edge.of.their.seats...

The kids loved The Nutcracker.  They were getting squirmy in the moments before the curtain went up, and as soon as it did, backs were straight and I kid you not, edge of their seats for nearly and hour.  They've never seen ballet before and I hope this is the start of a wonderful tradition for our little family. 

I have wonderful memories of attending the program as a child to watch my sister perform.  Just hearing that music brought back so many scenes that I'd forgotten from The Nutcracker way back when.  When my friend Tara was a candy cane.  When Randall was the Mouse King.  When Maria was an Arabian Princess.  And on and on.  Oh!  I am having Nutcracker on the brain these days.

Kids begin their Christmas break tomorrow.  Yay!  More freedom around the house.  Matthew has taken a sudden interest in basketball so we will find ourselves over at the neighbor's house I'm sure, practicing our mad b-ball skills.

I'm currently reading a book titled Clutter Busting.  If you know me but at all you're probably wondering why in the world I'm reading a book about clutter.  I tell you what, no matter how good you think you are about getting rid of stuff this book will bring to light a whole new level of clutter that you probably didn't even know was there.  It's fascinating to me.  I love reading it.  And learning from it.  Christmas break will include more de-cluttering.

I finally bought a sewing machine.  I say finally, because it's been on my mind for several months now about whether or not I should buy one.  And I just realized one day that I was going to do it.  {Backstory} I made a quick trip to Seattle in November for my grandpa's funeral and while there picked up a ton of great fabric that you simply cannot find in my town.  Specifically, fabric to make robes for my three children.  A hefty first project I'm sure but I figured with a pattern I couldn't go wrong.  We got the project started out there and by the time I came home here to the midwest there were only a few weeks before Christmas.  I knew if I was going to get these done in time I'd have to have a machine of my own.  So off I went and bought it.  I am loving it!  Two robes down, one to go.  Christmas break will include more sewing.

It will also include I'm sure, getting my hair done by my girls, Pretty Pretty Princess, reading time with my boy, and wishing and wishing for snow!

As if on cue...

It wasn't much, but snow none the less.  Just a dusting really.  When Jim and I walked out of the annual Christmas Gala we were met with the very beginnings of snow.  The kind that is sparkly under the lights.  And I thought, now, that is just the perfect ending to a beautiful evening.

We'd spent the 2hrs. prior, sipping wine, munching horderves, and making small talk with other fellow employees and their spouses.  We go almost every year and the kids are usually amazed that mama can look sooooo fancy.

Don't you love what they captured?  It's their turn to get fancy tonight as I'm taking the big kids to their first ever,

Nutcracker! 

 Lots of excitement here.  Can't wait to see what they think about it.

A far cry from last year...

This time last year our yard was burried in snow.  We'd said goodbye to the grass and accepted that winter was indeed here.

This year?  Well, I'm beginning to have my doubts.  Not a flake of snow on the ground.  Our grass is as plain as day and school gets out for Christmas break in less than a week.  What?  But there is no snow on the ground! 

 Last night at the dinner table Matthew shared that it wasn't winter unless there was snow, and it wasn't summer unless there was hot, hot, sun.  That's my boy.

The fun about living in the midwest is the chance to experience all of those seasons.  But, I'm missing the snow.  I hope it comes soon.

Sara and I went for our walk this morning but more and more she prefers to walk with me instead of letting me push her in the stroller.  This means I forgo my brisk walk and switch gears for a meandering stroll instead.  We didn't get far today on our walk, but admired Christmas decorations in yards and what fun it was to just stand in front of one and listen to Sara as she described what she liked about it.

Have you ever analized yard decorations?  I suppose it is more fun with a preschooler, otherwise you're just an adult lurking around someone else's yard.  So maybe don't do that unless you have a young one with you.

Speaking of preschoolers, it's just about time for me to sign my little one up.  It gives me just the smallest twinge of something in my gut.  The *gasp* she's almost four already?  The *gasp* do I really  have to send her?  And then, I catch my breath and realize that yes, I do need to send her and while she will be missed around here it's okay.  She'll be okay, and so will I. 

 She's been a wonderful little sidekick and blessing for me to have with me.  In a matter of months it'll be time for her to join the ranks of all the other kids and go to school!  She reminds me that when she's four she will be ready to go.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

Until then, we are enjoying our mornings of coffee and special coffee and many, many games of Pretty Pretty Little Princess.  Have you ever played that?  It's a hoot.

Oh sweet one...

We worked on our gingerbread compound a little bit more today.  It's coming along nicely.  I think all the structures are completed and we're just waiting on a few more decorations.  Sara couldn't decide where she wanted to put her trees.  It's what she's trying to figure out in these pictures below. 

The other day she spent a considerable amount of time cutting twizzlers into small little pieces which Matthew later told me were her trees.  For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be.

It cracks me up that she was so undecided with this.  Glad I was there to witness it.

I noticed the signs today...

Signs that winter is coming.  Well, besides the obvious; that I really needed my hat and gloves and maybe an extra layer today when I walked the kids up to school.  I went to the grocery store and saw them.  The tall post markers with red at the top to signal the end of a curb so the plow doesn't hit it.  So cars know to go around it. 

