We finally got around to decorating our Christmas cookies today. The natural vegetable dyes are not as vibrant and bold as the synthetic ones, but the boys and I don't mind. The decorating bottles I bought last year worked perfect for the boys and made it even more fun! The cookies we made are just a basic cookie recipe, but I used sprouted whole grain flour. They taste great!
Cameron really wanted to try to eat a cranberry out of the bag. Carson told him it would taste terrible, but he wanted to try it anyway. He ate it and smiled and convinced me and Carson that he liked it. Then he urged Carson to eat one. After Carson tried one, Cameron rolled over in laughter. I took a picture of each of their reactions. Sneaky 4 year old - sure have my hands full with this boy!
Mark and I took the boys last night to the Gaylord Texan. They have it decorated so beautifully. We had a lovely dinner and explored everywhere. They even had a life-sized gingerbread house decorated with candy and chocolate!
Sorry the pictures didn't come out too well.
Yesterday afternoon, I also took the boys to meet up with their good friends to watch a fun marionette variety Christmas show. I was thrilled to spend some time chatting with their mom, my sweet friend Jen.
The boys and I just finished making snowglobes. Fun! We used pimento jars, glitter and plastic animals we already had. Here is a great trick I learned online: put 1 tsp of corn syrup into the water. It makes the glitter fall slower.
I took the boys skating today with Santa Claus. Cameron followed him all over the rink and loved doing the limbo with him. (That is Carson in the background as a blur speeding under the limbo pole)
Yesterday the boys were each inspired to write a book about animals. We stopped all 'school' and just did this. I figured it covered almost all subjects and then some. I LOVE homeschooling!
My good friend's daughter just turned 8 years old. We had a wonderful time celebrating with them and all of their friends last night. One of my favorite evenings this year! Thanks Sree!
The boys and I just got home from another fun Christmas party. It was a bunch of home school friends and the children did a fun ornament exchange. The kids ranged in age from baby to teenager. Great group of people.
Heading out to meet Mark in downtown for a Christmas party. I love this time of year!
Our advent calendar today was make gingerbread men cookies! They sure do smell yummy!
The boys decided that they wanted to make yule logs. I went outside and found a small log and split it in half with a screwdriver and hammer. Then they hot glue gunned anything that they could get their hands on.
My good friend Jen inspired me to create a homemade advent calendar. After a trip to the dollar store, I came home with these adorable little stockings that I numbered and clipped to a silver rope. Instead of the typical chocolate and toys, most days will be filled with a paper stating an act of kindness for the day or a non-tangible item (ex: make and send a card to someone special, make cookies for neighbor, play board games instead of doing school, etc.).
I can't wait for the boys to see this in the morning!
I made homemade candy bars this afternoon with the boys. Yum!
First, I started making a regular recipe of date nut bars in the food processor....dates, nuts, banana, vanilla, coconut, nutmeg. Then I melted some dark chocolate and spread it on top. They were a hit!
The boys wanted to do some school today so in addition to a little of their regular curriculum, I came up with this Native American teepee scene idea. We went outside and hunted for tiny rocks and sticks. It turned out really well!
My amazing mom and dad came in the afternoon and brought a gorgeous and delicious homemade Thanksgiving meal! My only contribution were the pies. Fortunately, my sister and her family were able to make it also. It was such a nice time and we watched half of the Cowboys game after the meal. I just wish we had gotten a few pictures of the beautiful table and the yummy food.
I am so thankful for my amazing family, my incredible friends, and my special boys. This year, I am especially grateful to my mom and sister who are there for me when I really needed them. I am truly fortunate.
The boys and I collected twigs this morning that we put in a pot with playdough. Now we are making leaves out of construction paper to hang on the tree. The boys aren't wasting any time writing what they are thankful for on each leaf. 'Mom' and ' Homeschooling' are both of their #1. I am so thankful for these beautiful boys!
Cameron and I made some peanut butter cups while Carson worked some more on the front yard 3-headed monster he made with his dad. Fog will come out of the mouths. It is a bit freaky to me.
The boys had a great time this year in our fall co-op. Here is a picture of them with Miss Lisa in one of their favorite classes, Ancient Greece.
At our preschool meetup and we made pasta skeletons. Here is a Cameron's creation.
The boys and I had so much fun at or annual homeschool ' Handy dandy no-candy' Halloween party. Did I mention homeschooling isn't just for the kids? I LOVE my friends! You girls rock!
The boys and I are eating lunch on Starbuck's porch after doing some errands around the neighborhood. Mark went hunting so we have special fun day planned :) The day couldn't be more beautiful!
The boys and I met up with a big group of friends to attend a Dallas Symphony Orchestra Youth concert. Afterwards, the boys convinced me to take them to a fancy restaurant since they were ' dressed up'. They were so handsome!
Mark and I took the boys camping last weekend. Even though they didn't catch anything, fishing was a highlight for the boys!
It looks like I'm raising a couple of pranksters. When I get in my van, sometimes I have a witch buckled into my seat belt. While getting ready for bed, this is what I find. Silly boys!
Spent a lovely day yesterday at the Dallas Arboretum with friends. The boys had a really nice time playing with their friends. I loved catching up with my friend too! Love you Sree!
Straight from co-op on Friday, I took the boys to meet with friends for an overnight camping trip. The boys and I were able to set up camp with some friendly help! Mark was able to show up later and the boys were so happy he made it.
