Elf'n Around

Our two houseguests had us on their toes this year.  Ayden was so happy every morning waking up to  search for the elves...his hunt even made him late to his zoom school on occasion.  Some of our favorite memories of Jingle and Belle was seeing how much toilet paper they would waste and play with, reading their messages, and finding which toys they liked to play with best.

Gingerbread Houses

Although this year seemed a little bit different building our house...we are so thankful we were still about to get together for our annual tradition with family!  The kiddos had their very own tray of candies and icing to design and create their houses...or in Ayden's case, his airport complete with a runway.  Both of the little designed and built their own houses.  Allie built her twice because it was accidentally sat on...oops!  But, it turned out just perfect in the end. 

Santa's Shed

A couple days ago we wrote elf sized letter to Santa with our Christmas lists.  What a surprise we found this morning!  Our lists have return to hang on our tree and a invitation to visit Santa himself...in his SHED!

So off we went after school!  What a quaint and magical little shed Santa has for himself, right here in MI.  He shared stories about the only elf at the North Pole that has a pool, how the reindeer fly from north to south to north again all night long on Christmas Eve., and about the magic of coal and how it turns to diamonds...eventually.  We also learned that there is not a bad list, only a good and you can move your way up and down the list with acts of kindness or bad behavior.  

Our visit was a special one this season.

Allie is 10!

DOUBLE DIGITS!!  One full decade old!  Allie is competitive, witty, spunky, and full of determination.  She loves trying new things and exploring new places.  Allie is our "always-on-the-go" girl, wanting to absorb all of life's adventures.  Allie has so many friends and is very social, always wanting to have a playdate or a sleepover.  She loves watching YouTube, playing Roblox, and Face Timing with her pals.  Along with her mama, chocolate and peanut butter ice cream is her new favorite bedtime dessert.  Some firsts this year for Allie were learning how to do a back tuck, going to virtual school, and modeling a friend's clothing line.  Allie continues to LOVE being a flyer in cheer, crafting, and tumbling on the trampoline. 

Due to crappy Covid, Allie's bakery birthday party was canceled...and recreated in our backyard.  Lucky for her the weather cooperated and was pretty warm on her birthday in December.  She invited a group of gals to decorate doughnuts (one of her favorite treats) and enjoy hot chocolate and s'mores.  Our little elf friends arrived, as usual with some little gifts for our girl too!

Breakfast from the North Pole

Thanksgiving weekend we always look forward to the arrival of our two scout elves!  This year they brought with them their North Pole breakfast we look so forward to.  With them they brought some goodies including Christmas themed soap to keep our hand clean, doughnuts and hot cholate, and a new pair of blue light glasses to use for virtual school on their Chromebooks!  These little guys are so clever!

  

Zooming All the Time

Well...it was good while it lasted.  In-person learning happened for 10 weeks, but with Covid cases rising and teachers being quarantined, we are back to ZOOM ROOMS.  Today was our second first day of school and we are ready!  All our learning spaces are set and our supplies are ready.  Allie is all set up in the basement, Ayden in the office, and I am in our guest bedroom teaching iCenter and reading groups.  We can do this!!

Back Tuck!

This has been a skill Allie has been working on for almost TWO YEARS!  Her new year's wish balloon in 2019 was to get her back tuck. Although she didn't accomplish this in 2019...she kept working hard and GOT THAT TUCK!  I foresee many new skills in the near future that involve that tuck!