What a great Christmas Eve we had today!
It was our elves' last morning at our house (Santa takes them back to the North Pole with him when he comes, you know) and they brought a puzzle for each of the kids. So we built a fire and made hot chocolate and put together the new puzzles while we let Papi sleep in. Asher helped me make the sugar cookie dough for Santa's cookies. We ate a big breakfast and went out in the snow and played. The kids were sledding behind the four-wheeler (still in the toboggan sled, which we need to address ASAP) and throwing snowballs.
Jamie went into town for things on our grocery list. We're having lots of people over for Christmas and needed all kinds of little things for dinner. The kids napped (yay!) while I made my no-fail fudge, which finally, for the first time every, didn't fail. I got to sneak downstairs and wrap gifts with a glass of wine while watching Planet Earth. Man, I have a lot of wrapping paper!
I tried my hand at chicken kiev, since it's Jamie's favorite. What a pain in the butt! It took me forever to pound out the chicken, roll the frozen butter ball inside of it and skewer it together with toothpicks so I could bread it. Of course, after giving Jamie such a hard time for using about a dozen toothpicks per piece the last time he made it, I couldn't use a lot so I was handicapped. ;) I did manage to use three or four per, floured, egged and breaded them and put them back into the fridge for a few hours. I have to admit, they were absolutely delicious! I have a feeling these are going to be rotated into our menu a little more frequently.
After dinner we rolled out and cut the cookies and I baked them. We made lots of different colored frosting and Jamie had bought about seventeen bottles of sprinkles- so they had fun decorating them. The kids then opened up a gift from the Harrants. Each got a nice Christmas book and a two-sided puzzle that matched. We put those puzzles together and then read each book before putting the kids to bed.
Asher, of course, didn't want to go to bed very badly so ended staying up much later that we'd have liked. We were so tired from our long Christmas Eve day!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monsters live in Africa
Asher had me laughing tonight at dinner. We were talking about monsters, and he told me they didn't live in our world that they lived in Disneyland. Huh? There are no monsters in Disneyland. Oh, he says, you know where they really live? He leaned over and whispered to me, Africa. Hahaha!!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Last weekend before Christmas
We had a really nice weekend together. It snowed all day Saturday and it was beautiful out. Even better, it was in the high 20s so it was warm enough so that we could go out and play in the snow.
I went to the grocery store Saturday morning early, before the last-Saturday-before-Christmas crowds came out. When I got back, Jamie and Asher went to the store to buy a rope (for the sled) and the few groceries I forgot to get. The boys came home, we at mac and cheese for lunch and we went out to play in the snow. There's a little hill on the side of the house (not as big as the one in Missouri, mind you, but at least there is SNOW on this one) that we slid down a few times. Then daddy came around the corner with the four-wheeler towing the new sled and after a few tweaks involving rope length here and there we were all off. We didn't go all that fast, but the kids loved it. We decided that a) Asher needs a balaklava and b) we need a tube-like sled (the straight one kept getting stuck in the tire ruts and tilting the sled), so it was a learning experience as well.
After shoveling off the walk we came in, sat by the fire and played games and picked up the house. We rounded out the night by eating cream of broccoli soup and warm bread and watched the Chronicles of Narnia (again).
The next day Avery and I went to see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie and had a really nice time together. I surprised her, which was fun. I asked her if she wanted to go eat lunch and after throwing out a bunch of restaurants, I told her I was in the mood for popcorn and asked her where we thought we could get some. I thought that would give it away, but it didn't. We pulled up to the theater and went inside and she still didn't get that we were there to see a movie (one that she's been begging to see, incidentally). When she figured out we were in a theater, I bought some popcorn and asked her if she wanted to sit down somewhere to eat it. She pointed at a table in the arcade and said maybe we could sit there. Poor thing, she's usually pretty quick to pick up on things, but I didn't get her to realize we were there to watch a movie til we actually walked in and found our seats! Needless to say she was thrilled and was really good sitting through the two hour flick (during which we had to wear 3D glasses- I HATE 3D movies!!).
