cold toes

This year our zoo put in an ice skating rink for the winter season.

This is a fairly novel activity for our kiddos.

Carly and her class took a field trip after their chapel program. It was the first time to ice skate for most of the kids although you could tell the kids who rollerblade. They had a little advantage.

The ice skating tent was suppose to open at 11:00 but we got there about 10:30 and the girls were determined to see if they would let them in. Surprisingly, they did. So Carly and about 6 friends had the rink to themselves for about 25 minutes.

It took a village to get them in their ice skates but finally they were ready to take off!

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I was freezing but obviously ice skating was hard work

because the kids kept taking off clothes.

They had a fabulous time. Although they were tired they did not want to leave after their hour. Even though the ticket we bought was for an hour, there was no system in place to kick people off the ice. I don't know what they did when there was a big crowd?

So, by the time we put our foot down, they had probably skated more like an hour and a half. I couldn't feel my toes anymore!

best little 5th grade Christmas chapel program

Carly has chapel each week at school. Most weeks there is a devotion and singing. Sometimes there is a guest speaker like a missionary. About once a month, a grade is responsible for chapel. This year 5th grade was responsible for December.

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They did a Christmas alphabet. They took their letters home and decorated them. Carly painted "donuts". I tried to tell her that most people called them olives but she stuck with donuts. She was "V" for virgin. I can't remember her line. I should have written it down.

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They all look mad or bored but I'm going to say those are "reverent" faces

since Mary and Joseph were saying their parts.

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Carly told me later that she couldn't wear that shirt anymore if I was going to be taking pictures because not only did it look like she only owned one shirt. It also looked like she only owned one shirt for 2 years since it is notable in last year's Christmas pictures too.

She does make a good point.

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MamMam and G'daddy made it for the program.

We decided that not only have they made all of her chapel programs

but that it is always really cold.

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Carly and her buddies. Miss MM missed it because she had the flu.

sofie's first snow

Probably more fun than the snow are rustling leaves and exploring birds

that are all more visible on a blanket of white snow!

a snowy morning

snow cream made......check

I talked her out of putting yellow food coloring in it!

It's snowing!

It started about 5:00 and it hasn't slowed down.

We found out about 9:00 that school is cancelled tomorrow.

After taking Sofie out one more time to play,

I finally got her in the shower and in the bed by 10:00!

Happy Snow Day!!

Five Minute Friday

START.

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Kenny laid down the law. Carly has to drink 2 cups of milk a day. 16 ounces. Everyday. Or lose the iPod Touch for a week. Day one. I'll let you know.

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Carly is not a milk drinker. Has never been. Not since it came from a bottle. But the older she gets.... Heck, I'm lucky if she was getting ANY calcium. Which is what led to this edict. I told Kenny that I thought I was going to have to start her on a calcium supplement. He thought otherwise.

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Do you know how much calcium a young teenage girl is suppose to get DAILY? about 1300 mg. That is A LOT. So, with the new plan she will get about 2/3 of her day's calcium from milk. I will make sure she has other foods that contain calcium for the other 1/3.

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I know these options. I promise I have been trying. First there are the obvious choices. Yogurt. Cheese. Calcium fortified orange juice. Then there are the not so obvious ones. Edamame. Spinach. Broccoli. She said a big fat no to Salmon, Almonds, Anchovies, Mustard greens. The child won't even eat pudding!

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Ideas?

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STOP.

christmas school fun

Carly started the last day of school before Christmas break

caroling on the steps in the lobby with her chorus group.

She's on the far right behind the little girl in the green sweater.

Since they were performing, they were allowed to wear

Christmas attire rather than their uniforms - a pretty good trade off.

It was a fun day to spend with friends. No work in sight!

Although class parties usually wear me out, I really enjoyed this one.

I haven't had many opportunities to be in Carly's classroom this year and

basically they are old enough to take care of themselves (for the most part)!

They all seemed to be having a good time and it went very smoothly.

Even the boys seemed to enjoy making button ornaments.

They made button ornaments, ate lots of brunch party food (donut holes were the obvious winner), and exchanged $10 dollar giftcards. Carly ended up with a Target card.

Merry Christmas girls!!

a silver city christmas

Christmas #3 in Silver City

Carly in the middle of her loot.

Carly with another of her BIG wishes -

Ugg boots from Aunt Kacey.

And a hat from MamMam that was a hit with the crowd.

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She also got a new shower curtain (which was at the top of her list), matching bath towels, a cupcake kit, clothes shopping money, a sweater dress, fun jewelry, books-on-tape, books, and her annual zoo membership.

Carly with great grandmother, Finn, and a keepsake handkerchief.

Mom and Dad enjoying us all being together.

stocking time

every year I say that we have gone crazy

and every year stockings get better and better!

After some of the clean up, I came around the corner to find Carly like this -

under the table with her hat and boots on and playing with her iTouch.

ma-roon......white........ma-roon........white

It's game day!

Gator Bowl 2011

Mississippi State 52 - Michigan 14

Burgers, Rotel Dip, Slaw

and lots of cowbell ringing!!

What a way to kick off a new year.