Outside Fun

It was warm enough for a walk, but Charlie didn't want to ride his new bike.

Superman was glad for his new one, though.

We got a trampoline! Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma!

 Have you seen this "baby" lately? She's so big!

She can even push herself in the truck!

Sillies

Nora has a purse and a pigtailed baby, just like her mom.

Charlie says two ties is fancier and Jamie says the Hulk fists will NOT get him in trouble during Mass.

Remote Controlled Car

Grandpa Jeff we wish you were here to see it in person!

Christmas

It's a Christmas miracle! Four kids, Christmas clothes, stockings, all smiling at the camera. Miracle.

While everyone else went to get grandma, Nora wanted the food. "Mo. Mo." she insisted.

 Presents!

 Lucy, who dressed in her Elsa costume this morning, was pleased with her robe, hat, and socks.

 Charlie really wanted boots.

 Jamie got a knight costume

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookie decorating is the sort of activity that makes me crazy. First, making dough that you have to refrigerate. Then the interminable cooking cutter process. And then staining, messy icing! With petroleum dyes. Ack. But we did it!

I bought these to cross that last one off the list, and then we dove in.

These are Lucy's. She was pretty precise.

Decorating the Tree

We had hot chocolate and decorated the tree this fourth Sunday of Advent. Lucy was mostly interested in the drink.

 Jamie and Charlie were enthusiastic about hanging ornaments though

 Nora was banished to a chair after spilling Lucy's drink.

 We got everything hung (while Nora went unerringly for my phone)

 And then re-hung, because someone is grabby

 Group picture?

 Then we had caramel corn. Again, Lucy's favorite part

 Happy last week of Advent!

What We're Wearing

It was 45 degrees outside, so everyone needed hats and mittens. Lucy's wearing her Elsa dress under it and everyone wore costumes when they came in.

Then Lucy wanted to show her other outfit

And here's Nora in the cutest little set. Doesn't she seem like a Big Girl?

Nora Fun

Jamie's Game

Bunny

Have you met Nora's beloved bunny? I can't get her on camera saying it, but I'll keep trying.

She cuddles up tight with it while she sleeps and carries it around all day.

She also has a black and white kitty she is partial to, and has mastered that word too. (It's very useful; she can also demand to pet Butterscotch.)

Formal Dining

Is usually the "homeschool room" but this morning was cleared out for a car extravaganza

Then she wanted a picture of Lucy vrooming on the whole floor

 

Charlie's Legos

Here's something Charlie built. He's proud.

The ball swings

He's so excited his hands are going

But look who wants to touch it so bad

Hi!

Nora loves to watch herself in the selfie camera on the phones. She didn't want to listen to Justin read St George and the Dragon when there was this cutie to see.




Also, yes, she IS wearing a rosary like a scarf. I don't know where she found it.

St Nicholas Day

Around here, we celebrate St Nicholas' feast day. He brings small presents, often coins or chocolate, to children who leave out their shoe(s). The boys had high hopes and were  not disappointed with a piece of chocolate, 2 quarters, Chapstick, and a book. 

Then we raked the leaves in the front yard. They were wandering around and Justin told them to get back to work - they aren't in a union! They did. 

We tried putting Nora in some leaves but she wasn't having it.

They went to the neighbor's for hot chocolate and then jumped in a pile of leaves, so they might as well be in a union :) we got a lot of energy out and a couple lawns raked. I think a lot more leaves have come down though.

Hair

We watched Tangled the other night and then (when he should have been sleeping) Jamie tied his blankets and such into "Tangled hair" which he drags around and tries to scare the cat with.

Nora plays

Nora played a fun game of 52 cars pickup, which she thinks is hilarious.

She loves to bring me the cards

And we read Pat the Bunny several times. She really enjoys seeing herself.