Ice Ice Baby

In Bly's fascination with hockey this year, he wanted to learn how to skate. While he thought he was going to walk right out on the ice and skate around, he quickly found out that wasn't the case. For the short time he was on skates he did begin to find his balance but we have a long way to go.

Frosty the snowman

In our winter wonderland these days the kids decided to make a snowman. With Dad's help, they were able to build a cute little guy which only lasted one day before the rainstorm hit. Bly was very concerned for Frosty's safety though and continuously checked on him throughout the evening.

A star is born

Bly had his Holiday Festival at school which was his first career performance. The program consisted of his class, the 4/5's and Kindergarten classes at Fannin Hall. After the program, Bly was able to show all of his family his latest happenings in his class and show them the snack that his class had made. He did a great job and it was fun to see him up there with his class.

Bly is the third child from the left.

All three groups in the big finale.

Cookie Monsters

One tradition that we always do in our house is bake cookies. I do let the kids help decorate the cut-out cookies but they usually do a lot more eating than decorating and this year was no exception. We started off well this year diligently putting their respective sprinkles on the cookie...

...but they never made it past that first cookie to decorate any more. After that it was all about eating the sprinkles and frosting.

Old fashion family Christmas

This year I was convinced that we needed a real tree. I had been fine with a fake forever but Bly is getting to the age where he can remember doing traditions as a family. We loaded up the car one Sunday and headed out (without Azzi. She has been in a bit of mood and it was her nap time. Next year sweetie!). The farm we went to was really great complete with a nice Santa, an eclectic petting farm (Bloodhounds were one stop) and of course the trees with a tractor ride out. Bly could be heard across the farm talking about Christmas so I had no worries of losing him at any point. Azley did "help" with the decoration and seems to be perfecting her ornament placement everyday. We ended up with a great tree and some good pictures to go along with it.

Your a mean one

The Grinch was at SB Chocolate and we had to go check this out. Bly was nervous when we first arrived but warmed up once he saw that the Grinch was giving out chocolate. He had to take his copy of the book to show the Grinch that he was a fan.

Backstage Pass

Tim, Bly and my father-in-law were able to go into the ND locker room and on the field the Sunday after the last game (thanks Aaron and Paula!). He took his football with him and was ready to see some football. Although the game was over, they had a little play time of their own.

Thanks to preschool, Bly would call this Tommy's cubby.

This looks like Bly is the coach and cousin Drew is the AD at the post-game press conference. Tim said Bly got up there and had no issues telling stories.

Touchdown!

Giving Thanks

I will back up to Thanksgiving which we held at our house. The kids were very excited to have everyone over, especially cousin Alex back from college.

The crew

Azley took an early nap so as not to miss dinner. She was, not surprisingly, the first one at the table.

The proper way to eat a roll.

Bly could care less about the food and was just happy to have 'Lighting' at the table with him.

Snow Days

After taking a few weeks off from the blog I promise to do a little better. I will try to post updates on all of our happenings over this holiday season. To get you started, here are some pictures of the kids enjoying all of the recent snow.

Showing her stuff

I hit the Halloween clearance racks to add to Azley's growing dress-up trunk. The girl loves glitz so she usually has some sort of accessory on while we are home. I thought she would love this dress and I was right.

Chicken Farming

Bly's class took a field trip to a classmate's family farm. They basically have some chickens, a few apple trees and a big garden but the kids loved it. With this trip, they have been studying chickens so I have heard many interesting comments from Bly including male vs. female chicken facts, what chickens eat and a lively conversation about eggs, their goo and baby chicks.

The class picture. With their hats on they tend to look similar but Bly is the fourth from the left.

The main attraction.

"Mom, there is a baby chick in here!" Actually he had a wooden egg that they use to teach the hens where to lay the eggs. You can learn something even on a preschool field trip!

Running towards the tree house.

Takes one to know one

Slipin' and Slidin'

Bly suffered his first bloody injury. Thankfully I was not at home because I would have completely panicked but Aunt Jill held the troops together while Mom and Dad were out for work. The kids were playing after their bath and a little sliding action took place which resulted in Bly falling on the step stool in the bathroom. Thankfully his face took the fall for him. ;)

Bly ended up splitting his lip and had a welt on his face for a few days. He also had a great story to tell everyone that he came into contact with.

Our prize fighter

Happy Halloween

The entire family in Bly assigned costumes. I don't know how he came up with Batman, but he was insistent. As for the witch, I guess sometimes it just comes naturally. 

Working Men

One Saturday we stopped into Lowe's to pick up some lightbulbs and stumbled upon the craft time for the kids. Dad and Bly went to work on a wooden bat while Azzi and I took a few laps around the store before she was able to 'help'.

The hard working boys

"Mom, I can do this!"

The Lucky Charm

Tim and I took Bly to see his first hockey game of the season. As with the football, he knew what to look for this season and what was actually happening (maybe even more than Mom). He had fun, got a puck and now wants to 'skate like those guys'. He did get to see the Irish knock off #1 BC so maybe our little man brought a little luck to the Irish.

Zoo Boo

We took the kids to Little Zoo Boo which was Azley's first time to actually comprehend what trick or treating was all about. She had a pro with Bly showing her the way though.

Her first treat. She was amazed and instantly a fan of Halloween!

Sporting her new look after finally opening that first sucker.

The Patch

After the kids have gone with all sorts of family members to pumpkin patches across the area, Mom and Dad finally took the two munchkins ourselves. I was able to get some great pictures of the kids having fun at the farm.