROCKY!

I don't think she ever doubted herself, Lexi KNEW she could run 3 miles. The last 1/2 mile of her first ever 5K run was a little rough but she finished just as strong as she started. Mom was pretty emotional crossing the finish line, it was a proud moment for all of us!












The boys were disappointed to be stuck on the sidelines so they had their own finish line crossing with Grandma! Frankie says he's running it next year!

Way to go, Lexi!
Cliffhanger 5K
November 6, 2011
39:45

Happy 4th Birthday, Frankie

We celebrated Frankie's 4th birthday today with a hayride, hot dog roast, and superhero cake. It was the perfect, low-key setting for him so he was really able to open up! Thanks for making his birthday so special!

Happy Birthday, Frankie!

It looks like Fall!

Top four reasons we know it's Fall:

1. Last soccer game of the season! Of course, indoor soccer starts in two months . . .

2. Pumpkin Patch!

3. Tulip bulbs - look for us to win "most redneck garden" this Spring!

4. Fancy pumpkin carvings! Lexi picked Catwoman, Frankie has Spiderman, and Henry went for Captain America's shield. He's not pleased to be outside taking this picture at 7:50am on a cold morning!

Just Like Daddy!

After several scraggly weeks, we talked Frankie into getting an official haircut for the first time! He was pretty unsure but watched Daddy go first!

Quite the handsome boy!

Exciting days!

The boys started Kids Day Out & preschool this week and love it! I'm starting to wonder, though, if I'll ever be able to get a good picture of the two of them together!

Thanks to all who donated to Lexi's walk-a-thon! She ran 15 laps (almost 2 miles!) and was very proud of herself! The boys (plus best buddy "Baby Ryan") had their own mini-walk-a-thon in the field . . . no donations required!

Goalie!

Today was our first soccer game with a goalie - turns out goalies make it much harder to score a goal! Lexi did score a goal at the buzzer! Go Smurfettes!

18 lb of buttercream icing . . .

2 dozen eggs . . .

4 lb of sugar . . .

7 straight hours decorating . . .

10 stairs up to the reception hall . . .

2 parents of the bride watching me assemble cake . . .

Incredible night of sleep after wedding cake is finally delivered . . .

PRICELESS!

Spidey Goes to KDO

Spiderman has infected our house! The boys' (used) Halloween costumes came in the mail and they wear them almost daily! Green Goblin . . . Beware!

Littlest Spiderman will start two hours a week at KDO next week and got to meet his teacher, Mrs. Sambo, last week for a practice run! Mrs. Sambo taught Frankie last year so we know Henry's in good hands.

Frankie will go two mornings a week although he'd rather just spend all of his time at speech class with his "best girl, Ms. Jackie"!

"Tiny Tim"

Henry fell two weeks ago and hurt his leg. One ER visit, two separate rounds of x-rays, and six days of refusing to walk all for a sprained ankle! He still has a nasty limp but he's managing well and Mom's super happy to be done carrying him around!

Traveling Wonkas

Two weekends in a row we went out of town and we're glad to stay put today!

Our first trip was to Wichita. Frank helped Mike move into an apartment while Lexi snuggled with his dogs!

The next weekend we visited great friends in Columbus, KS. Feeding chickens, riding horses, and playing with the baby farm cats topped Lexi's list of fun!

Nailed It!

As a parent, we try to plan activities our kids will love. We build it up in my mind and, oftentimes, it's not all that we'd dreamed.

But, sometimes, we nail it!

On the hottest day yet, the kids & I went with a neighbor family to the movie theater! Oh yes, we watched a show on the "biggest TV ever"! The boys had never been before and Henry was so entranced with the previews he walked into a wall! Add popcorn to the mix and it was one of the best days of the summer!