The very huge piles of salt downtown by the river that have been delivered in preparation for upcoming snowfalls.

The snow will come soon enough.  And it's funny to see those poles pop up in people's driveways too.  Except those ones seems to get shorter as the winter goes on because the snow keeps piling up and piling up without a plow to clear it.

I find myself looking forward to this winter unlike seasons past.  I think last year I actually truly enjoyed it but wasn't looking forward to it.  We had such success last year with ice skating that I'm just itching to get out there and have another go at it.  Another 6 weeks or so and I think we'll be on our way.

For now, just trying to manage kids who don't want to wear appropriate clothing or complain because it's still new enough in the season that mittens and bulky coats feel funny.  A few more weeks and it'll become second nature to everyone.  Until then, I just brace myself for the few moments before everyone gets out the door.  There is usually one meltdown; admittedly, sometimes it's me. 

sigh.

We'll get there.  A few more weeks and it'll all be second nature.

Breathing a little easier...

Well, four days without a kitchen sink just about did me in.  And it wasn't the eating simply or washing dishes in the bathroom sink that was the problem.  It was the "what if we can't get it unclogged?" that wracked my days with worry.  In my mind I saw cupboards needing to be ripped out, walls torn apart and a savings account dwindling down to nothing.

With a sigh of relief, our plumber was able to get it unclogged yesterday.  And if any of you locals need a good plumber, let me know; we found a great one.

Our very long string of warm days has ended and the crisp fall weather has arrived.  I think these were taken last week or maybe just prior to that.  The walnut tree in the backyard has been abundent this year and every time Jim mows he has to get the walnuts out of the grass first. 

This year he enlisted the help of the kids.  I am adoring this picture of Jim, the kids and the mower.

   

Oh how they love to throw chuck these walnuts!

When push comes to shove...

it turns out I clean the spice drawer.  Actually, I clean in general.  Call it nervous energy.  If you come to my house and it's sparkling clean there is a good chance I'm overwhelmed with life.  There is also a good chance though that if you come to my house and it looks like it's been tossed on its side....that, I'm overwhelmed with life.  :)

Did you know that three years ago this month I flooded our master bathroom?  I did a bang up job in there.  And, three years later it is still a torn apart, uncompleted bathroom.  Functional, but very raw.

Well, this weekend I managed to clog the kitchen sink.  Note to self, when making applesauce, just throw the peels in the garbage can.  It may take a little longer but it's got to be worth not having the hassel of unclogging a very looooonnnnnggggg drain.

It's still clogged by the way, and we are eating in shifts so we don't dirty a ton of dishes, and washing those few and clean(ish) dishes in the bathroom sink.

Thankfully, the rest of the hosue is fine.  We can all use the bathrooms and showers.  No major upsets there.  Praise the Lord. 

On a completely unrelated note, since our family has easy access to college athletics we attend as many home games as we can.  Jim and I did this a lot during our seminary days and we love getting a chance to do it again.  The kids are learning about different sports but they usually end up reading.  Matthew is always armed with a book or two wherever we go.  Like father like son that one.

Ella Jane has a little more tolerance for watching but usually defaults to a book too.  Sara on the other hand is usually on the move from lap to lap or whatever.  She doesn't last very long so sometimes we have to take multiple trips to the drinking fountain to keep her entertained.

I finished that Jodi Picoult book I mentioned last time.  It was crazy.  I might just come over and clean all your houses if I had that kind of stress!

Here's to a new week and a working kitchen sink.

{we hope}

Almost forgot...

Ha!  I almost forgot my password to log into my account.  It's been that long since I've posted!  I haven't had a whole lot to say, life has been stressful, life has been busy and on and on.

And then sometimes I think I have a whole lot to say and then think, well, it's not really anything really.

The boys are at the football game (which I just looked at online and looks like we won't walk away with the win tonight.  So sad; we were undefeated until today), there is banana bread in the oven, the girls are wearing tutu's and dress up shoes and dancing around the house...and no one has had dinner.  It's 7:04pm.  Kids are normally in bed at this house by 7:04pm.  But it is Saturday afterall and all of us were at the football game earlier.  The girls don't last much past halftime so we came home early.

I just checked on the bread.  It looks amazing!  I think I've made banana bread maybe 3x in my life.  I'm thinking maybe we should have it more often as it has made the house smell wonderfully delicious.  I think we'll have eggs, toast, and banana bread for dinner.   I love breakfast for dinner.  So do the kids.

I've been reading a lot lately.  The last two books I've read though had people die in them which I wasn't expecting and found myself a little unsettled.  Usually I know if that sort of thing is coming and here I just didn't.  Not that I've made it any better this next time around.   I'm reading a Jodi Picoult book.  Her topics are always so heavy but I still love reading them.

Here are the girls in all their dress up glory.

Not a nice and tidy put together post tonight.  Just something to get out there so ya'll know we're still here.  Enjoy the rest of the fall colors!