Stage Mom

To the naked eye this is just a video of Ava singing Christmas songs...but if you look closely, you'll see her CaaaaaRAZY mother bobbing her head and using jazz hand finger points in order to keep Ava on beat. Just like an episode of Toddler's In Tiaras. Awesome. The sad thing is...I didn't even realize I was doing it! Ava, I apologize in advance for embarrassing you at all future dance recitals, soccer games, gymnastic meets, school assemblies....etc, etc. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

And A Partridge In A Pear Tree!

TIRED. I'm really tired. It's been such a fun holiday. I don't know who had more fun, the adults or the kids...what a great Christmas! We had the Blyth clan in town again this Christmas. Nonie, Grumpa, Jason and Jessie all came to stay at our house (Colin and Kelley unfortunately couldn't make it). We had a blast drinking, eating, playing with the kids, and getting really spoiled!

Christmas Eve, we had our family friends the Parkers over for crab. The kids decorated gingerbread men...

Check out Miles' shirt. Such a mess.
Sammy liked the candy

Nonie and Miles

Just before dinner...SANTA (Smelly Claus) arrived!! Ava was SO excited!!

Miles...not so excited!

CHEERS!

Christmas morning came early at our house. 6AM to be exact. Ava ran into our room and shook me awake saying: "Mommy!!! SANTA came! He brought me a DOLL HOUSE!!"

This one opened presents very carefully.

The aftermath

That night, we all headed to my parent's house for dinner. Ava with her best friend JJ.

Batman and Buzz Lightyear

The greatest Grannies in the world!

Jess and Jas. Future Bendites!

Cheese!

The Grout Girls

This Christmas was one of my very favorite yet. Sorry this post is so short on words...my brain is functioning at a lower level than usual today. I need some SLEEP. Good night!

Powder Turns

She's just awesome.

Gingerbread Houses

We had the cousins over this week for some gingerbread house building. We went with the ghetto-gram-cracker-style-house this year. What a great excuse to play with your food and get a sugar high.

Ava with her masterpiece
JJ with hers.
I didn't get a picture of Jakey with his house, he was too busy keeping Miles entertained with boy stuff, but his was beautiful too!

PS...FYI for my busy mommy friends. I just picked up a sugar cookie decorating kit at Trader Joes for 99cents! Comes with 4 cookie cutters, dough mix, frosting & sprinkles...GREAT deal, and kept the kids entertained for at least a half hour!

Christmas Abstract {By Ava}

We call this "Tree"

And this is "Wreath"
Duh.

Okay Mom, I'm Ready to Go...

Miles dressed himself this morning. Sissy's undies and dad's shoes over PJ's. A budding fashionisto??

Weekend Warriors

Last weekend we were Busy Busy Busy!! Saturday marked the first weekend of Mt. Bachelor Ski School for Ava (3 Saturdays, 6 hours a day), then my mom took the girls (Ava, me, Kylie and JJ) to the Nutcracker here in Bend and out to dinner at Red Robin (thanks Mom!) then we headed over to Kylie and Ole's house to watch the rest of the Apple Cup (ahhhh, so frustrating!) with the guys and an impromptu slumber party...

My little ski bunny with her buddy Sadie ready to hit the slopes. They tore it up, video to come!!

Listening intently to the teacher.

All the kiddos (minus Carson) at Kylie's house...ready for their first slumber party!!
Down for the count...under the piano!

Jakey snoozin

On Sunday, we ventured out to get our tree!!

Cali and Monty in Dog Heaven.

Ava was a bit tired (understandably) that day...I think this is the only time she smiled the entire day.

The snow is DEEP!

A great way to end our day...with another fit from my beautiful daughter!

Now, I am sad to say, we have been home all week with the kids who are suffering from a bout of pink eye. I guess too much partying will do that to ya!

Hate To Brag But...

My kid (my FOUR YEAR OLD) can read! Yup...Ava has set a goal for herself these past couple of weeks. She wants to learn to read like the kindergarten kids at her school. So...we made her some flash cards...and viola! My 4 year old is reading! I've always said she has a brain like her dad...her retention is amazing...nothing like me I'm afraid! I was that kid in second grade going to the "special class" to brush up on my reading skills. I don't think we'll have that problem with this kid. So, g'on brush yo shoulders off Ava. You deserve it.