Creativity

Last weekend we started the process of painting our bedroom which hasn't been painted in a long time.  Just white, nothing to get excited about, but it is fresh and clean.  We started with the closets.  I had some craft things stored in one.  The girls got going on paint-by-number pictures from a kit I pulled out and only came up for air if they had something going on with a friend.  Unfortunately, I don't have good pictures of all of the painting.  Our kitchen where they painted has too much light.  Is that possible?  Photos taken at the kitchen table do not seem to work.

Anyway, this is a cute Lego creation the girls made around Christmas.  Remember, our dog is a black pug.

This is one of the cakes made last weekend.  For Christmas the younger two got cupcake cake pans.  They are made by Wilton for kids.  One pan holds half a standard cake mix.  Lots of potential with these! Happy weekend!

The Science Museum

Last Saturday was the final day of our membership so we wanted to take advantage of it.  We saw Shackleton's Anarctic Adventure. Quite amazing that 27 men could endure what those men did and live.  The photography showing the huge walls of snow and ice and the ice floes was spectacular.  We also enjoyed looking around. 

The youngest has brought in something from nature to trade and gotten some neat things in return.  This time she got several small, variously shaped turquoise beads that she will use to make a necklace. 

Enjoy the three day weekend!

New Clothes

For Christmas the youngest got some new clothes.  She adores her fuggs.

Miscellaney

We paid a visit to the zoo over the holidays.  Before going, it sounded like many exhibits were being worked on, but we were surprised to find that dolphin shows are back and that the bird show is now in a beautiful new amphitheater.   

I am forever trying to get a good flamingo picture. 

On New Year's Eve we had our usual dinner of Leann Chin courtesy of a gift card from my brother-in-law's family.  Competition was heated as we played Catch Phrase, my fave, Pit, and Bananagrams.  It was hard to get agreement on a movie.  The compromise was Eloise at Christmas, but that had previews for Princess Diaries II and so we switched to that.  My husband is a good sport. 

On New Year's Day we entertained my friend's family. We really do need a taller tree!

A Few Last Christmas Pictures

Here are a few random ornaments.  We have a few dancing related ones since we have three dancers.

I believe these nutcrackers came from a dollar store originally.  Someone gave them to the girls.  I like their appearance, but they seem fragile.  We've had them quite a few years.

The church always looks so lovely on Christmas eve.  This year we had organ music.  Our church doesn't own an organ, but someone loaned one to us.  It was an adjustment, but nice. 

Here are the girls with some of the gifts they gave each other. 

And, of course, Santa paid us a visit.  Warm memories until Christmas 2012.

'Twas the Day Before

On the 23rd, the day dawned beautifully.  After the youngest's slumber party, during which the girls exchanged large quantities of Bath and Body Works' body spray as gifts ; ), ended, we headed to the Arboretum.

There were multiple large, themed trees.  Alas, it was not my day for taking very good pictures, but here are a few reminders of the themes.  The Nutcracker,

My Favorite Things,

The Night Before Christmas,

and just general cuteness.

There was a large tabletop display of mostly fondant made "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Little Cindy-Lou Who

After we looked, we had a bite to eat in the sunny, gingerbread themed cafeteria.

And looked in the gift shop.

The afternoon continued with the baking of cookies and the taking of random pictures.

It was a good day.

Presents

Here are a few of the more memorable gifts I received this Christmas.  My brother-in-law and his family gave us a basket of goodies from the place they like to visit--food and nice soaps and a sachet.  This one made me chuckle. 

My other sister-in-law likes to do wood carving. How fortunate for us! She made each family a box. The top has our last name carved in it. The reverse side has each of our first names and the year our family started.  One end has the address where we've lived for many years and the other a design.  Each girl received one that is slightly smaller and shaped more like a treasure chest with her name on it.  It must has taken a lot of time and patience to do them all.  What a keepsake! 

Last, but not least, I received these from the youngest.  She helped out at a church sale at our neighbor's church in November.  It was a combination bake, craft, and rummage sale.  When she came home, it was clear she had spent the money she brought and I saw some of what she had--things from a decade or two ago with geese on them!  She told me she got my present there. I was wondering if I could look overjoyed at something from the '80's that I had no use for.  Bad mom, I know! She said it would add to my collection and I was thinking what collection?  These are my cute new salt and pepper shakers! She did a great job selecting my gift. I don't really have a collection, but I do have a few cute sets and now I have one more.