Pip and Ollie

twenty-five. ollie.

2010-01-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

"Here's yer treasure map, matey!"

On Christmas morning Ollie helped us out with a little project Zach and I cooked up for Mike's gift, leading him on a treasure hunt for his gift, and making him do little things like shouting holiday greetings to the neighbors and giving his wife a kiss under the mistletoe.

Fun guy, that Ollie. We're so glad he's around.

Merry Christmas, all... and a very happy 2010.

twenty-two. ollie.

2010-01-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

"Let's bring some love to a friend who may need it today!"

(We managed to lose Zach's card before we got to her house, but we did decorate her walker with the "candy" garland. And she was happy.)

twenty-one. ollie.

2010-01-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

"Can we have a picnic under the Christmas tree tonight?"

And dinner led to a wrestling match between my guys. As it almost always does.

twenty. ollie.

2010-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

"I'd like to hear some Christmas carols!"

We had a little family night following the outline given here (the section titled "Suggested Lesson Part 2: Celebration").

Twenty-four. Pip.

2009-12-26T17:33:00.001-08:00

"Let's see what you made for each other - it's time to open the Sib Gifts!"

I'll probably post more about that on my other blog soon, but the kids made great gifts for each other this year - they were so proud and happy and there were lots of hugs!

(We open those on Christmas Eve so that the kids really appreciate each others' gifts and they're not compared to the bigger gifts they open on Christmas morning).

Twenty-three. Pip.

2009-12-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

"Time to make Christmas cookies!"

We made gluten-free sugar cookies, and regular. It was the first time we got out some cool forest animal cutters from IKEA.

Can you spot a moose, bear, hedgie-hog, fox, and squirrel?
Oh, and a purple penguin.

Twenty-two. Pip.

2009-12-24T10:35:00.001-08:00

"After all that sledding, you must be hungry - who wants french fries?"

They just opened an In-n-Out by our house - which is great because it's one of the few places that the middle boy can eat gluten-free.

Because it's a new one (I guess?) they had approximately 57 teenagers working there, who hooked the kids up with sticker pages and paper hats. Awesome.

Yum.

Twenty-one. Pip.

2009-12-22T08:03:00.001-08:00

"Let's go deliver some Christmas cheer!"

We delivered our neighbor gifts. Since the air is smoggy, I pulled the little asthmatic guy in the wagon with the bag of goodies and he was in charge of giving them to his big brother and sister in turn who rang the doorbells.

Crocheted dishcloths with dish soap - my kids were not impressed.

(HOW is this post number 21 for this year??? It went SO fast!)

Twenty. Pip.

2009-12-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

"Let's learn more about the real meaning of Christmas"

We watched "Joy to the World" (get your own free copy here).
We watch it every year. It's probably my favorite church movie.

Pip also came to church with us. He thought that the choir program was much better than last year.

Nineteen. Pip.

2009-12-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

"Let's go to the movies!"

Today Grandma was in charge of Pip's adventure. We hid Pip in her tree. She and Grandpa and Aunt Kellie took the kiddos out to see "The Princess and the Frog" (while Aaron and I went to lunch and shopping).

The reviews of the movie (from my fam) were all good! Yay!

Eighteen. Pip.

2009-12-19T20:38:00.001-08:00

"Pizza for dinner!"

No photo was taken - we were too busy with the whole "Om nom nom" thing.

We got takeout to celebrate the start of Aaron's Christmas vacation. We all love when he's home.

But really? I didn't want to make dinner.

Seventeen. Pip.

2009-12-19T20:32:00.001-08:00

(Christmas mazes - I haven't been putting notes on the self-explanatory ones).

nineteen. ollie.

2009-12-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

"Happy Christmas! Let's try a fun English tradition!"

I've been saving this one for a day when we'd have enough time to do it right, and finally, today was the day. So Zach and I grabbed tissue paper, construction paper, markers, and some paper tubes I've been squirreling away, and we got to work. Soon the table was set for a party.

