The girls kinda hijacked this post

It's hard work having kids so close together, but it's also so much fun watching them play together. All Most of the time they get along well and get creative in their dramatic play. This day, they had a store in the living room.

The twins are still liking hockey--I can't believe it! They got rid of the trainers and are skating on their own now. It's so fun to watch them! 

 

 

Last weekend, Paisley had a dance competition about 3 1/2 hours away. So you know what that means....a hotel stay! She was so excited! The night before, the girls swam, practiced and then ran around in the lobby while us moms enjoyed a cold beverage. :) Dance moms can get a bad reputation. But I like us. :)

Thanks to Grandma Brenda who had the littles over night because Craig had to work an 18 hour day (in-between two 12 hour days)! We really appreciate your help, mom!

 

Aubrey, Paisley, Emarie and Lydia... 

 

The girls danced well!

 

Stiff competition and a 3rd place win for Danz Kraze Pink!

 

 

While Paisley was away at her competition, her religious education classmates were participating in a retreat and celebrating their first reconciliation. Unfortunately, we couldn't be in two places at once, so Paisley met with our priest a few days later to do her first confession. She was very nervous--but when it was all over she said she was so happy with it and she can't wait to do it again. She makes my heart happy.

 

(She also said when we got home, "I'm going to have a stern talk with my husband and tell him that he needs to be catholic and that our kids need to be catholic because it's just like, the best thing to be and blah blah blah." I cracked up.)

 

Everleigh had her Christmas program this weekend. For days we talked about what she'd wear. Okay, so when Paisley had her program she begged to wear a dress, but she had to dress in all brown to be a reindeer. Then when the boys had their program, they dressed as Olaf. But this year--the year I have a tomboy...they had a traditional program and the girls needed to dress up. GULP. Everleigh insisted she was going to wear a t-shirt and jeans. When I suggested a dress, she said, "Fine. But only if it's a boy-dress." Uh, okay? So after kicking, screaming, crying and refusing to take her coat off....I was pretty nervous about what we'd see on stage.

See her? Way on the right. In the grey DRESS! :)

She didn't crack a smile the entire time. She looked super grumpy, but she sang every word to every song. Gotta love her!

 

 

Once she was off that stage she was all smiles.

 

And she had lots of supporters!
Lydia and Courtney...

G&G Berg...

Grandma Brenda...

And of course...Miss Emily...

 

The next day, Paisley celebrated her birthday with her friends. She had her party at the movie theatre. The girls saw The Good Dinosaur. Wow, what a tear jerker! They enjoyed the movie, treats, the bounce house and LOTS of giggles.

Someone was VERY excited about the Full House DVDs. Her mom might have been too.

Because our weekend just wasn't busy enough, we also celebrated two birthdays with our family today. Paisley will be 8 on Christmas, and Makyah turned 13 (holy crap) on the 18th. We had a great day with family!

 

You can't have a December without tradition, right? We all got in our pajamas, made hot cocoa and hopped in the car with Christmas music blasting and toured the lights in a local park. I hope these are the things our children will always remember. I know I will.

 

 

Now to prepare for the Christmas and (more) birthday festivities of the week. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

XOXO,

Brook