Winter Party at School

Little did I know that "parent volunteer" would mean making the treats, organizing the craft and game for the school party. But we had a great time and I'm glad I could help before the baby arrives!

Thankfully Ben was all healthy and ready to celebrate with his classmates (he had a touch of the unspeakable sickness I hate earlier in the week - ugh).

Currant Cookies & First Snow

We made our annual currant cookies last weekend. Ben loved it and was really involved in the baking this year. Notice our new cookie cutters (thanks L&J - LOVE THEM!!!)? Yes, they are Star Wars - how awesome is that?! We also had our first snow... it's beginning to look like Christmas!!

Breakfast with Santa (and two Grandmas)

We had such a nice morning with Bebe and Bubba for Breakfast with Santa. There were tons of activities that Ben loved - Shrinky Dink ornaments, letter-writing to Santa, face painting, cookie decorating, etc. He wasn't shy around Santa at all and was chatting it up with him for quite a bit. He also spoke to Mrs. Claus and told me afterwards, "Mom, that was Santa's girl!!"

Piano Man-

Thankfully we had room for our piano in our new house. It's only been in "storage" at Bubba & Grampy's for nine years!!!! It seems that Ben is going to take after his Daddy musically (although, let's not forget, I did ROCK the clarinet in 6th grade band). Ben definitely has an ear for music and playing songs - Joe is even teaching him "Jingle Bells" for Christmas.

Hank the Cowdog & Native American Headband

Ben got these chapter books in the mail from our friends Stuart and Linny in California. He was VERY excited to get mail and has been carrying the books all around "reading" them. We read the first chapter, and will see how long his attention lasts. He's really into reading and spelling these days. He wants to know what letter every word starts with. I think we'll have a reader pretty soon! I need to post his Christmas list... he spent about 45 minutes writing it.

Ben made this at school for Thanksgiving. Love it!

More school-

Ben and his buddy Brayden shucking corn.

This month they were examining fall and the changing seasons.  

Playing in the motor sensory room.

Ben bossing the other kids around... just kidding! They were working on patterns.

We think it's pretty cool Ben's preschool won the Early Childhood Program of the Year for the entire state! Hopefully his education won't go down the tubes in kindergarten next year since we moved to an inferior district... ha, ha! I had to get  ONE DIG in before he starts kindergarten.

We're in our new house, it's a crazy mess... but life is good. The baby is kicking like crazy and Ben got to feel "his baby" moving for the first time this morning. He was pretty impressed and said "that's not you moving, mommy!!"

27 Weeks & We're Moving!

Oh yeah... I'm pregnant! We almost forget with all the excitement of packing and getting ready to move. I think when I was pregnant with Ben we took a photo every week... and this time around, might be my first pregnancy pic. Oh well, life has been busy! I'm thankful I feel great and everything has been going well... so-far-so-good! Can you tell Ben is excited to be a big brother?! Keep your fingers crossed for us that everything continues to go well! As Auntie M would say "calm waters!"

Here's where we're moving on Friday! It suits us, right? We always welcome friends and family... especially friends from UP NORTH (hint, hint!). Keep your fingers crossed for us with the house, too. It's been a pretty stressful deal... we can't wait until Friday when everything is finalized.