Winter break fun

The kids have had so much fun over winter break.  It is hard to believe that it is almost over.  Birthdays, hanging out with relatives, late nights, parties, babysitting a bird, Christmas, even a slumber party with aunt CoCo. 

Slumber party with Aunt CoCo.

  I wish I had taken a picture of the luggage Leila packed for both she and Holden.  I didn't help with a thing, just asked her if she had the essentials.  Yep!  She packed it all and then some.  She takes really good care of her brother.

I asked Leila if she packed Zoe's bag and she said, "Zoe isn't spending the night.  She's not old enough."

Coco got Uncle Julios for dinner and peppermint ice cream for the kids.  They played Wii, did crafts, tried to play with the cats, and watched a "ton" of Phineas and Ferb.  Ha!

I think CoCo was worn out when they left the next day!

Birthday Parties

Pump it up for Melody's birthday. 

Our next door neighbors have a big family, and we are so lucky that they invite us to their family celebrations!

Adnan's birthday

We took Adnan to eat Pho at one of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants.  Then the kids went to target to choose a few gifts for dad...better late than never.  It is hysterical to see what the kids choose.  I tried to steer them in the right direction, but still wanted to give them the opportunity to choose.

#1 Dad likes chocolates (dark chocolate)

They each got chocolate candy!  Good choice, dad has to share!

#2 Clothes - they had a hard time deciding.  Holden wanted to get his dad a t-shirt.  I finally steered them toward some pajama bottoms.  They argued a bit, but finally decided on some soft ones!  Holden found some character briefs for men!  We laughed hysterically because they were so big and funny!  If only they had had the right size.  Only small and XL available...darn!

#3 We tried to get some playstation boxers, but settled for some XBOX in the XBOX tin of course!

#4 Christmas Tree ornamament - bad idea...I couldn't keep them away from the display that played every kind of CD.  Once I finally got their attention, Leila chose a "love cooking" ornament. It was pretty cute!

Dad liked them all!

Opening gifts!

We had family over in the evening for a small party. 

Ashlyn's Rock Star Diva Party

This was a really fun birthday party for Leila.  The girls got to choose a dress, get their hair, nails and make-up done.  They picked a rock star name and then walked down the runway and posed at the end.  Leila seemed to enjoy walking down the runway and posing.  Previously she would have been much to shy to do this.  They made bracelets, did the limbo and some girls sang karoke. 

Leila with the birthday girl

Fun with Anita and Pasha

Anita and Pasha brought over goodies earlier this month to make smores with Leila and Holden.  It doesn't get much better than making smores on the stove.... :)  You gotta work with what you have.  The kids loved it. 

Yum!  Chocolate and marshmellows on the skewer!

Breakfast at Anita and Pasha's house. 

 Cute breakfast plates!

Pajamas

This picture was from Darby and Baryn's visit earlier this month.

Dad's Birthday

We celebrated my dad's birthday a couple of days late.  My dad made a yummy pot roast and we had dinner and opened presents.

We also took some holiday pictures of my parents and the kids for their Christmas card! 

My dad opening up one of his gifts!

Getting tackled by the kids!

Muffy and Dusty with the grandchildren

I thought it turned out pretty well, all things considered. 

Holden's Holiday Party

Holden also had a holiday party before his break.  Zoe, Adnan and I headed up for his party.  The kids sang winter songs that they had been practicing.  It was really fun.  The kids forgot some of the words which make it even better.  :)I forgot my camera, but did video some of their singing on my phone.  Thanks Anita for sending me pictures that you took.

After the short program, the kids had a book exchange. We had lunch with the kids that the parents provided and some friendship soup that the teachers had made for us!

Getting ready to sing for us! 

Holden likes to sing loud.  He had complained a few days before his performance that is voice was sore and that when they practiced he couldn't sing to the best of his ability.  :)

Holden and his bud Pravith

Waiting

Getting ready for the gift exchange.  The teacher told them to just pick a book...don't pay attention to the size, wrapping etc..HA!  Holden still chose the biggest book.  We asked him why he chose this particular book and he said because he wanted to. 

Merry Christmas

Leila's Holiday Party

Leila had a holiday party at her school before winter break.  Zoe, Adnan and I headed up to participate.  It was fun getting to see Leila's room, the people she sits with as well as her teacher and friends.

They did a book exchange and read a cute story to go along with it.  The room moms had made sweet and salty goodie bags for the kids! 

It's amazing how much more outgoing and comfortable Leila seems at school this year! 

Leila with her friend Donota

Leila with her sweet teacher Mrs. Del Hierro

Getting ready for the book exchange

Opening their books

The Ben Bridge Bear

The Ben Bridge Bear was hanging out in his store after StrollerFit!
I tried to get some cute pictuers with Zoe and the bear. (The bear just swallowed her up)

Rockettes

We have had our tickets to the Rockettes since July!  Thanks so much Jennifer for the idea and Darby for planning and making it happen!  I'm not sure I've EVER scheduled something so far in advance.  Darby travelled from Midland with her daughter Baryn and Jennifer and Ashley joined us for the fun day!

Here we are ready to go:

We were supposed to get an early start so we could have a nice lunch before the show, but I found out getting myself and Leila ready and Zoe fed at the same time is nearly impossible.  :)  Jennifer, if you are reading this...yes, we did take pictures before we left, which made us even later...I'm sorry.

We stopped for a quick lunch at McDonald's in our fancy clothes!

Ashley and Leila did not say one word to each other on the entire car ride to Nokia.  Jennifer thought it would be a good idea to let them play in the playarea in McDonalds.  I thought she was crazy letting them play in their panty hose...they could have pulled a run (yes, that is what I was thinking)

She was right.  Once they got to playing, they really had a GREAT time together.

Great friends now eating together.  They were total giggle boxes on the ride back.

Baryn and Darby-Baryn loved hanging out with the big girls!

Outside Nokia

Terrible picture, trying to get the Nokia sign

After the show!  The girls did great!

Lunch afterwards!