Christmas Day

So yeah, sat next to a Wookie on Christmas Day during services.  

Christmas services were "pajamas encouraged" attire. 

I thought it was just for kids and honestly would have been much more comfy in pjs.

I wore this.  The blanket scarf was a Christmas gift from Pete.

It really does keep me warm!

  

This was right when they came down the stairs.

The girls basically got up at their normal wake up time, maybe even slightly later?

Pete got up early and so I was able to head down stairs and make our annual Christmas cinnamon rolls.  Thank you very much Trader Joes.

Also, you can see just 2 of the many pictures displayed up our stairs now.  

Walgreens had these wood panels and I had a 55% off coupon so I scored a bunch this holiday season and that is my little Christmas gift to myself.  I still have a few more to hang.

Flick'n Chickens game.  

Audrey's big Santa gift was a doll tent, doll sleeping bag, and doll camping gear.

She also scored a Calico Critter camping kit (thingy, not sure what to call it).

It is funny what ends up being the favorites, a tiny dog that came with the camping theme gift and stocking stuffers from bath and body works seem to be the favorite.

Celia got a Welly Wisher named Camille.

She also got Star Wars Guess Who and New Fuzzy slippers.  A Wii game from Pete and a new Star Wars iPad app seems to be her favorites too.  

Behind her is the tent I made for the girls.

Aunt Vickie made this awesome sewing machine cover for Celia's machine.

Celia could not figure out what it was at first however she loved it without even knowing the purpose because it is so cool!

I just had to snap a picture of this.  

This is Auds with the tiny puppy and Calico Critter set with toothbrush hanging out of her mouth.

We were getting ready to go to church.

My big gift to the family this year will be appreciated more later I think.

I gave them a family fun coupon file with gift cards, coupons, etc.  Included are coupons like breakfast in bed, a family dinner out, movie outings, trip to Washington DC, trip to the Aquarium, dates with Mommy/Daddy, special sleepovers with grandparents, etc.  I was excited about it but at their age it is more understood when the events actually happen.  I had fun creating it so that matters.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

The day started a little before 6 am.  The girls and I headed to Wegmans for our Christmas Eve discount ornaments and breakfast.  The food was yummy the ornament selection sparse...  But Audrey chose a Dory ornament and Celia a gorgeous butterfly.  I had sushi for breakfast and it was delicious- avocado rolls and some cooked crab rolls.  Try it for breakfast sometime.

Then some laundry, tv/ipad vegging, cookie baking and decorating, to church at 2 for the 3:00 service.  Pete ushered, Celia sang and read (and designed the bulletin cover!!).  Auds and I hung out and enjoyed the service.  I bravely allowed both girls to hold candles for Silent night.

Back home we went for some Wii playing, laundry again, dishwasher emptied and breakfast for dinner!!  My excitement is that scrambled eggs are finally back in Auds life.  She is now a pancake snob and will only consume pumpkin pancakes which we had to night (thank you Trader Joes for your awesome pumpkin pancake mix).

So I leave you with Miss Audrey and Fluffy.  Fluffers has been by her side constantly lately.  She is quite the little cookie decorator lately and not as much a cookie eater!

Pretty dancer

Celia has been taking Praise dance at a local church since September.  It is a free program and the only request they make is that we perform for the church during certain times of the year.  This past weekend was the first performance.  Celia danced in their Christmas fest and then in the Sunday services.  Although we really feel that our curtain church is the best fit for us right now, we really enjoyed this church service.

Auds First time willingly sitting with the Big Guy

Audrey Turns 6

You are 6 today.

6 years baby girl and each year keeps getting better and better.

This year you were double excited about your birthday because it is also Thanksgiving.

You were frequently asking me this week "Mommy, aren't you just so excited?"

You are fierce and brave

You are also painfully shy but started out Kindergarten talking which is huge if you know our little girl!  Her Fall conference was awesome.

You handled the transition to Kindergarten and your after school program better then I could have imagined.  We are still working on branching out with who you talk to but I am sure that will come.

Kindergarten has sparked a tiny bit of interest in crafts and coloring which is new for you.  But you still just love to play, play, play.  One of your favorite things to do is swing on our tree swing.

You are also enjoying gymnastics class and your teacher says that you are sometimes a leader.

Yup, that sums of you completely

You absolutely love to make us laugh.

Sometimes you don't even try, you just are hysterical.

Your favorite foods include cantaloupe, bread with honey, peppers, tomatoes, Mac and cheese, rice, and almost any type of fruit.  You still would ALL day long if I let you.  Everyone says this is a growth spurt.  Well it has been a long 5 year growth spurt.

You love your big sister and she is your best friend.

Your buddy Taylor is also a close second and we have loved to see that relationship blossom.

You are such a good swimmer for your age and you did an awesome job at Champs this summer.

You also handled the whole season without fear or hesitation.

Your coach put you up on the block at the first meet, you dove off of it and then he turned to me and said "Wait, does she go off the block??"  I said "I guess she does now".  You just did it, did not question it, just went with it.  So Amazing.

Oh my goodness do you love the beach.  You ask about it all summer.

Mommy feels the same way!

You are Mommy's little buddy until Celia gets home and I have been amazingly blessed to be able to spend afternoons with you.  I will miss my little buddy next year!

You have a great passion for animals (stuffed or real).

We recently got a fish and you love him.

You also love our neighbor's dog Riley

Happy Birthday Miss Audrey

I am very Thankful for all of the Joy you give our family every single day.

Psst Auds, Aren't you just so Excited???

Museum

On a non-working Friday Audrey came home from preschool and we quickly hopped in the car.  We were going to eat at the museum but Auds could not wait and I had the same thought about 30 min before she came home so she ate on the way!   Audrey loves this little museum and they recently put in a new exhibit.

Checking out the pretend floor aquarium that she loves

We went to the Arctic Rainforest exhibit.  One side had the Arctic with a lot of really cool things to do and another side had the rainforest part.  That was neat but Auds was more interest in the Arctic.  They had a pretend tree house and according to Auds I was not allowed to pretend I was way up high in the tree house, but I did anyway.

Trying on some snow shoes

In the igloo

Now we are both in the igloo!

The museum has some small trails out back and normally Audrey has a great time with me.  This is usually what she wants to do at the museum first but today she was scared.  I have no clue why!  It was gorgeous out.

She questioned if there was something living inside this huge stomp

We arrived back to the museum just in time to see this Albino Hedgehog get a bath!