A Gingerbread House!

Growing up, either Katie, Zena and/or Kim (and Cil!) would make a gingerbread house with us.  It's a tradition that I love and have continued.  Now, granted, I spend a lot of time keeping the kids from eating ALL of the candy-and the mess drives me crazy-but it's a lot of fun!

preparation 

Luke mostly ate candy (surprise, surprise).

silly gooses with oreos!

Not half bad!  (This is after I took off a lot of mini chocolate chips---why I bought these is beyond me.  They looked like bits of poop)

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

It is hard to believe that this baby girl is 6!

My second eye surgery was December 13th, and Mrs. Georgia came to Houston to help take care of our family.  We loved having her here to help and to join in so many celebrations!  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we took a single picture with her.... :(

We started the day with birthday donuts.

We made birthday cupcakes....

As is our tradition, the birthday girl/boy gets to pick our dinner spot and a movie.  Natalie chose El Tiempo, but after a day filled with Christmas parties, everyone's stomach was hurting by the time dinner came to the table.

Waiting for our table at the bar. (someone in Luke's class gave him this cousin Eddie hat and gloves as a Christmas gift---I don't think he took either off all weekend).

Poor girl had had enough.

Christmas shopping at Nordstrom with mom while the boys watch Star Wars!

coffee and hot chocolate cheers!

Watching Ferndinand---I made the mistake of telling the kids to "change out of your church clothes and put on play clothes"---next time I should specify "something that looks half decent."

Natalie's birthday gift was tickets to see the play Sleeping Beauty.  Brad took her and said it was great!

Pre-play dinner at Hard Rock---funny story, but Brad bought me our first drink together at the Hard Rock on Beale St. in Memphis after an Ole Miss v. Memphis football game

This performance was a modern take, set in Houston.  Natalie's favorite line was Sleeping Beauty saying that she was almost an adult, and another character tells her "you aren't an adult until you have a Costco card."

We love you, sweet Natalie!

Christmas Programs Galore!

During the last week of school, we had three Christmas programs.  Natalie and James's big school program was the day after my eye surgery, and I was so sad to miss this special event.  Natalie's kindergarten class had the main singing roles, and the entire lower school recited all of Luke 2.  Brad and Mrs. Georgia did take videos and this sweet picture (James was in the audience with his class).

Luke's program was later the same afternoon, and I was feeling well enough to attend.  True to form, Luke did not sing a single song or attempt a single dance move.  Like, didn't move a muscle.  Bless his heart.  I thought he was going to break down crying, but he didn't!

See, did. not. move.

He did, however, enjoy "Santa" and "Mrs. Clause"

And we were thrilled that one of his teachers gave him this stylish hat and gloves---he loved(s) both equally and wore them all weekend.

Natalie rounded out our week of programs by performing as "Little Angel" in the church Christmas program.  I was on the committee in charge of the performance, and when I agreed to help I imagined James being in the show.  Well, James wanted no part of it, but Natalie sure did! We had a great time!

The many expressions of Natalie.....

 

What Luke lacked in stage presence, Natalie sure made up for it!

James's class Christmas party

I love these sweet babies!