There was a mandatory talent show, and all families came through. Max and Lilly singing.
The Pablo and Amber Family dancing to Rudolf it was an outstanding performance.
There was some joke telling.
My mom mad hats for all. 
Christmas morning was just as fun. Santa came and the kids were thrilled that got just what they asked for.
Me I was the most surprised and I was so good this year that I got my dream camera. I still can't believe it. Kevin says it was a Christmas miracle don't ask questions. But he assured me that he didn't rob a bank, bet on sporting events or donate plasma.
Christmas day was spent playing Rockband and eating. We had a very happy Christmas.
Max giving me a funny face.
Eating breakfast
Kevin getting his paperwork ready for the post office.
Sunday Morning. Lilly in sandals and Max as Justin Timberlake. 
There have been so many times in my life that I have been blessed by the Lord and his goodness. His blessings have come numerous times from friends and family, from plates of goodies, to a smile, phone call or a complement. Blessings have come from friends watching my children, or working on crafts together. I have lots to be grateful for this season. 
A game of Thanksgiving poker.
I can't go to California without getting to the beach. No matter how short the trip I have to go see my happy place. 
It is in the kitchen, loft, Lilly's room, the classroom and the bathroom. She can't get enough of drawing. I love how she explains the pictures to me. She shows me that she is being detailed by having to have a sky and a floor and anything else that she adds to the picture. She loves to draw and tell me the stories behind them. She is getting so much better with her writing. She can almost always get the initial consonant for all the words in her sentence, and throws in a few words that she knows how to spell as well. I love these pictures, she will not always be drawing and writing like this,so I had to post some of her best work. As a bonus I think the Grandmas and Grandpas would like to see it as well. 
I have a great art tip from school today. I had this idea working in my head but then my friend Bethany (art teacher extraordinaire) helped me perfect it. It's marble painting. You will need a shallow box, (I asked for mine at the market) paper, paint, marbles and tape. Tape the paper to the inside of the box. I used painter tape it came off the paper really well. Just squeeze a few lines or blobs of paint onto the paper, add the marbles and have the kids roll it around the box. Little mess and easy clean up. The kids loved the project and were happy to do it for several minutes, most of them did not want to stop.
On Thursday and Friday was my preschool parties. Both days I dressed up as Little Red Riding hood b/c I didn't think that the kids would really know who Olive Oil was. There were only a few kids that knew who Little Red was. I think I will be reading that story in the near future. All the kids came dressed up and we played fun games like toss the goblin and don't eat the spook. The kids had the best time when we made a witch's brew with ghost toes (marshmallows) skeleton teeth (dried pineapple) lizard skin, (Frito's) bat eyes (m&m's) well you get the picture.
This one is taken while we were getting some loot. 
On Halloween we decide that we would hang out with the cousins and trick or treat with them and go to their block party. But first we had to go their Fall Festival where Lilly and Max enjoyed games, prizes, popcorn and snow cones.
