12of12 November and December 2011

I am about a month behind on blogging.  I have stuff I want to blog, like our St. George trip and our Colorado Thanksgiving trip and other things, but haven't taken the time to do it.  Been busy with my biz blog, daily life and getting Christmas stuff made for the kiddos.  So this month 12of12 you get last month's as well.  Enjoy!

November 2011

1.  Sat. morning scripture reading.  Wait...what is Baby reading?

2.  Printing labels and packaging items sold in my etsy store.  I sold something everyday that week.  Woohoo!

3.  Working on an doll clothing order for a neighbor.  I had to get it done that day because we were leaving for St. George the next.

4.  Reffing women's volleyball.

5.  Cutie Pie.

6.  Someone was helping with my 12of12.

7.  More sewing (and picking).

8.  Baby shower for Alicia.  She had a baby boy.  Congratulations Neighbor!

9.  Shopping to finish up said doll stuff.

10.  Dinner (or part of it anyway).

11&12.  Two of our favorite people: Brother and Sister Dougherty.  More on them to come.

now onto

December 2011

1.  Tredmill run.  They day seems to go better if I get up and exercise before My Pearls are awake.

2.  Scripture reading.  B. helping Little I.

3.  Delicious breakfast!

4.  Baby loves to help put the silverware away.  I think it is becoming her daily job even though it is part of someone else's - I don't think they mind.

5.  Photos of a pillow cover that I was putting in my etsy shop.

6.  Playing on the kids computer.

7.  Baby and Little I love to have me blow the hair dryer and them while I'm doing my hair.  They then squeal and run away and shortly thereafter come back for more.

8.  Jumping on my unmade bed.

9.  Got my November 12of12 ready.

10. Sewed Christmas gifts.  Can't reveal anything because the recipients will read this blog post.

11. Miss A had a Christmas Ballet Performance.  She did a wonderful job!  We are proud of you Miss A.

12.  Muppet Movie for FHE.  My oldest daughter (9 years old) seemed to be the most into the movie.

Wow! I can't believe the year is almost gone.  It has been a year of growing.  Thanks Amy for this fun photolog experience.

The last 2 days have been filled with Holiday Festivities.  Yesterday my 2 little helpers, Little I and Baby, assisted me with games at A's class party.  We then took a quick lunch brunch and headed back to the school for the school sing.  This is a high volume activity, some may need to bring earplugs.

Ward Christmas Party

 Delicious French Toast and fruit!  The 4 older daughters wanted there photo taken with there French Toast.

 A little whip cream on top.

 A blur of excitement!  The front of the line by Santa's chair.

This was a very jolly Santa.  He was GREAT!  He wore a stylish outfit with a jolly laugh and bells that jingled.  Then he pulled out of his bag a stick of laffy taffy. ??  Any candy will do I guess.  Children aren't too picky about that.  Ha.

B. sharing her list.

 Little I was so cute.  She jumped all the way up to Santa from the front 

of the line and had a huge grin on her face the entire time. 

Before she finished, she gave Santa a big hug.

 I love Santa's expression!  Later I asked M. what she and Santa had said to each other.

"I asked Santa what I did bad this year so I could fix it.  He said, no more wasting my money at the school store and fix when I played with B's yo-yo and accidentally broke it."  I wish he would've added that she needed to go to bed on time.

 A. shared her spot with Baby.  Baby had no trouble at all,

even when she was with Santa alone.

  Santa and My Pearls

Baby had her tongue out for all of the photos :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

I love to play in the fresh fallen snow!  It's even as wonderful to sit out in it and listen to Peace!  I love how the snow makes everything so peaceful.  Even the cars driving by are less audible.

 

 You may not be able to tell, but Baby is really enjoying the snow and especially her sled rides.  She didn't want to get off for a long time.

 Making Snow Angels

The beginnings of our Snowman.

 More like a punk Snowwoman.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it Snow!

Oh yeah, it still is!

Having a Jolly Holiday

We hope you are too!

Little Ones Christmas Party

There are 6 families that have split into 2 play groups for our little ones.  We take turns 1/week having a play date.  This week both groups came together to have a Christmas Party.  I believe all had a good time.  Below are some of the festive things we did.

"Jingle Bells"

The children made bell bracelets to shake to the music.  They loved it! 

I had a fun video of the kiddos dancing with their bells, but I can't get it to load - even with the several methods that I have tried. So here is an unfocused photo instead.

"Ice Skating"

This activity was so fun!  Everyone got involved (Kids AND Moms).  Debbie had wonderful skating music playing.  This is an activity that will be repeated in my home.

"Santa, Santa, Reindeer"

The younger children were so cute.  You could barely hear them say the words.  Sometimes they didn't, just tapped people on the head.  The older children didn't have any vocal inhibitions.

The children made sure the moms didnt' miss out on the action. 

 Craft: Making bell music makers.

Different than the ones they made at the beginning of the party.

 Delicious Rudolph

 

See?  Scrumptious!

