kind of funny

I used to watch this

all the time when I was little and I loved it. So after screening it (it's easy to forget) we decided to let our kids watch it as well. Needless to say they all loved it and watched it MANY times over and over again. I'll never really understand why kids are able to do that.

SO when we were taking out all the Christmas ornaments for the tree Charlee came across this one

She got so excited and said Mommy look... it's PEE WEE! Travis wasn't thrilled. At least he grew out of his "PEE WEE" days.

Catching up on Christmas

We made a gingerbread village and went to the class Christmas parties. Let me just say a couple things in regards to the following. First of all, while the homemade gingerbread does taste MUCH better, it's a huge pain in the rear. Next time I think we'll go back to buying the kit. Secondly, it's crazy how much the actually celebrate Christmas in these liberal WA schools. In Ohio it was always winter parties and books about snowmen. I was really surprised how many Christmas themed crafts and stories were covered through the whole month of December. I guess I just found it overall... interesting... and fun.

Dillon's teacher is so sweet. Here she is handing out stockings to all the kids that they made and she stuffed. They hung over the classroom "fireplace" all month.






In Molly's class they made gingerbread lighthouses. I went in and cooked up all the gingerbread for the class, which gave me the courage to do it for my kids as well.



They turned out really cute (Dillon wanted his fairly plain) the biggest pain was measuring everything out so precisely so it would all fit together in the end.




This is the kids in their Christmas outfits. Can you tell they're freezing and not at all happy that I'm making them stand outside with no coats while I take this picture? There were threats and bribes involved... they still wouldn't really smile.





The annual picture with Santa. It will have to do.




Grandma treated Molly to her first time to see The Nutcracker. She enjoyed it for the most part and I managed to stay awake. Win, win situation. (the red was not planned, I guess it's just one of those Christmas things)




Grandma and Papa with the kids at some huge trail of lights in the middle of no where. It was pretty neat... and cold.





Christmas Eve with the Yonker Family at Aunt Jordanna's House.






Christmas Morning at our house.











Christmas Day at GG's House.


Boy are these kids spoiled.

Even Trav and I got a new ride.

Merry Christmas Every One!

Molly's First Piano Recital

Molly has been taking piano for a couple months now and although she really doesn't like practicing, I think she's getting the hang of it. Enjoy.

Wise beyond his years

Now I don't usually get political in my posts, but this was worth writing down.

Molly has Peace Bear and Dillon has Camo Bear. While playing with these bears yesterday it prompted an interesting conversation....

Molly: These bears should be sister and brother because the look so much alike.

Me: They do look alike, but Camo is kind of like a military bear and Peace doesn't like any fighting, so in a way they're kind of opposites.

Dillon: Well Peace should like that Camo goes into battle.

Me: But Peace doesn't want anybody to go into battle.

Dillon: Then she would be dead.

Fantasia

In preparation to seeing The Nutcracker today, we thought we would watch Fantasia with the kids for our movie night last night. They enjoyed it a lot more than I remember enjoying it as a child and quickly started picking out all the characters they thought best represented each of us.

The children were all cute little unicorns. Molly was yellow, Dillon blue, and Charlee pink (of course).




Travis was a manly Centaur who all the Centaurets seemed to flock to.




And me... well you probably guessed it... the dancing hippo.




At least they said she was cute before quickly saying... "THAT'S MOMMY!"

FYI

When your children listen and sing along to the Chipmunks... they automatically assume the chipmunk voice. It's even better when they don't realize you are standing outside of their door listening.

I must not read enough...

Because it seems like if I read more I wouldn't get so depressed (and I'm using that word loosely) every time I finish a good book. My problem is, among many, that I'm just too picky about the things I read. It's so hard for me to find something that I feel is worth staying up that extra hour every night before it becomes simply impossible for me to keep my eyelids up. Then when it's gone I always have the fear that there will never be another to equal it.

Sooo... If you've read the following books, and found them to your liking, maybe you have a recommendation for me?

A Roller Derby Family

Well... not quite. But wouldn't it be nice? We've been skating a few times lately and I'm really digging it. It totally takes me back to my youth when my parents would drop me and my siblings off at the rink and leave us there for hours into the night even when we were wee children. Hey, free babysitting right? Molly is catching on pretty quickly. We spend a lot of time dragging the other two around and I find my arms are the most tired thing on my body once it's time to leave.

I "HEART" Tofu

I love tofu. Unfortunately my son Dillon is the only one who shares this love of mine. The rest of my family will eat it, they just don't love it. Well I determined to have tofu for dinner at least once or twice a month so I have to get creative with how I prepare it.

I found this recipe below on the Internet and I am happy to report (with the exception of my 4 year old who eats it all, but chews up and spits out the tofu) that we ALL love this recipe.

I've yet to use the sake, hoisin sauce, or sesame oil in the recipe just because I haven't had them on hand, but it tastes great without.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked instant rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 (14-ounce) package reduced-fat firm tofu, drained and cut into (1/2-inch) cubes
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (1/2-inch-thick) slices green onions
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
• 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons sake (rice wine)
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• Thinly sliced green onions (optional)

Preparation

Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

While rice cooks, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan. Add eggs to pan; cook 1 minute or until done, breaking egg into small pieces. Remove from pan. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to pan. Add 1 cup onions, peas and carrots, garlic, and ginger; sauté 2 minutes.

While vegetable mixture cooks, combine sake, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Add cooked rice to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add tofu, egg, and soy sauce mixture; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.

The Perfect Tree 2010

Why does it take us 2 hours to find a tree to cut? I'm sure the one we ended up taking home was one of the first ones we saw when we got there. Is there some kind of disorder that both Travis and I have that makes us think we have to see every single tree in the whole freaking farm before we can truly be satisfied with the one we originally liked? I'm thinking therapy.

At least it wasn't snowing.



Not our dog. The kids can only wish.

Travis and Dillon finally cutting the sucker down.

When it's all said and done... yet another perfect tree.

Giving Thanks

It was nice being close to our family again this Thanksgiving. We were able to have both of Travis' grandmother's, his uncle, and his parents over for the big feast.

Dillon paper mached this turkey at school, along with some laminated leaves from Cleveland and a collection of fruits and vegetables from the kitchen, it made for a great centerpiece.

Molly has taken over my childhood tradition of putting together the veggie tray. I think this makes it her 4 year doing so.

We love our grandmas and grandpas!

There truly is so much to be thankful for, not just this day, but everyday. The true challenge is remembering this, especially when things get difficult. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!