Impromptu New Year's Eve Picnic

Thankful

This morning the girls were playing upstairs as we were doing chores downstairs. Lee came downstairs to tell me something.

"Daddy, I'm so glad that I have a sister. Otherwise I wouldn't have anyone to play puppy, kitten or store. That's what we're doing now, using our new cash register. Okay, bye."

Then she ran back upstairs to keep playing.

There was no context. We hadn't be talking about being thankful, there was no recent discussion about how the girls should appreciate each other. It was just a spontaneous outburst of gratitude and appreciation.

Love makes me feel all warm inside.

Oh, Christmas Tree

This was all Clara's idea. She and Bridges made it right outside Nancy's window, who was very pleased (she contributed the bows).

The Golden Egyptian Cat

Lee seems to enjoy trying to stump Santa each year. This year she asked for a golden Egyptian cat. I was doubtful, but he managed to pull through.

Gingerbread Houses 2010

We did a community-wide gingerbread project this year, taking orders for houses and then making fourteen identical ones. I baked all the gingerbread at home, and then we had an assembly party with a few of the older kids helping.

Decorating day (on Thursday before dinner) was lots of fun. I had loads of candy (much of it pulled from the depths of the freezer), and everyone had a grand time.

Bridges' House, Complete with Solar Panels from his "BSS"

Proud New Homeowner

Lee Won the Prize for Most CSI (candy per square inch)

Reading Aloud

It's Super Baker!

Junior Minstrels Concert

Ice Skating

Everyone was out today shoveling snow off the pond so we can skate again. Clara didn't like the skating so much, and preferred to just run around in her boots, or crawl around on her stomach and eat snow.

Libby and Lee

Libby and Elisha

Clara

Solar Panels

There's been a lot of activity here lately involving the installation of solar panels. Bridges and I were actually interviewed on NHPR which was kind of interesting.

I'm glad I'm not up there on the roofs in this weather.

You Know You're in NH

I had one of those "I know I'm in NH" moments this morning at our new pediatrician's office. As part of their welcome packet they gave me a brochure on firearm safety.

Who Needs To Ski?

We made the call not to bring ski equipment when we went to Loon for the Polar Express. There was actually decent snow on the slope outside the condo, but the girls had a great time, even though the sled was a plastic bag with a handle (which we had actually used once before with Dave and Mer).

Polar Express

The train ride in pyjamas was fun...

...but the best part was the elves.

Clara's Birthday

For Clara's birthday we went to the Museum of Science in Boston. Then, since it was on a Thursday, we had cake after dinner in the Common House.

This is one of my favorite cakes I've made.