My camera made Katie unsure of performing this stunt.  Drinking hot cocoa with a cookie as a straw.  The trick was to get the cookie in your mouth without getting the cookie or hot cocoa all over you.  Not as easy as it sounds.  The cookie melts as you are drinking.  It was very delicious though.  I know I would've made a huge mess if I didn't drop the cookie in the hot cocoa.  Maybe I'll do better next time.

 Katie did well!

12of12 December 2010

1.  M needed to wear her eye patch but was not wanting to.  So B stepped in to encourage her by choosing one of the eye therapy activities to do with her (tossing and catching a balloon).

2.  Pancakes for breakfast.  Regular on the left, on the right are filled with fresh blueberries.

3.  Advent calendar.  In my rush to get it done for Dec. 1 I made a mistake and didn't put it as a count down, but with the date of the day.  Still works.

4.  Baby loves her thumb and something soft and furry.  She is holding Osita, her favorite bear.

5.  Lunch before church.  Gotto have an apron on.  Church is in the afternoon.  Can't wait until we are back on the 9am schedule.

6.  Not too many still moments around here.

7.  Sign by Miss M.  She and a couple other sisters enjoy playing restaurant.  Take orders, serve, M even insisted on making dinner last night.  We had Mac & Cheese.

8.  Still going strong with the potty training.  Little I actually has been my easiest.  She has only had a few accidents since starting a couple of weeks ago.  She doesn't need the gummy bear incentives any more, but if it keeps her going strong, why not.  And she is so proud of herself. And I am proud of her too!

(Just a side note about I.  She has told me so many times lately that she loves me.  She is such a sweetie and easily loved back!)

9.  This afternoon after church we went and visited a couple of neighbors by our old house.  First Sister Clegg.  Her DIL was there giving her a perm. (Thus, no photo). Sis. Clegg is 92 years old, still lives on her own and is wonderful!  Then we went to see Susie (in photo).  She lived behind us with a joining gate.  Susie is an animal lover (horses, goats, dogs, ducks, mini-horses, mini-donkeys, chickens...) and my children always were able to enjoy them as well.  It was nice to visit.

10.  Meds to try and get rid of a migraine that had been with me most of the day.  Ugh!

11.  Church Sing Along.  I left early with most of the kiddos.  They were too restless and my headache was not allowing me to enjoy it.  M and Rob were able to stay and enjoy all of it.

12.  Ahh!  A peaceful moment.  One of my favorite things around this time is to sit. just sit and ponder. and look at the Christmas tree lights without any other lights on.  This peace comes after the kiddos are asleep. 

Good Food! Good Times!

The Fab 5 met today at Fabulous Susan's.  We had a fabulous time eating delicious food and sharing needed time with one another.  It was a very relaxing afternoon and a nice break from the busy holiday season.

The Children's Settings

The Fab 5 Table Setting.  Susan has such fun sets.

 

YUMMM Food!  Chicken Monterey, salad, veggies.  Okay, to say something about the mini potatoes.  I thought they were so fun!  I have seen them before but never eaten them.  The purple ones were acutally a rich purple inside, at least some of them.  Way cool!  A few that I had were purple towards the skin and white, not the normal off-white, color. 

 And delicious dessert.

 Susan made us each a beautiful Christmas tree ornament.

I didn't get a photo of all of us like I hoped because we were so busy enjoying one another's company until it was time to rush off to children coming home from school.  But because you are wondering: we all looked good.

1st Piano Recital

M and B had their first piano recital.  They both did wonderful!  I was very proud of them and for working hard practicing their pieces.

 M wanted to do a couple re-enactments for the camera.

Her solo:

 Her duet with her teacher:

Happy December!

I hope that you are enjoying this Holiday Season.  I have been.  My goal was to slow down and enjoy!  I think I have been doing pretty well.  I've let some things go that I usually wouldn't do.  I have tried to do more "memory moments" this season with my girls.  Even if that is as simple as drinking more hot cocoa - with mini mashmallows of course.  So may your Christmas time be Merry & Bright as well.
(The stress might begin soon though, because I am making my girls some gifts and haven't started yet.  I've been too busy slowing down. Ha.  I'm actually not too worried about it, though.  But ask me next week on Wednesday night how things are.)

Cookie Making

Okay so I haven't posted anything about Thanksgiving yet - but that will come.  Today I had fun making cookies with I., A and her good buddy Little Mr. M.  They loved it!  They kept eating bits of dough while I was rolling it out, especially Little I.  She even enjoyed the flour - you can see it on the back of her black shirt.  Miss M and B came home and were able to enjoy the cookies too.

This is Little I not showing off her cookie but licking off the frosting.  That is pretty much all she did.  She would put more frosting and sprinkles on the cookie, eat it off, and repeat.  The cookie only received a few nibbles.

I am trying to slow down and enjoy the season with my girls.  Simplifying and taking life slower definitely has been more enjoyable at times.  I am a on the go, gotto do person.  So this is a good change for me.