Well Worth the Wait

Ella's birthday was back in August and Grandma Blackmer had given her tickets to the theater performance of Cinderella for this weekend. Today was filled with anticipation and excitement as we went to church this morning, enjoyed lunch, and then left for a fun girls afternoon filled with theater, giggles, coffee, and dessert. Here we are in front of our tree, just before we left for the afternoon.
Ella and Grandma in front of one of the trees at the Civic Theater.

Grandma landed us stellar seats, at times we could have reached up to touch the costumes as they floated past us. We were in the fifth row! Wow! Talk about setting a standard.

At the end of the play some of the cast came out and did a question and answer session. The audience of all ages, asked different questions. Ella was even called on. Her question was, "how did you turn the pumpkin into the carriage?" It was a pretty magical stunt. The fairy god mother rolled a pumpkin off stage and a poof of smoke appeared and then this magical carriage came rolling in. We were all awe struck. It was a wonderful performance, although not exactly the Disney movie feel Ella had anticipated. Cinderella was a brunette, there wasn't one song from the Disney movie and shock-ER.....the glass slipper didn't break at the end. :) It was so special, I hope this is one of those memories she will ALWAYS remember.

Since we were so close to the front, we were one of the last ones to leave and the Fairy Godmother (who was magical, and sparkly, and beautiful, and had the most magnificent voice) was on stage.by.herself.... so we asked for a picture and she was precious, she sat and talked with Ella (who by the way, was in tongue tied). It was very special.

We went into the lobby hoping to catch a glimpse and lucked out AGAIN... Cinderella and Prince Charming were signing autographs and taking pictures. How sweet! It was a fairy tale kind of day! The happiest of endings is that all our children are nestled in their beds. Oh wait, I think that is part of the Night Before Christmas....that post will be coming this week.

Stay tuned, we've been so busy doing all sorts of fun things but I haven't had time to blog. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up in the next few days since we are on break for 2 weeks. Yipee! So much to do!

Nice and Naughty

I had the rare occasion of having Christian all to myself for a couple of hours tonight. Scott had hurried home to take Ella and Carter to their last swimming lesson and I sent them on their way with packed bags and a little extra joy in my heart knowing that I would have some uninterrupted time with Christian. He is perpetually adorable in all his little boy ways. Recently, he has begun running up to you and really smacking your arm or leg to get your attention. When you look into his face, his eyes sparkle and he smiles, then you know this gesture is a 'third child's' way of getting attention around here. He is in the habit of coming and "tattling" on one of the big kids. They will be playing in the other room and some confrontation will occur, he scampers in, yells, "Mooommmeeeee" and then gives the the offenders name proceeded by gibberish but said in a tattling tone. Hil-a-rious.

Currently, as I type, he has gone to the cupboard picked out some dried pasta and is feeding the family picture. It is the family picture we had taken over Thanksgiving with Scott's side of the family. He feeds each one saying, "some na-mma" "some papa, some Josie" It is precious. Since he has finished, he's taken the pasta and is smashing it on the freshly cleaned kitchen floor. Ahhh!

But I must record his conversational attempt tonight. We were snuggled in his favorite place, reading a pile of books (his favorite thing) and he SMELLED. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
His response, "Poopppp-eeee Mom"
Mine: "Go grab a diaper."
His: "tay- mom"
brings the diaper and wipes to me and then lays down
I open the diaper and raise another eyebrow--whew!
His response; "Ninky poopy mommeee, sowreee.....deep breath and long pause..."Pee---you stinky poopppe mom! So sowree."
I smile laugh and think to myself, hey we just had a conversation.....about poop. What else should I expect from my youngest son??

He is growing up so fast, I find myself tearing up some days over how fast it has gone.

Well the Christmas tree is swaying he is pulling the garland off. Must go!

Celebrating the reason for the season

So sweet and SOOOOO serious about singing his songs.

Our little Christmas Princess walking up to the stage

"Behold that Star"

Singing their little hearts out

Decorating the Christmas tree "snack"

Making bagel bird feeders to feed our outdoor friends. Uncle Evan is up to his elbows in crafts!

Hard at work making advent wreaths. These lovely wreaths now hold a special place on our dining room table. We light the candles each night during dinner. Last night we talked about how Jesus' birth gives us hope. I asked Carter what gave him hope. His reply, " I hope I get some toys at Christmas." :)

Sharing our projects with Grandpa

Kettle Lake Concert

Last Thursday evening we were treated to a delightful and joy filled Christmas concert put on by the kindergarten-2nd grade students at Kettle Lake. Grandma and Grandpa Blackmer came down earlier in the day to play with the grand kids, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner and slipped into the Christmas spirit while listening to Ella and her classmates sing songs from the holidays. It was heartwarming. I am so glad to live in a community that celebrates with such a lovely production. I am grateful for all the hard work and thoughtfulness the teachers put into this special family event. Ella (and all the other children) knew all their songs and the motions to the songs. Here are a few pictures of the evening. Ella and a half of the other girls in her class. There is a very high ratio of boys to girls in her class this year.

