Playing

The weather has turned winter like around here. We are talking single digits when you get up in the morning. But, that doesn't promote hat or mitten usage. When will Annalise ever be cold?? Since we are stuck inside for the most part, we have been trying to be more creative when playing. On Tuesday, Annalise's buddy, Stella came to visit. It was a break for me and for Stella's mom because they took off and played all on their own for 3 hours. I think we may have to have Stella over again next week. I did provide a craft and the kids were very neat and tidy about paint treasure boxes.

Evie and Annalise are at that love hate relationship stage. IF they aren't punching each other or putting their feet on each other, they are getting along great. I was making dinner this afternoon and it got really quiet. This is what I came upon:
Some one is getting too big for the fort.

They were just hanging out under the coffee table reading books by the light of the lantern. Let's see how long it lasts.....

Snow, Christmas and More

As they say at Menard's, "Christmastime is here, Good savings and good cheer..." We have been busy doing our Christmas preparations. The tree is up and all the lights are outside. We are less tacky outside than we were last year. This has much to do with the cold weather and the fact that half of our lights died over the hot summer in the attic. I don't think Jim will be testing each bulb, so it is up to me to find a place to recycle all those strands. The girls set up the nativity set. Everyone wants a close look at the Baby Jesus. He's in there somewhere amongst the crowd.
The weather turned delightfully cold and Minnesota like here. We had about 3 inches of snow and the kids played outside for about 2 hours with only brief breaks for bathroom and hot chocolate.

I guess the snow doesn't taste too good.

I had to share this. I made this Christmas Tree Hat for my baby niece, Georgiana. She may live in SC, but she will be all nice and toasty and festive on that bald head of hers.

We visited Conner Prairie and was inspired by the ginger bread houses there. I don't think there is enough time in the world to try to make my own ginger bread and then assemble it with frosting, so we take a shortcut by buying a kit and hot glueing it together for good measure and structual soundness. Check out Annalise's skirt. She wears this every week to church and it always slides off her butt giving everyone around us a view of her underpants. I have to get that fixed this week before church on Sunday.

Two girls sacrificed some of their leftover Halloween candy for the barn. There wasn't anything good left anyways.

Our sweet presents under the tree.