Santa Visit and other holiday fun

We visited Santa last week at Macy's and did the 8th floor auditorium too.  Ben and Allison were very excited to see Santa, Samantha said she was a little scared of Santa saying "ho, ho, ho".  Which for the record he didn't say.  She did great anyway, I put her next to Santa just to make sure we didn't have a problem.  The each took turns asking Santa for something.  Ben asked for Skipper the Plane from the new Planes movie, Allison asked for a scooter and a unicorn, Samantha asked for a unicorn.  Santa's helpers (mommy and daddy) have checked off the list so we are ready Christmas morning :)

Over the weekend we took the kids shopping for "toys for tots" and talked about other kids and families that don't have the same things we do and how it is nice to help and give to others.  Ben picked out a lego set, Samantha picked out a tea party set, and Allison picked out some pretend food.

Also over the weekend went to the Children's Theater and saw "Llama Llama Holiday Drama".  It was really cute, lots of singing and dancing.  The kids got a little antsy at the end but they loved it.  I think we will take them back next year for another production.

Monday the girls had their birthday party for Jesus at preschool and parents were invited.  They got special snacks, did games, and crafts.

The kids are eagerly counting down the days until Christmas.  Tomorrow we are taking them shopping to help them buy gifts for each other.  Ben is already coming up with different ideas on things to buy daddy and the girls, and he is coming up with idea for me too and he wants to tell me but trying to teach him about keeping the gifts a surprise is part of the fun.  

Giving Santa our requests

Grandpa Llama Llama

Meeting Llama Llama

Girls class room

Westwood Christmas Program

It was the girls first year to sing in the Christmas Program at preschool!  The unfortunate part was how they broke out the afternoon and morning classrooms, Ben's class ended up with the afternoon classes and the girls were with the morning classes.  So we were so lucky we got to watch it twice!  Ben watched the girls first, then a little snack break, and the girls got to watch big brother Ben.  Grandpa's and Grandma's got to see a 2 for 1 for their long drive :)

The girls did great.  Allison seemed to enjoy the spotlight more than Samantha.  Singing her little heart out and doing ALL the actions to the songs.  Ben did good but was distracted with a paper cut on his finger during part of the program :)  As usual he was more concerned about what food we get after each program.

First BIG snowfall!

The first Wednesday of December we got a big snowfall.  I heard someone say 10 inches, but I am not sure.  Kids had school that day and Ben gets to play outside for 30min at school so he got outside in the snow twice that day.  It was my day for running errands unfortunately and I still did but quickly realized our van needed new tires badly!  I slid into a curb, the neighbors garbage can, and a red light.  Thankfully no one was around.  A call to Chris and the next day we got in for new tires.  Can't believe how much of a difference that made!

Back to the snowfall......after school and snack we headed outside and did some sliding.  We also did some shoveling as our snowblower is broken AGAIN.  My back was already hurting and then that.  The girls and I went in first and daddy stayed out to finish while Ben slid down the driveway (it was icy) on his sled about 50 times.  That kid LOVES playing in the snow!

Ben turns 5 years old - Nov 24th

A second birthday celebration (hence the half eaten cake) with family on his actual birthday.  His request was a Disney Planes party with a chocolate and vanilla cake (and ice cream of course).  He was so cute when he opened his cards.  He would say "awww so cute".  Sounds like one of the many phrases he got from me :)  

Happy 5th Birthday buddy.  We love ya!

First friend's birthday party

Apparently around age 5 is the time to start friend's birthday parties.  Ben has been invited to a few over the last year and really enjoys going of course (can we say pizza and cake?!).  We did it at our gym, they have a kids birthday program where they play games in the gym, play in a bounce house, and then do pizza and cake.  They also have additional supervision so all we had to do was follow their lead and help as needed.  The kids had a blast!

Resting

Lining up for pizza and cake time

11 kids including our own

Birthday boy

Presents from his friends, lots of planes!

Friends Thanksgiving - Mexican Style

Our annual Friend's Thanksgiving had a twist this year.  We did a Mexican theme.  Tacos, carnitias, salsa bar, enchiladas, empanadas, rice, beans, so much food we could have fed twice as many people.  The kids had a blast playing with each other.  The adults had a great time catching up with each other.  Now that most of the kids are a little older we can talk to each other a little more without being interrupted.  Such a wonderful tradition with a wonderful group that is still growing :)

Many cooks in the kitchen!

Kids eat on the first shift, many adults getting and cutting food!

The crew

Early November fall day

I have been wanting to start doing a little running again.  We haven't done much more than a few miles since our 1/2 marathon since last fall.  I got an e-mail for a Chocoholic Frolic 10K and I knew that it was right up my alley :)  So a friend and I met with husbands and kids one Sunday morning in St. Paul and she and I ran 6 miles while the kids and husbands watched and played at the park.  It was actually a  pretty nice/comfortable temp out that morning in early November.  After the race we took the kids all out to breakfast in St. Paul and showed the kids where daddy use to live.  They looked totally impressed :)

Later that day we raked what little leaves we had left, most had blown away, but they had fun playing in them and riding bikes anyway.

My running partner Michelle

Cheering section includes two sets of twins :)

Halloween

So one of the things we did before leaving for Hawaii is go shopping for Halloween Costumes.  They went back and forth on what they wanted to be, although Ben was always pretty set on being Mike Wazowski from the Monsters Inc. movie.  The girls mentioned Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a witch, and a spider finally landing on monsters like Ben.  They had an awesome time playing in their costumes a few times in October practicing their "roars" and scary faces.  

On Halloween they did the loop around Applewood Circle.  Afterwards, with some assistance from uncles and friends we sorted out the peanut candy and they each picked out a few pieces to eat before putting the buckets away for the night.  

Our monsters

Trick or Treating

Allison

Samantha

Sorting out the loot and reading labels for peanuts (a lot got put in the peanut bag)

Allison enjoying her peanut free treats 

Samantha and her haul

Ben's picks to eat.  He opened them all and would take one bite of each.