Zoo

It was the last day of our annual membership so we decided to go to the zoo. Every time we go we see something new. This time I saw one of the mountain lions get mad at the other and smack him in the face. We also had a sea lion showing off for us. 

The meerkats couldn't be seen and we saw a sign that said they were looking for a new mob (group of meerkats) for the remaining male. In trying to find out what happened to the old mob I came across this article. It's so funny and I kind of want to participate. 

The rope course was finally open and Jason offered the kids time on the ropes in place of the gift shop. Three of the kdis took him up on it. They played on the ropes course while Eva nd I went to the gift shop. Darby looked scared but determined. Paige was having a blast and Brendan seemed unmoved by it all. Ha!

It was a fun afternoon at the zoo.

 

Gingerbread Houses

Today we did another beloved winter tradition - gingerbread houses with graham crackers and massive amounts of candy. The kids and I came up with a list of what candy they wanted for their "house plans" and we went to go buy it. Eighty five dollars later we had all the supplies. Yikes! But it certainly was fun. 

Each person had an idea of what they wanted to build and got some cardboard, covered it in foil, and made a base. Then they went to town. 

Jason finished first. He made a vehicle from Star Wars (there is some debate about what model it is - Brendan likes to be precise).  

Here is his description:

"Well, inspired by Brendan's Star Wars theme I decided to go with one of the AT-AT walker thingies. So you have your AT-AT walker with an homage to Return of the Jedi with the two Ewoks assaulting it. You have Luke hanging from bottom here. There is a rope around the legs. You have someone being crushed underfoot and exsanginating. And here you have a pile of corpses. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. "

Brendan finished next. He doesn't care for candy that much so his project was more about being creative. 

This is what he had to say about it:

"This is the Death Star blowing up Alderaan. As you can see this is the Death Star right here. This is the laser beam and this is the remains of Alderaan. You cannot see the gingerbread house I built because it used to be on Alderaan. Merry Christmas."

Then Eva showed hers. It was a quaint and cute little cottage with details. She said:

"I made a little house with a little chimney. The smoke puff is made out of marshamallows. I made a little gate around it using pull apart Twizzlers and little trees made with little Reeses. There is a door, some Sour Patch Kids and a little walkway."
 

Paige decided to make another Native American village this year (I think she finds making the tents easier than a house). She made a cute little buffalo as well. Jason asked her to "tell us about your shameless candy grab". Here is her reply:

"Well, candy! And then their is this little guy inside the candy bin just content with everything. Of course it is comfy. Then there is a bunch of food. There's some debris around here and a bunch of dead bodies. Here are survivors near the fire."

Then Brendan asked why they died and she showed us the buffalo. And she moved the buffalo through the village while she sang "Guy on a Buffalo." So silly. 

"

And Darby finished last. She made an ice rink. What you don't see in the picture is that underneath that base graham cracker sheet is a "basement" filled with candy and then covered over with the "ice". The ice was fruit by the foot covered with icing and topped with sugar. She told me:

"Its an ice skating rink. You can see people ice skating over here with those helper things. That is definitely not an excuse to get more Reeses peanut butter cups. These are people hanging along the wall, because people do that [referring to her latest ice skating experience]. And these the people fell over. and then . . . [as she opens the wall] there is hidden candy as there always is. And that's it."

Another Stripe

Today Paige was scheduled to get another stripe on her belt. Next time it will be belt promotion after a test. Jason thought that Coach was out of town so I stayed home. Then I got a text saying that Coach was there and that she would be getting her stripe. So I drove over to watch practice and see her promotion. It's so fun to see these little kids be so focused and fierce about this sport. 

 

Ice Skating

Today was our day to go ice skating. Brendan was "meh" about it but I made him go spend time with the family. When we arrived we saw many daycare buses in the parking lot. It just so happened that we knew one of the kids from church. She hung around with us until the Zamboni was finished with the ice and they would let people back on to skate. 

Due to the recent back injury, I opted to stay off the ice. Paige and Darby spent a lot of of time on the wall. Darby eventually broke away somewhat. 

Paige stayed don the wall the entire time but was pleased that she could go faster by the end of the time there. 

Brendan has terrific balance and went right out into the middle, albeit slowly (and looking so grumpy about it). 

Eva wasn't on the wall long either and was very proud of herself for how she was skating. Her feet hurt midway through so she came off the ice to sit with me. Brendan did as well. 

Jason didn't feel as comfortable on the ice as he usually did and fell a few times. It's really slick after the Zamboni smooths it. He did try to help Paige but in the end, it wasn't really working.

We stayed until the buzzer for the Zamboni rang again and then turned in our skates and headed home. But not before getting a picture with the El Paso Rhino statue. We should come for a hockey game sometime. 

 

Christmas 2022

Since Christmas is on a Sunday this year we allowed the kids to get into their stockings in the morning and then we went to church. It was only sacrament meeting and it was a good one. I rather like it when Christmas is on a Sunday because it really puts the focus where it should be. 

After church, we changed into pajamas (because opening presents has to be done in pajamas, right?) and sat by around the tree. Eva was the elf this year and delivered the presents. Here is the rundown:

I got a cute card from Eva in my stocking, a jewelry cleaner, a new sweater, and some kitchen tools.

Jason's expressions are always so funny. He got some new vintage ties, a sound machine, and some Dewalt tools. 

Brendan received a waffle cookbook, a new shirt, some D&D books from both parents, a Lego set from his sister Darby, a Lego Wii game he has been wanting, and an Echo Show. 

Eva loved her new books (one from Brendan), weighted stuffie, backrest pillow from Dad, donut pan, cookbook, nightgown, and new winter hat. She was nto as impressed with the lip tint in her stocking.

Darby got some new dress shoes, hair clips, music-themed earrings and a necklace from Eva, a sweatshirt, pajamas, a robe (which she covered herself in), and a paint set from her dad. 

Paige's reactions just make me laugh. She got a red panda stuffie, new gloves, a robe (which she threw upon herself and then wore the whole day), a few Schleich figures, a book from Eva and a Lego set from Darby. She gave her sisters big hugs for giving her presents. 

Stella got some treats and a new toy in her stocking. She had pulled the stuffing out of the toy by the end of the day. 

My sister Amanda gave us some games for Christmas. We love family games and can't wait to play these two. 

We watched episodes of The Chosen, a TV show about the life of Christ, and did a puzzle together. 

Jason made ribs for Christmas dinner and I made the side dishes. 

And it wouldn't be complete without the new-ish tradition of peppermint pie and a sneaky little girl. 

 Merry Christmas!