We played parlor games and told jokes. Zach's was, "What did one man say to the other man? Bah, humbug!" We're on a Christmas Carol kick.

There was a lot of toasting. The boy does love to clink glasses.

Zach wanted to make a crown for Mike, and said he could be the king. He spent the whole evening calling Mike "Your Majesty" and doing whatever he asked. Here Mike is ordering him to sit on the floor.

Our "crackers" didn't actually pop, but they were still fun to rip open. And then we could play with the loot!

We'll definitely be doing this one again. Happy Christmas to you!

eighteen. ollie.

2009-12-18T12:42:00.001-08:00

"We need to hang up all these snowflakes!"

seventeen. ollie.

2009-12-18T12:40:00.001-08:00

"Let's wrap up some little gifts for your friends!"

Zach wrapped these neat little packages himself.

sixteen. ollie.

2009-12-18T12:37:00.001-08:00

"Can we bake cookies today?"

fifteen. ollie.

2009-12-18T12:33:00.001-08:00

"Let's make a treasure hunt to surprise someone!"

Done and done. That's all I'll say for now.

fourteen. ollie.

2009-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

"No snow yet. Let's make our own!"

There has been such a flurry of snowflake making in the house all week. I'm a bit concerned that we'll be buried in the blizzard. If not us... then at least Ollie may be.

Sixteen. Pip.

2009-12-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

"I want to show you some reindeer!"

This was actually kind of lame because 1 - they're elk, not reindeer - but I couldn't resist. 2 - I was trying to swing by on the way to drop the girl at a dance rehearsal but it was farther away than I thought so we ended up on the far side away from the big group of them and 3 - we just stayed in the car.

BUT, during the rehearsal the boys and I went to the store and finally found gluten-free graham crackers! And everyone loved them! So Thomas got his first 'real' s'more! That should have been the treat that day. I over thought it.

It was sticky and delicious.

Fifteen. Pip.

2009-12-16T07:23:00.000-08:00

"Help me make some Christmas wreaths!"

Fourteen. Pip.

2009-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

thirteen. ollie.

2009-12-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

"Tonight there will be singing... and cookies, too!"

(Here's an unrelated photo of scripture time. Three candles lit for the third Sunday of advent.)

Today I sang in our stake's Christmas cantata. I'm a bit of a choir geek. Our stake choir is quite good, and I love the music we sing. And so it was a nice night. And hey... cookies!

Thirteen. Pip.

2009-12-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Let's light some candles for dinner!"

Twelve. Pip.

2009-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

"Let's go see T dance in the Nutcracker!"

Once it started, Thomas was WAY upset that it wasn't the REAL Nutcracker - we've spoiled him by watching the Royal Ballet one on tape. But at least there was 'the battle' of sorts between the mice (jazz dancers) and the soldiers. That made him happy.

Even though it wasn't 'real', it was still fun and Christmas-y!

And the girl did brilliantly in both of her dances.
Bon Bons (jazz):

And the Waltz of the Flowers (ballet):

We're proud of her!

Eleven. Pip.

2009-12-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

"Let's read a chapter from this book for our bedtime story!"

We read "Mr. Edwards meets Santa Claus" from Little House on the Prairie.

twelve. ollie.

2009-12-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

"You get to go to Grandma and Grandpa's today! I wonder what you'll do there?"

(This is just a generic Christmasy photo I took last year, but I think they are going to see the lights tonight.)

Zach came down with Ollie's note today and said, "Mom... it says something exciting!!" So I'm sure they'll have a blast.

eleven. ollie.

2009-12-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

"It's so cold today. Let's spread some warmth!"

Hot loaves of bread on their way to a few friends who needed some caring today.

Ten. Pip.

2009-12-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

"Let's decorate the tree when Dad gets home! You can do moon sand while you're waiting."

We braved the 10 degree weather the night before to pick out our tree. That might have been crazy, but ended well.

Somehow this year the kids got tired of decorating the tree after about 20 minutes or so - might have something to do with those Star Wars ornaments I made them last year... they needed to PLAY with them.

