And Suddenly, It's December

It's December. It's December? It's December! 

I feel like I've run a marathon. 

Actually, it was only half of a marathon, but I'll take success any way I can get it. We've survived Thanksgiving and are on week two of The Elf (that sneaky little twit has already dyed the milk green, bathed in my marshmallows, and drank a half jug of syrup).

My little students are nearly halfway through the school year; my big students took their final last week. I now have a new title: "Meanest Professor." I'll take success any way I can get it.

My office is packed for the move, and all that's left is the crying (my students, not mine--I'm a meanie).

And somehow, in the midst of it all, our little everydays continued.

We celebrated the end of another soccer season. Gigi is an excellent sideline kicker. Well, mostly she plays with her little ponies, but occasionally she'll wander down the sidelines to swipe at an errant ball. 

Some of my best memories are of pizza parties after a long swim meet. We took it back old school style: Mazzio's pizza. Of course kids nowadays have new ways of entertaining themselves. What did we do before cell phones? 

This proud kid finally beat Lord Chaos in Skylander. (I say this with authority, yet I have no idea what I'm saying.)

This one is continuing her quest to become a mermaid. 

He survived his first bout of strep this year--and with luck, it will be the last. 

We took a personal day. Do you have any idea how tough pre-school is?

After a long day, there's really nothing better than a good episode of "George," your big brother, and chocolate milk. 

Unless of course, you can undress mom's bed and bring all the comforts right to your very own kitchen. That makes for a pretty good day too. 

RJ used to wash cars every morning; Gigi washes her doll purses. Kids will make their own fun. 

Speaking of fun....these little jelly ball thingies are amazing (and very scientifically named). Gigi spent hours playing with her little roll-y balls. 

She's lucky she's cute. We totally busted her running around the house after hours. Today, I caught her coloring her vanity (yes, you read that right) while wearing nothing but panties and dress shoes. Every morning around 4, she climbs in bed with me to snuggle: "Mommy, I just like you so much!" It's adorable. It would be so much more adorable if she waited until 7. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our Little Lutheran School family. 

We really think there's a chance RJ will grow up to be a pastor. He has a heart for service. 

We turkey trotted. 

Gigi was not amused. It was cold, and although she's young, she's smarter than all of us. No one else had a blanket. 

Here he is, ready and willing to serve our Thanksgiving meal. He soon knocked off and proceeded to consume nearly the entire turkey, leaving him with a bit of indigestion: "I'm going to have to let out a lot of air after eating all of that!"

A 5 o'clock meal got awfully close to bedtime for this little one. 

My big helper decorated almost the entire tree for me this year. 

And my little Precious Moment figurine was his assistant. 

We managed to snag a few Christmas photos. 

After just a wee bit of drama from the littlest elf. 

And now that we've completed our marathon, we're hoping to pause for just a moment or two to enjoy the magic that is December.