Zoolights

We probably didn't need a hat and mittens but they are fun to wear once in a while.

We had been trying to go to Zoolights for about a week. Every night I thought would work out it would rain or I had to work late. Finally on December 23 we were able to make it to the zoo. It was a bit crowded but it was nice and Lauren liked it. It was even cold so it made it feel like Christmas was almost here. It also was good way to start Christmas.

A Full Day From Beginning to End.

Ready for Church.

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz

Feeding BunBun a little bit of food.

Tea wouldn't be complete without scones.

Lauren and her new teddy bear.

Christmas Caroling on the hayride with Blaire.

Petting the horses.

More horses.

And more horses.

Today was a full day. We started the day with church. Since it is the Sunday before Christmas, Lauren wore her fancy Christmas dress to church. She likes to get dressed up and I like to dress her up. I love this dress. I love the big bow in the front, it looks so fancy and festive.

We left church and had a light lunch before heading to the Ritz for the Teddy Bear Tea. This is a very cute (and expensive) event. It was so cute to see all the little girls (and a few boys) dressed in their fancy Christmas dresses. The children had hot cocoa and the adults got the tea. We had finger sandwiches and some little desserts and of course, scones. Mrs. Claus was there and they also had a puppet show. Santa was also planned to be there but for some reason he did not show up. That surprised me because it was a lot of money and that it was the Ritz that was hosting this event. I would have thought that they would have made sure the Santa was there. Lauren had fun but this is one of those things that you experience once and you don't have to do it again. Lauren was a bit disappointed that Santa was not there but she was fine once she received her bear.

We left the, changed clothes and met Janine and Don, Elaine, Blaire and Grant for some Christmas caroling. Elaine takes horseback riding lessons and they host a hayride Christmas caroling event each year. We went around the neighborhood and sang songs. It was fun and the neighbors seemed to enjoy it. Then we come back to the stable area had chili and hot dogs and etc. Lauren just wanted to pet all the horses.

We headed home after the carolling. Lauren was asleep within a few minute of her head hitting the pillow. The next few days are going to be busy but fun. So far this has been a nice holiday season.

The Week Before Christmas

Star of the week.

Cheer program at a care center.

Dressed like a person from France for the school program .

Activities from around the world.

Christmas cookie decorating

Baking contest

Winning cookies

Time for bed to get ready for another very busy week!!!

This past week continued to be as busy as the weekend had been. First, Lauren was "Star of the Week" in her class. This meant that we had to make a poster all about Lauren. We did that very late Sunday night. Then each day Lauren would have to bring two items from home. (A sort of show and tell.) Then on Friday, Lauren had to fill a large jar with an item. The rules are that you put between 19 and 100 of these items in the jar and then the kids try to guess how many there are. We decided that candy canes would be a good item to use. Lauren liked being Star of the Week. I just wish we could have done it during a week that was a little less packed!!

Then Lauren had a few parties during the week. The first was at cheerleading and the next one was at Awanas. Of course Lauren had to bring a small gift to exchange at each of these parties. After this week we have a few weeks off from activities. That will be nice not to have something going on each evening.

During the week, Lauren's cheerleading group went to a care center to put on a short program for the residents. It was very cute and I am glad that she was able to do this types of outreach activity. After doing the program Lauren and the others went up to the residents and hugged them and talked to them for a short while. Lauren was not afraid to talk to the residents at all. It was nice to see her do this.

On Friday Lauren's class celebrated the end of their latest theme. This theme was Children from around the World. They have been on this theme for the past month or so. Each student had to pick a country from around the world. They had to write a report and do a small talk about the country. Friday was the celebration of the end of the theme. The students each brought an item of food from their country and they were also encouraged to dress like children from their country. At the party they all shared the food and they did some art activities from some of the countries. Lauren had picked France. Lauren did wear a beret to school but by the afternoon she was done with wearing it. It was a nice time and not the typical holiday party.

Later that night we all got together at Lauren's aunt's house to decorate cookies. The cousins all seemed to have great time. I was so tired from just a long week I just wanted to go home and sleep.

On Saturday, Lauren still had dance and then we went to Aunt Janine's house for a Bake Off. Lauren and I picked peanut butter cup cookies. Lauren did a great job helping. Although from the picture it looks like we won everything we really didn't . I think there was some bribing with the judges or something because we only came in second. We felt we were cheated. We will get them next year!!!

