Ski For Yourself

I'd been trying to convince Jason that taking Kyle and Reed skiing was a really good idea.

Jason (being the realist) said there was no way they were going to be able to ski.

Me (being the "creative one") reasoned that since they were the stars of gymnastics class, of course they'd be great skiers.

Yesterday was the big test.

I took pictures while they were being fitted for their boots/skis since I was nervous I'd be too busy with falling down skiers watching them swoosh down the mountain. -

Even though it was snowing, I was already sweating by the time we got everybody unloaded, dressed, and to the bunny hill.

We dove right in and put them on the ski lift first thing. 

They were wearing little backpacks with handles, so I just picked Kyle up by his handle and put him right on...just like a piece of luggage!

   I think Jason made Reed work a little more than I made Kyle.  I had Kyle between my legs just like Jason has Reed, except I put my arms under his armpits and just went down the mountain. It was basically like skiing with a 25 pound 3 foot tall kettle ball.

A fuzzy picture, but at least it proves I was there!

 My ski partner.

We did the bunny hill about 4 or 5 times, and though I'm not sure you can call what Kyle and Reed did "skiing", they loved everything about it. 

Nobody cried, fell off the lift, or got run over. 

I'd say it was a very successful day!

A Walk in Israel (My German-Jew-Presbyterian Mom will be Thrilled)

I needed to run over to Farmington yesterday for a Target trip, so while we were in town we decided to check out one of the local church's Walk Through Bethlehem.  (FYI: If you've never been to one before, A Walk Through Bethlehem is waaaayyy more than a live Nativity.)

JR and I had been to one before in Huntsville, Texas (all the churches in town get together to put it on), and it was quite a production. I wasn't expecting all that much since this was just one church, but it was really good. (The kids loved it!)

Your guide starts out warning you about the "mean" Roman Soldiers. 

You then encounter the "mean" soldiers, who I thought might be a little scary for Kyle and Reed.

 Especially since there was a little boy about JR's age screaming and crying,

"Noooo! I don't want to goooooo!" 

 It was seriously like his parents were about to drag him through a haunted house.

About that time, the guards all banged their spears and gave a loud "HAIL CAESAR!"

 (I may or may not have jumped a little bit.)

To which Kyle hollered back, "HAIL CAESAR!"

So besides declaring his allegiance to Caesar, you can also imagine what Kyle liked best about the walk. 

Yep, live animals.

JR was so excited they were passing out bread (and not vegetables) he was happy to partake. 

I didn't get a picture of Reed, but he was quick to tell me all about Baby Jesus (who was a real baby, BTW).

Reed: Mommy, I saw Baby Jesus taking a nap. We had to be quiet because he was sleeping.  Did you know Baby Jesus has wings....and can fly? 

He then broke out into his rendition of Jesus Loves Me.

Come On In!

Jason and I hosted our Annual Christmas Open House last night. 

I had the camera set out so I would be sure and take pictures. 

But I thought, Hum, maybe I should take a picture of the table before everyone arrives.

And then I said, "Here Jason, take a picture of us...just in case."

 And those were the last two pictures taken. 

We had a great turn out, and so much fun!  I think we had about 30 adults and 20+ kids. 

Speaking of kids... 

They had their own little party downstairs in our play room. 

So it was with a deep breath that I went downstairs to check out the "damage".

I quickly started laughing when I spotted this.

A sock sticking out of the piano! 

Is this the kid version of the lampshade on the head?

I think it's safe to say we all had fun.

It Was Like a Norman Rockwell Painting

Is there anything more beautiful, calm, and serene than baking Christmas cookies with your kids?

I know mine are so well behaved, patient, and not messy.

Ahhh.

What a sweet time together.

Let's take a look at the "memories" we made yesterday.

Now don't worry about Kyle's seemingly "ang-a-ree" mood.

It was all my fault.

 I was the mean mom that wouldn't let him sit on the footstool JR was using, and made him sit on a barstool instead so he could actually see what was going on.

Just look how thrilled he is about baking with mom!

He was so sad when he told us he'd be leaving the baking area to go watch TV.

Worried you hadn't seen The Cake Boss? 

