Winter Parties

The girls had their "Winter Parties" at school this week (and another reason why Catholic School sounds appealing - CHRISTMAS PARTIES, come on!). I brought treats and helped at Alivia's party this time. I did not feel well, but tried to help out as best as I could. The kids had fun and made some cute things!

My Easy Treat

Snowman!

Alivia's second grade class (Alivia is in the front row in the white shirt).

Addison's class listening to a story (Addison is in the front in a red dress).

Merry Christmas 2011

Here is our annual Christmas Letter:

Alivia, December Student of the Month

Alivia was honored as student of the month at Bell last week. It is an honor to be selected. And, to clarify, they are selected from a hat of "way to go" cards (This is what I am calling them anyway). A student gets a card whenever they do well. So, the more they get, the more likely they are to be selected student of the month, I guess. Seems a little too politically correct or something. In any case, Alivia was selected and we are proud of her. She is so excited.

Asher at age 4

Finally got around to asking Asher his favorites:

Asher age 4

1.       What is your favorite color? Blue

2.       What is your favorite toy? Truck

3.       What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries

4.       What is your favorite tv show? Dinosaur Train

5.       What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza

6.       What is your favorite outfit? Anything with airplanes on it

7.       What is your favorite game? Soccer

8.       What is your favorite snack? Pretzels

9.       What is your favorite animal? Cats and bears at the zoo.

10.   What is your favorite song? ABC song with encouragement.

11.   What is your favorite book? Dinosaur books

12.   What is your best friend? Cameron

13.   What is your favorite cereal? Chocolate Special K\

14.   What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play on the playset

15.   What is your favorite drink? Apple Juice

16.   What is your favorite holiday? Easter ‘cause of the candy and the Easter bunny poops jelly beans and that is funny.

17.   What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My bear and my tags

18.   What is your favorite to eat for breakfast? Daddy’s bacon and eggs

19.   What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza

20.   What do you want to be when you grow up? A cowboy.

Asher plays hockey

This month is hockey at the YMCA. Asher missed the first day because he was sick. So last week was his first time. Asher, so far, is left handed. So holding the hockey stick is a little awkward for him. There is one little boy who should be in Mav hockey, not preschool hockey. All the other boys chase after this boy as he goes from end to end making points. Not sure that is how I wanted Asher to learn to play as now he does not like it because this boy steals the puck before Asher can figure out how to hold his stick. It is very frustrating to watch. At least we tried. I do believe I paid for a month for one session because I can't sit through another 45 minutes of that kind of torture. Afterall, it is supposed to be a fun way for 3-4 year olds to learn to play...I do believe it would be more fun to learn at home.

At least he got his exercise one day...

Visiting Santa

Shadow Lake had a kids club event today featuring Santa himself. Santa read a book to all the kids wearing antlers, sang a few Christmas songs, then we moved on to crafts. Asher decorated a little Christmas tree that we will turn into an ornament. Then it was time for the grand event, talking with Santa. Asher did not seem too shy, but talked very softly to Santa, telling him all he wanted for Christmas was World Peace.

No really, he asked for Jeep and airplanes (sounds a lot like what Daddy wants, plus a kayak).

It was very cute when Asher gave Santa a hug. So sweet.

Now we have to find a time to take the girls to see Santa.

Saint Nicholas Day

A few years ago, I did something for the kids on Saint Nicholas Day, December 5 (I know, I am behind...shocker!). Anyway, I have slipped a little in my Saint Nicholas Duties and skipped it since moving to Papillion.

As the tradition goes, the kids are to leave their shoes outside their bedroom doors or outside and wait for Saint Nicholas to come and fill them with treats and gifts. While he is visiting, he checks on the kids to see if they have been good, polite and helpful during the last year. If not, they are to get a tree branch in their shoes instead. 

Instead of sugary treats, I decided to give the kiddos their annual Christmas Tree Ornament on Saint Nicholas Day. The kids were thrilled that they were able to open a present, too. This year Addison got a dog ornament, (she is in love with all things dogs) Alivia got a cat ornament (just like my sister and I - Alivia and Addison like to be completely oppostite), and Asher got a soccer ball.

Now, if I can just remember to do this tradition annually.

Jumping to Stay Warm

Yesterday Asher and I met some friends at Jumpin Jax in Papillion for open jump. It was cold outside (and in I may add) but the boys warmed up jumping away. Asher liked it for about an hour, then he just crashed. Other than Asher and his friend Xander, there was only one other little girl there. Nice and quiet and perfect. Would highly recommend Jumpin' Jax for open jump.

Afterwards, we went to the Elementary School for Preschool Story time. It is so cute. Mrs. K does an awesome job reading a cute book and then creating a craft that the kids can make that goes along with the book. So fun!

Just another winter day...

November in Review

We are off enjoying the last month of 2011, but want to share our photos from November! We had an exciting month filled with many activities. We ended the month spending time with family during Thanksgiving and then celebrating Asher turning 4 years old! Merry Christmas and enjoy the end of 2011!

Some of the best of November Pictures.

Asher's Airplane Party

The Invite

On Saturday, Asher celebrated turning 4 in airplane style. He invited his Grandmas and Grandpas and 6 little friends for an hour and a half of airplane fun.

The boys all arrived during the winter wonderland of December where we were getting 6 inches of snow. The boys did not care. They ran in and the party began.

Chris had made signs and built a cut out airplane to add to the party theme.

The Big Cut out Airplane!

Chris' funny signs that the 3 to 5 year old boys, I'm sure, did not get!

The boys started off coloring an airplane picture, then got airplane tattoos before getting some snacks that may or may not be found or eaten on airplanes (come on, we could not just serve pretzels and water!). Then the boys decorated paper airplanes and tried to fly them in the basement. Chris then set up the flight simulator game on his PS3 and the boys had fun with that. Chris was impressed with their flying skills and enthusiasm. When he looked at his watch, he realized that it was 2:15 and we have yet to open presents!! Ooops! So, we ran upstairs for that. Asher got a lot of airplanes and other really fun gifts.

This was Asher's first friend party. It went really well. One thing I would have done differently was to prepare the plates in advance. That was kind of a pain and not well thought out. I also would have had the Grandparents come on his birthday at night for dinner (note to self for all the future parties). Other than that, it went well and Asher had a blast.

Asher's Birthday Bunch!

Learning to fly...

Flying paper Airplanes!

We just had cupcakes with cloud like frosting with toy airplanes on top that the boys could take home.

Make a wish!

Let's color

Airplane dining

The food

Treat boxes: paper airplanes, the airplanes from the cupcakes, colored popcorn, airplane stickers, jet tattoo if they did not want one at the party, little bags of fruit snacks and goldfish.

Supplies: Treat boxes, plates and airplane napkins came from HERE.
Tattoos: Search high and low, found them online someplace.
Airplanes for cupcakes: Fat Brain Toys in thesky toob
Paper Airplane Project: Fat Brain Toys Fold n fly airplanes
Airplane stickers: Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook aisle. These were difficult to find too!
Cut out Airplane: hand made by my husband out of old boxes!! Crazy I know.
Invite: Hand Made by my husband as well. There was a boring one that came with the plates, but I did not like that one. This one was perfect!
Signs: Hand Made by the hubs.