Holiday Traditions

I just love a wreath on a door. It's just so welcoming. I think I'll have to find one for spring as the door is going to look a little naked without it.

The girls did a great job decorating the tree. It was a little bare around the top, but I filled in with a few of Josh and I's childhood ornaments. That's always so fun pulling them out of the box, remembering when they were made or who gave them to us. I love giving and receiving ornaments. Each year I try to get the kids one that reflect something they enjoy doing or are involved in at the time. This year the girls will get ballerina ones. Shh, don't tell. J's getting sports ones. He's not into sports yet, but I couldn't pass them up. They are really neat.

My girlfriends and I got together on the 10th to celebrate a birthday and have a cookie exchange. I made my favorite Monster cookies; these were Christmas themed of course.

Making, baking and decorating sugar cookies was a holiday tradition for me growing up, and I love being able to do it with my own kiddos.

This was my second attempt at a chocolate cake roll. I always thought they looked so festive. This one was much more successful as I used a recipe for a sponge cake, which is the key to getting it to roll nicely.

Potty Time!

Yes, he's probably going to kill me later on for these, but Little J is showing interest in potty training. He's gone several times. I think it helps he wants to do everything his sisters do and this is no exception. So, it may be a long road as I'm not sure when he'll really have enough control to be totally trained, but we'll just let him take the lead on this. It's a little more work for me remembering to ask him if he needs to go, but he's been telling me a few times. Sometimes it's too late, but he's at least starting to understand the feeling of having to go.

Snow fun

On Monday, we went up to M&C's. Gayle and Susie and Karen and the kids were over to celebrate Matt's birthday. The kids had fun making a snowman with Grandma Carla and sledding with the kids. The girls spent the night up there that night too.

Church Christmas program

Mackenzie was a shepard in the church Christmas program this year. The kids do a great job telling and showing the Christmas story. After Mass there was a surprise visit from Santa too. Fortunately the girls are still telling him they want a Barbie and a Teddy Bear for Christmas. Pfew!

Ballet dance

Things were a little shakey as I had help from Little J who was sitting on my lap.

Our Little Ballerinas

The girls performed their ballet dance during halftime at a basketball game last week. They looked so pretty in their costumes.

It was so cute when MJ was putting lipgloss on Emma. They both get a little excited when it's time to do their hair and "make-up"!

J didn't want to get left out of the picture taking, so he just jumped right in next to the girls.

This little girl has a big sister in Emma's class. They play together during class and are always sharing toys and giving each other hugs. It's really sweet. I didn't realize how big he was getting until I saw them together.

Christmas parties

The girls had their school Christmas parties on Dec. 16, which was also their last day of school before break. I was able to attend both, running back and forth to join in the fun. They decorated cookies, made ornaments, played games and MJ's class had exchanged gifts. Both had a great time and I am so thankful my flexible schedule allows me to share these times with them.