Visiting Krispy Kreme

I would say Eric is kind of a doughnut snob ;) He likes what he likes and he normally doesn't deviate; however, the girls are celebrating Johnathan's bday at Sarah's tomorrow and she asked us to bring donuts, so we used it as a chance to explore!

I remembered Krispy Kreme has the glass walls where you can see all the doughnut machine mechanicals...so when the girls got up today, we hopped in the car, jammies and all, and ran up to get a treat for ourselves and for Mrs. Sarah's.

The girls loved seeing the machines that dropped the doughnuts, flipped them, and Amara particularly liked the icing "shower" that coated all the doughnuts too :)  We picked out our box for tomorrow, then picked some for ourselves and got a table.  The girls couldn't help going back up to watch the magical process while they ate.

After a short stay, we took our hats, balloons, and our doughnuts and headed home with full bellies.  We had a great time and visited a new place, and I loved seeing the girls so excited about something we can sometimes take for granted.

Addision's birthday!

We had a busy morning yesterday and unfortunately Addision's party was right on top of Amara's last cheer practice before her first competition.  I told Amara that she wasn't going to be able to make it for the entire time, but she was so sweet about it.

We got there just in time for cupcakes and presents, so Amara was quick to grab a snack (tired from cheer) and grab a quick pic with her school friend.

Saphira's bounce birthday!

Saphira and Amara have been buddies for 2 schools now--and over 2 years.  They get along sometimes, but sometimes fight like sisters--but Amara was thrilled to be invited to her party.

They played together so well and wore each other out racing around the place for over an hour--and only stopped to get a quick photo and head into the pizza/ party room.

Saphira invited Amara to sit with her on her throne for presents, which Amara loved--since we normally don't have parties there (having a late May birthday).  She got to be the queen for a minute.

We had a great time with friends at the party and as always, it was over too soon--but I love that even at 5 years old, Amara has good friends from school who treat her well and who she loves playing with at any chance she gets.

Clearing out some brush

Eric and I got him a new chainsaw a couple weeks ago, but with the Polar Vortex debacle--he never got to use it.

It was a balmy 40 degree weekend this weekend, so he decided to get it out and try clearing some of the honeysuckle that was blocking our blind driveway corner.

First, dad and Eric used the truck and yanked a few out by the roots.  The soil is SO nice down by the tiny creekbed!  They also cleared a spot for some of the water to trickle down better, then the cutting started.

Amara was exploring on balance beams across the water, while Cora was scaling the sides up and down with Grandma Jahn.  Everything was so squishy, but they stomped and splashed and we all had a great time.

I took the girls down after nap, bundled up in their bibs and they were thrilled to explore--they were loving it!! I think dad and E ripped out a dozen trees, then E cut up quite a few to toss on an impromptu bonfire.  It didn't go too well--the wood was green, but we had fun anyway.

"Close the gates, the party's over!"

The girls REALLY like the new Disney movie Frozen. (ok, ok, we all like it :)) and we've seen it at the theater twice.  We have the soundtrack, and there are tons of video clips on YouTube, so we *might* have some of the movie memorized already.

Cora--has REALLY taken to it. She knows at least 2 of the songs by heart, and several movie lines--not something I expected from the two year old who has seen it twice. Did I mention she REALLY likes it?

Last night at bedtime after watching a clip--she even rattled off an Olaf quote (to the snow monster) 'all good things, all good things," Eric and I about fell off our chairs laughing, it was SO sweet.

Anyway, one line, "the party's over, close the gates," seems to be of particular interest to her--especially when she's playing in the playroom and with the french doors. Heck, I always wanted French doors as a kid too.  So on this day, with her Elsa nightgown on and her crown and jewels, she was quite in the movie mode.

The soundtrack was blaring in from the living room and we were quoting movie lines and singing songs--it was great.  The movie just won a Golden Globe an is nominated for Oscars and is going to Broadway.  We can't wait, we CAN'T WAIT!! 

The rainbow looming

Santa brought Amara a rainbow loom for Christmas and boy have we been busy!  We went and got a lot of bands for her to put in her stash and we have a carrying case for her too.  She enjoys looking up demonstrations on YouTube and then brings them to me.  We put the bands on--really, she does more or that, and I help her with the hooking.

Sometimes it gets tricky and we have to take them off and start over--but at the end of the day they are just rubber bands and it's fun and a learning experience for both of us.  She has made bands for friends and family, boys and girls and I love watching her confidence grow and bloom through her crafts.

Cheer Center Winter Ball

Tonight was Amara's first ball.  We got an invitation to the Cheer Center ball--a sort of holiday party, with dancing and dinner and lots of kids and families playing.

There weren't any awards, nothing too stuffy, just lots of kids in sparkly dresses having fun.

The girls were pretty good really--they ate (they were STARVED actually) baked potato and chicken and green beans, but then they were ready to dance!

Amara recognized a few songs she hears on the radio and then there were the line dances and the Gangham style type dances.  The two of them ran around holding hands and playing with other kids for the better part of 2 hours.

Coach Devonte was there too, so Amara was thrilled to show him her back bend--I'm sure THAT wasn't the first at a cheer Christmas party, lol.

There was a makeshift photo booth too, but the girls didn't want to wait in line, instead they made fast friends with some of the older girls, all of which were playing and hanging out in the ladies room.  Seems there is a really nice lounge in there with chaises and tables and at any give time there were a dozen or more in there--hey, whatever works.

They were both pretty tired when it was all over, TGIF and we don't have a ton to do this weekend!

Cheer center stars Winter tiny team

As parents, we don't get to see much of the Winter Tiny team at practice. Though they meet for an hour and a half each Saturday, most of that time the big purple curtain is drawn to keep the parents out and the kids focused.

This week, they brought us in to record the cheer the girls needed to practice, and I snapped this shot on accident--but I was so glad to find it on my phone.  Amara is getting excited for her uniform and competitions to arrive and so are we--I feel like it's going to sneak up on us, then be over!

New Year's day

The girls got up like they always do--feels earlier, since E and I stayed up with our adult bevs to ring in the new year last night :)

We played with noisemakers and party hats and Cora rested on the couch a lot--this bug has really gotten her down this week!

Eric was in the kitchen all morning!

And we got our required new year's day family pic by the fireplace

The highlight of lunch for as long as I can recall is Eric's pork fried rice, which everyone loved and is always a welcome start to the day and year.  Mom and dad came by too--always a loved visit for the girls and makes the day.

And just because we love it, and being together on a day off, Amara made some cards for friends, and we tried a new blueberry/banana bread recipe that was delish!

Amazing low-key New Years day, spent with fam--cooking, baking, movie watching, crafting and being together. My favs.