The three sections of kindergarten from her building all on the risers!

This sort of thing is right up Ella's alley. She loves practicing and performing. She was so precious just singing away and VERY focused. The whole evening was just precious. As we were leaving the concert the ground was covered in snow and everyone had their Christmas lights and decorations on display. We woke up to a surprise on Friday morning: I had a snow day due to all the accumulation. Shockingly, Caledonia was in session. Carter had joyfully traveled home with Grandma and Grandpa for an over night and special one on one time. So I dropped Ella & Christian at daycare and headed out for a 5 mile run at the gym and some much needed Christmas shopping! By the time I picked the kids up at Jan's they were ready for a nap and I got my baking for the rest of the weekend's festivities done. So much fun to be had in the month of December! Many more pictures to come!

Sounds of the season

The dear ladies putting on the Christmas concert at church choose to put Carter CENTER. STAGE. Let me tell you, it was quite a show! If I wasn't keeled over in hysterics I was sucking air through my teeth in nervousness. My he.sure.is. SOMEthing! Many more posts to come, but I had to squeeze this postcard-worthy shot in.

The First Week of Christmas.

Monday-back to the grind, recovery from long holiday break (see previous post)
Tuesday- Laundry catch up, cranky kids, LOTs of grocery shopping, Bible study with small group
Wednesday- Clean house, shop for presents, RUN, swimming lessons for kids
Thursday- put out a few more holiday decorations, ironing, dinner for seven, Ella's Christmas concert (consider the possibility of shoveling snow in the morning)
Friday- Catch up on anything and everything I have missed this week, read more Breaking Dawn, have a glass of wine and get to bed early
Saturday- Kids Christmas Program and celebration at church 11:45-3) Blackmer Christmas Party 4-?. prep food, kids, and gifts=prepare for colossal meltdowns for all 3 children.
Sunday- Church and Birthday celebrations...prep to repeat for Monday.

Nap....could I fit one in anywhere??

Thanksgiving

For those of you who know me well, you know family is hugely important to me. Many people think it's crazy to load up the van and drive 12 plus hours to spend a few days with our family. However, we find it fun and exciting. We are so blessed with such great family. Spending the days and nights hanging out with them laughing and relaxing was a treat. Here are some pictures of our trip. I couldn't wait to get my hands on 4 month old Logan. My WORD, that is possibly the happiest and most content baby I have ever met. I always heard the crazy stories of how aunties loved to smooch their nieces and nephews and well, I am here to tell you, I have joined that club. But hey, look at those gorgeous, chubby cheeks! Who could stay away from them? Look at how alert he is! He is just cooing and bonding and doing all that great stuff that makes parents (and grandparents) tear up as they see these kids bond. Pulling on my heart strings, since we don't live next door. More lovey time with the little chooch!

One really nice thing about going to the grandparents house= we don't need to bring toys. My mother in law (bless your heart Sandy) has meticulously stored and maintained so many of the boys toys from 30 some years ago. The kids are perpetually entertained. WOW! Scott's old transformers. Can you believe it??

The Cousins:

Elle adores being the oldest grandchild for many reasons. Now that there are other little ones around, she loves to dote on them, snuggle them, and do anything she can to "help out" with them. We have always known she has the maternal instinct but this weekend while she had lots of time with Logan, she was able to showcase her abilities. She loved holding him, talking to him, helping with diaper changes, bringing toys, and even just sitting near him. There is a part of me that is sad for her that she won't have another younger sibling. She begs for a sister, but in all honesty I think this family can only handle the two of us! :)

Of course whenever we are at Grandmas we can always expect the following things:

........A beautiful table overflowing with delicious food

.........Lots of love and snuggles

.......Endless laughter and entertainment

.......We are a game oriented family, just look how young we get them started playing cards.

........Lots of love and affection (even a mess or two)

.......male bonding (Ryan- note I didn't use a picture with Carter with his hand down his pants)

........Girl time

Kissy faces

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's house we go! The van knows the way (well at least with the help of the GPS) and we love to stay! Thanks for all the great memories, Gram!

It was so much fun this year to have ALL five of the grand kids together for a few days. As you can see from the pics the house was brimming with energy, love, and giggles.