Oh Christmas Tree

Costco ran out of trees early this year so we headed to Lowes last weekend to pick out the best of them all.

It might be a bit wide, but at least it is significantly taller than last years!  I just love decorating the tree every year.  Going through all of the ornaments the kids have made is the best part. 

Every year they get a huge kick out of them - especially the salt dough snowman that William took a bit out of back in 2013 :)

Serving Others

 Our December den meeting for cub scouts was a service opportunity at the Little Bit Foundation. 

 It was absolutely perfect.  The representative taught the boys a bit about what the organization does and they were able to label books that will be delivered to kids in January. 

It was the perfect opportunity for some hands on volunteer work and the kids loved it.  I hope they seek opportunities to help others as they grow. 

Triple the Pride

These three had quite the day on Thursday! 

 Jack was named a Henry Hero at school - his pride could not be contained.  He read me his certificate 82 times and wore his special medal all day.

William performed in his schools production of Oklahoma.  He got to sing two songs and did an amazing job!  He was so excited all week.  He has also decided that he wants to be a professional actor and is asking about acting camps for the summer.

Max had his very first band concert.  He plays the clarinet and the progress he has made is amazing!  Brian also played the clarinet as a kid and he says that Max is already a better clarinet player in three months than he was in all three years of middle school.

I just love these boys to pieces.  It is such an honor to watch them grow!

Ms. Nancy's Mice

 We have the sweetest older lady that lives next door to us.  She raised seven kids in her house! 

When I was walking Duke yesterday morning she told me to stop by on my way home.  She made these adorable little mice treats for the boys - complete with a piece of cheese :)

The boys were pretty impressed with Ms. Nancy's mice and enjoyed a special little snack before school. 

Cutest Little Gingerbread House

Thanks to Aunt Carm and Uncle Mike the boys had a fun activity last night - their annual gingerbread house!  They worked so well together making sure that the final product was cute as could be.

Wax Paper Snowflakes

 7am this morning - after finding Elphie - this guy was busy making wax paper snowflakes.  It is a huge mess, but his pride at his completed snow flakes makes it worthwhile.

Christmas Traditions - Lights and Cards

 Our Christmas Traditions chart is back!  So far we have put out the nativity, hung the stockings, put up the outdoor lights, had hot cocoa while reading Christmas books, and made a Christmas tree to hang our cards.

I have to say the outdoor lights didn't go too well.  There was lots of fighting, a finger pinched in the ladder, and a meltdown at the end - by mom and two boys.  Some things go more smoothly than others and we all cooled down and went to bed happy.  And the lights are on the house.

The Christmsas card hanger craft was great!  The boys had fun creating a tree out of string.  They loved the bells on the corners and the cute little clothespins. 

Fingers crossed todays shrinky dink style craft goes as smoothly!

Jack's Talent Show

 Every year the amazing music teacher at our elementary school puts together talent shows for each class.  Last year Jack was terrified.  He didn't want to do it at all!  This year was so different!  For weeks he talked about how he was going to sing Old Town Road at his talent show with two friends. 

He did such a good job!  He sang loud and clear - I guess all those times he asked Alexa to play Old Town Road helped ;)

Best of all he enjoyed himself!  He told Nonno and I after the performance that in Kindergarten he was shy but now that he is in first grade he is more brave and wasn't shy at all!

Thanksgiving Weekend

More cousins came into town for even more fun!  The kids enjoyed playing Ninja Warrior style at a trampoline park.  

 We also hit up a laser tag/inflatable/mini golf/arcade place.  Unfortunately I got a little too close to Jack's putter - aka baseball bat - and spent the entire time in a chair with an ice pack.

It was our first real Thanksgiving to host  - I made a turkey!  I was so busy making sure everything that went was smoothly that I didn't take many pictures  . . .

Expect for these two of my food spread.  Thank goodness Jack was willing to do the honor of carving the turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 We celebrated the holiday early with my family.  It couldn't have been better!

It was even better because my step brother was in town with his family.  THese two birthday cousins were born just four hours apart - Jack is older. 

Nonna and Nonno couldn't have been any happier to have all five of their grandkids in the same place!   Jack's love of whipped cream was taken to a whole new level thanks to Karen.

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  Topping the list is all of our family - I couldn't imagine life without them!

So long adenoids, hello tubes!

Poor William has constant issues with ear infections and sinus issues.  After a consult and a repeat visit two weeks later when his ears were infected, the ENT decided the best course of action was to remove his adenoids and place tubes in his ears.  

Honestly, William was pretty excited about it.  His favorite part was being pushed out in his hospital bed.  A purple slushie afterwards made everything better.  The whole thing went smoothly and he was back to his normal - crazy - self in just a couple days. 

Jack plays 'Real' soccer

Last winter Jack did an indoor soccer instructional league.  This year he is doing the real thing!  We have had three games so far and he is having a great time!  I need to get some pictures from the big boys' games too - everyone is playing this session.  We have been spending a lot of time on those bleachers :)

Max's First Piano Recital

In March Max decided he wanted to take piano lessons.  We found a great instructor close to home and he has been doing weekly lessons since. 

Max had his first recital last month and we were all so impressed by how well he did considering he just really started. 

 Grandpa Jack, Uncle Tim, Nonna, and Nonno were able to hear him play as well - everyone was so proud of our new pianist!

Snow!

We had our first snow of the season and it was pretty magical.  WIlliam and Jack had a great time sledding in the front yard.  Max helped me shove the driveways of a couple older neighbors - he didn't even complain :)

Happy Halloween!

 Happy Halloween from our Bumblebee, Mario Riding Yoshi - again, and a reluctant baseball player.