The Priss-Ster

Ornament Keepsakes

The kids made these cute ornaments at school. They will be nice keepsakes thru the years.

The beard for Aida's Santa is her hand upside down.

Henry made this angel out of a plastic spoon!

When the kids steal the camera...

Occasionally, the kids get the camera and take pictures. These turned out especially funny! I may have to get this one of Aida blown up and frame it. It makes me laugh - HARD!!!

School Christmas Parties

The kids had their school Christmas parties last Thursday. Aida's was a Polar Express party so she is wearing pajamas. Henry had a book exchange at his. They had a lot of fun.

Henry and Aida with Mrs. Machan.

Henry and his teacher Mrs. Hedstrom. So far we have had excellent luck with teachers at Central Park. They really genuinely care about their students!

Aida and her teacher Mrs. Machan

Aida and Daddy

Miscellaneous pics

Aida wanted me to take her picture in this hat and bracelet that she put around her neck like a choker!

Henry dressed up like Santa and he and Aida put presents in crib sheets like a Santa bag. They had fun doing this and thought of it all on their own. If you can see, Henry even has a black belt on like Santa would wear!

Aida got the camera and took this pic of H and Prissy.

Charlotte kitty has been welcomed back inside the house since the temperature outside has been frigid! Prissy isn't happy about this, but Charlotte has seniority!

Cookies and Snowmen Pretzels

We made Christmas cookies and Snowmen pretzels this past week. The kids did all of the decorating and also made a cookie for each of their teachers at school.

Kate came over to help make cookies too.

We made these snowman pretzel rods this year. They turned out ok. Maybe next year they will look better!

Silver Dollar City

We went to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights. It was cold so I bought the kids these snow suits. They really didn't like them, but hopefully they stayed warm!

We ran into Nikki and her family at SDC, so the girls rode 2 rides together. They are silly!

Henry posing with these cute snowmen.

Polar Express Train Ride

We took the kids to Branson and rode the "Polar Express" train. It was great. We rode to the "North Pole" where the elves and Santa were waiting. We had hot chocolate and cookies on the train and the kids each got a bell from Santa. They also got their tickets punched from the conducter which they LOVED! The train ride was about an hour and the kids really enjoyed it. It ran in the evening, so we got to see the festival of lights which was fun too...

Aida getting her ticket punched!

Henry getting his ticket punched!

Showing off their bells from Santa.

Enjoying Hot Chocolate

Talking with Santa

Aida wasn't afraid of Santa this year which was great!

LEAVES!

I did A LOT of raking this fall!! The kids destroyed this pile and I had to rake it again last weekend! We have 22 bags full of leaves! Whew!

Aida's First Sleepover!

Aida was invited to her first sleepover! She went to Nikki's house for her birthday. They are in the same class and take tumble together. She was so excited, she had me take pictures of her backpack. They painted nails, sprayed their hair pink, watched "UP", made cupcakes and did karaoke! What a fun first sleepover!

Aida's First School Program

Aida had her first school program. It was the same Thanksgiving program that Henry did the year before! I guess when you have two children one year apart in school, that will happen! She was cute as a little Indian. After the program, we had a Thanksgiving feast in her classroom.

Halloween

We had a busy Halloween week as usual. Nate couldn't go to the parties this year because he was moving his office, so I was running back and forth from Henry's portable to Aida's classroom. They happened to be at opposite ends of the school - and Central Park is a large school! The kids both had their Halloween school parties and parade on the 30th and then we trick or treated on the 31st in the neighborhood. Henry has more candy than I have ever seen!!! We are going to have to get rid of it somehow! Both of the kids counted and sorted their candies by type! So funny.

Aida and Aish before trick-or-treating.

Neighbors

A mom made these eyeball cookies for Henry's school party. They were so cute. Nilla wafers with white chocolate on top, blue icing and an upside down chocolate chip. Red food coloring was applied with a toothpick for effect. They were yummy too!

Henry in his "cottage" or trailer!

Aida and I at her party.

Aida parading in front of the school.

Henry parading with his astronaut helmet on!

Henry ready for the parade.

Aida and fellow classmate/kitty Nikki.