He took a long nap yesterday, so you can imagine how excited he was when he marched in to find we had started without him. 

 

You'll notice I have tons of pictures since the mishaps were few and far between. 

Just check out the dough stuck to JR's rolling pin. 

The tell-tale sign of an expert baker.

Later,  Kyle walked in like this and announced, "I'm going to lunch."

 I was having so much fun I had no desire to scream out, "Take me with you!"

Good times. Good times.

So Not a Cake Wreck!

Jason and JR spent most of Sunday afternoon working on their cake for the Father/Son Cub Scout Cake Bake. 

I was actually really impressed with Jason.  Jason's a great cook, but I do all the baking/decorating in the house, so I wasn't expecting him to be able to make a cake. I even called my dad to say, "Well, you know it would be amazing if JR was making it with you. But Jason? Eh. He's not like we are."

Jason, I take back what I said.  You did great!

Reed was seriously upset that he wasn't allowed to help.  So, in typical Reed fashion, he tried his best to be in everybody's business anyway and "boss" from the sidelines.

I almost freaked out when Jason started icing the cupcakes to look like tree leaves.  It was almost as exciting as learning he could make balloon animals!

Finished cake awaiting judging

I couldn't believe it. JR actually won 2nd place!

 (I'm in the picture with him since I was helping hand out awards.  I know you're shocked.  Me...right in the middle of everything.)

The competition was fierce. You can check out most of the other cakes over at our Pack 504 blog.

Jason and JR with their winning masterpiece.

Witty Titles Aren't Coming Easy Either

I really can't seem to get it together this Christmas. 

 Even though I've got all the kids' presents bought, (did I mention I was also in charge of buying the kids' gifts for all the grandparents?) my to-do list seems to get longer each day, and I'm not even sure how it's happening.  

My reaction when I discovered JR didn't have spelling sentences this week was nothing short of ridiculous.

"You don't have spelling this week! Ohhh! Did you tell your teacher,"THANK YOU!"?

(And I may or may not have said "Woohoo!" and done some form of a little happy dance.)

With all that said, the side of my brain that crafts amusing stories about the family just isn't working like it should. 

So today you get some pictures of us before Jason's work Christmas party. Even with two pictures combined, you still won't see each kid looking at the camera, not rubbing their face, or standing still so as not to be blurry.

Oh, and I think the House Fashionista approved of my dress.

 It was covered in large sequin discs, (JD helped me pick it out in Houston. You can read about his take on that day here.) and Kyle couldn't help petting it.  I'd say that's a seal of approval! 

(And yes, he's wearing his Halloween costume....again.)

Crackin' Those Nuts

We were driving home the other night and JR started telling me he wanted to see The Nutcracker. I informed him it was NOTHING like Tom and Jerry Nutcracker (which has been in heavy DVD rotation since Thanksgiving), but he kept telling me he really wanted to go.

Me: JR, now you know it's a ballet. With ballerinas.

JR: Are there boys in it?

Me: There are.  But not a lot, it's mostly girls.

JR: Is the music the same as in Tom and Jerry?

Me: It is.  It's the exact same music.

JR: I want to go; I really like the music.

So I bought tickets for the two of us to attend The Nutcracker on Friday night.

Terrible picture with my phone, but great seats and super excited about the show starting.

 During intermission JR ran into his friend, Steven.  Steven's older sister was a mouse!

JR loved intermission, especially when I got him a hot chocolate.

Thankfully the Ft. Lewis College Concert Hall is nothing like The Stage Theater in Denver.  Not only did the helpful and friendly ushers let JR bring in his hot chocolate, they even let us rest it on the railing!   

So how did JR like the show?

He loved it!

(I'm actually really impressed with his maturity. He sat still through the whole thing and watched closely...only talking to tell me which songs he really liked.)

As soon as it was over he said, "Can we come back next year?"

After tellling me he liked the Russian dancers best,

 he said, "You want to know what my least favorite part was?"

Me: What?
JR: When that baby started crying. Why would people bring a baby to The Nutcracker? We left our babies at home!

Here's hoping JR and I have a new Christmas tradition.