Fun over Christmas Break 2016

It was nice to just be home this year and not go anywhere over Christmas break.  It was a lot of days (at times that has its downfalls too) to hangout.

The gingerbread houses served as constant access to candy for the kids.  

The Karaoke machine was hit with the whole family

Maxwell liked hanging out with Tyler (likely because he was on a screen a lot of the time).

We all went to a trampoline place.  It was super fun!

Whew - no major injuries

We went to see a movie (although can't remember what it was now one year later...)  Emmalyn and Maxwell were excited to take their snackeez cups (the lid on top opens up to a container for snacks which was perfect for popcorn).

Playing with Maxwell's new glitter glue pens

Enjoying nice weather outside with chalk

Uno!

We went next door to make smores outside on their new outdoor fire pit

We made our traditional pretzels topped with hugs and M&Ms.

Maxwell got a science experiment kit for Christmas and was super excited to start doing the experiments.   He did a great job of reading and following (with guidance) the directions.

Maxwell's friend met Luckshya met us at the park to play.

I bought a piano!  A guy in the neighborhood was selling it for 100.00 so we got a uhaul and picked it up.  I am sooooo excited!  It needs to be tuned but is in decent condition.

This stinker is heavy!  It took 3 guys to move it.

Breaking in the new piano.

More science experiments

The kids and I went with Kimberly to the Dallas Arboretum but first stopped at Tida's shop to say hi and then picked up some BBQ for a picnic lunch.

Gianni showing Maxwell the big mixer

It may be winter but it's always a good time for a popsicle!

We got lots of running in on the pretty grass in the sunshine.  We didn't end up exploring the Arboretum much beyond the portion by the entrance.

Peter and I went on a date out to eat and then to see the Book of Mormon musical (which neither of us really liked).

Another night we went to a movie and then over to Tida and Jason's.  Kimberly watched the kids (they had a great time).

Dentist, Halloween Fun, and Neon Run

Emmalyn, Maxwell, and I all had dentist appts.  I checked Maxwell out of school early and then Brittany brought Emmalyn a little later.

Maxwell getting his first x-rays

He was nervous.  He did help by holding "mr slurpee" but he kept doing this nervous coughing thing.

Emmalyn got to see Maxwell go a little bit.

Maxwell has some adult teeth coming in.  The dentist doesn't think he will lose any baby teeth though until he is 6.

While I went, they were pretty well behaved.  It was super stressful to me though because I'm laying there with my mouth open, not really able to respond or prompt/direct them, etc.  Thank goodness they are good kids!

After watching Maxwell and I, Emmlyn was comfortable and ready to go.  She's been excited about this!

Emmalyn just had a quick teeth check by the dentist - no cleaning this time.

After the dentist, I took the kids to my work for the annual kids trick-or-treating

Maxwell and Donna

They came home with a ton of candy

My blue ninja and little Asian girl

She loved the section that was decorated like Halloween

He was wiped out and fell asleep on the way home.

Woke up for a huge yawn..

...and then back to sleep

The stuff Maxwell did on my board in my office.  Definitely not Kinder Curriculum level here.

Maxwell's elementary did a Neon Run fundraiser that I was able to attend.

Emmalyn came with Brittany.  She loves her "flag shirt" and would wear it every day if she could.

Getting the "rules"

Starting out strong!  Even when the other kids were walking.  He wore two wrist bands to school today but let one of his friends wear one.

Still running!

One of the neighborhood ladies was running it and kindly gave Emmalyn her own shirt.

Landen running

Hot, tired, yet still so focused!

Her stash she brought with her is spread all over.

The  kids got a few breaks to get a drink and dance a little.  It helped to break it up rather than having them run for 45 minutes or so straight (which would never work with Kinder kids!)

I don't know the kid on the left, Maxwell, Julien, and Landen

During one of the dance breaks

All the kids and the teachers

The school is largely Indian so my little pale boy with glasses is easy to spot in a crowd.

Taking a picture with her fake phone

Still trying to go potty on the potty every once in awhile.  She was successful this time.

We swam next door (for maybe the last time this season)  the kids braved both the hot tub and the pool.

Mary Ann brought out the skeletons from the Halloween decorations for the kids to play with.

Maxwell jumping from the rock

HAHA!  Maxwell put his goggles on his skeleton.

Emmalyn hugging the alien skeleton was just creepy but they all had a lot of fun.

We finished the night off with roasting marshmallows and some smores.  I think this is the first time my kids have ever roasted marshmallows.

sugar happy

Maxwell's School Picture.  I love it.  It's not his genuine smile but it sure the smile he puts on whenever you ask him to smile so in that way, it's genuine Maxwell.

The picture Maxwell drew at school.  I was impressed with the colors and detail of the water park.  This is certainly an improvement for him.  

Wearing her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader costume to Kindermusik

waiting for her sticker

Class picture

Everly, the twins, Emmalyn, Max, Luca, and Brennan

We love Mrs. Carolyn!

The YMCA next to Kindermusik was have a festival thing so Emmalyn and I checked it out.  She got her face painted.

She loved the obstacle course

She got quite a few goodies including a free t-shirt!

Wahoo - Peter's car key arrived from California.  Now we have two keys again.

Blue Ninja Maxwell at his Kindermusik class.

Maxwell's class

They were still doing the pumpkin patch at the church Kindermusik is held in, so I let Maxwell get his face painted there since Emmalyn came home with her face painted.  This is the first time that I can ever remember Maxwell REALLY wanting to get his face painted.  He has always not been interested in it.  He was super excited about getting a smiley face.

We played some of the games.

She found some lotion and got it all over herself

She loved looking at her face paint in the mirror.

We carved pumpkins.  This was the first time Maxwell has helped scraped a pumpkin.  He was, naturally, disgusted but did a good job.  A lot of firsts today!

He's making the same face as his pumpkin.