Christmasy

We kicked off the season with a visit to the big guy himself. Myka knew the drill and told him just what she wanted. When Santa asked Eli what he would like, however, he said, "ummmm...cake." I had no idea where that came from and couldn't stop laughing, but luckily his big sister knew the importance of the opportunity and covered for him by asking if Santa would please bring him a ball since "that's what he really loves". We realized later that a three year old we were with had asked for a "cape" and figured that's where he got it. I just couldn't get over the fact that the boy who won't eat asked Santa for food for Christmas. He will hear that story many times in his life I'm sure...

Kurt and I took turns taking Myka ice skating to use up the free passes she received from taking lessons during the fall. It was a fun date every time and Myka really did seem to get the hang of it by the end. I will just let you believe that she is whizzing around the ice here and that that's how fast she went all the time...

Preschool put on a nice holiday program on the last day before break complete with a potluck lunch afterwords. This was the first program of any kind where it seemed like she actually knew what was going on and was not just fascinated with the audience member in a wheel chair or the baby crying in the back of the church or the girl standing next to her glaring at the strange woman with the camera.

However, I think the candy cane at the end still was her favorite part.

We followed up that show with the church program. Because of the lay out of our church and because I have no one to save me a seat while I dropped her off in her classroom, I was in a place where I couldn't see her. Kurt was on the other side and has no idea if she actually sang either. But I got a nice big grin from the little ram at the end of the show, so I guess it went all right up there.

And this week, to celebrate not having school and the fact that I really didn't have anything else to host at my house this year, we threw together a little gingerbread house making party for 11 kids ages 1-5.

I swear they were so into the houses no one even thought about eating the candy...

Our village.

And this poor guy just gets drug around to all of it. But he is a great sport and will be more than ready to be a part of all the action by the time next Christmas rolls around!

Lions and Children and Bears. Oh My!

If you happen to be a realtor, or are planning to become one, I have a bit of advice for you. Please give all of your "new to the area" buyers a family pass to a local attraction for a year as your thank you to them for giving you thousands of dollars. (Do not give them a $20 gift card to Olive Garden, but that is another story for another time...)

Our realtor gave us a very generous gift after we bought our house here and we have had so much fun going to the Brookfield Zoo in the last 10 months. And I'm pretty sure we will buy our own family pass for the next 5 years at least.

And the best part is, the fun never stops. The zoo puts on a pretty amazing light display in December that all four of us were able to enjoy during a steady snowfall on a cold Saturday evening. The lion, however, did not enjoy the cold. Or the snow. Or the fact that his only way back to his warm shelter involved walking his giant paws through the cold, snowy grass. We only headed his way because we heard his roar from a half mile away in the park and wondered what was going on. Especially since I have been to this zoo at least a dozen times and the lion has been sleeping EVERY TIME we have been there.

He was not happy.

Especially when he was having his picture taken.

On our way to visit the bears, I snapped this wonderful picture of my children all bundled up in the snow. I swear there is only hot chocolate in that mug.

Kind of like Myka above, the bear was not picture worthy on this trip. But on our trip in November with some friends (10 kids 5 and under, 3 moms and a grandpa) the bear was putting on quite a show. He kept coming up to the window and greeting anyone who was waiting there. I love how Myka's hand compares to Mr. Bear's paw in this picture.

Thank you Bonnie and the Brookfield Zoo! We'll see you next year!

Sorry for the absence

So you may be wondering what has been up with us lately.

This pretty much sums it up.