It was a very full week and we have a very full day tomorrow. This holiday season has been a lot of fun but also very tiring. It will be nice to get back to normal.

Christmas Party #3 - Recession, What Recession?

Tonight we went to our 3rd Christmas party of the weekend. This party was at one of Lauren's classmate's home. All I can say is that this party was a bit over the top! This is the same family that had the pumpkin party at Halloween time, so I have a feeling that it would be nice but wow.

First, the invite that we received was nicer then most Christmas cards that are sent out. Second, when we arrived there was valet parking and then a golf cart to take you up to the house. Once at the party, there was 30 tons of snow and again a "snow hill". There was brick oven pizzas being cooked during the evening by a well know upscale restaurant in town. There was a DJ. There was a full bar and so much other food. There was gifts for all the kids as well as party favors. There must have been over 300 people there. I looked at all of that and thought if people saw this there is no way they would think there is a recession going on.

Lauren had a great time with her classmates and enjoyed all of it. It made me a bit uncomfortable. For me, it is hard to go to these type of parties by yourself. A lot of these people know each other from so many different social events and activities. They have their groups and I always feel like such an outsider. It is hard for me to connect with these people. I am glad that most of Lauren's other classmates are much more down to earth.

Christmas Party #2

Starting at the top.

Here she goes...

going....

going....

All done.

Of course after the snow we had to have hot cocoa.

Our 2nd party of the day was at the church we attend. They had a bunch of activities set up for the kids to do including a snow hill. All of you that actually get snow will think this is pretty funny. They have a truck that is loaded with snow and then the kids climb up and the stairs and then slide down. Lauren had a great time. My goal this winter is to take her up to the mountains and see real snow. I am sure she will love playing in the snow and really sliding down a hill.

It was a fun night and our church did a really job with it. We have another party tomorrow with snow so Lauren is looking forward to that one.

Christmas Party #1

The group of girls (with just one missing)

The Christmas season is in full swing. I thought I was busy with Christmas events before Lauren entered my life but now it is just crazy. This weekend we have 3 Christmas parties, as well as dance lessons, and church. Then to top it off Lauren was picked to be "Star of the Week" in her class. That means that we also have to make a poster all about Lauren.

The first party we went to this weekend was with a group of friends that all meet when our girls were 2 years old and all attending Little Gym. None of us go to Little Gym anymore but we have remained friends. The moms get together about every other month and we try to get the kids together about that often also. We were missing one family but it is always fun to get together with this group of people.

We really had a lot for the kids to do. We had arts and crafts, games, read them stories, decorated cookies and of course we did a gift exchange with another family. It was a very nice time and when we left there we went home changed and headed for party number 2.

New Cousin

Jacob Mathew

Sammie kissing her new little brother.

Lauren holding her new cousin.

Lauren and Jacob

Getting ready for our first holiday party

All ready to go to the Christmas Party. (Lauren wanted to wear some makeup so bad. I put on a bit of glittery eye shadow. The light really reflects it so it seems like she has a lot on but it was hardly noticeable.)

Last Saturday (Nov. 29) Lauren's new cousin was born. His name is Jacob Mathew. He has had us all worried and praying hard for him this past week. When Jacob was born he was making grunting sounds and they thought that he had fluid in this lungs. They did and x-ray and they then discovered that he has some heart problems. He spent the first week of his life in ICU where they ran a lot of tests. They are still trying to figure out all the is wrong and what they can do about it. Usually people with type of heart problem don't find out about it until they are older and something has happened. It still might be something that is life threatening but we are praying and hoping that Jacob will be able to live a long and healthy life.

On Friday the doctors felt there was no reason he could not go home until they had all the test results. We are all so happy that he is now home with his parents and big sister. Lauren and I went over to see him and bring his family some dinners for the next few days.

Lauren was so excited to finally get to see him. I was also excited. We had only seen him through a little window last Saturday so it was nice to finally get to hold him and give him a big kiss. At first Lauren did not want to hold him but she finally said that she would and I was able to get a few pictures. He is a cutie and was really good when we were there. My brother and sister in law look pretty tired. They said he was up all night last night and so they have had little sleep.

After we left my brother's house we went to our first holiday party of the year. It was was at one of my co-workers. Lauren was one of only 2 kids there but she had a great time. Her and the other little girl got along really well and had a great time playing. I can't believe that Christmas is in less then 3 weeks. I have so much more to do!!