12.13.14: Constructing a gingerbread house

Daphne, Fiona and Stella were busy creating this 3D gingerbread house with Brant.   It turned out wonderful and provided an amazing decoration throughout the holiday season.

12.12.14: Holiday Performance

A holiday performance full of songs and coordinated wiggles.  Adorableness amplified.  Brant and I enjoyed the serenade of all the kindergarteners singing holiday music - outside - because well, it is Tucson.

12.11.14: Half Birthday

On today, our five and a half year old birthday we had to celebrate with ice cream - thus is our family tradition.

12.8.14: Fiona's new ears

One of the teachers from Fiona's after school program appreciated her help so much cleaning up a mess other kids made that she made a special Olaf bag full of goodies and gave it to Fiona.  These reindeer ears were the biggest prize and something she wore every moment possible for days.

12.07.14: Riding bikes to school

We didn't set off with the goal to ride bikes all the way to school, but we did it anyway.  We made it all the way up to school and were very proud.  This was our furthest bike ride to date and something we will definitely do again in the future.  Perhaps better food and potty preparation will occur next time before such a big adventure.

12.4.14: Custom attire

Fiona, Daphne and Stella modeling their custom made shirts made by auntie Kelly and coordinating skirts made by Nene.  These outfits were even more special than normal because the girls got to pick out the fabric used - not everyone gets custom made clothes.

12.1.14: Daphne's Artwork

Apparently, each month a child is selected from each grade to have their artwork displayed in the school office.  We had no idea this even happened, until our dear little Daphne earned this honor.  She was very proud and we were too.  She even asked her teacher to take her to the office to get a picture for us since we don't arrive at school before the office closes.  We are very proud of our little artist. 

11.29.14: Thanksgiving weekend

We had a wonderful thanksgiving weekend with Nene, Nicole, Dan, Peter and Ruthie.  Nene spent all day Wednesday with the girls doing endless projects (above Fiona, Stella and Daphne were making turkeys).  Thursday was filled with cooking, eating and shopping. Friday we adventured out for a bit and tried to enjoy a park in the sunshine, but it got a bit warm....yes, late November is still in the mid-80s.

Saturday we went to Peter's bowling birthday party, the girls had a blast and Brant has definitely perfected his positioning of the bowling ramp.  Stella ended up at 106, while Daphne and Fiona were in the high 90s.

After the party we tried to go and see a movie with the penguins from the Madagascar series, but got way too scared (all three) and had to leave.  We ended our day building a lego dump truck, helicopter, and train.

11.25.14: Crazy Hair Day

Today was Crazy Hair Day at school for Daphne, Stella and Fiona.  Daphne decided she wanted normal hair and opted for a pony tail with flowery clip.  Fiona fell in the middle and requested half pony tail with flowery clip and the other half in a bun - semi crazy.  Stella got really excited and drew me a picture (the paper she is holding).  She wanted little poofs all of the top of her head with a braid in the middle - definitely crazy.

11.20.14: Playing in the leaves

Auntie Kelly and Uncle Rob mailed the girls a giant box stuffed full of fall leaves.  Today we spent a good hour playing in the leaves tossing them over ourselves and each other.  Fiona, Daphne and Stella were so excited to play in the leaves.  What I did not think about is how these leaves would blow into the neighbors yard and how perhaps, they would love the leaves all over their property less than we did.

After enjoying the leaves, Daphne and Fiona decided to write the alphabet in our front yard using a rake and our rock filled yard.

Today was also special because it was the first time I have been able to volunteer at the girls school. Thanks to some business travel over the holiday, I was able to spend the entire day experiencing a typical school day for my kids.  Each morning their teacher asks 'What makes today a beautiful day?'.  Stella and Daphne both said something about me visiting while Fiona said that today was a beautiful day because 'I get to boss mama around all day'. Hmm.  It was great to meet their friends, teachers and get a taste of what kindergarten is like in 2014 - pretty different from the 80's.