But they all played together near the tree, listening to Christmas music, and the 4yo said, "This is the best night ever." (Except say "evvo" to get the full effect).

ten. ollie.

2009-12-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

"Let's go to the movies!"

(Aren't we adorable in our 3-D glasses? I'm just sad they aren't cardboard dealies with red and blue lenses.)

So we went to see Disney's A Christmas Carol. I had heard that some of it wasn't great for little kids, and I figured, "Yeah, Marley's ghost and the spooky Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come are always a little scary for kids, but hey... it's an animated Disney film. How bad can it be?"

Bad. Don't take your kids to this one. Really.

Here's a breakdown of the movie, which left Zach with a shaky voice, sweaty palms, and fingers in his ears:

3% Cute, clever bits

6% Random weird things thrown in

16% Fabulous animation and 3-D effects

32% Classic Dickens (aka dark and depressing, but with great morals)

43% Creeeepy (bordering on terrifying for children)

I love A Christmas Carol, but we will stick with the classic versions.

P.S. Zach was incredibly hyper and over-stimulated until we got started on his bedtime routine, but he says he had a fun evening. We saw some puppies and read a little James Herriot to end the night. It's all good.

nine. ollie.

2009-12-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

"Let's make gifts for your friends and family!"

Take two. Zach wasn't thrilled to find the same message for the second day running... I won't make that mistake again.

So we tried making beeswax ornaments. I thought, "How hard can it be?" Well, folks... this is our one and only survivor. And it's going on our very own tree. Oh, yes, it is.

We did make some other ornaments last night at cub scouts that can be given as gifts. We used sculpey clay for those... I'm not really the glutton for punishment that I sometimes appear.

Nine. Pip.

2009-12-09T16:15:00.001-08:00

"I love these pictures of you guys as babies - let's take some more Christmas pictures!"

So I tacked a piece of fabric to Monkey's wall over his bed, set the camera on the tripod, and handed the kids the remote shutter release.
So. Much. Fun.

Here are just a few of them (I think we took 134 shots) - and I didn't crop/edit any of them!

I think this is my favorite advent idea.

eight. ollie.

2009-12-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

"Let's make some gifts for your family and friends!"

Well, folks, there are no pictures today. Was it because we made adorable things that we'd like to keep secret till Christmas? That's a lovely thought.

But no... we just ran all day with no time for elfery, I'm afraid. Perhaps we'll catch up and do this another day, or perhaps not. Either way, tomorrow we'll try again!

Eight. Pip.

2009-12-08T18:57:00.001-08:00

"The nature table is still looking very Fall-ish - let's make it look more Christmas-y! Here's a little fox to put on it, too."

seven. ollie.

2009-12-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

"Let's play games for family night!"

Seven. Pip.

2009-12-07T18:22:00.001-08:00

"Let's go out in the snow!"

They shoveled for a minute - and then left to make snow forts.

Even Pip came out and helped - for a minute.

It was FREEZING. But the kids stayed out for about an hour and a half!

(okay, I color-corrected these photos already - they looked great until I uploaded them - my originals and bloggers are looking very different...)

Six. Pip.

2009-12-07T18:17:00.001-08:00

"It's time for the first showing of 'The Grinch'!"

I think Pip is getting even more snuggles than last year! The kids LOVE him so much!

six. ollie.

2009-12-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

"Let's learn more about Christ. Christmas is His day, after all!"

Tonight's scripture reading was about Samuel's prophecy of Christ's birth, which we read after lighting two candles on our advent wreath. (Just two more Sundays before Christmas!)

And we got to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. "Silent Night" gets me every time.

five. ollie.

2009-12-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

"Let's go downtown, baby!"

Our hometown has some Christmasy things happening today. Zach wasn't really into talking with Santa, but he loved the Christmas sing-along on the horse-and-carriage ride down Main Street.

Five. Pip.

2009-12-05T15:27:00.001-08:00

Do you see Pip?

No, really, do you see him? Hee hee!

"Let's dress up and have a DANCE PARTY!"

