Tonight Chase took on the role of teacher and had to show us (and Grandma and Grandpa G.) around his classroom for the annual Students as Teachers event. When the hour was up, Chase had given us four presentations (for anyone familiar with the Montessori vernacular) and we were impressed and excited about his work in the classroom. We're feeling lucky to have stumbled upon this school.
I bought an adorable card kit (similar to this) on a whim when I was making a return to Michaels and I have to say I'm super impressed with the quality + simplicity of the project (and, because it was on sale, the kit was $3.50 for six cards!). Everything was peel + stick or sprinkle (the flare inside the snow globe). The boys loved that they could actually help with the project (not always the case when we start these types of crafts). Quick, easy, fun, and adorable. I'd highly recommend.
I think we kind of rocked our outside house decorations this year. Candles in the upstairs windows, lit garland over the bay windows, and a single strand of lights around the door. So festive, right?
It makes me so happy every time I pull into our driveway. :)
Two hours and 13 crafts later, and Trinity Lutheran Church's Advent Workshop didn't disappoint. Robbe even got to participate in the fun this year!
This event is definitely a family favorite and one we look forward to all year long. Thanks to all the volunteers who donate their time + energy + craftiness in order to pull the workshop together. Until next year!
The house is a total mess but it's starting to look Christmas-y around here nonetheless. The tree is decorated, the outside is pretty much done, and some of the other random decorations have been strewn about as well. I like it. I like it a lot.
Thanksgiving is so yesterday. Onto Christmas tree hunting today! For the first time as a family, we cut down our own tree. The beautiful 50+ degree day didn't hurt the experience, that's for sure. The boys had a great time "hunting" for the perfect one. And we found it. Stay tuned for a fully-decorated photo later this weekend (if all goes well).
Some days you just have to step back from all the stressors and annoyances that surround us and realize all that there is to be thankful for in life. I'm going to attempt to do this tomorrow and I hope the same for all of you.
I'm thankful.
We've only been here two days but we're squeezing as much fun out of our visit as possible. Today's activities included a coffee date with Aunt Andi, a lunch date and outing (with ice cream, of course) with just the boys and Grandma Bibi, dressing the Christmas goose (pictured above), an afternoon play date with cousin Eli, dinner + board games with cousin Lily, and a thumb-wrestling training session with Uncle Mike. Oh and there was a ticklefest. An epic ticklefest.
The boys are off of school all week so we jumped in the car to visit grandma and grandpa. We're bummed to have left Chris behind but we're having enough fun for him, too, so you don't need to worry about him.
Nothing you can do about hat hair in Wisconsin. We just better get used to this.
I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but we got in the holiday spirit today by participating in the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Stroll and we loved every second. For all the details, check out this article I wrote, but the short story is that folks decorate their houses for Christmas early and open them up to the public to tour. Super fun, right?!?
The boys and I managed to tour five of the eight stops on the Stroll before the excitement wore off for the kiddos. I was surprised they lasted that long! It was a lovely day (the sun even came out for the first time in weeks) with a booming turnout for a deserving organization. I'll definitely be back for more next year.
The boys have been crazy beaders the last few days thanks to a gift from Aunt Andi and Uncle Mike. The stuffed animals seem really appreciative of all their necklaces.
I just love them, you know. These boys.
Nothing gets me in the holiday spirit (even if it's a bit early) like Chex Mix. The smell of it cooking + the taste immediately bring me back to my grandma and grandpa's house on Christmas Eve where the only thing more anticipated than the gifts was my mom's Chex Mix (and Aunt Pam's cutout cookies, obviously).
When I had to come up with a contribution to Chase's school bake sale, this salty treat immediately popped in my head. I hope others love it as much as we do!
Ingredients
Directions
Special Note
If I had my way, I'd add Wheat Chex to this mix (three cups of each kind), but the people have spoken and Wheat Chex are not a welcome addition.
It's that time of year again: Grandpa Paul called the boys down to help with cookie baking. I'm not sure they *helped* much but they definitely added some excitement to the evening.
I will note that Robbe managed to leave a little bit of the flour on the counter. Surprising, I know.
Our second 4-H meeting and the boys are already raking in the awards. As a prize for coming to their first two meetings and maybe, just maybe, because they are the youngest and super adorable, the boys received the Spirit Cup full of candy. This probably goes without saying...they were more than a little excited.
This guy loves them. I wish I shared just a smidgen of his enthusiasm.
There's some back story here.
Last week, Chase came home from school upset because one of his classmates, let's call him Joe, wouldn't do partner work with him. And he used some pretty forceful language to let Chase know he wasn't interested. Chase, and his sensitive soul, was hurt and confused because usually Joe loved doing this work with him and Chase really enjoyed working with Joe.
Chase came home, told me about the bummer of a encounter and I suggested that perhaps Joe was having a bad day and, although it hurt your feelings, it was important to not take it personally. I told him that if/when someone says something hurtful to him again, to try to respond with something kind.
Flash forward to yesterday. Chase once again asked Joe if he wanted to do this partner work with him. (Let me say I was already so impressed by just this sweet gesture.) Much to my dismay, Joe declined and once again (although not quite as roughly as the first time around) said some unkind words to our sweet boy. Instead of getting upset, Chase said to Joe, "That's ok. But if you ever want to work with me, I would really like that." (or something similar).
Can you handle it? Talk about a proud parenting moment! To reenforce this amazing behavior, I offered Chase an unprecedented afternoon activity: he could choose a super special afternoon snack or a trip to the dollar store to pick out whatever he wanted. He chose the dollar store (hence the photo) and a pair of slinkies as his reward. Obviously what everyone would do.
I'm crazy proud of this little guy.
Chris and I have been committing to a weekly date night [in] for the last month or so. Instead of tv watching or laundry folding, we enjoy a board game and chat (often times a glass of wine is also consumed...and tonight Oreos joined the party!). It's been really lovely. I find myself looking forward to the special night of laughing with my husbanf and avoiding my to do list all day long.
Yesterday was laundry baskets. Today's favorite activity (and it's been going strong for a few days now): racing these Playmobil cars. The boys can't get enough of guessing who the winner is going to be, watching them crash, declaring rewards for each driver, and the winding them up and doing it all again. The big lesson learned, though, is pad your walls with something (we use couch cushions) or you're going to end up with lasting marks on the trim to go along with the lasting memories.
small city | BIG DAYS
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