A Sugar Snow Angel

Some of Buddy's elf friends are pretty creative.  They did snow angels in sugar, so Buddy decided to do the same for our kiddos.  Can't wait until they see it!

Mmmmmm...green milk...

Apparently, one of his elf friends put him up to this.  This morning we found Buddy in the refrigerator.  (He said he's quite comfortable there because he is accustomed to the cold weather at the north pole.)  And just look what he did to our milk!

This kids were laughing so hard this morning when they opened up the refrigerator to get milk for their cereal and discovered what Buddy had done.  After a taste test, they found that they prefer green milk to the regular white variety. 

Good one, Buddy!

Our Elf on a Shelf

So...Buddy (our Elf on a Shelf) is back!  The kids love to come downstairs every morning to see where Buddy is hiding.  Yesterday morning after they found Buddy in our entry way, they decided to write some notes to him.  :)

Caroline's note said:
Dear Buddy,
Please hide in safer spots.  I am worried that somebody will bump into you, or lean up against you. (Editor's note: If that happened, Buddy would lose his magic, and would not be able to fly back and forth between here and the North Pole.)  I liked when you were having a piggy back ride on one of the wise men.  And last year when you were climbing the chandelier.  At least it looked like it.  Oh, and tell Santa that I would like a grey squirrel finger puppet, a circle chair and a dock station.  I love you, Buddy.  I love Santa too.
With love,
Caroline

From Evan:
Dear Buddy,
Please tell Santa that I want the Avengers toys except for Hulk and Captain America.  (Editor's note: Evan just received those on his birthday, and is in love with them!)  I also want a big dog stuffed animal.
Love,
Evan

Caroline drew a picture of Buddy! 

Seth also wrote a note, but I didn't see that until after I took the pictures.

This morning they found Buddy in our candy jar, holding some Snickers and a note scroll.  The kids laughed at how small Buddy's handwriting is.

It's so fun to share this Christmas magic with the kids!

Robbie Fest 2012

Happy birthday, Robbie!  We had such a fun time at your party...

playing in the leaves,

playing with Uncle Bill,

 

  and burying him too!

 

Your mommy made amazing decorations,

and your house looked so festive!

Happy 5th birthday to one of my favorite nephews, Robbie!  Love you!

My poor baby!

Poor Moxie developed a cyst after a tick bit her a year ago.  The vet has been watching it, and decided that it needed to be removed.  So on Tuesday I brought her in.  They gave her a general anesthesia while they did the surgery, so she was there most of the day.  She had a two-inch incision!  Ouch!  When we brought her home, she was in a lot of pain and wanted to be right with us all the time.  The kids were very worried about her, and very sweetly and gently doted on her.  Dave even slept on the couch in the family room so that he could stay by her. :)  She is always so loving when any of us are sick, so of course we want to love on her too when she feels unwell!

Yesterday she started eating and drinking again, much to our relief.  She is still hurting a lot, and the poor thing has to wear the "cone of shame" which she REALLY despises, but hopefully in a few days she'll be back to her old self!  The vet said that she should heal pretty quickly.

Get well soon, Moxie!

Family

After a busy week preparing our house for having family over on Sunday, it was so nice when Sunday came and we were able to spend it with some of our favorite people!  The reason for the party was to celebrate 6 years of having Evan in our family, but truly it is so nice to have birthdays and holidays to gather everyone together. 

I've always loved being with my family, but as I get older and experience more, I realize how very blessed I am to have these particular people in my life.  We all are richly blessed.  I look around at these parties, and I see just what kind of cousin, sister, daughter, aunt, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, and great-grandma I want to be.  I love that my children can see so many positive examples of family roles too. 

Thank you, family!

Evan's 6th Birthday Party!!

Well, the day that Evan has been eagerly anticipating for weeks (or rather, months) finally came.  We had his friends join us at Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate Evan's 6th birthday!

Evan invited some of his friends that went to preschool with him (Jack and Connor)

as well as Kindergarten friends and neighbors!  His people.

So, between his friends, games, pizza and chocolate cake, Evan was in his happy place!

Silly Chuck E. was wearing Evan's birthday crown...

and then when he relinquished the crown to Evan, just look how Chuck E. put it on him!

The birthday boy!

Our hostess led the kids in a birthday dance.

Evan got a turn in the ticket blaster, and caught so many tickets while Chuck E. and his friends watched!

Then it was Chuck E's turn, which the kids found quite funny!

He opened his presents from all of his friends, and they totally spoiled him!

After most of Evan's friends left, Jayla and Evan got to play some more together.  She is such a sweet little friend...I think Evan has a little crush on her because he follows her everywhere!

Happy birthday, Evan!  Can't wait until your family party tomorrow!