A few weeks ago I told Mollie that I might be picking her up from school instead of her going off to Chess Club; that's why the funny face when she comes out of class. It took her a minute to figure out who was hiding behind me to surprise her after school. Once she adjusted her focus she had a great time showing Amber-May, Zahra and Nikki around her school campus.

That afternoon we had so much fun playing with our visiting friends from England. The girls enjoyed each other just like we hadn't been apart for the last year and a half. We are already looking forward to our next visit together!

A Great Vacation

Not only were the girls off for Christmas, but Scott took some time off from work as well. There was so much fun! We...

Went to Christmas in the Park Christmas Eve morning to take in the displays and fresh, hot churros. That afternoon we packed up presents and went to my parents for the traditional goulash dinner and present opening. My dad created some atmosphere by setting up a tv monitor in front of their fireplace with a new yule log dvd playing on it.

Christmas morning we found presents from Santa in the stockings hung over our fireplace. Opened up a few more presents we got for each other. Ate some Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops that Santa gave us for breakfast. Got dressed and packed up more presents and headed to Scott's parents' home.

Breakfast again (brunch really for us - 2 little kids that wake up at 7am can't wait for 10am breakfast). And yes, more presents! I was raised that we all open at the same time and the paper flies. Scott was raised that each person opens one at a time, while taking turns going in a circle. The girls did a great job being patient for the right time to dig into gifts. Helps that we came prepared with new Etch-A-Sketches for them to play with while waiting.

Saturday was playing with new toys in pajamas. I think we will be making this one an annual tradition.


There was a playdate with school friends, pinecone birdfeeders, New Year's Eve breakfast with my parents, a party that night to celebrate with New York, a trip to Ikea to get toy storage, made a gingerbread house, Home Depot Kids Workshop, visited the Oakland Zoo with friends, took the girls to their first movie in a theatre (Princess and the Frog), and our first visit to Psycho Donuts. And LOTS of play time for all four of us!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's all fun and teeth till someone gets hurt

While Scott was brushing Mollie's teeth two nights ago her loose tooth came out. She likes to say that her dad knocked her tooth out.

Tonight Scott was brushing Mollie's teeth again. He threatened to knock another tooth out and asked her which tooth was her least favorite.

Mollie looked at him and scowled. Then she points at him and replies, "Yours!"

ZING!

Snow in Campbell

We met up with some friends and had so much fun enjoying a winter carnival for kids in downtown Campbell. This is probably my favorite festival Campbell does.

A hill of snow was set up and monitored by the boy scouts. There was a nice little run for sledding and a small area for playing with that the boys kept soft by turning it with shovels.

Pony riders were delighted with ponies and donkeys walking in a circle. (shh! Don't tell Allie she was on a donkey!)

While mom's away...

Patti was out of the house with her sister leaving me at home with the kids and Kevin (Patti's brother in law). So we undertook a project I've been thinking about for awhile. It requires a little set-up.

Since Kindergarten, Mollie has had an odd fascination with Star Wars (suits me just fine). Her friends at school had been talking about Star Wars and the Clone Wars, so last summer we watched the original films. This year, she could converse on the topic from an informed position. She also received a Clone Wars themed game for her Leapster 2, which quickly became her favorite.

More recently, she has twice asked me to go to the drugstore next to her ballet class to look at the toy lightsabers. She has also taken to playing 'lightsaber training' with a plastic pipe from her T-ball set (so much for the future of baseball).

That got me thinking we needed a fun, safe lightsaber toy for her. Plastic was out because, well, she's six and her sister (who must have the same thing) is 3... So here's what we decided to do, and it was a whole lot cheaper and more creative than slipping $15 into George Lucas' already amply padded pocket.

We took a trip to Home Depot and the pool supply store and all our dreams came true ;)

Parts list:
3 foam pool noodles - cut in half
1 roll black duck tape
1 roll silver duck tape

total cost: $15 and I got six sabers and plenty of duck tape for more!

The kids were as excited about making these babies as they were about playing with them! They had a great time and they were the perfect fit for them. Safe, soft and a great deal of fun... yes. Even for me.

To show you how excited Mollie got, I present to you her homemade Lightsaber license... Now she can conceal and carry without worry.

And a special thanks to Uncle Kevin. He was a great help and a great sport. The girls had a great time playing games and having lightsaber fights! Thanks again!

Leaf Jumping!

The girls raked up leaves to make their own pile to jump in.

Few days later Allie had more fun with Grandma and Grandpa jumping in their leaves.

October Fun

Time to update!

Scott took Allie on a class field trip to Casa de Fruta.

I took pictures of a birthday party for a friend. The girls rocked out in their fun.

smile!

Off to get pumpkins at our favorite little farm.

Allie enjoyed the cool goo of the pumpkin guts.

Mollie didn't want to stick her hand in. Scott kindly scraped the inside lose so all she needed to do is pull it out.

Day before Halloween was busier than Halloween itself! Started with getting to watch Allie in her gymnastics class instead of through a window. Each week is a different theme; this week was pajama day.

Later on we got to observe in Mollie's dance class and they performed "Thriller." Mollie's Firecat costume was perfect for this dance.
Trick or Treat! Scott painted up the girls' faces. Allie dressed up as a pink kitty. Mollie wanted to be a black cat until she found a set of ears and tail with flames in them and became a Firecat; throwing fire at bad guys. Fun, full weekend.