Gymnastics For Him

So, this guy is taking gymnastics.

Yep. Gymnastics.

Why didn't I think of this a year ago? He goes bonkers on the obstacle course

but absolutely positively loves, loves, loves the trampoline.

He can fly on that thing...

And he loves jumping in the germ-y soft blocks...

Especially when it's Disney Week and they throw some Cars and Nemo in there.

And doing parachute time with "feet up!" is pretty cool too.

But the absolute best thing of all was that Frosty appeared in December, totally out of the blue.

And Ford was enamored. He followed him everywhere and asked, "but, where did he go?" after he had to escape to colder temps to resist melting.

I thought teacher Jamie was cool. She ain't got nothin' on Frosty.

Best of all for mom? It's a great nap day.

1140. my phone at the store to look up that recipe

1141. ballet being so close we're early

1142. grace about texture issues

1143. a realization to pray about the problem

Advent

Long ago, in 2013, we went to an Advent party hosted by some dear friends. It was a special night… and the real fun came at the end when the kids each got a part in the Advent story.

Ford was to be a sheep (to follow the wise men on stage - the easiest gig ever) but at the very last second (and i do mean very last) he threw off his sheep hat and decided to be a reindeer. 

And so, history was re-written. A reindeer was at the birth of baby Jesus. Who knows! Maybe there was…. (p.s. there was a live baby in that manger and he was fascinated by her…)

Abby waited patiently for her turn to shine…

she was one of the heavenly hosts who praised God - an angel!

The whole crew -- see our two in the front? -- it was such a blessing to be a part of such a special night that has been a tradition for our Sacramento friends for so long.

Long live reindeers and celebrating the birth of Jesus!

1136. the creme on the coffee

1137. superglue that fixes nutcrackers

1138. impromptu visits from our favorite New Yorker

1139. looking forward to dad getting home

The Flu, Hopefully Not For You, Too

The end of December and beginning of January held a long 15 days of flu symptoms for this family, minus super girl.

The one who started it all… (he will never sleep unless forced to, this crazy one):

And after begin inside with endless TV for days on end, she was so happy to get outside and revel in some sunshine since she was healthy all along. Red and I were glad to get some Vitamin D too.

The diet for 2 weeks plus tea. 

I think I can say with full assurance that my most very thankful thing is being healthy now.

1135. health

December Traditions That Have Stuck

It's almost the end of January and we're still playing December catch-up!

This is the second year in a row that Abby has seen the Nutcracker. Remember last year?

Other than the Mouse King, a success.

This year, the Mouse King was a cinch. She was ready.

And she also went with only Grandma and Papa since I was out of town

(thank you to my sweet hubby who sent me to see my people in LA)

and was apparently dressed for a summer luau.

There's Grandma, wools sweater, gloves….

And Abby - a jacket the thickness of tissue paper and a sleeveless summer dress.

But can I complain? I know the trials of getting her dressed under a time constraint when

"everything hurts, mommy!"

And afterward, Clara was there to meet her.

At least one of them brushed their hair that day.

And some angels as well.

Definitely a family tradition that isn't going anywhere.

I just can't wait to be there next year.

And we missed Grandmama's company - she's getting flown in next year, too.

For sure.

1131. einkorn wheat on sale

1132. cleaning up the mess with no complaining

1133. folding the kids' clothes upstairs instead

1134. jem raw almond butter

Traditions That Stick

Part of moving to a new place is figuring out which traditions are going to stick. This year, we headed to the tree lighting at Town Center -- which I equated to the lighting of the big old oak tree in Danville (which, I'm told, now includes flying fairies). I was soon to find out that my expectations were a tad high. This cold and blustery night (the likes of which we haven't seen since -- it's balmy here with not a stitch of rain) had us bundled up, and ready for a big show and even a Santa sighting.

Papa and Fordy ready to rock...

Grandma and Abs anxiously awaiting….

And we ran into one of Abby's friends from preschool! 

The best part of the night !

(does this tell you whether this tradition is a one-time thing?)

There was music and loud hollering.

There was a tree lighting that went something like this…

"Okay! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" 

(Wah wah wah… a little tree lit up)

And then, Santa did come.

A high 5 was had.

And it was over.

But I think she liked it.

So you'll have to tune in next year to find out if this gets better with age.

A year ago, we were doing this.

Which is appropriate seeing that we started ballet this week.

After crying and screaming after trying on the "cheap" tights from Payless,

the expensive Capezio pair were just right.

Hallelujah.

Hanging her bag by the door (filled with her tap and ballet shoes)...

Heading in to class with the required outfit…

you many only wear pink tights and a black leotard.

And hanging with a new bestie who we love, little (well, very tall) Zoe.

1127. a new ballet time

1128. wonderful moms to chat with during ballet

1129. clothes that fit

1130. ford's crazy gymnastic moves

Lessons From The Grinch

Do you remember our $20 rule from 2009?

We've stepped it up a tiny bit over the years…

but I must admit that this year we have the best tree we've ever had.

For less than $50. 

And since we got it about 5 minutes after we digested our Thankgiving turkey and it's positioned squarely underneath a heater vent (hence a few dark branches on top) -- the fact that it's still thriving is nothing short of a Christmas Miracle. 

Other than our Savior, of course.

I mean, duh. 

And the magic of Christmas is truly here for Fordy. 

Seeing it through his eyes makes me stop and realize how little he is.

Despite his attempts…"I'm a big boy!"

And our afternoon walks often include our Christmas elf hats from Little Grandma...

An even cuter one…

Abby's Christmas List this year (obviously edited once she realized Santa might only bring one of these things). "The rest can be for my birthday."

Sheesh.

I think we need to watch Charlie Brown Christmas again and turn it up really loud during Linus' speech. But yesterday, she readily admitted, "Mom, my favorite part of Christmas is the gifts but I know that's not the real meaning of Christmas." 

Let's be honest. She didn't learn that from the Bible but most likely from the Grinch.

I'll take it.

1123. tea with honey

1124. downtown abbey's return

1125. christmas cards from those far away

1126. no one else getting the tummy flu except fordy

Jackpot

Happy New Year friends! 

Ah, I've failed at keeping up the past few weeks.

I know I've been jumping around--

fall, winter, warm, cold…

These seasons are all very novel to us. 

Abby and Arthur playing in the leaves.

This was a homework assignment….

"Take Arthur on an adventure."

I love her preschool.

The kids and I headed over to our cousins house after a full day of rain.

And we were ready.

Boots, hats and motivation.

My leaf picking boy...

And although you cannot tell, it snowed here. 

It snowed.

As I went for a walk with the kids day after day in early December

wearing a down jacket from the 1990s

(thank you mom and dad for keeping it!)

I finally realized that this was a cold snap.

Dur!

Catching flakes on her tongue...

With our cute next door neighbor mid-snow fall...

And this cute boy, wondering why it isn't white on the ground.

They're going to love Tahoe this winter, aren't they?

And as a side note, Chic fil a has been discovered…

And the cutest, young owner you've ever seen told them that if they turn in their toy, they get ice cream.

Jackpot.

1118. my little yellow tea pot

1119. enough napkins

1120. healthy through Christmas

1121. the hope of connecting

1122. gloves for dishes = saved hands