Christmas, Finally!

We had a wonderful Christmas.  I feel it was laid back and full of family and food.  Little by little each year we are trying to do away with the trappings of the holidays.  Really trying to focus on the birth of Christ and all that it means for us as we celebrate.

Hubby had to work Christmas Day so we had our big meal with all the family at about 3 o'clock on Christmas Eve.  It was buffet style because we just can't fit everyone around a table anymore.  What a great problem to have!!  We ate early enough so the dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned so when we got home from church we could just relax and eat dessert.

Our church has a very simple service.  We sing hymns and families place ornaments on a Chrismon Tree.  So we participated in that.

We came home, built a fire, ate dessert, opened some presents (the traditional PJs, popcorn, hot chocolate and new movie).  And just hung out and visited and eventually turned on A Christmas Story.

The kids had a tough time sleeping.  Of course.  Hubby had to be in bed early so Sissy and I hung out on the couch waiting to be Santa's elves.  I think we were asleep by 1ish.  And morning came early.  Hubby was able to get home by 7:30AM in order to open presents.  And the kids had a blast.  It went by so quick though.

All the family was over and we hung out and played games and watched movies and ate when hubby got home around 5.  All in all, it was a successful Christmas Day.  Although, have I mentioned how fast it went by. . . .

Get Away to Grandma's

This past weekend we celebrated St. Patrick's Day and Grandma's birthday!  The kids, the dog and I packed up early Friday morning and headed down south for some sun and fun with family.

My aunt is visiting my mom for a couple weeks so that was an added bonus!  We arrived early afternoon on Friday and the kids immediately headed to the pool.  As everyone says "what would you do without that pool?"

We hung out and visited and the kids swam.  On Saturday Auntie K took us to Beef O'Brady's for St. Paddy's day and wings!  We did a little shopping and I mean a little.  Then we went home and enjoyed the pool for a little bit more.  Grandma came home from work and we had a fabulous corn beef and cabbage supper.

Sunday was my mom's birthday and we did whatever she wanted.  We hung out at the pool, ate hamburgers (which she grilled) and watched a movie.  The day was topped off with an excellent birthday cake!

We had a great time celebrating with Grandma . . .

Day Five

Did I mention all the GREAT food my aunt cooked for us all weekend?  Hubby was in heaven.

The next day was Sunday and EG woke up in the middle of the night sick to her stomach again.  As the morning went on she felt better.  So, we decided to just hang out and relax and take in a movie.

You know I was on vacation because I consented to the Chipmunk movie!!  The movie theater was fabulous.  It had a bunch of theaters and a pizza restaurant inside and all kinds of other perks.

And, it was soooo clean.

That night we had company for turkey dinner with all the fixings.  We enjoyed conversation, playing with the train, football and an early evening.  And, a little prep for leaving in the morning on our next leg of our trip.  Green Bay.  My home for a lot of years . . .

Day Four

I don't have specific memories of this zoo.  But, I am certain, considering I lived in the area for quite some time during my elementary school years, that I must have visited.  Anyway, the whole family was really very excited to go to the Milwaukee County Zoo.  It happened to be family day so we all got in for FREE!!

It was another great day for us to be out and about.  It was partly sunny and certainly not to cold.  And, when we did get cold, there were inside exhibits of animals to look at.

The Zoo at the Zoo!

We didn't take pictures of every animal we saw.  Mostly just the ones we really, really liked.  But, there were tons of different types of animals.  Many the kids had never seen before.  They had an "aquarium" of sorts and an aviary.

There had to be at least a dozen different types of apes and gorillas.  I forget what these are called but they were very, very small.  And so darn cute.  I think the kids wanted to bring one home!

The peacocks were just walking around the zoo.   So beautiful and such vibrant colors.

Guess who took this picture?  And, about a dozen or so just like it!

We took a train ride around the whole zoo.  The kids loved it!  The train is actually run by steam.

Hubby's favorite birds in the aviary were the Mandarin Ducks.  They are beautiful.  The aviary was really neat.  The kids loved identifying birds and watching them fly all around us.

The big cats were a big hit.  Very majestic.

My personal favorite were the giraffes.  The are really one of God's most unusual creatures.

We were at the zoo from about an hour after it opened until it closed.  The kids were disappointed to leave.  They could have stayed there for another couple of hours.  It was a great trip for all the kids and the adults alike. . .

End of Day Three

We left Chicago rather regretfully.  The kids and I enjoyed our visit with "long lost" family and the sites and the sounds and the people and the stuff to do.  But, the good part was, we were on our way to visit family that usually comes to visit us during the holiday season!

Uncle W and Aunt K were so excited to have us come stay with them for the weekend!  And we were  excited to stay with them!  The kids had a dog and an awesome train table to play with!  Not to mention tons of great food and doting family!!

We waited to celebrate Christmas with them and each kid had a personalized stocking of their own.  We exchanged gifts and had a fabulous meal together.  We just relaxed and talked and had a great night.

