Glass blowing

This past weekend Norah got to make her own glass blown ornament with her girl scout troop.

It was all hands on and for someone who used to be terrified of fire, candles, fireworks I was impressed Norah did it all.  While she was waiting her turn she called me over and said she wanted to go home and that she didn't want to do it but I told her to try and if at any point she wanted the workers to take over they would.  She did it all and is so proud of her ornament. We are going to get an ornament stand and keep it out on her dresser all year.

not surprised

I'm not really surprised that these two ended up with broken bones

This is what I walked into the other day 

Norah JUST got her brace off and the green light to resume all activities and Colin was still banned from physical activity. He did his week get the green light after his thumb surgery to go back to PE but the doctor laughed and said that probably didn't matter based on his wrist.

Nutcracker

For Christmas Ant Ant got Norah tickets to see the Nutcracker. She honestly had no idea what it was and in fact was upset that she had to get all fancy for this event. Sorta sad because she used to be miss fancy Nancy every day. The more bling the better. But we she found clothes to wear and Ant Ant said once she was there and saw everyone dressed up she told Ant Ant that now she understood why she had to get all fancy.

She loved it and has been dancing around our house every since

Breakfast with Santa

We've spent the last 9 years at a school Breakfast with Santa and this year was our last year as the intermediate school doesn't do breakfast with Santa.  Its a little bittersweet. We've seen Santa twice now and both times the boys have nothing they want and Norah asked for legos.  So Santa might be getting off easy this year.... or be have a very hard time coming up with things they want….

It wasn't breakfast with Santa but look who greeted the kids at church on Sunday

Christmas Village

Last week we met up with friends to go to the Christmas Village that CBN puts on. We went the first night and hoped it wasn't too crowded. Its all free so last year the lines for the rides got long. We lucked out and the kids got to ride all the rides and didn't have to wait long for anything.

Becca had her boyfriend there that the kids met. They go to the same church so we met his mom. She was really nice but what made me laugh was about 10 minutes into standing in line with us she turned to me and said "JOEL AND BECCA ARE EXACTLY ALIKE" haha its what Heather and I have been saying for years.

Then Brent and Colin ran into a friend of Colin's who was there with his girlfriend and Brent almost couldn't handle these kids growing up so fast.  I think we are very glad our boys only want to play video games right now.

I don't think Norah believes this is a real elf

I don't think Colin is on the nice list! ha! Just kidding. Colin is ALWAYS on the nice list. Its the other two that we need to always double check....

Reflections Contest

Norah came home and said she wanted to make a galaxy picture for her art contest at school. And she won 1st for her school and then went onto the city competition.  She won honorable mention there.  And now is motivated even more for next year.

Joel told me Norah doesn't look happy in that picture  because as she said right before I took  this "Mom I want a medal next time instead of a ribbon" 

Parade

Norah got to march in the parade with her girl scout troop and LOVED every minute of it.

They only let 1 troop leader from each troop march with our service unit so I helped get the girls ready, saw them at the beginning and then drove to the end to meet them. The snowflakes turned out so cute and were worth all the time it took to cut them all out.

The boys shared their candy with her and they will be re-airing the parade on tv so she's excited to watch the whole thing

Texts from Joel

I'm happy