Making Ornaments and Snow Angels

Before leaving for MN this Christmas we spent some time making ornaments to give away and we also got to enjoy a little KY snow.

Otto's Potato Head

Otto isn't real excited about snow and cold.

Family Christmas in Ky

We decided this year to start the tradition of setting aside a day before our trek to the frozen north (MN) for a family Christmas day here at home. We spent the day going slow and just enjoying some time together celebrating this beautiful holiday. Which means we hung out and relaxed, ate lots of good food and played with the kids. I had plans for decorating a gingerbread house and painting ornaments with Brian and the kids, but we ended up saving those for another day this time.... we just ended up relaxing most of the day (which was super nice). Here are just a few pictures from the day and a video too - had to capture Eli's excitement after making his bake a bug.

Reading from the Bible the story of Christ's birth.

Brian framed this beautiful pen and ink drawing which he originally he made for me a couple years ago.... a total surprise! We had been talking about getting it done for a while - so glad I can enjoy it on the wall now.

Yes, this mama is a teacher at heart - I can't help but get educational toys (thankfully the kids don't know anything different). This one was really neat! It is a human body that you can take the organs out and hold them etc. Eli is holding the squishy intestinal tract here. There is even a removable squishy brain inside the skull.

Making the Bake a Bugs! Eli was sooo excited about this gift. Also, notice Otto - he is still going through this stage of wanting to wear his coat all the time. So funny.

Bake a Bug from capture box on Vimeo.

Books Galore!!!

I can't even express how excited I am about the 30 pound package of books I got in the mail today! I decided a couple months ago that I wanted to go ahead and order a curriculum for homeschooling that suited my ideals with teaching and allowed me some flexibility to also follow Eli's interests and passions and I think I found one. We will see! It is a curriculum based on great literature. There are plenty of experiments and activities that are in the teaching manual so it is made of both good reading and activities that can be put together with things found at home. I am sure excited to start this with Eli. I figured I would start early in January. I will possibly allow myself a year and 1/2 to finish the material or just do another January start next year (we will see how it all goes). I plan to take a break when the baby arrives and also allow myself the time to add extra units to it that are more focused on Eli's interests. Woo hoo!!!!

Marching marching marching from capture box on Vimeo.

Eli and Otto like to turn on this music and just march around. It is pretty cute. I especially think the nerf gun is a nice touch - especially when Eli stops to shot mid song. Boys.

Eli Snapping Pics

Yes, our little Eli loves to take pictures! Here are just a few - when he gets the camera he usually takes about fifty. I am pretty sure he took at least that many of just the ornaments which shows how much he loves the tree. The past couple years he has taken a liking to decorating the tree with us.

Eli put the santa hat on me and took this picture.

So I had to take a picture of him too! Such a cutie.

A relaxing evening. Sometimes these are my favorites!

Otto. I DO fully dress them everyday.

Not sure why Eli took this picture, but I thought it was pretty funny. Otto is trying to close the glasses case on his face. Must be a two year old thing.

Thanksgiving Celebrations... and sword fights

We really enjoyed our time with Mom and Dad over Thanksgiving. Patty and Mike and family - we soooooo missed you guys! - but we will see you soon! in the frozen north this time. :)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the holiday.

Charge!!!

Fishing with Grandpa. They love this fishing game.

The Thankful Turkey. These were sweet little projects they did at the homeschooling co-op we are a part of.

Opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa.