12.24.14: Christmas Eve

We were very busy decorating gingerbread people and gingerbread houses (Brant, Fiona, Nana, Daphne, Stella)

Our creations (include the foam gingerbread house from earlier)

All ready for Santa Claus and his reindeer with cookies and carrots.  Good thing we spent the morning making and decorating sugar cookies.  Christmas eve was extra special this year because Stella lost her front tooth today - no one knows if the tooth fairy and Santa Claus will arrive the same night???

12.23.14: Winterhaven

With Nana in town, we made sure to enjoy the Winterhaven lights.  An annual family tradition this time, with enough glow stick accessories for everyone to be fashionable.  Fiona, Stella, and Daphne decided this was the favorite house - an explosion of lights is the only way to describe it.

12.22.14: Zoo lights

Zoo lights are always a special treat this time of year.  We get to enjoy the holiday lights and even see a few animals at night time. Nana was able to join us (Fiona, Daphne, Stella) and enjoy the relatively mild weather.

12.20.14: Daphne's tooth

Today Daphne lost her very first tooth.  She was so excited because Stella and Fiona have already lost a few teeth.  However, Daphne decided that she was going to leave the tooth fairy a note, asking her name...and she was more than excited in the morning when she got a response.  Turns out our Tooth Fairy's name is Olive Starglimmer.

12.17.14: Rain

Yes, even here it occasionally rains.  Turns out there are enough open walkways at school that an umbrella is warranted.  Fiona, Stella and Daphne were very excited to test out their new umbrellas at the bus stop today.

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.