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| Luke: "Mom, is the cake homemade? Because it looks homemade." Hahaha! He actually meant it kindly, but it came out so wrong. Ha! Pun not intended! Honestly, I've never successfully removed a bundt; my bundt-removing skills are clearly lacking, but don't worry, it was delicious! |
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| It was a chilly Monday morning for a forgotten-on-Friday coat. |
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| We are seriously behind in our Christmas movie viewing thanks to our Star Wars marathon in preparation for the big release! |
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| Team work worked well on this Snow Day! The boys, which included two of Zac's pals from the neighborhood, were done in five minutes flat. The storm's timing wasn't really expected, nor was it ideal, cancelling school on the first day of finals for Zac. But for my easy-going guys, it was no big deal. |
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| Snow Day be darned, Ginger, Ramona, Mandi, Sabrena and I had tickets for the Yule Tea at Glen Eyrie Castle! It was a really fun event and felt so very fancy and cultured, with a live harp duo throughout and a little program telling the story of the First Christmas, all while noshing on fancy pastries and finger sandwiches. And of course, sipping our tea! |
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| In celebration of the surprise snowfall, our neighbors, the Simonds, held a Blizzard Party--it's tradition! We had soup and grilled cheese and decorated gingerbread cookies, warmed on the cold night by friendship and laughter. |
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| Before we moved here, this walk to school, between foot-high snow walls, is what I pictured living in Colorado to be like all winter-long. Thankfully, it's not every day, rather just the right amount. I love snowy days! |
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| Snow + wind |
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| Josh was really worried when 5th Grade Exhibition had to be postponed due to the Snow Day, but it still went off without a hitch. Fifth Grade Exhibition is the culminating project of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme inquiry-based curriculum. It's a day when the kids present their student-driven project, based on a question that they ask and then research and prepare for presentation over several weeks. Josh's group's question was "How does positivity affect individuals?" The presentation was great: well-researched and clearly understood. Great job, Josh! |
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| Star Wars...oranges??? The merchandising is getting a little extreme. |
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| At the DMV to get Zac's permit. It's official! He can drive...with an adult...after a lot of practice in a parking lot. How is this happening??!! |
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| I don't mean to alarm anyone, but Darth Vader is in the backseat of my minivan. |
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| Zac's drama class final: a presentation of the condensed Grimms' fairy tales. Super funny! The class did a great job. Zac played "The Prince" who has to take everyone's roles over at the end of the play when all the cast gets food poisoning. |
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| Ben has joined the Kokopelli Racing Group for the winter. They train three times a week and he is already loving it. He's really excited about having real running coaches and running with some super speedy kids who are sure to challenge him a lot. |
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| Another wonderful recital! I love that my kids have music in their lives. Well done, Tommy and Josh! |
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| School holiday parties done! Winter break is officially here! |
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| Adam took Zac, Ben and Josh to opening night of The Force Awakens, which was a little too late for Luke to be up, so he and I hit it on day two. We loved it! So so so good! |
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| We felt that Tommy was a little too young and sensitive to see Star Wars, no need to rush things and put images in his mind that he would have a hard time getting out if he wanted to. So he and I had a date to see The Peanuts Movie, which was really cute. |
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| Dressed for success! |
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| Little do they know that when they are helping Dad with his "project" they are really helping him with their own Christmas present! Win! |
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| Christmastime in the Primary! |
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| Delivering Christmas goodies to friends and neighbors in the falling snow. |
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| First drive. Big deal!!! |
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| So grateful for great coaches during frustrating moments. We sure do love Coach Glen! |
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| After a fall from the top bunk and a visit to Urgent Care to make sure there was no concussion, Tommy was cleared for all activity. Except for climbing up to the top bunk. We are thinking of returning all his Christmas presents and purchasing a new wardrobe of bubble-wrap-lined clothing instead. |
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| We were in California for Thanksgiving, and are planning on Christmas dinner at the Adams' home, but the boys reallyreallyreally wanted a turkey, so we decided to have a Winter Solstice feast by candlelight, in our favorite winter hats. The days just get longer from here on until summer! |
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| So grateful for friends who actually plan things so we get our lazy bums out of the house once in awhile! A Christmas party Saturday, ornament making for the kids on Monday and cookie decorating on Tuesday, all hosted by our friends Mandi and Jack Felici. Their son, Leo, is in Tommy's kindergarten class; they also have a little toddler, Lena. So fun! |
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| On the 23rd, Ben and Zac spent an amazing bluebird day at Copper with our friends, the Simonds, for their first ski/board of the season. They said they'd never run better snow! For snow so great, they were willing to deal with the freezing temperature, only 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and the super slow drive home along snowy highways. |
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| Meanwhile, down in The Springs, the little boys and I built a sugary sweet gingerbread train masterpiece and Josh spent the day with his pals Riley and Eli. |