After getting home and swimming we had a nice steak dinner, cooked on our indoor grill I didn't know we had til the owner of the home popped in on us last week and asked if we liked using it. Well, I do now! Yummo! Unfortunately Asher had fallen asleep and didn't wake up for dinner and subsequently had a meltdown of major proportions when we asked him to change into his jammies. Aside from that, we had a really nice weekend.
I went to the grocery store Saturday morning early, before the last-Saturday-before-Christmas crowds came out. When I got back, Jamie and Asher went to the store to buy a rope (for the sled) and the few groceries I forgot to get. The boys came home, we at mac and cheese for lunch and we went out to play in the snow. There's a little hill on the side of the house (not as big as the one in Missouri, mind you, but at least there is SNOW on this one) that we slid down a few times. Then daddy came around the corner with the four-wheeler towing the new sled and after a few tweaks involving rope length here and there we were all off. We didn't go all that fast, but the kids loved it. We decided that a) Asher needs a balaklava and b) we need a tube-like sled (the straight one kept getting stuck in the tire ruts and tilting the sled), so it was a learning experience as well.
After shoveling off the walk we came in, sat by the fire and played games and picked up the house. We rounded out the night by eating cream of broccoli soup and warm bread and watched the Chronicles of Narnia (again).
The next day Avery and I went to see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie and had a really nice time together. I surprised her, which was fun. I asked her if she wanted to go eat lunch and after throwing out a bunch of restaurants, I told her I was in the mood for popcorn and asked her where we thought we could get some. I thought that would give it away, but it didn't. We pulled up to the theater and went inside and she still didn't get that we were there to see a movie (one that she's been begging to see, incidentally). When she figured out we were in a theater, I bought some popcorn and asked her if she wanted to sit down somewhere to eat it. She pointed at a table in the arcade and said maybe we could sit there. Poor thing, she's usually pretty quick to pick up on things, but I didn't get her to realize we were there to watch a movie til we actually walked in and found our seats! Needless to say she was thrilled and was really good sitting through the two hour flick (during which we had to wear 3D glasses- I HATE 3D movies!!).
After getting home and swimming we had a nice steak dinner, cooked on our indoor grill I didn't know we had til the owner of the home popped in on us last week and asked if we liked using it. Well, I do now! Yummo! Unfortunately Asher had fallen asleep and didn't wake up for dinner and subsequently had a meltdown of major proportions when we asked him to change into his jammies. Aside from that, we had a really nice weekend.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Skunks eat coconuts
Last night I was reading to Asher a book in which a skunk was making away from a picnic with a hamburger. When I asked Asher if he thought skunks really ate hamburgers he told me that no, everyone knows skunks eat coconuts. Ha! Where he got that I have no idea, but I sure thought it was clever. I swear, he's always thinking and I think he is going to have an awesome sense of humor when he grows up. He's already telling us how things are magic and teasing us about one thing or another.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Our first real Michigan snowfall
Avery and I were at my mom's house on Saturday with plans to stay til Sunday. Well, we heard a blizzard was going to be coming through within the next half day or so and after a frantic worried call from Greatgrandma we decided to leave early. So Sunday morning the kids and I were getting up and the power went off at around 7 am. Of course it was still dark out so I got Jamie up and we rounded up some candles, stoked the fire and sat and played Go Fish. After a couple hours we'd had breakfast and it was light out. The snow was coming down heavily, but it was soft and fluffy and it wasn't very cold out so we went out to play.
We noticed the snow was really wet, which was excellent for making snowballs. I think Asher threw 800 at me and laughed harder and harder with every one. The first thing Jamie did was fire up our new four-wheeler with the plow on the front so he could clear the driveway. We only had three or four inches of snow but since it was so wet it was heavy and it was good he cleared it when he did. The kids rode on it and I shoveled the steps and walkways. We spent a couple hours out just playing in the snow, making snowmen and sledding.
Then it was time to come in. The wind was picking up, the snowflakes were getting smaller and it was getting cold fast. We were all a little wet but the power hadn't come on yet so we had to stand in front of the fireplace (which doesn't kick out much heat without the fan!). We managed to warm up and eat cold pizza and played more cards. Jamie took the kids to the mall for a couple hours to play and I piddled around the house picking things up where I could.
