End of 2016

The last two months have been a whirlwind - I feel like I blinked and Christmas was over and now its February! Our Christmas break was wonderful, John was home from work for two weeks and we spent that time enjoying our little family of four because soon we will be a family of five - which will be much more hectic than it is now!



 

There were many many sweets consumed over Christmas break - if you cant enjoy them during the holidays then when can you?



 

Our local bowling ally got a makeover this past summer and we have not had a chance to check it out since - and it is amazing! So much different then the bowling allies that we grew up with. There are huge arcades, flat screens, good food and even laser tag. The kids had a blast!



 

We got together with several friends and made DOZENS of Christmas cookies over break. It was really fun and the kids actually did a great job staying focused and taking it seriously - instead of trying to sneak cookies and icing constantly.  



 

Our gingerbread house!



 

On Christmas Eve, Madeleine made sure she had her sleep mask on so that she couldn't sneak a peek at Santa when he came.



 

Christmas morning was a mess - but a very successful mess! James was thrilled with all his new legos and books and Madeleine got some new furniture for her room, which was perfect for all her new dress up clothes.



 

However, I think their more favorite gifts were from Aunt Lizzie - she sent them Snackees... which are these travel cups that have a compartment at the tops for snacks. They have rarely left the house without them since!



Thanksgiving

James' class had a little Thanksgiving party at school and they put on a little show for all the parents including some poems and a dance called "The Turkey Pokey" which was hilariously cute.



 

For Thanksgiving, we went out to Waterloo to visit Aunt Liz and Uncle Dwight for the week. We did go through Columbus on our way to Waterloo to see family and friends there, but it was a whirlwind and neither John nor I took any pictures!

 

We were able to go into St Louis and go up the arch. The kids loved that, I however was a little skeptical of the elevator that took us up.

 



 

After the arch we had lunch and then went to The City Museum.



 

Calling it a museum does not describe this place at all, it is made out of recycled parts and is basically a HUGE playground with tunnels and slides and anything you can imagine. I tried to take a few pictures but none of them turned out well enough to even show how this place was put together.



 

And they served beer and had a fire pit in the outside section where you could roast marshmallows. Best place ever.

 

 

Thanksgiving had the most perfect weather, the kids even got to help collect firewood with Cousin Charlie and Uncle Dwight.



 

And the dogs got to take a swim!



 

On Black Friday, we went to Rural King which is my new favorite store. They have everything from clothes to food to toys to bunnies to guns, and they give you popcorn to eat while you shop! And since it was the holidays there was even a Santa for the kids who was giving out lollipops. And this Santa happened to know Uncle Dwight, which totally blew James' mind.



 



James has had a lot of fun at school so far this year. The fire station came to visit and they got to carve pumpkins in class. Unfortunately, their pumpkin patch field trip was rained out but hopefully they will be able to go this week (even though it is after Halloween). He also got his first report card, and it was awesome! He got top marks and wonderful comments from his teacher. Im so proud of him and the little man he has become.



 

Our good friend Parker turned 4, and she had a putt putt party. The kids decorated their own golf balls and play a round of putt putt. Super fun for James, Madeleine just danced around the course with her friends.



 

Madeleine and one of her many morning outfits. I think she called this her "pirate princess fairy".



 

Since we kept getting rained out going to the actual pumpkin patch, we just went to a local place that sold already picked pumpkins that had fun little kid activities last weekend. Not as fun as going through the fields, but the kids still had a good time. 

 

For Halloween, Madeleine was princess Aurora and James was a paleontologist. They did awesome.



 

And of course, here they are with their scary faces!



Rainy days

This has been a very rainy fall for us, but we have been making the best of it. Some of my friends and I took the kids out to dinner one night, I swear the hostess cringed when she saw 7 kids and only 3 moms walk through their door!

 

Enjoying a brief moment of the sun.



 

We have had lots of crafty play dates during the rainy days!



 

Even the dogs were getting bored staying inside so much. We watched way more movies than I want to admit.



 

Madeleine and I joined James for lunch one day at school. He loved showing her his classroom and friends.



 

The kids even helped us put together a huge 1500 piece puzzle! James was actually really into it.

 

 

 

Since James now goes to a charter school, there are no buses. We are lucky enough to have a neighbor and friend who also goes to James' school so we carpool. Every afternoon, Madeleine and I wait in carline for James and our neighbor and she is so good. She will bring books or dolls and always finds a way to entertain herself for that 30 minutes.



Madeleines first day of Preschool

Our internet has been down at our house for weeks so I haven't been able to post this, but Madeleine started preschool last month! She loves it so very much and cannot wait to come home to tell us what she did that morning. On her first day of school, she did not even look back when I dropped her off - just ran right in while blowing me a kiss goodbye. She such a social butterfly that even though she is the youngest in her class she is fitting in beautifully and having the best time.

First Day(s) of Kindergarten

Two weeks ago James had his first day of kindergarten at his assigned public school. He loved his teacher and had two awesome weeks there.



 

Today, James had his first day at a charter school that he finally was offered a spot in! We got the call last week and could not have been more excited. James was a little sad to be leaving his teacher and new friends but already has several friends at this new school and is actually really excited to wear a uniform. We think this school is going to be a great fit for him :)