snow song

Yummy lunch

While the 3 of us were making macaroni and cheese for lunch yesterday, Caden said, "I want to pour the milk in through the urinal!" I said, you mean the funnel? He said, "Yes, I want to use the urinal to pour the milk in!"
Do these 2 very different things look similar? Its a bit concerning!

Preschool Activity?

This past weekend, I was away for several days with some girlfriends. I left this gingerbread house kit as a possible 'Daddy and kids' activity. Aren't you impressed with the precise, even, and creative way my 5 and 3 year old did this house?
After I mildly accused Shann of taking over this activity with adult perfectionism, he did say that the kids put all of the candy on. I do have some doubts that they had permission to place the candy wherever their little hearts desired. :) However, the outcome is beautiful.

My boy just back from the farm show...

Yeehaw!

Girl time

As a result of Caden having a couple of days with Grammy and Poppy at the farm show this week, Alyssa and I had ourselves some girl time. Below are the results of one of the high points. Odd how mine were more expensive, when clearly hers were more work! Especially after several toes had to be repaired due to her excitement. :)

Cancelled Christmas

A week or so ago, after all the Christmas decorations were taken down, and all the festivities were over, Shann and I were in the kitchen together. Caden came in and said sourly to Shann, "Why are you hugging mom if Christmas was cancelled?"

I think he felt things looked bleak at the end of all the fun of the season, and how could we still be happy? :)

Build-a-Bear

Grammy and Poppy (Shann's parents) took Caden and Alyssa to build-a-bear for their Christmas gifts. You can see they like the idea! Many choices!

Caden picked Klippety Klop, a clydesdale.

Getting them stuffed...Alyssa is handing the girl a heart, and a voice box to put inside.

Alyssa picked a pink bear that she named Pinky Pie.

Brushing them is fun!

Thank you, Grammy and Poppy! Klippety and Pinky Pie now need to accompany us many places!

a few other Christmas pics

checking out a calendar from Lynne Gwenny, very excited about giving gifts!

Ben 10 guys from Seth!

finger puppet manger scene

A New Normal

After we returned from Christmas in Ohio and fun times with family, we had a day of unpacking, laundry, and back to schooling, before Shann's parents came for a couple of days to celebrate Christmas with the kids.

It was a tough day...lots of whining, tantrums, and grumpiness.
Caden said "Why do we have to have a normal day?"

I think it may be a long January as we come down from the 'high' of many gifts, cookies, and kid-centered activities!

New year's!

So here, I'm finally posting a picture from New Year's! The theme was Bible characters this year....can you guess who we are? I'm Jezebel, who, incidentally, was eaten by dogs, and Shann is Sicera, who had a tent peg driven through his head (while he was sleeping, thus the hat). See Jay and Amy's blog on my side bar if you'd like to see more pics.

Alyssa often asks me...

Is today tomorrow?

In a way, it is. But apparently I haven't explained it well, because the question keeps getting repeated.

Christmas in Ohio

Somehow Christmas at home seem like the quintessential celebration. There is nothing else that comes close. Here are a smattering of pictures from our celebration in Ohio. Stockings on Christmas eve.

The kids also did a finger puppet show of the nativity with Grandma.

Caden does some magic tricks...

The kids do a sticker book.

Mindy and Isaac

Liptak girls, Gwen, Lynne, and Madelyn.

kid kinex from Aunt Lynne and Uncle Scott

Alyssa and Gwen share some candy from a stocking.

Gwen and Alyssa had fun taking care of Isaac, when they weren't arguing over which one of them could hold him or give him a toy.

Decorating cookies

Gourd birdhouses that Shann and I made for Dad, Mark, and Scott.

The kids had some great big cousin time! Caleb is pretending to sleep.

Caden's listening pose as Seth plays the piano.

Hmmm, how long will we get hand-me-downs from Gwen? Not too much longer I think!

A panoramic of Christmas morning!