The day dragged on and the house got colder and colder, with no answer to when our power would come back on. Finally it started getting dark again and I didn't have much on hand for dinner that didn't require cooking. By that time we were all getting a little tired of playing cards and opted to go to a hotel after eating dinner. I hated spending the money on that, but we all got a good night's sleep and by the time we got home in the morning the power was on. It was sort of funny, because EVERYthing was on. apparently the kids had gone room by room to see if *that* light worked by turning it on, then left if on.
This was a really good lesson for us. I think we'll start thinking seriously about purchasing a generator. We need to have lots more drinking water on hand as well as food that doesn't require heating. I've heard many people here say that they've lost power for days at a time, and I don't want to get stuck unprepared again.
It wasn't an ideal day and it was tough for a while, but we all made some pretty good memories of our first snowfall in Michigan!
Then it was time to come in. The wind was picking up, the snowflakes were getting smaller and it was getting cold fast. We were all a little wet but the power hadn't come on yet so we had to stand in front of the fireplace (which doesn't kick out much heat without the fan!). We managed to warm up and eat cold pizza and played more cards. Jamie took the kids to the mall for a couple hours to play and I piddled around the house picking things up where I could.
The day dragged on and the house got colder and colder, with no answer to when our power would come back on. Finally it started getting dark again and I didn't have much on hand for dinner that didn't require cooking. By that time we were all getting a little tired of playing cards and opted to go to a hotel after eating dinner. I hated spending the money on that, but we all got a good night's sleep and by the time we got home in the morning the power was on. It was sort of funny, because EVERYthing was on. apparently the kids had gone room by room to see if *that* light worked by turning it on, then left if on.
This was a really good lesson for us. I think we'll start thinking seriously about purchasing a generator. We need to have lots more drinking water on hand as well as food that doesn't require heating. I've heard many people here say that they've lost power for days at a time, and I don't want to get stuck unprepared again.
It wasn't an ideal day and it was tough for a while, but we all made some pretty good memories of our first snowfall in Michigan!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Great Wolf Lodge
Today we woke up early and ate breakfast at the Lodge, before heading to the waterpark to play. We were there by 9:30 or so in the morning and mom and Paul were there within an hour. We spent the next couple hours sliding down slides, floating down the lazy river and watching this HUGE bucket dump 1,000 gallons of water onto the people below every five minutes. Asher LOVED watching this and every time that bell rang signifying it was going to dump, he got excited and tried to make his way over to see it. At one point, Grandpa told Asher that he needed to run for his little life, and Asher turned around and said, no Papaw, we aren't supposed to run in here! Ha- good boy!
Mom brought lunch and were in the water another half hour or so after we ate. It's warm in there, but after a while you can start to get chilled. Especially Asher, he's such a waif. So, we all went our separate ways- Asher and Jamie went back to Midland, Avery went with Granny and Papaw to their house and I went to the mall to get my hair done (which turned out RID-I-CU-LOUS). By the time I got to mom's Uncle Richard was there and they'd made the kefle dough.
Mom, Paul, Richard, Avery and I went to the Apache Trout for dinner that night. The food was absolutely delicious! It was such a nice dinner, and it was fun being with them. Avery was acting pretty tired.. not crabby just silly and a bit weird. But we all got home pretty early and were able to get a good night's sleep before the kefle-making extravaganza the next day.
Mom brought lunch and were in the water another half hour or so after we ate. It's warm in there, but after a while you can start to get chilled. Especially Asher, he's such a waif. So, we all went our separate ways- Asher and Jamie went back to Midland, Avery went with Granny and Papaw to their house and I went to the mall to get my hair done (which turned out RID-I-CU-LOUS). By the time I got to mom's Uncle Richard was there and they'd made the kefle dough.
