This past weekend we went with Grandpa, Uncle Jason and the Odglens to help them pick out Christmas trees. It had just snowed the night before, so the girls had fun frolicking in the snow. Grandpa helped them make good snowballs, and taught Maggie what to look for in a good tree (after which Maggie walked to every tree, brushed off the snow, said "hmm", and then "I think this is the perfect tree!").
Daddy and Evie
Tree inspector
A girl in the wild
Snowball man
Santa was there too, so we had a little visit with him. Maggie told him she wants a balance beam (which my crafty man is handling), and Evie sat there avoiding all eye contact (as expected).
Getting ready for Christmas
We had a really great time walking around the tree farm... but I'm still a believer in my good old fake tree! No mess, no work, and all the Christmas spirit!
Maggie's buddy had a birthday party at a bounce house this weekend. Both girls had a great time running around, and the staff was so helpful - they played with the kids, and helped them climb the tougher stuff.
PIZZA
Busy bee
The girls didn't know I was taking this video, but I was proud to see Maggie happily sharing her ice cream with Evie instead of whining - little moments.
Last night we had our first huge snow of the year. The girls had a great time playing around while Daddy did most of the snow-blowing.
As Maggie will tell you without prompting, she is now a big
5-year old! Her birthday was this past
Sunday, and she had a pretty special day!
She woke up ready to party!
Maggie is really into horses, and so we were able to find an
equestrian facility that had an indoor arena and was willing to take 10 young
kids! Most of the kids were into the
horses, and seemed to have a good time.
I was worried because the major rules of the barn included no running
and no yelling (so that the horses didn’t get spooked) – 10 kids, mostly under
5… well, they did a pretty good job, and everything went great!
All the kiddos
Riding on Pixie
The kids learned how to groom a horse, and also how to be
safe around them. They all got a chance
for a couple rides around the arena. Maggie
was in her glory… but somewhat surprisingly, so was Evie! I thought she would be nervous/scared, but
she proudly mounted and rode around the arena like she owned the place!
Piece of cake
Free labor!
Getting the saddle and reins ready
It takes 3 giggling girls to carry a saddle
We had Jamie’s former student make a cake again; this girl
is moving up in the pastry world! She
made a beautiful horse cake, perhaps a bit large for our little gathering, but
just incredible workmanship. I felt bad
cutting into it!
If I ever find this in my bed, I will take it as a gift, not a threat
Here's several other pictures from the day:
That face
My nephew could be a model
Hanging with Grammer
Tiny, no fear
Maggie's best buds from school
So curious
Make a wish!
Luke did a great job, helped lead the kids
Giggles with Grandma
Birthday love
Here's Maggie's recap of her time as a four-year-old:
We are decorated for Christmas! Jamie and I spent part of the long weekend
working inside and outside on Christmas decorations. Maggie is pretty upset because we have mostly
white lights on the house, and she thinks rainbow lights are "soooo much more
prettier."
Maggie loved climbing on the ladder
Maggie and I went to see the Wizard of Oz on Sunday! We grabbed pizza beforehand at one of Maggie’s
favorite spots, and then headed downtown.
It was a pretty good show, and Maggie was impressed with the fog machines
and when they used “strings” to fly around the stage. The Fox was really beautiful and I think she
had a great time!
She really wanted to dress up like Dorothy for the show...
The dress stayed clean!
Her first time at the Fox
Others from the week:
I love poor Evie's little tear
"Helping" with the leaves
Basement playtime
Family resemblance
Thanksgiving photo
Goofing with Grandma
Here's the girls singing a little song Grandma taught them:
Happy Thanksgiving from one thankful lady! This has been one of the best years of my life, and I couldn't be more thankful for my family, job, health... life! We had brunch at my parents' house this morning, and are heading out for dinner in a little bit. Trying to write quickly!
My little turkey
Maggie is obsessed with the planets since learning
about them in school
Mom and Dad's lovely brunch
I celebrated 34 years of life last Monday! I go a delicious donut cake (this is a game
changer), and some fun gifts from the family.
Maggie is going to “take me” to see the Wizard of Oz this weekend at the
Fox Theater – she managed to keep it a secret for two whole weeks!
All the calories
Birthday love
Happy Birthday to me
This past weekend, Jamie and I took a quick trip to Chicago
to see Hamilton! I am a little obsessed
with the show, and didn’t think I’d get to see it for a really long time… well,
we decided to splurge! He did an incredible job planning the perfect little getaway. Amazing!! We stayed right downtown, did a little
shopping, had a super fancy dinner and drinks, and then enjoyed the show! I even got to see my buddy Becky from
college! There are not enough exclamation
marks to express my joy – such an awesome weekend! Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for
watching the girls, and even taking Maggie to her friend’s birthday party while
we were out of town!
Not throwing away my shot
Stumbled across many Rabine construction signs
in Chicago... future job?
Brunch at Pep's
The day before Thanksgiving was "VIP" day at Maggie's school, and she ask her godmother Aunt Amy to go. They did church, had a snack, and did a craft. Aunt Amy agrees that Maggie's teacher is a saint! Will and Uncle Jamie hung out at McDonald's for a while, and then came home to play with Evie for the rest of the morning. We decided to get out Christmas decorations since Jamie and I both were off from work - the kids were vvvvvery helpful.
Poor Aunt Amy had to chill alone while Maggie sat
with her buddies at church
Crafting
Will likes the big boy breakfast!
I'm on a boat
Hide-and-seeking
Aunt Amy's business is booming, and so the girls modeled a couple outfits for her in the afternoon. They had a professional photographer, but Jamie snapped a few phone photos since we were there.
Crafting while waiting for the magic hour
Glue and shapes...
The girls personalities always shine through
Always.
Maggie helped us decorate the tree - first year it was
helpful instead of more work!
