Henri's preschool show

Henri's class was pretty much there to wiggle bells and look cute, but Henri did appear to be trying to join in the songs.  He does have a good memory for songs. It would be longer, but the memory card in my camera was all full after this video.

How to tire 3 kids out after a holiday play....

Carter's gingerbread house

When Carter asked me to take a picture of his gingerbread house from school, I thought, "ah, how sweet."

I didn't realize it was because within 5 minutes it would look like this and the picture would be the only memory of it we would have...

Valerie's current favorite pasttime

Why you should check on your children when they are giggling uncontrollably

especially in the bathroom.

More craftiness

The kids and I are enjoying entering the holiday season...

The best part about not being "too busy" is that I'm able to do some of the crafty things I've been wanting to...

Making lots of bread and other cooking.  A friend got me in on a deal on some extra lean hamburger, so I used the 10 pounds of hamburger  to make two salsbury steak meals (harder than I thought) about 24 beef & bean freezer burritos; 50 large meatballs and a small meatloaf. 

The boys and I started eggnog last night (we add the cream today and try it...)

I decorated the front porch. The wreath I got from my in-laws for Christmas and I love it because it doesn't die and I can use it fall and winter.  The new part is 3 ornaments I got from Target for $3 each and put on the window with suction cups.

I dressed up some hand sanitizer for the boys' teachers that I got on close out for 50 cents each...

I used plastic milk cartons to make sandwhich holders for Carter to take to school...

I used up some leftover papers to make some cards to give out as packages of cards for gifts...

I joined pinterest, an online vitual bulletin board that basically organizes your favorites with pictures where you can see everything. Today I tried the first idea I've pinned... baked potato soup for dinner, using potatoes and carrots that have been languishing in my vegetable bin.

Advent

Carter's thought to "Christmas is not your birthday" the current sermon series at church. "Mom, isn't Christmas everybody's birthday?"  Hmm.  I'll have to think on that.

We visited Santa at Molback's again this year.  There are no lines. Santa not only looks great, but he loves listening to the kids and he's in front of a beautiful Pointsettia tree.  There's also free Danish and coffee...

Discussing Pokemon

Love this baby and her little bit of hair!

To the little kids, a fountain's almost as good as Santa

We set up the tree and stockings and the kids got their ornaments from Grandma and parents.

Every night is candles, advent reading and a treat...

I'm also happily scrap booking and making gift exchange gifts..

Henri's 3!

Now I don't sound insane when I'm asked the kids' ages. 6, 3 & 1 sounds much more manageable than 6, 2 & 1!

We had a party at our house and 46 people came for hot dogs and hamburgers. Yeah, I really didn't realize how many we'd invited!

Taking a break from the madness...

Henri gets sung to and gets to pick out a book for his birthday at preschool.