Our Shining Stars

Both our kids got a chance to be in the spotlight today. It was St. Mark's Christmas program today. Zander was a sheep with all of the preschool-Kindergarten kids and Zoey was a talking sheep. . .Bah Bah Lou! She sold all two lines! She also sang a duet in one of the songs. We were so proud of both kids today. This was Zander's first extended time in front an audience and he sang and did actions and everything. Zoey has reaffirmed her love for acting today and told me after the Christmas program, "Next time I'm in a play, I want MORE lines!"

Then later on in the day we got ready for Zoey's very first piano recital at the historical Fillebrown House in White Bear Lake.

 Zoey's fan club consisted of Nana, Poppa, and Auntie Tammy, Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen, and of course Zander, Mom, and Dad.

 Zoey and her teacher Ginny Gadbois Green (also her 1st grade music teacher)

Then of course, there's Zander. . . .

Letters to Santa. . .Ready to Go!

Zoey's Self-Portrait

Zoey did this as part of her Media class at school. I think that it is perfect and embodies almost everything that I love about my daughter!

Happy November (and early December)!

 On Thanksgiving Day we went over a few bridges to Nana and Poppa's house to celebrate with the family. It was a fabulous day of relaxing and letting other people play with my children, while I read through all the Black Friday ads. :-) The kids enjoyed teaching Nana and Tammy how to play Sorry and they played dress up and went outside (for of course more lovely weather) to play.

Both kids are still addicted to Star Wars. They turn EVERYTHING into a star wars reference. (If you use the words force or darkside--you will be sure to hear about Star Wars!)

Their other obsession at the moment is Wizard of Oz--due to the most recent outing with Nana and Tammy to the Children's Theatre performance.

Zander is all about dressing up and creating these elaborate costumes--that really don't need to be anything all that special--but make sure to follow his lead. When he wanted to be a magician, he told me that we needed a costume. "We can make a hat and I wear black shirt and pants, ok? Is that a good idea?"

On the morning of Thanksgiving, Tyler and I were taking advantage of sleeping in a bit and I heard the kids out on the couch getting all excited about their weekend. Zoey said, "Zander, do you know what day it is? It's the day BEFORE WE DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!" Yep, not Thanksgiving, but Christmas Decoration Eve. Friday is always a fun day for us. We thoroughly clean the house (more fun for me than the kids), put out our decorations, then cozy up on the couch as a family and watch Elf for the first time of the season. Great memories!

Here is another one of Zander's costumes. Can you guess who he is?

 (Tin Man)

Zoey had a double dose of playdate with her friend Anabel last week. Two playdates in a row! What a deal! These two girls have more creativity and personality in their little fingers than I have in my whole body! I love watching these two get together. Of course my favorite thing was when Anabel was coming over to our house on Friday, Zoey leans over to her and says, "My brother Zander is SO annoying!" (She neglected to tell Anabel that she absolutely adores her brother and plays with him almost all the time.)

Boo! It's October!

 Spiderman is climbing the walls again!

And apparently singing in a band.

This year, as tradition goes, we took the Plumbs and the Livingstons off to McDougall's Apple Junction down near Hastings. It was a rare  80 degree fall day--making looking for pumpkins and enjoying the activities a little harder to bare in the heat. It was, as always though, a good time for all. You can see from the pictures that the kids are growing like weeds. I give it about two more years and Zoey will be at the top of this sign--Zander not far behind!

Zoey kind of loves her Auntie Tammy--can you tell?

In October we also went to the Mahtomedi Halloween Ball at the high school. Again, it was a beautiful evening and the kids left on a hayride around the area as part of the festivities.

We out to Perkins (I know, suprise, right?) after the Halloween Ball and while we waited for the food to come, Zoey drew a great picture of me. (Make sure that you read the directions above her picture.)

Zoey was estatic the day she was picked to be the VIP for the week in her classroom. She went to town on her poster and knew exactly what she wanted to share with the class. The highlight of the poster is the picture of her very own 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Marshall, holding her when she was only 2 months old. Apparently, the whole class got a kid out of that one.
 

