Christmas Party Time!

Wow - this week was one for the record books. I have been sick for 8 straight days. Luckily the kids have been spared thus far but Matt is in the midst of it now. But - we kept up the good fight with multiple activities, Christmas preparations, and of course Christmas itself! So lots of memories but few pictures.

On Tuesday, we went to Brenner's class to help with STEM gingerbread houses. The kids had to make a circuit to light up a bulb before engineering their actual house. It was a lot of fun!

Brenner's creation complete with a chimney. The kids got to eat candy they didn't use. Note Brenner's house had little candy on his design :)

The STEM village :)

The eighth grade band came to Brenner's class.

Later in the after, the class walked to a nearby nursing home to play bingo with the residents. Did I mention that Brenner's teacher Mrs. Own is awesome!

Brenner made one of the school posters!

On Wednesday, I started the day at Nola's school for her Christmas party. They danced with Rudolph noses!

Nola talking with Santa. She told him she wanted a Rudolph!

Kids getting ready for the bus. It was hat day for Nola and Corbin. Brenner is sporting the scarf that he made in class (again - his teacher is awesome about thinking outside the box to stimulate the kids). Brenner loved the "gas pedal" on her sewing machine!

At Brenner's party, we had cocoa, played games, and watched a movie.

Some of Nola's work!

Brenner spent a lot of time on this creation....and specifically asked me to post it to the blog.

The kids were wound up for Santa. We got a lot of questions this year from Brenner about Santa. I said if you don't believe, then Santa won't bring you a present (only one comes from Santa at our house). He was quick to say that he believes.

Christmas morning - really early morning. Brenner woke up at 1 am and Matt told him to go back to bed. Nola then woke up at 2 am and we told her the same. I got up with them at 5 am and put on a movies (still feeling puny and Matt was sick).

Brenner loved his new Camp Half-Blood t-shirt. He also spent a lot of time with his Pokemon cards, dart gun, and other toys.

Nola loved her guitar and new tennis shoes. These kids are pretty easy to please....some days. We then cleaned house and headed to church before the Vogans, Greskos, and Hincks came over for lunch!

Many gifts from the family - games, books, clothes, keyboard stand (yeah) - thanks to everyone!

Brenner also performed his first piano recital for the family playing Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. He did great and Nola strummed her new ukulele.

Ice storm and Hinck Family Christmas

What a weekend with an unexpected ice storm that made us miss the Nutcracker ballet in Kansas City. Nola and her cousin (and us adults) were very disappointed but it wasn't worth the risk to drive in the ice. We did get to celebrate the Hinck Family Christmas at my mom's house which was a lot of fun!

Brenner decided (on his own) to write a letter to his favorite author Rick Roirdon. I explained that he may (likely) not write back but Brenner was ok with that. The letter was well crafted and included a potential story line of bringing all the main characters from each book series into one series. As you can tell - Brenner is his #1 fan :)

Icy conditions led to craft time inside. The kids wanted to make clay figurines with one of Nola's birthday gifts. My favorite was Brenner's "rapper snowman" with sunglasses included. I made the octopus and pea pod. Fun time!

We had to make cut out sugar cookies for Cousin Colten - I had help for a few minutes!

Little bit of time outside on our ice rink!

The kids participated in the church program - cute noses!

Can't forget Brenner!

Nola and her buddy Morgan saying their line in unison!

Brenner said his lines clear and loud (and fast) - he looked so grown up in his "dress shirt" - ha!

We tried taking a family picture in front of our tree......obviously it didn't work out!

The young ones at Grandma's house!

I got some baby Mackinzee time - what a cute little butterball!

Nola enjoying her gifts.

Brenner informed us that he had a strategy- opening presents smallest to largest.

PawPaw Hinckle with his gifts - lottery tickets. We laughed at the shavings on his stomach! He won a few bucks!

Lynn and me - our hair almost matches?!

This toy was awesome - Crocodile dentist. It's mouth opens and you push the teeth down and it randomly closes on your hand - the kids had a ball with it!

The kids in front our Christmas tree.

Brenner showing off his new futsal shoes - practice begins soon.

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Nola had her school Christmas program this week - it was wonderful. The rest of the week flew by and we sadly didn't pick up the camera that much! It took us FOUR days to decorate our tree - that never used to happen but you fit things in when you can!

Nola before her program looking gorgeous!

Nola looking for her friends before the program starts.

Nola very excited for the program to start.

Nola singing her heart out - she was so fun to watch.

Looks like these two are up to something.

So angelic.

Love Corbin's face in this picture!

On Saturday, Nola helped me with our annual gift boxes. In between batches, we wrapped presents!

Some of Brenner's great art work. Brenner was pretty chatty this week about Callie, a girl in his class that he likes. He was too funny. This is the one that calls him "Cookie".

Some of Brenner's work. He has been up and down on his spelling - not sure what is up but we will just keep talking about his days.

Nola's class is working on a lot of writing, math, and combo sheets. Time is flying!

Third grade program and Washington DC

Matt and I traveled to Washington DC this week - I worked while he played! We stayed over the weekend so that I could have a little fun as well. We had a great time but missed Brenner's 3rd grade Christmas Program. Luckily, I have an awesome mom and friend who had us on speaker so we could hear Brenner's lines and see video (my friend recorded it). It was like we were there - almost.

Brenner and Nola on the night of the program. We came to an agreement on a shirt over the phone.

Brenner on stage with his friends.

Nola's class made PB&J - and them ate them. Look who was hungry!

I go to Washington DC once or twice a year but never have time to site see. But - this trip was different. Matt walked around while I was at work, but saved a few places that I wanted to see - Like the National Archive. We took some time in the Rotunda to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It was amazing to see all the names that you learned about Civic classes many moons ago.

The Botanic Garden had an amazing display of National Historic Places to help celebrate the National Park Service's 100th anniversary. All of the places were made out of natural materials - it was so neat.

Tree lighting ceremony in front of the White House (You can see the tree in the background). We heard Kelly Clarkson sing and decided to go have dinner because we were for sure when the President would light the tree. We left 15 minutes too soon.......

But - came back a few nights later to see it lit up!

On Saturday, a friend got us passes to tour the White House. AMAZING! This is one of the columns decorated with various sized red ribbons.

The Obama's Christmas Card this year - did you get yours already?

The library hosted a display promoting education for girls around the world. These trees were made out of pencils.

The East Room - largest room in the White House featuring a beautiful nativity, large nutcracker, a portrait of George Washington, and several large Christmas trees (no fakes on here - thank you very much!).

Beautiful ornaments on the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room - it went all the way to ceiling - almost 18 feet.

Our view from the Blue Room.

Citrus tree in the Red Room. The oranges smelled amazing.

The Dining Room complete with lego display below portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Many gingerbreads are on the trees.

Matt and I in the doorway of the Blue Room (White House Christmas tree is behind us).

The Georgetown Phantoms (a cappella group) performing at the end of the tour.

One last photo as we leave the White House. What an experience - it was so cool. Glad we could do it before the administration change!

Later on Saturday night we walked three miles to attend the National Community Church Barracks Row service. This church was started by Mark Batterson. Love his book The Circle Maker. It was an energizing service - we had lots to talk about on the long walk back to our hotel in Thomas Circle!