Last minute volcano

I am pretty lucky when it comes to Ellie.  She keeps up with her homework and schoolwork and I don't need to remind her or help her with it.  As a working mom, this is incredibly helpful because it is one less thing for me to juggle.  Unfortunately, this year I have missed a few things because I don't always remember to look at Ellie's Friday folder and she is as absent-minded as me when it comes to paperwork.  I missed the deadline for GT testing and a field trip permission forms.  Luckily, she still was able to go on her field trip.  I almost missed the deadline for her volcano science project.  It was due today and, because I wasn't paying attention to the dates, we only had last night to work on it.  Luckily, we had everything we needed at the house except the spray paint which we borrowed from Rosie.  I made the basic structure for her and Tom supervised the painting, but she did all the decorating on her own. 

Not too bad for a last-minute project.  Let's just hope it erupts!

3rd Grade Musical

Last night Ellie participated in the 3rd grade musical.  She has been talking about this musical since the 2nd grade and speculating on what part she will get.  Even though her part was small, she was so excited and nervous about it.  I was planning on going with my parents to watch and leaving Tom at home with the sleeping boys, but Ellie insisted that Tom go instead.  She laid it on pretty thick. It was crazy because Tom didn't really want to go and I really did.  I think she sensed that and used it against us! So, Tom went with my parents and I stayed home with the boys.  But I still have the pictures!

Tis the Season

 I have always loved the holidays, but children make them much more fun!  Here are just a few of the things we have been up to lately.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Jingles, returned and has been up to all sorts of mischief.

For the 3rd year in a row, we participated in the church Secret Santa activity.  The kids loved getting dressed up to make their Secret Santa drop.

Our Secret Santa this year was so fun.  They left us all sorts of fun activities for the kids like sugar cookies to decorate and ginger bread houses to build.

We also had the church Christmas party on Saturday.  They rented out the cafeteria at the elementary school and did a Polar Express theme.  It was super cute.  Sam would have nothing to do with Santa, but Ellie and Jack were thrilled to see him!

That time I celebrated my birthday for 4 days straight

I am playing a little catch up on the 'ol blog and I figured I had better document my birthday since I celebrated it for 4 days straight.  

On my actual birthday, Tom and I decided rather last minute to play hooky and go to breakfast, a matinee, and then a late lunch.  When we got home, I discovered that Dianna, Rosie, and a couple of friends decided to inform the entire neighborhood of my birthday.  Still, it was a nice surprise.

On Friday night, my mom watched the kids so Tom and I could go on a birthday-date of my choosing. Well, I chose cheesy paintings.  Back when Tom and I were dating, he bought me the book, "Guess How Much I Love You."  The saying, "I love you to the moon and back" comes from that book.  Awwww...

We probably would have enjoyed it more if the rest of the class hadn't consisted of a large group of 14 year old girls.

Saturday night I celebrated with the girls.  We went to see "Mockingjay" and then to Chili's for dessert.  We stayed there talking and laughing until the place closed at midnight.  

On Sunday, Leilani and I celebrated our birthdays together with a family party at my parents' house.  At this point, I was starting to feel a little ridiculous for dragging on my birthday celebrating for so long.  However, with each passing birthday, I have fewer birthdays left to celebrate so I might as well make the most of them! Next year I plan to make it last a whole week.

Thanksgiving Break in Pictures

I actually did a whole post talking about the break and sharing little stories, but the darn Blogger app on my phone ate it. So, here it is...in pictures.

 

Some friends of ours hooked us up with free tickets to Santa's Wonderland.  The kids had so much fun going on the hayride throught the lights and roasting smores over the fire.

See the drumstick Jack is holding? That was not supposed to be removeable.

 

 

On our first official day of the break, I took the boys to the "ear doctor" in the morning and the older two to the dentist (aka Uncle Mark) in the afternoon.  Jack got three cavities filled.  I really know how to vacation. 

 

It wasn't all appointments, we did A LOT of playing.  The kids had several playdates with friends and we spent a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

The biggest event of the week was Thanksgiving.  I made my first turkey.  Actually, since most of my extended family was out of town, I made the entire meal ALL BY MYSELF!  We invited Tom's mom over to join us, but otherwise, it was just my little family this Thanksgiving.

 

And, of course, we finished the week by decorating our little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.  Jack was so excited that it was his turn to put the spire on top of the tree this year.



Our week off went by much too quickly, but I take comfort in knowing that Christmas break is right around the corner!