Not going to lie...

Mom...these snow globes turned out so cute!  I have them on the other side of the door too.  We put "Grammy's" up too!

I get so tired after a morning of Kindergarten!  I start out great and make it through the day, go home with big plans to do some things, and then Velle whines or barks to sit on my lap...and I am done!  Ted teases me about taking naps in the afternoon, but I don't have time to get one.  When I look over all the pictures of Tuesday and today...I see why I am tired...it is a mental tired from always thinking and planning so as not to be overcome by 5 and 6 year olds.  

 Add to the normal daily stuff of learning...special day ideas and programs!  Oi...makes my head spin!

 Famous American Day in February...to help prep for K5 Graduation in May!  I thought I had a good idea.  Using Alphabits Cereal to make words...and then eat them...sounded good in my head...they had trouble making words today!????  Oi!  Simple....one vowel words...we've done it many times.

 The fun ideas seem to come easily as I am always looking for ways to use all our senses...I have 8 boys...7 of whom HATE coloring!

 And then there is trying to keep control/discipline...which goes right out the window when you hear yourself say things like, "Go ahead and eat your words!"  They...well, he...literally eats them off the table!  Thank the Lord for a huge supply of Clorox wipes!

 But...I keep searching for fun things, I keep giggling at the funnies, I keep cheering on their learning, and I keep praying for the strength to be what I need to be for my family each night!

 I was so concerned that January would be dull with not much color...so I keep choosing bright things to compliment the snowmen, snowflakes, and snowballs.

 Our little Kinder world is bright and cheery on another dull, gray, cold Michigan winter day!

Almost halfway through January...I hope we get it all done!  whew...I really want a nap!  I think, I think I am younger than I am.  My mind says one thing...my body tries to speak up and say another!

A treat from my sister...

sent me over the edge of self-control!  I ate the last one today...dark chocolate mint Lindt truffle balls.  Oh my word!  I can tell it is the middle of winter and Ted has been gone!  Thanks, sissy!

Wait...Already?!

 where's everybody going? Grampy and Grammy brought me a new toy!  We headed back to school on the 3rd.

 We were sort of ready...and sort of no ready for the schedule that came with it!

 Ball games...but we got to share the time with special people!

New Year Fun

Thankful thoughts

Double-dating

 Flemings Steakhouse...

 for dessert...chocolate lava cake

A trip downtown Detroit

 By Thursday, everyone was feeling ready for an outing!  We went shopping so the teens could spend their Christmas cash!  If you go by the number of items in the bag or time spent in the stores, the trip was successful!  Then Dad had one of his great ideas..."Let's go local for some good food!"  We drove downtown and took the people mover to Greektown for wonderful pizza.  Teddy enjoyed doing his Buddy the Elf impression on the escalators...sans the tights!

 We enjoyed being together....laughing and talking with our teens!

 How quickly they are growing up!  It is a good thing we aren't getting older...HA!

We totally didn't follow tradition this year!

 Can you believe that we didn't open stockings on Christmas morning???

 I think they finally remembered to open their stockings on Tuesday!  When sickness strikes during Christmas break...everyone is affected in different ways.

 It stretched out the fun!  "It doesn't matter...we knew the stockings weren't going anywhere!"

 Learning to play a new game...

 and Velle insisted on being part of it!

We lasted for a couple rounds...and then everyone went back to a comfy chair and blanket!  We are a bundle of Christmas fun and energy here....NOT!

Perking up for special visitors from Wisconsin!

 It is always fun to have friends stop and visit!  We enjoyed a visit from our WI friends!

Ted and Alisa perked up enough for lunch and conversation.  Shortly after our visit was over...the battle for the fevers raged again.  We are so hoping that the MI germs didn't hitch a ride to WI!

Our Christmas Eve

 with a Dad who was sick!  Made for a quiet night at home...

 waiting for the fever ridden man to wake up for awhile.  "I haven't felt this bad in a very long time!"

 We let him rest some more and then we shared presents.

 This year was different for all of us.  Velle had fun romping through the wrapping paper and chewing on presents.

 Christmas morning we went to church without our Dad.  What a bummer!  Uncle Pastor had a wonderful service for our church family.  We then spent time with friends for Christmas dinner.

 The teens are always up to entertain us!

 A cozy afternoon...and Ashlynn's finger...

 and another family member went down!  Poor Alisa didn't want to admit she was feeling terrible...by the time I took her home...she had 101 fever.  She and Ted battled it out for the highest running fever....102.7 was the highest I measured.

We are thankful for wisdom to stay home for this break...turned out that our world traveler needed time to get sick and then recuperate...and it has taken all week.  We are thankful for God's provision for each and every day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family