Disney on Ice

Saturday, February 14, 2014
This is the third year in a row we have been to Disney on Ice and we have enjoyed it every year.  Last year there were basically 3 longer acts the show.  But this year there were lots of mini-scenes from lots of Disney classics - Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Princess and the Frog, Snow White and others.  I think I liked this year better.  Emily went to the show in her Anna dress in hopes that the Frozen people would be in the show, but not this year.  Maybe next year.  They would make a good ice show...all things considered.


at

Valentine's Day 2014

Friday, February 14, 2014
We actually got to celebrate Valentine's Day BEFORE school this year because, following a snow day on the 13th, we were on a two hour delay on Valentine's Day.  Even Daddy got to be home because he was on call and got to go in a little later than normal.  So we gave Emily her gifts before she headed off to school. What a way to start the day!

This year we got Emily a new Little Mermaid movie (the Little Mermaid prequel and sequel all on one disc) and some sew and stuff penguins from the American Girl craft collection.  She seemed to really like both.

For her Valentine's Day party at school, she made little treat boxes for her friends with Hershey Kisses, conversation hearts and a little stuffed, heart covered dog.  She filled out all of her Valentine cards this year herself and she did a great job! But the best part of Valentine's Day was that she did not have to wear her school uniform!  Yay!

at

Cheer Debut!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Emily attended Cheer Camp at Bible Center last week.  She seemed to really like it.  Then again it involved all of her favorite things - running, jumping, screaming, yelling, and smiling - so what's not to like?

 
After they practiced for a couple of days, all the kids got to perform before boys basketball game and then again at halftime of their game as well.  Emily did a great job.  She knew all the cheers and seemed to really have fun.  Her favorite cheer was "everybody in the stands, stand up and clap your hands" followed by a series of claps.  It was pretty cute.  Every once in a while, I can still hear her doing that cheer around the house.  Future cheerleader??  Who knows?



at

Valentine Cookies

Sunday, February 9, 2014

On Sunday evening we decided to break out some refrigerated cookie dough and make some cookies for Valentine's day.  Emily helped ice the cookies and then we topped each cookie with a conversation heart. Emily loved reading the conversation hearts!  Ahhh the joys of being able to read!  We also taught her about the meaning of xoxo.  She really loved that and has been telling me "xoxo" all the time now.  Very sweet.

at

Uncork & Create

Sunday, February 3, 2014

Way back in early January we signed Emily up for an Uncork and Create painting class they were planning up at The Ridges Clubhouse.  Unfortunately, due to the water crisis (no way to wash hands and brushes and such) the class had been cancelled twice.  It was finally rescheduled for Sunday, February 3.  I was worried that Emily might not be able to go since she had not been feeling well, but luckily she perked up on Sunday afternoon and we got to go.


The kids got to paint a snowman and the lady who led the class walked them through all the steps, including how to mix colors on their little styrofoam pallets.  Emily had a great time and came away with a great masterpiece too!  If they do the class again, we would definitely go back!  Very fun way to spend a cold Sunday.



at

Snowshoe!

Friday, January 31, 2014

We had such a good time at Snowshoe last year that we decided to go back again!  This year the guys went up early on Friday morning and Bonnie and I stayed behind so the kids could go to school.  Then we loaded them up at 3:0 and headed north.   We had hoped that Emily’s car sickness would not rear its ugly head on our way up the mountain, but no such luck.  BUT she is such a trooper and NEVER complains.  She just does her business and then is fine again.  Dramamine did not help.  Poor thing.

We arrived about 6:30pm, dropped a few things of in the condo and headed straight for Big Top so the kids could enjoy the bounce houses, games, climbing wall and trampoline.   Emily finally did her first flip on the trampoline!  She was very proud.  I think we wore them out pretty well because when we came in at 8:30 they all seemed pretty ready for bed.
The next morning everyone hit the slopes.  Emily had a private lesson while Dan, Nathan and the kids went out on the trails.  Emily did pretty well, but I felt like her instructor needed to let her go a little more on her own.  I think she could have done more.  But, she had fun and that was all that mattered.  She was most pleased that she got to ride the ski lift not once but twice!  Luckily this year it was not as cold so I think she was able to enjoy it a little more.  I know I enjoyed watching her more this year.


After the lesson, we came in for a bit to get a bath and get dressed.   Lauren and Ben came in pretty early after Lauren had a fall.  So the kids all played a bit and then we had lunch.  After lunch we hit the indoor/outdoor heated pool.  A real highlight for the kids.  I think they like the pool more than the skiing.  The played in the indoor pool a while then went out to the outside part for a bit.  They went back and forth several times and had a great time.  

After swimming, we all came back to the condo for a bit and everyone rested.  Despite the rest, Emily’s cheeks started to get pink and she did not look so good.  But all the kids wanted one more trip to Big Top….so we went.  Emily played a little and then wanted to come home.  A sure sign she was not feeling well.  She rested up a bit and then we went to dinner.  She ate well, but by then it as pretty clear she had come down with strep.  Six of her classmates came down with it this week, including the little boy she sits next to.  They finally had 5 straight days of school and the germs were catching up with her.  But man she was a trooper and despite getting sick, she had a great time!

