February

Not a good month for pictures, but a good one none-the-less. Silas has been practicing hard for his violin assessment concert. Rory had a Roman wax museum at school. He was Mars and ended up hating and refusing to wear his helmet. We started a Bible study with some families from church. We have yet to have everyone healthy and in attendance, but I still think it will be good. I started crocheting and although the products all look like baby toys, it is pretty fun to learn something new. I got to see Eli in a play in Rockwall and he was a star! We also visited a U-pick tulip farm that was adorable. We are getting hints of spring and I am here for it!

 

 

January

We ended the month on a day of morning to evening snow- the best one since living here for the last 17 years! It's a good thing we did too because this January post was going to be exceedingly boring as we participated in approximately 2 events. We will get those out of the way first. We went to Finley Park for the 1st time since its revamp. I thought it was pretty cool. They have a sliding hill and disc golf, and pickleball, and a lot of climbing equipment. I had to force my children to go on the playground. 

We also saw many a cousin. Lacy and Lizzy spent the night and we made a mouse house. The Hoft boys also spent the long weekend and per usual it was mostly Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers with a quick break for the trampoline park and kickball. For one of the dinners I did that thing where you assign every meal item a number and then they order their courses by number totally blind as to which things they will get. It was well received. Lots of eating with fingers, and Daron got a course that was entirely utensils.

Progression of snow.

 

 

 

 

December

We liked December! I think my summary words would be...

1. Simmer pot- I had one going most days. I dried about a million oranges and apples for a DIY simmer pot bag station for my work holiday party. Rory thought the oranges smelled horrible. 

2. Popular- I hosted all my co-workers and every single one came. When they were leaving I looked outside and there were like 30 cars all up and down the street. I felt very popular. Then I realized the neighbors were also having a party. Ours was surely more fun. I made everyone hunt around the house for mini holiday items, Alice made a cling wrap snowball full of goodies for Pass the Parcel, and there was soup and crafting.  

3. Mice- I went on a sewing spree making little felt mice. It was so fun seeing each one's personality emerge. I felt rather Jillian Jiggsesque.

We did our advent drawers again. It is getting less and less exciting as the boys get older. I think the biggest hits were the Christmas light scavenger hunt, Chick-fil-a peppermint milkshakes, and Rudolpho's Italian Christmas Cafe. (Fancy Christmas dinner at home where everyone dresses up and I pretend that I am a waitress.) Silas joined in the acting as the live music and played Jingle Bells on the violin. The (old) neighbors had us over to celebrate Hannukah with a feast. I'm a big fan of matzah ball soup.

For New Years Eve, the Brouceks celebrated with us and we had a silver vs. gold Minute to Win It competition. We rang in the new year at 9:00. Highly recommend.