The Big Performance

Alexa, Emma and Shane had their Christmas program on Sunday night. They did such a wonderful job and were all cute in their own special way. Alexa is our sweet, mild mannered, diligent first born. She knew every single word and all of her actions were right on cue. Emma is our little performer. She has a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face and a bounce in her step every where she goes. Shane this year was just plain cute. You never know what a 2 year old is going to do on stage. He did a few "hi mom, hi dad, hi grammy, hi papa" really loud and waved a lot. He did get some singing in and tried to keep up with the actions. Like I said, he was just plain cute!

Christmas Memories

There are so many fun things to do and be part of during the Christmas Season. I'm going share and document for the kids some of our favorite things that we are doing this Christmas season!! Some of these are things we've done the last couple years and some are new. I pray that Alexa, Emma and Shane will have fond memories at home preparing for Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth.

Karate School

Alexa has a little boy in her preschool class whose dad is a Karate instructor. He comes each week teaches some of the moves and teaches them all about truth, respect and other character traits. On Saturday they were invited to his Karate School to show off what they've learned, to get a white belt and to have a pizza party. I wasn't so sure about my little girls learning Karate at first, but I love the kids excitement for it and the different disciplines they are learning. When Mr. Meza would yell "TRUTH" they would say "telling the truth to yourself and others." When he would say "RESPECT" they would say "respect everyone." They showed us their blocks, kicks, punches and even broke a board. The highlight for them was getting their white belts and they were super proud to show off all they've learned.

Fun Friday Night Get Away

Last Christmas Eric's Employees gave him a night at a fun hotel for a family get away. We decided to use it this weekend. We surprised the kids. They were squealing with delight when they found out we were going to sleep at the hotel. They were a little nervous that mom didn't pack their swim suits when they saw the fun water slides. We had a room right by the water park. They had a blast. It was so much fun to see them all playing and having so much fun together. I know it was busy when they were little but it is so much fun now to see what little buddies they are now. They swam their hearts out. We finished the night with ice cream in our pj's and all crawling into bed and watching a movie.

Christmas Lights 101

The kids love to help decorate the tree!! We got all the boxes out and their job is to help daddy check the lights to make sure they are working!! We are not sure what happened to our lights this year but NONE of them worked. Bed time was approaching so the tree decorating would have to wait until another night!

Here Come the Disneyers

As we were getting our costumes on tonight Emma said, "Mom, I know what everyone is going to say!!" I said, "What are they going to say?" She said, "They are going to say here come the Disneyers." Not sure how to spell that since I'm pretty sure it's not a word :)!!!

The kids had fun tonight. We went to church to the Harvest Party. They had a great time playing games and getting candy. She was very excited about his candy. He would of preferred to sit and eat the candy after each game but his sisters kept him on this toes! We ended the night by visiting a couple houses in our neighborhood.

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Pajama Day

The girls had Pajama Day at Preschool instead of dressing up in their Halloween costume!! They thought it was so much fun to spend their day in their PJ's!! They had a fun day!

Off to Pumpkinland

One of the kid's fall favorites in going to Pumpkinland. They love seeing the pumpkins and seeing all the animals. I'm not so sure they love all the pictures mom tries to take though. They also love going to Pumpkinland because it is close to papa and grammy's house which means after our Pumpkinland stop we get to head to their house. Every time we drive past Pumpkinland on the way to papa and grammy's they always ask the same thing. "When do we get to go to Pumpkinland!" They were very excited when it was finally open again! We met grammy and cousin Darby, Tyra and Mya there and had some fall fun!

Paper Mache Planets

Alexa's preschool class has been learning about space. Alexa is coming home with all kinds of new information and facts she's learned. She is having so much fun. They made space in a jar, have been writing about and drawing planets and had the weather man come in. The highlight has been making paper mache planets. Eric thought it would be fun to take the morning and go help make the planets. I don't think he really knew what he was in for .... preschoolers and paper mache!! Here is a glimpse!

Apple Fun

A few of our favorite late summer, early fall things to do are going to grammy and papa's house to make applesauce and apple juice. The kids loved gathering the apples and then putting them in the press and seeing the apple juice come out. We have a lot of yummy apple juice and apple sauce for those upcoming cold winter months.

First Day of Preschool

Tuesday was a big day at the McDonald house. Alexa and Emma both started preschool. Alexa went last year but was very excited to go to her new preschool and meet her new friends. Emma has been grinning from ear to ear ever since she found out she got to go too. She is our social bug so preschool is right up her alley! Daddy took them to preschool their first day in his car which is always a treat. I guess the mini van has lost its excitement. Grammy picked them out and took them out for lunch after their big day! There is an observation room at their preschool where you can watch the classes and they can't see you so of course Mommy went to watch for awhile! I thought Shane would be a little lost with the girls gone but he seems to love having mommy all to himself. It will be fun to do some special things with him while the girls are at preschool.

Nice Matters Award

Lori, a new blogging friend passed this award along!! You'll have to check out her blog! She has 2 sweet boys and they are waiting for their daughter from China! Thanks Lori!

I am going to nomitante Becky for the Nice Matters award because she is super sweet, funny and a wonderful mom. She was the one who helped me set up my blog and get me addicted to the blogging world!

I also am going to nominate Joy. I love her heart for God and her heart for her children. I love her Cherish Your Children posts!