Mom, Paul, Richard, Avery and I went to the Apache Trout for dinner that night. The food was absolutely delicious! It was such a nice dinner, and it was fun being with them. Avery was acting pretty tired.. not crabby just silly and a bit weird. But we all got home pretty early and were able to get a good night's sleep before the kefle-making extravaganza the next day.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Avery Rose turns 5
Today Avery Rose turned five today. I can't believe how quickly this last five years has gone by. I'm so proud of the little lady she is. She has her own way of doing things and a generally sweet disposition that makes it fun to be around her.
So, today Avery, Asher, Jamie and I went drove over to Traverse City to go to the Great Wolf Lodge for the night. Avery and I took off with Sam (who's been staying with us for the last couple weeks) so we could drop him off at Niver's. Asher and dad followed close behind in the car.
We all met that evening at the Olive Garden for dinner. This is Avery's favorite restaurant, and we don't have one nearby so it was a treat. Grandma, mom and Paul all were there and we had a great dinner together. Then we checked in at the Lodge and went up to our room where Avery blew out birthday candles and opened presents. The kids were so excited to swim in the water park that they put their suits and we promised them a half an hour or so.
We had so much fun sliding, floating down the lazy river and playing on all the water equipment! We didn't get to spend much time there though because it was getting late. We said bye to everyone with plans to meet back there in the morning. We went upstairs and the kids put their jammies and slippers on just in time to go to the lobby to hear a story and meet Wiley the Wolf (although Rudy Reindeer was standing in for him). We sat in front of the big clock and watched animated animals sing Christmas songs and were very surprised when it started snowing right there in the lobby. Tons of sudsy bubbles came down and it looked just like snow, covering everyone and making the lobby look like a little wonderland. Very cool.
Then upstairs, and the kids went to bed without a fight. Of course they were already looking forward to the next day full of fun in the water park. I asked Avery if she had a good birthday and she confirmed that she did and that she wished we could live at the Great Wolf Lodge.
We had so much fun sliding, floating down the lazy river and playing on all the water equipment! We didn't get to spend much time there though because it was getting late. We said bye to everyone with plans to meet back there in the morning. We went upstairs and the kids put their jammies and slippers on just in time to go to the lobby to hear a story and meet Wiley the Wolf (although Rudy Reindeer was standing in for him). We sat in front of the big clock and watched animated animals sing Christmas songs and were very surprised when it started snowing right there in the lobby. Tons of sudsy bubbles came down and it looked just like snow, covering everyone and making the lobby look like a little wonderland. Very cool.
Then upstairs, and the kids went to bed without a fight. Of course they were already looking forward to the next day full of fun in the water park. I asked Avery if she had a good birthday and she confirmed that she did and that she wished we could live at the Great Wolf Lodge.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Decorating the Christmas tree
This weekend on the way home from mom's we stopped at dad's and picked up a Christmas tree. It was a little shorter than I thought we should get, but it was perfect in every other way. We strapped it onto the top of our new Explorer and set it up in the living room. Honestly, Sunday was a horrible day for us. Everyone was fighting and crying- especially me! I guess four days of "togetherness" and everyone on their best behavior was just a little much.
So, the kids went to their new daycare for the first time today. I dropped them off with their little breakfasts and lunches packed and they were really brave when I left. Jamie picked them up in the evening and I picked up a pizza from Pizza Sam's (my favorite so far). After pizza I got a glass of wine, Jamie got a Kahlua and cream we lit the fireplace and turned on the Christmas music and got to decorating! This was the first year both kids were really into putting things on the tree. Avery especially- she did most of it. We have Sam with us while my dad is hunting, so it was interesting trying to keep him out of things. But overall we had a really fun evening together.
So, the kids went to their new daycare for the first time today. I dropped them off with their little breakfasts and lunches packed and they were really brave when I left. Jamie picked them up in the evening and I picked up a pizza from Pizza Sam's (my favorite so far). After pizza I got a glass of wine, Jamie got a Kahlua and cream we lit the fireplace and turned on the Christmas music and got to decorating! This was the first year both kids were really into putting things on the tree. Avery especially- she did most of it. We have Sam with us while my dad is hunting, so it was interesting trying to keep him out of things. But overall we had a really fun evening together.
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