Spelling Tuesday

I just hosted a whole WEEK of Christmas magic at my house!  Whew!  I'm pooped.  First, we had the Lenz side of the family over for yummy food and presents and fun. I didn't manage to take very many pictures, but that is just because I was too busy playing Uno, watching movies and catching up with the fam.   Christmas Eve we were joined by NeeNee for church and turkey dinner.  The kids were more than a little excited to get home and get their christmas PJs on! Finally, it was time for bed so Santa could get to work! The kids had a blast opening presents.  Santa brought a makeup kit for Loralie and an orange piano for Roman. The Brummetts came over for brunch the day after Christmas and we did it all again!  Our bellies, hearts, and toy chests are full to the top!

We got our first snow of the year on Saturday.  It started with ice, making even our grass slippery enough to sled on!  Then we got snow on top of that.  Roman looked out the window and said "Mommy, look at this beautiful new world!" We braved the icy roads to attend a family Christmas party and woke up to even more snow this morning.  But if a snow day happens over a weekend does it even really happen?!?

Here are the kid's letters to Santa.  Romans is almost impossible to read in this picture, so I will paraphrase: Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is an orange piano with papers that tell you how to play music, and some dishes and food and a new guitar.  Love, Roman  Dear Santa, For Christmas I would like in my stocking a bow and arrow and a make up kit and an emergency kit and I'd like a journal.  I have been very good.  Love, Loralie

This little guy had his preschool Christmas program this afternoon.  He has been practicing his "Rum Pum Pum Pums" for weeks now.  If you recall, last year he sat down on the stage for the entire performance and didn't sing or smile.  So we had low expectations. But then, the show started and Roman knocked it out of the park! He sang, he smiled, he even did hand motions and shook his jingle bell!  We were so proud! He got to pick where we would go to lunch afterwards, and he chose Olive Garden, or "The Breadstick Place," as he likes to call it.   It has also occurred to me this week that this school year is almost half way over... WHAT THE HECK?!?  It is flying by!  This is the last year of preschool, my last year with my little buddy at home with me.  I might be getting chocked up about it even as I type this.

Teddy the elf is back again.  Help me Jesus.  We celebrated his return with a North Pole Breakfast... for dinner.  Rudolf pancakes and chocolate peppermint milk.  Teddy brought everyone new ornaments:  Dad (police station), Mom (stack of books), Loralie (unicorn) and Roman (tractor).  And then the kids kept the tradition of breaking their BRAND NEW ornament.  Not even kidding.  And it was Loralie this year.  I can't even. This guy keeps us on our toes.

Our Tuesday Night Bible Study group got together for a "Friendsgiving" this year.  It was super fun hanging out and sharing food and being thankful for each other. Thursday night, on actual Thanksgiving, we got together at Matt's house.  I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here are a few... There was AMAZING food, and lots of people, and a house full of love and laughter.  Its weird that Becca's family is my family now... but a good weird.  I say, the more the merrier. Here's what Roman said he was thankful for at school.  Notice Aunt Becca got top billing over Mom and Dad.  Ha! Then we headed to Bolivar for the Lenz family thanksgiving feast.  It was wonderful getting to spend time with the family, catch up, and stuff our faces.  Again. I'm Thankful for all the amazing people in my life! (How cheesy is that???)

Loralie had her second grade art and music program last night.  They did a delightful thanksgiving medley, but unfortunately she is so short you could barely see her.  If you click on the link below, you can see a few seconds of their program. https://app.seesaw.me/pages/shared_item?item_id=item.ff66ebef-2a81-42a0-8c93-87ed54d6adc0&share_token=_wXgkUD7TCGk4o6KX7c99A&mode=share

Loralie's class went on a trip to... Drum roll please... The zoo.  My least favorite place.  Oh well, at least we got a guided tour, which made it a little more interesting, and the weather was beautiful.

Caleb and I had a blast at our grown up party too!  We were Red Ridinghood and the Woodsman.

Halloween on a Monday.  Seriously.  But we still had a good time.  Loralie was the cutest little Gryfindor you ever did see.  She couldn't decide if she was Hermione or Ginny Weasley, but the costume works for both!  Roman was the most adorable state trooper ever to write out a speeding ticket!  He would run down from people's houses saying "MOM!  I got you a peanut butter cup!!!"  He is my favorite. The neighborhood was in full effect, as usual.  We had a driveway party and enjoyed the balmy weather.  This global warming thing is really working out for us mid-westerners.  We might have oceanfront property eventually. The kids got WAY too much candy and stayed up WAY too late, so a good time was had by all.  I kept Loralie home from school today just to recover, because HALLOWEEN ON A MONDAY IS DUMB.

Loralie celebrated her 8th birthday with a Harry Potter party.  Of course, Mom was all over this, as the Harry Potter books are my very favorite and I love a good theme! We transformed the basement into Hogwarts... Guests had to pass through platform nine and three quarters.  We had a potions lesson,  and of course, a feast. We went on a magical creatures hunt,  did some dueling (with silly string), And played some serious Quiditch! A great time was had by all!  Parties are so much easier when the kids are older!