Pandas!

This fall was Beanie's first Panda class. It was at the Gantz Barn (just like her Tumble Bear class last fall) and we really enjoyed it.  At the beginning of class, it was light out and we'd play on the playground, and Cora could swing, but after the time change, we got there already dark at 5:30 and hustled upstairs.

We just had our last class of the tweleve week session and she really enjoys herself.  Every week starts with the same warm ups and they kids were shouting out what came next--little sponges.  Amara particularly took to the teenaged helper, Miss Morgan, and would always sit in front of her. 

Last night she took Miss Morgan and Miss Lisa ceramic presents we made for them, with candy canes and a gingerbread ornament on the bag too.  The teachers were so suprised and appreciative and gave Amara a big hug :)

lights at Alum creek

Since we all kept passing around germs all fall and Winter, we decided to skip the zoo this year and try something new.

The lights at Alum Creek state park.  We actually headed up to visit Kristi Frazier and the kids on the way, then up to the park when it got dark.  We got to stay in the car and snack on some treats I packed for everyone along the way.

There were lots of fun displays--though Amara might have said a little too long :) She loved the 2 lighted tunnels we got to go through, and afterwards, she and daddy visited Santa for cookies and a treat (snowman flower) while Cora and I waited in the car.  It was a fun trip, one that takes very little planning, and you can even go in your jammies!

Princesses and Pirates

This weekend we had birthday parties for 2 of our FAVORITE little four year olds, Hayliee and Jonathan.  Hayliee's party, was a first for us--an all girl, princess party.  We got Amara a Cinderella costume (blue) and she was so excited.  I put a little eye shadow on her, pinned her hair up, and just a dab of blush and lip gloss too.

[Eric almost fainted]

Hayliee and one other little girl were Rapunzels and there was one other Cinderella and a Snow White, ranging from ages 3-5.  They played so well together and had so much fun twirling, eating, and later playing in the bounce house together, that Brandy is already planning another event!

Jonathan had a pirate party later that afternoon.  As we arrived, Miss Sarah was still finalizing her scopes, X's for treasure hunt, and pirate hats (so cute).  We had a great dinner with everyone and she was enjoying playing with all the cousins and we hated to have to go, but at 6, i didn't know if Cora would make it much longer.

We started to pack things up and got out the door with much resistance, but what a great time!  Sarah's house was packed and Rich rocked on the grill--everyone was so welcoming and friendly too. 

Happy Birthday and thanks for having us friends!

Dancing dolls last class

We
had our ups and downs with Miss Jessica this season of Dancing dolls, but by the end, she was happy to be there.  The class was very loosely structured but boy did she love the freeze dancing--they did this every week at the end of class.

12 weeks is a long "first stab" at something, so we're going to try baby-ballet in January at the red barn.  I can say she had fun with this for sure--half hour classes, parks and rec format with no recital or pressure, and we often ate at Grandstand pizza below afterwards, which we all loved.  Cora's first taste of garlic bread for sure :)

Breakfast with Santa

I think this about sums it up.

After last year, we decided to to the breakfast with Santa with Susan at the Elks.  We got tickets to the morning session and invited Miss Sarah too, so we were excited. 

 Mom decided to join us, and she invited Charlotte and Wyatt too, so we had a big group!!

The kids enjoyed icing the sugar cookies, ate like birds too--but Amara got her first body painting--a tree on her hand :)   We also stayed later this year and at the end, the DJ played the hokey pokey and chicken dance songs (which she knows from her dance class) --but I couldn't get her to join in.  She was "being shy" as she's come to telling us lately.

Had a blast with friends and family and always great to see Susan and Ken B!

Fun at Miss Sarah's (revisited)

Some great Summer and Fall pics from Miss Sarah's house :)

Cora crawling!

Happy girl--already just a few months looking back, is SO different!

Jonathan and Amara being helpful :)

I'm not sure if they were playing pirate, or amish, or what exactly--

Gotta love big boxes!! Miss Sarah says they play endlessly with any we give her

Babies and mirrors!

So sweet!

Look at what we built!  teamwork!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

This year, I started my tree scouting EARLY. I asked dad to find a tree farm for us MONTHS ago, and boy did he ever!  The place we went last year was great--but the trees just weren't what we needed.  This year, we wanted to go B I G.

Dad found a place called Land's farms, between Strongsville and Circleville (over half an hour away.)  We took Friday afternoon off and headed down with our muck boots on, camera, and snacks for the trip.

We looked high and low--and this place was STOCKED!! there were dozens of kinds of trees--some I'd never heard of...and then i saw it.  From across the field, one tree stood above the others.  Getting closer, this tree was12-13 feet if it was a foot.  The tag revealed the name Canaan fir--one I'd never heard of, but a quick search told me it was long-lasting and aromatic.

We looked around at a few others, but quickly went back to our other tree.  Beanie and Grandma examined nearby dear stands while Eric and Grandpa cut the monster down.  A wagon came and loaded up our tree while we headed back to the barn.

The girls were starting to get antsy, so we loaded everyone up and headed home--but what a great trip and great find!  I can't wait to get decorating--and the house ALREADY smells amazing. I could literally smell it from the playroom downstairs!!  Eric said she's drinking water like crazy too :)