So we did.

We danced to an awesome Christmas mix my sister made us this year - first to The Ramones and then some other awesome Christmas songs..

Now we're tired.

Four. Pip.

2009-12-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

"I know you've been wanting to see this movie - want to make some popcorn?"

(It's the Playmobil Pirate Island movie - which I knew I wouldn't want to pay more than $1 for!)

The kids laughed and bounced the entire time! And they all said, 'Thanks, Pip!'

four. ollie.

2009-12-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

"These oranges smell so sweet. I bet we could make them even better!"

three. ollie.

2009-12-03T19:10:00.001-08:00

"Let there be light. Let's open up this box!"

I've been trying to come up with some ideas to add some calm and reverence to Zach's day, particularly at bedtime. So today we added a new bit to our bedtime routine... nightlight time. After playtime with Daddy, scriptures, and prayer, we light the lantern (which I ordered from Lehman's) and turn off all other lights. Then I sit with him on the bed so I can read to him and we can discuss whatever's on his mind before lights out.

I came back early from an activity so we could do that tonight, and while it started off a little muddled and confused, I'm so glad I was here for it. Because as soon as the lantern was lit and we were sitting there together, Zach snuggled up next to me and gave me happy little grins.

I think we're really going to like this.

(Oh, and no... that flame was not really that big and scary in real life.)

three. Pip.

2009-12-03T13:32:00.000-08:00

"Here are some Christmas pencils for you - because it's time to write letters to Santa!"

The 4yo's letter (for historical purposes):

Dear Santa,
I want a Mace Windu purple lightsaber that glows in the dark. I want the Millennium Falcon, a puppet show and some Star Wars guys. I want a toy Slave 1 ship and Legos - Diego duplos.
Merry Christmas, Santa!
Thank you!
p.s. Please bring my sister a pony toy.

The 7yo's letter:

Dear Santa,
I want to have a Star Wars AT-AT walker.* I also want Legos and Playmobil and Star Trek season 2. It is my favorite.

Thank you, Santa! Merry Christmas, Santa!

*not gonna happen.

The 9yo's letter:

Dear Santa: Thanks for my Mp3 player. I've been listening to it almost nonstop. This year for (Thomas) i would like legos, and for (monkey), i would like a Robin buildabear outfit. For me, I would like American Girl stuff, Playmobil, lego stuff, LPS stuff, and this really pretty chair that is just a back and arms, and is light pink with brown lining and has a picture of a really pretty horse*. Most of all, I really want the Playmobil Horse ranch. Please at least bring me the horse ranch.

Merry Christmas!
Thanks a lot.
Lots and lots and lots of love.

*This is what she's talking about - she really latched onto this thing in a catalog - it didn't make our cut, though.

Oh, kids. I'm sure they'll love whatever Santa brings.

two. ollie.

2009-12-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

"Let's get started on these letters!"

My family is doing a letter exchange this year for Christmas (more details here on my blog). So we'll draw a name each day from the jar, and concentrate our thoughts on writing to that person. We wrote some good ones today, I gotta say.

Oh, and to my family... just pray that we draw your name early. I have the feeling Zach is going to be lacking in the enthusiasm department by the end of the month! Maybe I should make sure he draws my name tomorrow...

Two. Pip.

2009-12-02T13:48:00.001-08:00

"It's a pretty nice day outside - will you take me to the park?"

(in the hat, scarf, mitten basket)

Of course the kids were happy to oblige.

Thomas made sure Pip got to try everything.

one. ollie.

2009-12-01T17:47:00.000-08:00

And it begins.

"I think we need a bigger tree than this one!"

After spending the afternoon choosing a beautiful tree and decorating it while reliving memories and discussing the people we love, our evening culminated with Zach rocking out with an electric guitar and trying his darnedest to memorize all the words to "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer".

We are nothing if not picturesque.

One. Pip.

2009-12-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Pip! The kids were SO excited to see you again! I think you will get lots of snuggles today!

