Ocean's 14

If there are any volunteers or ideas how to transport this icicle two blocks from our house, contact Travis.

Christmas at Home

I have continued the tradition of giving each child a book for Christmas with a letter from Santa. I try to coordinate a theme for the book, a gift and the child's interests/accomplishments that year. This year, Kya received, The Nutcracker, since she started dance classes and had gone to see The Nutcracker at Viterbo with her class. I am hoping to attend a performance with her annually. Kya wanted a Nutcracker before the pink, sparkly bat took priority so we gifted her with both. Therin, got The Drummer Boy, since he has taken such an interest in music this year; always borrowing my iPod shuffle, starting viola lessons at school, listening to music and videos off the computer with Dad and taking a liking to classic bands such as The Who (or the Who Band as Kya likes to call them). Travis picked out 300 songs to load the iPod with (consulting and condensing a few top 500 greatest song lists of all time). It was a very simple, relaxing Christmas with lots of family time and lots of fresh air. I hope your Christmas was as peaceful!

We continue to use burlap bags to "wrap" the kids gifts, saving paper and a lot of time.







Opening the gift Kya gave us.



They were connected most of Christmas morning just listening to music together.




This I refer to as, "The Ice Palace;" the fort we have been working all weekend. As we drive around town to go to the Rotary Lights or sledding, we scope out homes like theives and haul 30-50 lbs worth of ice like prized diamonds home. We Smiths like to keep it interesting.

Solstice Celebration

Therin was excited to go to school today. Therin's class has been learning about traditions the last few weeks and with that the various holidays that are celebrated in lots of different countries and cultures-Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, etc. SOTA had it's solstice celebration today-complete with pajamas and flash lights. At home, we made "solstice shelters" as I am now calling them; basically a lot of snow mounded into a high circle decorated with pine boughs and candles. Our indoor activities: making snow globes, cupcakes and reaing books about what the solstice signifies gave us a break from our outdoor work.

After Dad came home, we prepared some food outside and some in, then converged in our shelter to eat our solstice supper. After supper, we carried candles and caroled to the neighbors:
"We wish you a happy solstice,
we wish you a happy solstice,
we wish you a happy solstice
and a happy winter."




After a warm shower, we tucked our children in, hearts and bellies full, thanked the earth for it's blessings and promised to carry on this very fun and meaningful tradition in the years to come.

o christmas tree

it looks like a christmas tree. it smells like a christmas tree but i'd swear it's a cactus.

birthday

today we celebrated the birthday he didn't have yesterday.

Habit: A collection of days

This is one of the blogs I've added to the 3-5 I regularly follow: http://www.habitblog.com/habit/ I love their pictures sans people and the half stories of few and eloquent words. I may play with this idea myself.


it is my own fault. i put it on his list. i just never imagined i'd hear so quickly it's time for you to get up or we don't go to bed yet. i underestimated him.


i asked for a thank you picture. we reviewed what she had received. "colored windows" were what i got. ?


never heard it. again and again i repeated. each time it is shocking to him.


it was somewhat of a relief to know she has such a guilty conscience. an important lesson was learned the hard way today. i hope she is having sweeter dreams.

Puppy love

Went out to see Dr. Breke's puppies Sunday night. How relaxing, especially this time of year, to sit and pet a puppy while it sleeps in your lap-the antithesis of running around and shopping in busy stores. It was great! We resisted temptation and didn't come home with one. Maybe the next litter.....




Dr. Breke's wife got quite a kick out of Kya's giggle while the puppies squirmed in her lap.

Dance recital

We missed you Granny and Grandpa Doc. There shouldn't be a blizzard for the spring concert. Hope you can make it then. I'll show you the video when I see you next.

Cookie baking with Grandma

Cut a little short with the impending blizzard.

Hey Baby! Dress Rehearsal

More photos available at: http://ymcadance.snapfish.com/snapfish
View the 12/08 set.

Hot chocolate a la Wendi

I mean, once you have hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles, can you ever really go back to just plain old hot chocolate?? I think from here on, there will always be a can of whipped cream in my frig and sprinkles in the cupboard during the cold winter months.



Bought these sweet vintage "milk glasses" off Etsy. They are the perfect serving size for kids. Hopefully they'll last long enough to pass them on to my own children's children someday.

An early Binder Christmas

Santa even caught wind the Binders were celebrating early and stopped by to drop off a few gifts.


Met Ashley's boyfriend, Brian. He was a fun and welcome addition to our family celebration.







Julie 8:30 a.m., double fisting it on the way to Lambeau!



Christmas continues at the Packer game, where they beat the 49ers!



Me with my sisters, Julie and Ashley.



That's all folks!

All I want for Christmas.......

is a tooth. Therin wiggled it out today in math. We'll see what the tooth fairy brings.....


Therin and his best friend, Nicholas, lost the same first tooth within 48 hours of each other!

Snapshots from the long holiday weekend

Lovin' up Great Grandpa Pernsteiner.



After enjoying a game of dominos on Friday, we headed to the holiday parade with the Smiths.




Who doesn't love naked cookie decorating?



Ice skating for the first time (learning with a "walker").




Still sporting our glasses from the 3D Tangled movie Saturday.