Switching to the girls...Last week I bought some fresh fruit for Emily's Thanksgiving feast at school. Ever since, the girls have gone gaga over fresh oranges, grapes and pineapple. I keep it all cut up and they are always asking for their "fresh" snack! Here's Laney with her morning snack, while holding Christopher Pop-In Kins (like Elf On A Shelf). 
Yesterday I read the Christopher book to the girls and last night Emily found him hanging from the shower curtain in the children's bathroom. Laney thought it was hysterical, but Emily was extremely hesitant and questioned this little elf. She kept asking if he was real. Later, Emily came up to me with a pencil and sheet of paper.Emily: Mommy, that elf is not real.
Lauren: What makes you say that?
Emily: I just took this pencil and paper into the bathroom and asked him to write his name. He wouldn't!
Oh, Emily was soooo unsure of this elf! Even later, she came out of the bathroom all smiles shouting, "He's not real!" She was holding Christopher and was relieved that the elf was a doll! Then this morning, Christopher was on top of the cabinets in the kitchen. Emily found him and was a bit freaked out, because she cannot decide if he is going to really tell Santa how she is behaving. I said that maybe he has a hidden camera inside him and shows Santa. Silence. Emily is terrified of this elf intruder! Laney? She thinks he rocks!
After school, cousins Megan and Madison were at our home. Megan lost her other front tooth, so I had to get a picture! She looks so adorable, but when she talks? Oh, it sounds over the moon cutie!
And finally, yesterday Jon's mom had Emily and Megan over to make a craft. And this is what Emily brought home! 
I think it is so neat! It is a tissue wreath made from a wire hanger! The girls had so much fun crafting with their Grammie!
And finally, yesterday Jon's mom had Emily and Megan over to make a craft. And this is what Emily brought home! I think it is so neat! It is a tissue wreath made from a wire hanger! The girls had so much fun crafting with their Grammie!Happy Monday!
P.S. My friend Alyssa posted an amazing oreo recipe! Pop on over and check it out! I just have to try it!
After school, we were all still in the Thanksgiving spirit. While I made pilgrim hat snacks for the girls, Emily put on a Thanksgiving puppet show for her little sister!
After the play, the girls enjoyed their yummy snacks (made from cookies, marshmallows coated in chocolate and yellow frosting). 
My parents came over for a nice Thanksgiving lunch. Remember how Laney and I pressed leafs for the tablescape? They turned out fantastic! 
We added a real pumpkin, ribbon and peasant feathers to the centerpiece. 
That evening we had a great meal at Jon's parents' home. It was such a relaxing and lovely Thanksgiving! 
Jon and I were out the door by 8am on Black Friday! My parents came back over to watch the children all day. Jon and I had the best day! We didn't hit ANY crowds and we got some great deals! We completed our Christmas shopping! I am so excited to gift others this year! We hit Home Goods and I got this new corner table and lamp! 
They look great in their new space! 
We had such a great time visiting with our friends...drinking a little vino (I HATE vino, but actually tasted some that was pretty good....a first! Yeah!) and playing a fun game! 
At Nursery School, the children sang turkey songs as all of the guests arrived. 
Laney and cousin Madison were all smiles! 
Laney was ready to eat! 
Henry even enjoyed a great meal!
It was so special that the girls' great-grandparents attended! 
What a wonderful lunch! 
Still in the Thanksgiving spirit, we came home to press some outside leaves for our Thanksgiving table setting! We cannot wait to see how they turn out!
I did not use fresh herbs and didn't measure anything out, but it had so much flavor! I'm sure that Misty's is much, much better...I plan to try her meatball sized sliders next! YUM! (Go check out her blog. She has some mouth-watering recipes!) And to finish off a great meal...cinnamon rolls coated in brown sugar icing! :)
Today didn't look as glum. Now I'm off to offer a peace bone to the dog that I soooo wanted in the first place. The dog that would have been euthanized if we had not adopted her. The poor dog that has a bandaged back leg.
And then peppermint ice cream is calling me to eat it. The. whole. container.
Each child received a goody bag: cute popcorn containers w/ a bag of popcorn, a red tumbler, glue, scissors, a painting craft and sheets of scrapbook paper. 
The children had so much fun creating their abstract art! 
All five were thrilled to wear their "art smocks"! Ha!
I definitely think we have some future Picassos! 
After creating art, we drove to the Pizza King! The kids loved eating pizza! 
We had birthday cookies for dessert. (Emily doesn't like cake that well. With that said, I often question if she is my child!) 
We then came home and Em opened gifts and the children played for a bit. It was a great first. All of the children were wonderful. So cute. 
So well behaved!
Poor girl. It does look lovely if it is pulled up with a bow and I add some curls. 
I can once again see my beautiful baby girl's face! And I think this new hair accessory looks fabulous with the outfit that Laney chose to wear today! 
She's getting way too old, too soon! I know she JUST looked like this the other day!
My parents came over to watch Laney and Henry while I spent some time at Emily's school! Here's my little "Mom Volunteer" outfit. 
I took in pizza for Emily and cousin Megan. It was fun to eat lunch with the girls. 
After lunch and recess, I volunteered in Emily's classroom. As a former teacher, I know how much I appreciated parent involvement. Here is Emily with her teacher, Mrs. Brown. Emily's adorable little buddy is in the bottom of the picture.
After helping students write final drafts for a class book, library time and math worksheets, the whole class sang Happy Birthday to Emily while I passed out refreshments. I made pretzel/rolo/m&m treats and individually bagged them. 
After our active day at school, Emily was excited to see my parents (Mimi and Papa). Emily and Laney each got one of these, but look who was smitten with it! YUM!
Jon brought home pizza and cookies and I made a birthday cheesecake. After dinner, Em opened up her gifts. Number one on her list? A safe that locks! We even found one with an alarm on it! Great! That baby will be going off all the time...and Laney will be seated right next to it! :) It was a lovely birthday.
