Spelling Tuesday

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go! These kids were ready for Christmas Part Two with our favorite Bolivar family.  Uncle Jon and Soon-to-be-Aunt Amanda...  Some snuggles from Grandpa... And a visit from Great Grandma made the day extra special.  Oh, and did I mention Aunt Chelle, everyone's favorite Auntie?  Say "Cheese" Lenz's, and try to look happy about it... We did our new tradition of the "Three Gifts of Christmas."  Michelle is holding up her "found" gift from Mike.  Wrapped in electrical tape.  The kids got spoiled, like usual...  Jonathan got a Zombie survival kit from me.  You can never be too prepared... We got a little bit of snow, which always makes me holly jolly!  Thank you Jesus for the gift of Christmas and special time with family.  Can't wait until next year when Levi, Robyn and clan will be here to help us celebrate!

Christmas Eve we got all spiffed and shined and went to church.  Afterwords, NeeNee joined us for dinner, Pj's and a Movie.  These kiddos were ready for Santa!  Oh, and Caleb was too.  In the morning, what to our wondering eyes should appear... Santa brought us just what we asked for!  Loralie got a Master Chef Junior apron and cookbook.  Roman Roman got a snowman... sort of.  Loralie's three grifts from Mommy and Daddy were:  Rollerskates, a light bright, and Legos.  Roman got a remote control car, a marble run, and "boy" dress up clothes.  Hehehe Later, Matt, Becca and Ada joined us for brunch and more presents!  Family pic.  Please ignore the totally unflattering angle of me.  I had to push the button and run!  LOL.  I got my brother this awesome t-shirt, along with a bunch of "Manly" stuff, per his request. Tonight we will just relax with the kiddos, eat some leftovers,...

Dear Santa, I want a Master Chef Junior Cookbook and apron. Love, Loralie Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is an agent and a book deal. Love, Niki

I went out with some of my very best friends last night to The Melting Pot.  There was chocolate.  There was cheese.  There was wine.  Basically all my favorite things!   This morning we awoke to sparkly snow and NO SCHOOL!  Yay!  We have already played outside, drank hot cocoa, and watched The Polar Express.  My favorite kind of day!

One of the best things about belonging to MOPS is that they have a direct connection to Santa, and they throw an amazing Meet and Greet with him each year.  The kiddo went right to the old guy this year and sat on his lap. Loralie asked for a "Kid's cookbook and a REAL MasterChef Junior Apron."  Roman asked for a snowman.  Hmmm.  Not sure what I'm gonna do about that one. Rudolf showed up, and no one was excited about it.  There was cookies and hot cocoa, and did I mention NO LINE for Santa?     The kids also made reindeer food to sprinkle on the front yard.   And now to the suds portion of the post.   Last night, we were all in the living room watching TV, and Roman said he had to go get something.  A few minutes later he toddled back downstairs and said, "Mommy, Jesus spilled water in the kitchen." I said, "Roman, Jesus didn't spill water." He said, "Okay, Mommy did it." I am getting exasperated now, ...

Caleb was promoted to Sergaent last night!  He starts his new gig next week.  Here he is with the Chief being awarded his new badge. Matt and Becca came to the ceremony to cheer him on. Afterwords we went out to dinner and I obnoxiously called him "Sarge" a lot. Here are my two favorite officers. I got Caleb a lovely engraved pen that he can use to write scathing remarks on his new officer's reports.  And now, I can only assume that I get to be the boss of all the wives.  They can call me Queen Bee :)

Our Elf brought chocolate advent calendars, a real crowd pleaser around here, and the movie ELF, which we have already watched about a million times.  Loralie's comments: (while laughing hysterically) "He really doesn't understand this world!" Romans comments: "He's so silly.  He eatin' syrup on his sketti" We also read these little book ornaments each night that have scripture in them.  Roman grabbed it out of my hands and said, "I read dis!  Jesus, Jesus, god, god, god."  At least he gets the gist. Teddy got artistic with the spray snow! And the highlight of the week was when Roman threw up at school and had to come home early.  He kept saying "I pooked at school.  It was an accident."  Poor baby!  He has been feeling right as rain today so maybe it was just a 24 hour bug.

Loralie's teacher sent home a bunch of her writing yesterday.  Here are some I my favorites: "I cried when I couldn't find Teddy" (Teddy the Elf, pictured on shelf). "My cousin Ada is scared to climb the rock wall but I'm not." "When bunnies come to my yard." "I got training wheels." "I got my baby brother Roman." "One time my mom said 'no' but I got a shot."   Way to throw mom under the bus kid!  I'm never gonna hear the end of that one!  (We were going to the doctor because she was sick.  She was freaking out saying she didn't want a shot.  I said she wouldn't get a shot.  Then the doctor said she needed one.  Oops.)