But, the fun was just beginning.  The next day was the Milwaukee County Zoo.  It deserves a post all its own.  So tomorrow will be pictures and comments from our trip to the zoo . . .

Fun Friday

Last night the boys, daddy, Boop, his friend JD and his dad all went to the Monster Truck show. Before they left, Boop said his stomach was up to his neck he was so excited. This is the second time he has been and he loves his Monster Trucks!

He has two big toy trucks, Grave Digger and Bounty Hunter. And about a half dozen little ones. And he plays with them pretty consistantly. But, to go see them in real life. Beyond excitement. Can't say as I blame him! It looks like a ton of fun!!

When the boys came home, after 10, these were the highlights from Boop: they shot a lady out of a cannon, one truck ran into the wall and they had to hit the kill switch, he thought Batman wasn't there but then he came out, and you crawl into the truck from underneath.

Both families met at our house and we ate pizza together. Then the boys went to the show and the girls went to the mall to shop. We went to Justice with Little Mama, Nature Girl, EG and our friends E and M and their mom. The big girls picked out outfits and had a little fashion show for us. Very cute!

My girls had Christmas gift certificates to Justice from Auntie Karla and they each bought an adorable summer outfit. (See pictures below - a big Thank You to Auntie Karla!!)

A great way to begin the Super Bowl weekend. Go Pack, Go!! . . .

Spontaneous

Today's schedule:

School

Science class at Nature Museum

Playdate Coop

Daddy to Ft. W----- to look at tires. (A two hour drive.)

Lunch

Nap

Ballet (2 hours)

Dinner

What actually happened today.

All of us to Ft. ---- to look at tires with daddy.

Trip to Bass Pro Shop

Lunch with our Aunt and Uncle from WI who are staying in the area.

Home by 6:30.

At 9:15 I asked daddy if he wanted us to go with him. He said sure. So, all of us packed up and had a great day of hanging, shopping and visiting!

Spontaneous would not be a word that any one would apply to our family. We are planners. We are always waiting for the "right time." Just our nature. It works for us. That is all that matters.

So, it was really kind of cool to just chuck it and have a little unplanned fun. Maybe it will become a new habit. . .

Shopping Experience

I decided last night, because daddy was working late, to take the kids to the mall for dinner and some shopping. We had Gymbucks and gift cards to spend! What a great time we had. Except for a couple minor incidents, our trip went very well.

But, the best part was just to see the difference between my two older girls! From the minute I found out I was having a second girl, I just assumed they would look alike. Don't ask me why because truly it makes no sense. But, from the moment Little Mama was born it was very evident that they were nothing alike. They don't look alike, they don't act alike, they have totally different motivations etc., etc., etc. And shopping yesterday just proves the uniqueness of each of my children!

Our first stop was Gymboree to spend our Gymbucks. This was my first time taking advantage of their program. It is a great thing! Because of the Gymbucks I had earned over the holidays, I basically received 50% off my entire purchase! For this store, I gave the kids guidance as to what they needed or what I was willing to spend money on.

EG got two new outfits for the price of one:

Boop doesn't need any more winter clothes right now but he wanted a pair of sunglasses:

Katie needed a dress for a wedding she is invited to and picked this out all on her own:

Little Mama didn't need anything in particular. But she loves skirts. This she can wear to church or when we go out:

The best part was our trip to Justice. They had gift cards from Auntie Karla. It was essentially their money to spend how they wished. I had basically two guidelines: 1. they needed to buy clothes and 2. their outfits had to be modest. The following is what each girl picked out. I am still chuckling over the absolute polar opposites of my two older girls! One spent every last dime. The other didn't want to spend too much. See if you can tell which is which ;)

I am still smiling over our experience last night and how much it told me about my girls. I honestly cannot wait to take them shopping again . . .

Special Day

Yesterday was a special day for the kiddies. Auntie Karla (our friend from the north) had bought each child a gift certificate to The Children's Place and then promised to take them to lunch and shopping sometime before she left to go back home. Yesterday was the big day. Grandma and Auntie Karla picked them up around noon and took them to lunch and then off on the big shopping spree. Everyone got to go. Even Boop. (Well, except for EG of course) They went to Chick-fil-A and then to the mall. The girls also brought along their gift certificates to Claire's and Bath and Body. They got to ride in a mall stroller that looked like a fire engine. "It cost five bucks," exclaimed Nature Girl. (She is the one concerned about how much things cost.) I hate to make too many calls when the kids are gone for fear that whoever has them will think I am checking up. (I ask daddy to call at least once ;) Even though I enjoy the peace and quiet, I can never really shake the concern I have when they are out of my sight. I always give strict instructions to the kids and also to whoever is taking them - always hold hands, never let them out of your sight and no running off. It just makes me feel better. I finally called around 4:30 just to check in. I think Grandma and Auntie Karla had had enough shopping for the day, they were on their way home. The kids picked our great clothes. Each one has their own style and it showed. After showing off their purchase Grandma and Auntie Karla went home to take a nap. It might be awhile before they go shopping again . . .