Sugar Cookies

I am too much of a perfectionist...and a clean freak...to do this kind of stuff!! However, I want my kids to have good, fun memories of doing things together with Mom...SO, the other night, I had them help me make sugar cookies...that was the start of the "fun", let me tell you!! We ran out of time (and energy) to work on decorating the cookies until today. I set out cookie sheets for each child and included a bowl of sprinkles and such. I also frosted the cookies to save on time (and frosting!). Here are the kids...That is where the "cleanliness" stopped...Don't worry...if you received cookies from us, you did not receive ones that Maddie & Will made!!

Not wanting to be outdone by her brother...

4 proud kids showing off their beautiful masterpieces...

Hart Family member #7

Did you take a deep breath, Did you do a double take?? : ) Luckily this new family member is not a big eater and doesn't make noise!! He won't need a big space to sleep either!!

Katie brought home "Flat Stanley" yesterday...he is going to be doing some family activities with us and it is suggested that we include him in pictures too...all for the sake of 2nd grade journaling! So, welcome to our family Flat Stanley...hopefully you will still love us after living among us for a few weeks!!

Katie is showing Flat Stanley some of her favorite ornaments.

And the Winner Is....(drum roll)

Matt's office held an ugly Christmas sweater contest yesterday. Matt went to Goodwill the night before and found this sweater...I don't think he even looked at the size! I told him that he looked like Cousin Eddie...he told me that others commented on that in the office!! He won the contest by 1 vote!! Here he is with his bounty!

More House updates

We continue to plug away at the house. I made a list the other night and showed Matt. He glanced at the list and said, "wow, are those all the things we've done the past few months"..."No, those are the things that still need to be done to complete the rooms!". That was rather disheartening! Luckily, most of these things are small...like ordering and putting up pictures, wipe down walls (from windows installed, etc) & sew curtains.


We "finished" the girls room (again, I have about 3 or 4 things left to do) last weekend and the girls have LOVED sleeping in their new beds/new room. I just ordered their area rug and will include pictures of the rest of the room once that is in place (pictures have been updated)!!. Until then - here is their new triple bunk bed...not a fun thing to put together in a small room.



With the girls in their new room, I was able to get Will situated in his room in the basement. He loves Thomas, Cars & trucks...so here is his new room...Our new windows are installed!! They are still drafty due to the fact that the siding isn't in place yet. Once that is installed, the windows should be air tight!! We anxiously wait for that day to come!!

Decorating & Singing

I looked back over the last few posts and realized that I never added the pictures of the kids decorating the tree with their ornaments...So, here they are. I must say that they were wonderful helpers this year. We had the tree decorated within 30 minutes!!

Today was a big day for us. We started our day with Maddie & Will's first ever preschool program! There is something so special & innocent about watching 3 year olds singing songs! Maddie & Will didn't sing too much. Will was busy being a ham while Maddie just stood there. She didn't seem scared, just not sure what to sing or do!

We grabbed lunch (Matt was able to take the day off from work) and then headed to Katie & Alex's school for their Christmas program. The room was pretty dark so it was hard to get good pictures, but did get a few. We couldn't get a good picture of Alex (during her songs) due to a taller boy being in front of her. I am sure that both Alex & Katie...as well as most of the auditorium...heard Maddie & Will as they were saying "Alex, Agus (Will calls alex Agus), Alex, Agus, Agus!!!"....and...."Datie, Datie, Datie, Datie, Datie!!!"Everyone got home in time for naps, homework and a little down time before heading back out again for Awana. It was a very exciting night at Awana - Awana Christmas Store!!! The girls get to spend all of their points on presents for family & friends. Both came home with a big black garbage bag of gifts! Maddie & Will made 2 crafts too which are now under the tree.

So, now I guess it is my turn to get some presents out and start wrapping. This is the only thing on my "to do list" that I would like to get done tonight...but it is almost 10, so we will see if I get a second wind...