Seeing Santa

This was our first year with all 3 kids seeing Santa. Max couldn't risk the germ exposure last year, and this year, we showed up as soon as Santa "opened for business" so we could get in and out. He did fine and seemed okay as long as big brother and sister were there. Ella wrote out the list for everyone, then forgot it at home so she was QUICKLY running through everything with Santa before our turn was finished. No tears, no chaos, all in all, a successful first Santa trip!

Mr. Christmas

Alex's Christmas program was today at his preschool. This was a first for him, because last year, he didn't start in school until February. So he's never been in front of a crowd before, never performed, etc... and I was a little nervous for him. But he was so excited and it all started a few days before with his wardrobe choice. I picked a red sweater for him... but Alex had bigger plans.
He was very dapper and handsome. I love that he was so proud of his little blazer! It's a hand-me-down from my friend Tara's son and as far as Alex is concerned, anything that Colin wears first... is SUPER COOL!


He was a donkey. They chose either a cow, a donkey or a sheep.. and Alex was quite easily the cutest donkey I've ever seen!

He did such a great job singing and listening to Miss Ellie and smiling and waving at us as often as he could. I just cried...

Troy was able to come on his lunch break and watch the program too. Alex was so excited to have both of us in the audience... and Max too.

Daddy and the donkey after the show

Grumpy face... because I took his picture. But he really had fun and danced to the music!

Alex did ask me if the plaid pocket square was for blowing his nose! Thankfully it was before he tried it out!

Ella lyrical dance..

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I taped this at Ella's rehearsal class yesterday. It's Halloween week, so some of the girls are already in costume and couldn't do their full movements... I normally don't post practice, but Ella had such a great candy hold this week. (where she holds her leg above her head and stands) that I was really proud of her. She's been working on this and her balance. It's coming along well. She's the blond with a white tank, blue shorts, and puppy dog pig tails. Enjoy!

photo challenge day 5: something from a low angle

Alex had am awesome Halloween playdate with his preschool buddies yesterday. Max and Mommy did too!

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Max on the move

Finally caught him with my cell phone! (if you click on the lower right corner of the video, where it says YouTube, the video will rotate to the correct angle)

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Photo challenge day 4 something green...

Man have I sucked at this! I've taken some photos... but we've been crazy busy and sick and I just haven't had a second to blog. I'm finally shoving in a quick post while the kids are outside with Troy who is mowing...

This is the beautiful violet in my kitchen window. It weighs about 5 pounds and is almost a foot across. It was given to my by my dear former neighbor Dorothy. She was like my adopted grandma.. we both had little dogs named Brandy and shared a duplex back in my single days. Dorothy died in the spring before Troy and I were married. Every year when this beautiful violet blooms and grows I feel a little bit of her wonderful spirit!

Photo challenge day 3 clouds

Every cloud has a silver lining... right?
Just look at the sky I saw this morning just before I took Max to his hearing evaluation!

It's a beautiful day!