Over a long weekend in October, we took the kids up north to see Grandma and Grandpa and then stopped by to visit the cousins and Uncle Robby and Aunt Nicole.  I am always so happy to see how the kids get along so well and enjoy being together.

We went to our friends' annual Pumpkin Carving Party--it was on Oct. 29th and would you believe that it was yet ANOTHER gorgeous day? Of course, as tradition goes, the kids helped out with the pumpkin carving for-oh- about 10 minutes and left the rest for Tyler and I to do.

Halloween night--the menu included cooked mice (my favorite) and brains. Yum!

Then FINALLY it snowed a little and the kids were able to go out and play in some white stuff. Or maybe I should say that Zoey was finally able to go out and EAT some white stuff. She loves her some snow! :-)

Zoey's Halloween Song--The Hungry Spider

Zander's Ghost Song! Don't Be Scared!

Renaissance Fair

This weekend, I took the kids to the Renaissance Fair for a few reasons. First, I had free tickets. Second, Tyler needed some time to finish up some school work. And third, it was a fantastic day to be outside enjoying some good people watching. The people I had my eye on were 4 and 6 years old and enthralled with all the fair goers in costume and all the costume merchandise that was around.

If I were made of money, I would have bought everything for the kids, because they obviously have a knack for dressing up and playing make-believe. Zander is constantly asking me to "make" him costumes of his favorite super heroes and to dress up as a king or a knight. So when I told the kids where we were going on Saturday they immediately went and suited up for the occasion.


Zoey (as always) was picked to join the festivities at the Children's Realm. She learned a new dance before we went to make our magic wands.


Both kids spent a lot of time trying to work the Crystal Styx. It is an impressive talent if you can practice a lot.
I would have to say that the highlight for me was riding the elephant (because there were a ton of elephants back in the renaissance days.) Although, the ride didn't last long enough for what we paid for--at least I can say that we have ridden an elephant.

A Zoey standard at all fair events--getting her face painted.

My little king.

First Day of School!

Zoey is officially a Wildwood 1st grader! I dropped her off this morning with mixed emotions--she is growing up SO fast! Her teacher this year is Mrs. Marshall. Zoey told me today that she is pretty much the nicest teacher around. I know that Zoey had a great first day at school by all that she told me after school. She got to go to music and Spanish class today. One of her classmates had a birthday and brought treats! She already has a lot of friends and she wants to go back tomorrow. So all in all a great start.

Another new thing for Zoey this fall will be piano lessons! Zoey will be taking lessons from her music teacher--she thinks that is pretty cool! I am looking forward to hearing her learn more songs than Hot Crossed Buns.

Both kids will start swimming lessons in about 2 weeks. They both made so much progress this summer with their swimming, we are looking forward to them even learning more.

Zander will be taking a sports sampler class in October. It is time to get him into some organized activities. This one is a parent/child class--so that will be a blast!

Tyler starts up with his Administration classes again tomorrow night. This go around: School Financing--sounds riveting, huh?

I plan on just trying to keep everything moving smoothly and get the kids where they need to go when needed.

Other Florida Highlights. . .

One of the highlights of our Florida vacation (and the reason that spurred it all) was that I got to see and visit with my grandparents for a few days. It has been quite a while since I had been down to Florida. We played cards (Garbage of course.) Zoey played checkers with great-grandpa. We went out to eat and we enjoyed their company! Above is all of us at the Cracker Barrel restaurant.

Swimming at the pool.
This is the hotel room after our day at Epcot. The kids had just gotten their Star Wars action figures and they literally sat on the floor (after an exhausting day) for an hour and played very nicely together before conking out for the night.


Zoey and I at Steak n' Shake. The hats were the best!Here is Zander the morning of our return trip at the airport. NOT a happy camper.

Zoey was glad to be home!

Zander was even happier. . .