Christmas Tree 2010

Decorating the tree was certainly interesting this year.  It took 16 different bolts, three different tree stands, two trips to Lowe's, and lots of frustration just to get it up.  But, when it came time for the decorations the girls were so excited...except they still don't really understand how to put the ornaments on yet.  They kept putting them on the lowest branches, and the very end.  The whole limb would bend over and the ornament would rest on the ground.  I don't know how many Dan and I moved, only to turn around and find another in its place ;) Even so, the girls had a blast and are very proud of their handiwork this year.  I think this is actually the prettiest tree we have ever had!  I just have to set up our Christmas Village and then our 'halls' will officially be 'decked'!

Dr. Seuss Breakfast

This morning we had pancakes and sausage with the Cat in The Hat, The Grinch, Things 1 and 2, and the Lorax.  Both girls were terrified, but Aly eventually warmed up enough to get a few pictures in.

Man vs. Tree

Up until now we have not braved a tree farm with the girls.  This year, since the girls are older, we decided to start the tradition of picking out...and cutting down...our own tree.  We. Had. A. Blast!  It was cold, but it wasn't snowing and the sun was shining.  We had to drive all the way to Timbucktu Timbuk Farms in Granville, but it was worth it!  When we got there, we decided to go with a Canaan Fir.  So we picked out the sharpest saw we could find and headed for the field.

 

The girls, especially Aly, were really into finding the 'perfect' tree.  We looked at several, but none of them fit our standards. They all seemed to have some kind of defect: bare spots, brown needles, too short, too tall, etc.

 

Then, like a sign from above we turned around and saw THE tree.  It was like something out of a movie.  The sun was shining right on it and it was, almost, in a clearing.

We agreed on the tree (We actually went with the tree next to it because we thought that one might be too tall.) and Dan went to work with the rusty trusty saw :)

 

Timber!

 

Pure triumph.

 

While they processed our tree and we warmed up, the girls each picked out an ornament...both chose cheerleaders. Shocking. We got a few pictures and then went on a bus ride all around the farm to see the different varieties of trees. 

 The beginning of a new holiday tradition:

 

We drove from the tree farm to Creekside for the Holiday Lights Festival and the tree lighting ceremony with The Gibsons.  It was pretty uneventful, but fun to hang out with our BFF's ;)  Hannah was TERRIFIED of Santa and the Mrs.  Aly wasn't to keen on the idea of 'Santa's lap', but she eventually took a gift from Mrs. Claus.  I think it will be a few more years before we have an successful pictures with them!

THANKSgiving

We have been blessed beyond measure and have so much to be thankful for...more than words can possibly describe.  I think these two pictures, from Thanksgiving morning, do a pretty good job of explaining most of it :) 

(They called these their 'teenager clothes'...) 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give THANKS in all circumstances. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanksgiving Feast: Stonybrook Style

Alyssa's Thanksgiving feast was, once again, a success!  Last year she got to play the part of an Indian...this year she was a little Pilgrim girl...and the prettiest one there, if I do say so myself!  I wasn't able to get out of school to go, but Dan took a half-day to go with her.  Grandma and Grandpa also were there to take part in the delicious feast.  The feast was a traditional early thanksgiving, consisting of: popcorn, raisins, goldfish crackers, pumpkin bread and corn bread ;)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the morning:

Queen of the Crayons

Alyssa is entering this picture in the coloring contest for the Holiday Lights Festival. One winner from each age group (she is 4-6 years) will be the Mayor's honoree on stage and gets to help 'flip the switch' to light the tree at Creekside.  I know we are biased, but I think this is pretty darn good for a 4 year old!   

Sick Piggy :(

Poor Hannah.  She just can't catch a break.  On top of getting her 2 year molars, now she has an infected ingrown toenail.  We took her to the doctor today and he gave us some antibiotics for her to kill the infection.  We have to see how it is looking by Thursday, but he said he may have to refer us to a podiatrist to have the toenail surgically cut out.  Dan had to have that done a few years ago and said it was extremely painful.  I am hoping that through the antibiotics, soaking and massaging we can coax the nail back to its original home and avoid needles and knives!  I don't know if I can make it through that...let alone her! 

P/T Conference

I met with Alyssa's teachers last Thursday for her Fall conference.  Not that we doubted, but she is doing great!  They said that she knows all of her letters, letter sounds and numbers. ..and that she is very meticulous about writing them perfectly.  I have know idea where she gets her perfectionist qualities from...

Anyway, Miss Sue is a retired kindergarten teacher and she said that Aly has very advanced motor skills and would flourish in a kindergarten classroom right now and that she would probably need to be a part of a 'gifted' program at her school to challenge her in the future.   She is even beginning to read a book that she has and spell words other than her name!  They talked about how great love of learning is and her highly developed observational acuity...the child is a sponge.

They also said she is very patient and kind to everyone in her class and that she especially has fun when she plays with a small group girls (Abbie, Marielle and Brynn).  The last thing they talked about was how much they love her giggle and how infectious it is. We love it too. She is becoming such a compassionate, smart young lady!  She makes us so proud!