Pip hid in the play kitchen - except quite visible because my kids are terrible 'finders'. Terrible. I still had to give them a hint.

He hid with some candy canes and a note which read:

"Hi Guys!
Boy, am I glad to be back!
I brought a treat for each of you - now let's set up the little nativity!

We are going to have so much fun this year!"

While the kids sucked on their little candy canes - they set up the Little People nativity - which turned into Princess doing a dramatic rendition of the story...

Before the monkey could get to it and replace the angel with a sheep...

Twenty-four. Pip.

2008-12-26T08:20:00.001-08:00

"Don't forget to leave some cookies for Santa!"

(Spritz and gluten-free snickerdoodles)

Each kiddo picked a cookie to give to Santa. And, since they insisted on chocolate milk, one poured the milk, one squirted the chocolate, and one stirred. It was very collaborative. And apparently, Santa enjoyed it all.

Twenty-Five. Ollie.

2008-12-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

"Let's get your family and open these presents!!!"

(A very merry Christmas to all of you!)

Twenty-Four. Ollie.

2008-12-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

"It's Christmas Eve! Time to party!"

(I didn't get any shots during the festivities with family, but here's a bit of the aftermath.)

Twenty-Three. Ollie.

2008-12-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

"Let's eat dinner by candlelight tonight!"

(Ollie must have gotten this idea from Pip. Ahem. I outdid you on the lameness of the meal, though, Kirsten... Totino's pizzas all around.)

In the middle of the meal, Zach said what I've been thinking all month... "This is a good Christmas, isn't it?" Indeed.

Twenty-two and Twenty-three. Pip.

2008-12-24T09:23:00.000-08:00

Twenty-two: "Put on your hats and mittens so we can deliver gifts to the neighbors!"

And I took no photos. But I'm actually kind of proud of myself for that - sometimes you should just chill and enjoy the moment without fussing about the camera, right?

Twenty-three: "We need to make room for new toys! Let's clean up the playroom- fast!"

(Yeah, I'm so lame. But it worked.)

Twenty-Two. Ollie.

2008-12-22T19:52:00.000-08:00

"Let's go see the lights!"

(So we went to see the lights. Gorgeous. And as a bonus, the boy saw a puppet show, fed a baby yak, dressed as an angel, and took a ride on a camel. It was a very good day.)

Twenty-One. Ollie.

2008-12-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

"Make a card to surprise someone today."

Twenty. Ollie.

2008-12-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

"Let's hang up all the cards we got from our friends!"

(We glued scrapbook paper to the clothespins to cuten them up. We wanted to hang the cards from a ribbon/string, but... it just didn't work out that way.)

Twenty-one. Pip.

2008-12-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

"Do you want to get out the big Christmas train?"

(making a tunnel)

We tried to give Pip a ride, too!

Someone gave my 6yo train-loving kid this train last year - and he's been asking to get it out again ALL YEAR.

And this morning the train has playmobil and Star Wars passengers.

Twenty. Pip.

2008-12-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

"Let's eat dinner by candlelight!"

(I didn't take the bells out of the jars, either - it was pretty, but the kids were concerned about melting the bells. Silly kids.)

On the menu: Nothing fancy.
Leftover Chinese for the girl, leftover Thai for the parents (mmmm), and sandwiches for the boys. That's what they wanted, I swear.

But everything was nicer with the candles lit. We need to do that more often! And get some tapers...

Nineteen. Ollie.

2008-12-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

"Will you write a Christmas story for me, please?"

It was nighttime on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. The monkey and the sheep were sleeping, and then they woke up, and it was Christmas. They opened their presents, and they played with their toys. The monkey got some glasses, and the sheep got the same thing. They were sunglasses.

The monkey said, "It's Christmas morning! Let's play!" First they danced. And then they did football. And then they wanted to sit down and tell stories to each other.

"Once upon a time, there was a man, and he was walking along, and he was trying to find something to eat. The end." That was the monkey's story. And then the sheep told her story.

""Once upon a time there was a woman, and she was going fishing. She caught a fish, and then she caught another one and another one and another one and another one and another one. Then she went home and she cooked the fish and they ate them. The end."

