Christmas is over

I will soon post photos from Christmas but for now I will leave you with a sure sign that Christmas is over. This was our gingerbread house.

Dick and Jane

I remember reading Dick and Jane books when I was a youngster. "Look, Jane, Look!" When on a trip to the St. Paul Public Library I spotted Dick and Jane I just had to bring them home. Jackson is reading from them and I find it incredibly rewarding!



Christmas Eve at Grandma Jan's



Great Grandpa Jim and Addie



Great Grandpa Jim, Addie and Jackson

Time to make a note for Santa

For you Santa and your Reindeer.

Christmas at Grandma Pam's

Addie and Jackson got a real kick out of Christmas this year.  Jackson couldn't wait to get everything on his list and Addie was completely afraid of Santa Claus.  I would wrap presents and Addie would sit in my lap clinging to me, thinking that Santa would plop down our chimney at any moment.  We spent Christmas with all of those that we love over the course of a few days and got so many wonderful gifts and new toys to play with. The first of our stops was at Grandma Pam's to celebrate. (Jackson insisted that he should wear a tie.)

Wearing the same dress my mom wore when she was little.

Santa came for a visit.

The boys.

Sara and Lukey

Jackson and Santa

Sara and her mom

And the whole crew!

Merry Christmas

I did it!

I can't believe this day is finnally here!!!  I graduated.

The last few weeks have been nothing but work and homework, I've gone cross-eyed sitting at the computer and now I'm done.  I don't ever have to open a textbook again.  I am beyond thrilled, so much so that i can't even begin to explain how happy I feel!

Christmas Baking

This kid is getting so big!  Jackson made 2 dozen christmas cookies this year entirely on his own, minus the whole hot oven part.  He rolled the dough, used flour on his rolling pin and made them into candycanes, snowmen and gingerbread.  I can't believe how patient and determined this kid was.  It was so great working with him.

Jackson's Bed

 Ron has a project going for Jackson's room, a new bed.  A loft bed with a desk!  Jackson is thrilled.

This looks cozy.

Hanukkah

This year Jackson and I spent significant time learning about Hanukkah, the story and customs of the celebration.  We made a menorrah from marshmallows and birthday candles, made latkas for lunch and discussed Judaism and learned of Judas Maccabeus.  I thought all was well and I was proud of my teachings but realized how much I missed telling Jackson after a trip to Target.  As we were walking the main aisle, he noticed a selection of Menorrahs on an endcap.  He pointed them out and we were stopped to take a closer look when Jackson asked why there would be Menorrahs in Target when there aren't any Jews in Minnesota. Oh Vey!

Where do the Elves live?

In Gingerbread houses of course.  Thankfully more candy ended up on the house than in the mouths of the young ones, but there was a lot of candy-eating going on.  This years house was not as solidly built as ones in years past.  At first, I didn't add enough water to our "glue" and then I over did it.  I was dripping sticky glue all over, the frosting was running down my hands and slipping off the gingerbread. The roof almost caved in but we managed to save it.  I thought for sure we'd wake up in the morning with a collapsed house, but it was still standing.

Winter Camping

To keep the kids busy this weekend, Ron set up the tent... in our living room!!  Jackson and Addie watched The Jungle Book from inside the tent.  Jackson talked Ron into sleeping in the tent with him the first night and I was the lucky camper the second night. When I woke up I encouraged Ron to take the tent down for fear of spending the next week sleeping on the floor!