Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

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Hot Lava

Ethan is always watching out for Hot Lava.  He is afraid that we will all melt from the hot lava.  Sometimes we jump over sticks or puddles outdoors.  Sometimes we have to stay off of the living room carpet.  Hot Lava is everywhere. 

Daddy had a great idea to get Ethan a volcano set for Christmas (I know, I know, I will post about Christmas very soon).  Here they are enjoying their eruption.

The hot lava is flowing.

Sweet Dreams

Two out of three isn't bad, usually. . .

Ethan usually snuggles into bed first.  Many nights my Ethers is fast asleep before Paul and I close his bedroom door.  Thank you Mrs. Shafer.  He had many of nights where sleep didn't come as easily or as quickly, but that is all in the past.

The girls are then hustled upstairs to bed. Erica is like Ethan.  She is usually asleep within moments of being snuggled in and kissed good-night.  Not Ellie.  This is when she comes alive.  At 8:00 that girl is ready to PAR-TY!  She is definitely the night owl of our family.  So, I wasn't surprised to see this at the top of the stairs.
 

 I initial thought, "Oh Bugs!?!"  I had to grab the camera, all the while, hoping she would not tumble down the flight of steps before being nestled safely back in her own bed.

 But, I was shocked when I got to the top of the stairs to find this angelic face.  Not who I was expecting to carry back to her own bed.

The bright side . . . I did have 3 for 3 alseep!

Homework Help

There are some nights that homework is down right a pain in the rear.   He usually does very well with his spelling words on the first night.   So well, in fact, that he believes he should not have to practice the rest of the week.  Well this teacher/mommy will try anything to get him to practice.  Yes, that includes a can of shaving cream on the window.  He loved it.  He wrote all of his words quickly without fussing.  AND, best of all, he even cleaned my windows when he was finished.   I did offer a little assistance along the way. 

Can you read what he wrote?  DONE . . . yep, he is done practicing (for tonight).

Our Jolly Days

B'maw had a great idea.  She wanted to visit the Children's Museum.  Apparently, everyone else is the surrounding area had the same great idea.  It was beyond crowded, but boy, did we have fun.  We were in the museum shortly after it opened  and stayed until closing time.  We ALL had a blast.

We started upstairs in Science Works.  As an adult, I am still amazed at the machine with the billiard balls.  The girls and I loved watching the balls move through the maze.  Ethan was so excited, he couldn't decide what to do first: sail a boat down the stream, go in the Health House, dig with the excavators, or slide.  He did it all and then did it again. 

Next stop:  Ellie's favorite, the carousel.  

 Erica, B'maw, and Nicholas accompanied Ellie on her ride.

After a sack lunch, we headed back out to the museum for the Jolly Days exhibit.  We zoomed down the slide before heading back in time to walk with the dinosaurs.

I loved her funny faces.

Playing is hard work.

Erica and Ellie, of course, loved the Barbie exhibit.  Ethan and Nicholas even had a great time in the sea of pink.  Needless to say, I had three exhausted babies.  All konked out before we exited the parking garage. . . signs of a great day.

My Beautiful Bugs

I LOVE HER.

Wicked Good Time

Date Night! Paul and I don't get to enjoy them too often. But last night we did, and we had a Wicked good time.

My brother surprised us with tickets to see Wicked the Musical for Christmas.  I had REALLY wanted to go, but thought there would be no way I could get Paul there.  It is easily my new favorite musical, not that I have any to compare it to unless you count good ol' TWHS's spring musical productions. I am anxious to check out the book from our local library to see how it compares.  I am sure that I will not be disappointed.

You know it is good, when Paul even enjoyed himself. 

Today

When I woke up this morning, I knew that I had to blog today.  Ten years ago today, Paul asked me to marry him.  I can remember that day like it was yesterday.  I can remember trying to talk him out of going to Christmas at the Zoo.  It was so cold that the polar bears weren't even out that night.  But, he insisted that I go, and I am glad that I did.  Sadly, this entry is not about us.

Today, we gathered with Paul's family to celebrate Christmas. While we were gathered Paul's Grandpa passed.  His family thought the world of him, and he will be greatly missed.  But, Paul said it best.  Grandpa Moeller lived 80 years and accomplished many things.  We should celebrate his life in the coming days.  I have several photos with my children with their Great-Grandpa, but this photo is one of my favorites of him and Marilyn. It was taken at Scott and Stephanie's wedding in 2003.  He was a dancing machine that night.  This is how I want to remember him. . . all smiles, drink in hand, surrounded by family, and certainly recounting the Reds' baseball game.

Gingerbread Houses

It is the most wonderful time of the year.  Christmas at school is beautiful.  The kids are super excited as are the teachers.  

 The first grade classes made gingerbread houses this week.  Ethan, cleverly, transformed his house into an airplane using Twizzlers. 

One of my special helpers.  B'maw also got talked into helping.  Erica loved helping me that she ditched B'maw and stayed at school the whole day.  I think that she really wanted to eat school lunch.  She twirled all day long from excitement.  Erica did confiscate some candy.  Her pockets were filled with candy to nibble on during the school day. 

Tuck it In

Erica has a style all of her own.  We couldn't get Ethan to wear jeans for anything.  Erica loves jeans, but more than that she loves her leggings.  Hey, I would too if . . .  Well, I think that she needs a longer top on if you're going to sport leggings.  Not Erica.  If the shirt is too long, she is tucking it in.  Even things that are not meant to be tucked in.  She has a blue dress that pairs with brown leggings.  The knee-length dress ALWAYS gets tucked in.  I have given up fighting that battle at home. Out in public is a different story.  The blue dress tucked in was my favorite until she did this

Yep, that is a cheerleading skirt tucked in.  What Not to Wear here we come.