Then Christmas was over, and they slept again.

The End

Eighteen. Ollie.

2008-12-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

"Let's have a game night in our fort tonight!"

(Muppet Uno, how we love thee.)

Nineteen. Pip.

2008-12-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

"Want to go bowling?"

We went with my entire family - all their aunts, uncles and cousin (singular for now). They'd never been bowling before - it was fun!

Eighteen. Pip.

2008-12-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

"Let's make a gingerbread house!"

Our goal is always to fit as much candy on as possible.

Mission accomplished.

Seventeen. Ollie.

2008-12-18T17:51:00.001-08:00

"We need to do some Christmas shopping!"

(Wrapped and ready for Daddy on Christmas morning.)

Sixteen. Ollie.

2008-12-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

"Can we make Christmas cookies today?"

We started with these. You can find the recipe here. Yummm.

Seventeen. Pip.

2008-12-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

"Let's play with Moon Sand!"

Okay, so I swear I'm not buying stuff for them all the time, but I've been thinking off and on about this stuff as a sensory activity. And I went visiting teaching to a lady who swears by it and then the next day it was on sale at Target. Still not sure how I feel about it, though. I'm going to be sweeping up a lot today!

Sixteen. Pip.

2008-12-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

"Let's make a banner for the playroom!"

Welcome, Santa!

Fifteen. Ollie.

2008-12-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

"Let's draw some Christmas pictures!"

(Santa holding a child on his lap)

(A carnivorous-looking Santa with his adorable reindeer)

(And Zach says that's Ollie in front of the tree.)

Fourteen. Pip.

2008-12-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

"Let's watch a movie!"

We watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol" together - something we do every year. We watched under quilts, snuggled up with Pip and the Kermit toy I got when I was two. Even better was that towards the end we got our first 'neighbor gift' and got to munch on butter cookies. A great way to spend a Sunday night!

Fifteen. Pip.

2008-12-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

"Let's make some thumbprints!"

(We got this book for Christmas last year - it's good to remember to get it out!)

Fourteen. Ollie.

2008-12-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

"Let's write letters to some people we love!"

Thirteen. Ollie.

2008-12-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

"Let's make a Christmas present with your dad!"

Woodworking in progress.

Thirteen. Pip.

2008-12-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

"Let's go meet some more elves at Lucia!"

(He's hiding in their elf hats).

We perform with the Swedish Heritage Society every year at their Lucia festival. I got no good photos this year as I had to go on stage with the boys as a helper this year. But here's a couple from last year - it pretty much looked exactly the same this year! :)

Little tomtenisse dancing:

The Lucia/Starboy procession:

Twelve. Ollie.

2008-12-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

"We should learn a new Christmas song!"

Twelve. Pip.

2008-12-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

"Here are some new ornaments for the tree!"

Star Wars ornaments.

See, this was supposed to be day 11, but I had to wait for Aaron to get home to put the eye-screws in these hilarious Christmas star wars figures to make the ornaments. And when he got home... we forgot.

But they are hilarious, right?

Oh, and the kids totally called me on forgetting to hide Pip that day! They so love this.

Eleven. Ollie.

2008-12-11T21:57:00.001-08:00

"Let's make a fort to sleep in tonight!"

Care to visit? Just ring the doorbell... we'd love to have you.

Ten. Pip.

2008-12-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

"Let's set up the nativity!"

(This is the kids' nativity that they can play with - we still haven't gotten out the 'nice' one! Maybe we'll do that on Sunday.)

Ten. Ollie.

2008-12-10T14:49:00.001-08:00

"Let's have a Christmas movie marathon!"

Translation: "Mom has some handstitching to do today and doesn't want the house destroyed while she does it."

But look! Zach did some handstitching of his own, and made this little guy (with a bit of help).

Nine. Ollie.

2008-12-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

"Feed the birds. Tuppence a bag."

Nine. Pip.

2008-12-10T06:21:00.000-08:00

"Let's decorate the tree!"

