Christmas Recital

Tonight was our Christmas recital.  On the piano Little Guy played "Jingle Bells," BB played "Silent Night," and Little Lady played "What Child is This?"  Little Man and Little Lady also played a guitar and cello duet of "In the Bleak Midwinter."

The boys ran straight to the car after the recital, so all I have is a picture of Little Lady and their celebratory ice cream afterward.

Cookie Exchange

I've lost track of the number of years I've been doing a Christmas cookie exchange, but it's either 9 or 10 years.  Since it's with all new people this year I decided to bake two oldies but goodies.  I went with Orange Cranberry cookies and a soft gingerbread cookie.  I love molasses cookies and when they're soft it just makes me happy.

It was a great turn out for my first time here.  I was excited to get to know some of my neighbors and people I work with along with some ladies from church.  It was a lovely morning. 

More School Awesomeness

Little Man got to go with his Gifted class to the World War I museum in downtown Kansas City.  It's rated as the best thing to see and/or do in Kansas City for a reason.  It's pretty awesome!  He had a great time. 

He's also honing his writing skills.  He brought this home the other day.  I particularly liked his illustration.

Little Lady brought home some fun art as well.  George Rodrigue is famous for his Blue Dog paintings, and Little Lady got to try her hand at making her own blue dog.

 She used pastels for her leaf.

Christmas Music Madness

Another Christmas music program for our church's Christmas party is in the books!  December is always a crazy month when you're a musician.  The kiddos played in church yesterday.  This coming Sunday Joel is singing and then we're helping with the special Christmas music program the following week.  Our December recital is also this weekend.

  Little Guy had a special Polar Express day.  He loved being able to wear pajamas to school.  We love the season even if it's a bit crazy.  The kiddos have been loving when we take some time and watch some Christmas movie classics.  They particularly love the newest Grinch movie. 

 We're all pretty tired around here though.

Bathroom Complete...Almost

With the floor mishap I was worried the bathroom wasn't going to be done in time for Thanksgiving.  Joel's parents were coming into town and we were missing a toilet.  Gratefully, the plumber was able to come Wednesday afternoon.  Wahoo!  It was done with just a few hours to spare. 

 I've never been more excited for a toilet before!

It's technically not completely done, because we still need to put in towel racks and a door stop, but it was usable.  This has been a learning experience for me.  It's my first time designing a bathroom and choosing everything.  I made a design error with the shower bench.  I made it too big and it goes to the very edge of the shower pan.  Without turning in the shower curtain, water hits the floor.  I should have left on the edge for water to drip down.  Oops.  You live and learn.  I'm still overall happy with how the bathroom turned out. 

 Meanwhile, it took me almost 4 months and several bouts of poison ivy all over my body, but I finally finished pulling the first round of ivy from our side yard!  Happy dance!!!  There are still some ridiculously thick roots left that I couldn't get out, but it's major progress. 

Here's the before and after:

If I never see ivy again it will still be too soon!

Half Complications

BB had his half birthday on Sunday, but it was a little complicated delivering half his treat.  It turns out that most 1st graders do not know their address.  BB had his half birthday lunch with his bestie, but Meer wasn't sure of his address.  Our school has an online directory, but it's the parent's responsibility to sign in and update their info.  I've found that the lower the grade the less the parents do it.  Almost all of Little Man's 5th grade class is in there, but BB's class only has 5 other people registered.  And of course, it wasn't any of the people to whom he wanted to give his treat.  Ah well.  We finally got an address for his friend Peter, but when we delivered it, Peter wasn't home.  BB was still happy with half of his lemon poke cake.  That's one thing about that kid that I love.  He doesn't let too many things get him down.  He just gave the cake to Peter's older brother and was more than happy to talk to Peter about it in school the next day.

Sibling Love

Cuteness is when you look everywhere but can't find your toddler until you look in Little Lady's room and realize she's reading to him before bed.

November Dates

November was BB and Little Guy's turn for Parent dates.  Little Guy has wanted to go to Freddy's with Daddy for a while now.  Every time we pass its ice cream cone on the building he talks about going there.  He wanted dinner and frozen custard from Freddy's.  All he really wanted was a cone with Daddy, so he was thrilled.

Little Lady got a lucky impromptu date with Daddy, because he went to see a young man from church in a community rendition of Anything Goes, and Little Lady wanted to go see it with him.  She loves musicals, and she thought the show was hilarious. 

For my date with BB he wanted to go out for breakfast and then decorate a gingerbread house.  He loved his cinnamon roll pancake!

 This was our first time trying out gingerbread houses from Taste Buds Kitchen.  They assemble the house and then we spend an hour just decorating it.  It was a lot of fun.  I loved seeing how BB wanted to decorate it.  Such creativity!

 It was pretty awesome!