(Finally! - we were short on lights and hadn't had time to pick some up until yesterday).

Eight. Pip.

2008-12-09T04:52:00.000-08:00

"Let's do mazes!"

(I googled 'Christmas maze printable'.)

Eight. Ollie.

2008-12-08T17:33:00.001-08:00

"We need another ornament right here. Let's make some!"

(I love how the snowman reminds me of a Muppet.)

Seven. Ollie.

2008-12-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

"Let's spread a little cheer today."

(The flowers were hand-delivered to someone we thought might need a bit of love this Christmas season.)

Seven. Pip.

2008-12-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

"Here's a treat for you!"

'Nuff said!

Six. Pip.

2008-12-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

"Let's get our tree today!"

(Definitely not as picturesque as Amy's trip! I wish we had somewhere like that here!)

(We don't bother tying it to the roof - we just shove it in our van with the kids!)

Six. Ollie.

2008-12-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

"Do you want to write a letter to Santa?"

(Yes, he truly requested a drum set and a real electric guitar. I'm in so much trouble.)

And then Zach and Ollie went to see the Big Man himself!! And they were SOOOO excited.

Santa was happy to see Ollie again and know that he is in a happy home.

Five. Pip.

2008-12-06T08:11:00.001-08:00

"Let's play a game!"

A new card game (first UNO) - and cardholders for the boys that I whipped up in 30 seconds from stuff in my kitchen (cottage cheese lids + brads).

They totally worked.

We played as a family and my 6yo, who had never played a card game before, won 3 of the 5 UNO games! He loved it (and he'd do this hilarious evil chuckle when he played a Draw Two).

Five. Ollie.

2008-12-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

"I'd like to hear this music while we decorate the tree."

(The CD is one from Target that Zach heard and loved. It was also Zach's first introduction to classics such as The Chipmunk Song and Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Hmm.) Check here for links to some of our favorite Christmas music.)

Four. Pip.

2008-12-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

"Let's build a fort!"

Four. Ollie.

2008-12-04T22:33:00.000-08:00

"Can we go get our Christmas tree today?"

(Absolutely. Zach isn't overly picky about trees. About fifteen times we heard, "Okay, this one. Yeah, let's just chop this one!" It's all about the chopping for that boy.)

Three. Pip.

2008-12-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

"Let's hang up the stockings!"

(By the basement door - he must have brought up the stockings himself!)

(Don't ask me why Monkey is wearing a belt over his overalls. I usually have nothing to do with his ensemble these days.)

Three. Ollie.

2008-12-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

"Let's decorate outside today."

(After hanging some wreaths, etc., we decided to work on a project I've been thinking about for a while, stars to hang from the trees. Any straightish twig... that wasn't immediately relegated to Zach's impressive stick arsenal... is in the process of becoming a star.)

Two. Pip.

2008-12-03T06:41:00.001-08:00

"Let's write letters to Santa!"

3yo:

(A jet pack?!?)

6yo:

8yo:

One. Pip.

2008-12-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

Pip Arrived!

What a great surprise! He was immediately dressed up in a playsilk and bell and spent some of the afternoon on our mantel.

When he wasn't dancing to Christmas music...

Two. Ollie.

2008-12-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

"Please read me a story."

(Let it be noted that my son willingly read through more than one Christmas book... for the elf's sake.)

One. Ollie.

2008-12-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

Look who showed up at our house today! This is Ollie. And that happy kid holding on to him? That's Zach. We decorated the house today to make Ollie feel at home. We can't wait to see what things he has planned for us.

Meet the players.

2008-12-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

Say hello to Ollie and Pip.

The North Pole was just too cold for these little elves, so they've come to live with us. Hide-and-seek is their favorite game, and they play it every day in December. The best part, though, is joining in their adventures once we've found them. They leave us little notes, letting us know what they'd like to do, and we'll share the notes with you. Follow along as we play!

Oh, and if any elves make it to your doorstep to play, too, please let us know so we can see what you're up to!