So, first thing Sunday morning we headed home.  Luckily after the first round of antibiotics, a little Tylenol  and a good night’s sleep she was MUCH improved by Sunday afternoon!  It was a bumpy trip this year for sure, but it was still fun.
at

Long Ago Days

Friday, January 24, 2014
This month, the kids were learning about pioneer days in the early years of our country.  The learned about life on the prairie and Conestoga wagons and cowboys and more.  Then on Friday they got to dress up like little house on the prairie or a cowboy and then in the afternoon they played old fashioned games like jacks. I loved seeing all the girls in their little bonnets and just could not resist getting this picture!  So cute!!!

at

Snow Much Fun

Monday, January 27, 2014
  
Well, the winter of snow and cold continued in January with yet another snow day.  All the snow and cold (polar vortex) along with the water crisis forced us to lose a bunch of days off later in the year.  Not great, I guess, but I have to admit kind of liking the delay days.  Nothing too terrible about sleeping in and having some extra time at home with your child in the morning before school.


Well on this particular snow day, I had to get to the office and Daddy got to stay home and enjoy the snow.  A snow fort was constructed.  Snowballs were thrown and there was even a little bit of sledding.  Daddy and Emily definitely had a great snow day.

at

Buddy Bear

January 17-21, 2014


At the beginning of the school year, Emily’s class went on a field trip to Build a Bear to make a class bear.  Then each weekend, the class bear would get to go home with someone.  Well, Emily’s weekend with Buddy Bear finally arrived and lucky her – it was a long weekend for MLK day.  


She started off her weekend with him by dressing Buddy up in a fairy outfit and inviting him to a family game of Disney Bingo.  Then on Saturday morning, Emily took Buddy to The Clay Center for some fun followed by a trip to Arby’s for lunch.  She also read him several books and played with Buddy in the loft.  

She really got lucky on Monday because they go a snow day on Tuesday and she got to keep him for an extra day and take him out in the snow (at least for a picture).   She wrote about her adventures with Buddy in the class journal at the end of each day and seemed to really enjoy it.  Thanks for a great weekend Buddy!!

at

Icicles

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

There is a little area down at the front entrance to our neighborhood that I just.  There is a great patch of green grass, a very pretty mountain and a little stream.  There are not many days that I drive by it, that I don't think, wow that is just so pretty.  I keep thinking that in the spring, when everything is really green, that I will go by and take a picture.  I have not done that yet, but we had a good little snow storm recently (and a snow day off school) and Emily and I had both been admiring the beautiful icicles that had formed on the edge of the mountain going down into the stream.  So we took her down and took her picture.  She also took her new tablet and took some of her own pictures too.  It really is a pretty little spot.  I just love it.  Now, I just have to make a point to get a picture this spring.
at

The Ordinary Stuff - Let's Go Krogering

Saturday, January 3, 2014

Sometimes it is worth posting the ordinary stuff.  This kind of stuff is more a part of life than most of the posts I make here.  So, here is an ordinary trip to the grocery store.  This week we were very glad to have Emily’s little cart.  We needed it since it was a big grocery week!! 

at

New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Emily got such a kick out of our “New Year’s Eve Party” last year that we decided to do it again this year.  Basically, a New Year’s Eve party consists of eating junk food for dinner, counting down to 8pm (midnight) and then making a bunch of noise with party horns or the like.  I must say I out did myself this year in the annoying party horn department.  Oh well.  At least it only lasted a few minutes and Emily had a blast.  And of course, 2 hours later, I was sound asleep.  Oh well.  Happy 2014!
at

Special Outings & Fun

December 28-29, 2013

We stayed over a couple extra days in Martinsburg which gave us time to get out and do a few things.  Dan and I got to hit up the outlet mall (yay!) and Emily and Jacob went to the playground and ran off a lot of Christmas energy (luckily we had good weather).  Little did we know then that January would be a very cold, snowy and miserable month. Glad they went out when they did!  (Yes, I am behind on my blogging again...as I type this it is February.  Ugh.)
Emily also learned to play ping pong with Granddad, which she loved!  She will do much better when she doesn't have to balance herself on a little stool!

We also took all the kids (even Everett) to Bounce U to have some bounce house fun.  Needless to say, that trip wore them out and they had a great time.  It was nice to be able to stay a little longer this year and really enjoy some time all together.


at

Christmas in Martinsburg

Friday, December 27, 2013
After a very nice Christmas at home, we hit the road for Martinsburg for another round of holiday food, gifts and family fun.  En route, we hit up Starbucks in Clarksburg.  Couldn’t resist including this pic. Emily loves Starbucks cake pops.
We arrived just in time to set out our gifts and get ready for the big meal with Great Grandma Miller.  Jacob and Everett really grew just since we saw them at Cacapon in the fall and Emily enjoyed playing with both of them.  Before the big meal together, everyone opened all the gifts from Great Grandma Miller.  Some of Emily’s favorite gifts from Great Grandma included a new American Girl Saige doll with a ballet outfit to go with it and also doll pjs with some for her so they could match!  She also got an art kit with like 1,000 pieces. 

Uncle Andy introduced the family to holiday crackers at the dinner table this year.  We all had one.  Basically you “crack” open the little package and there is some kind of trinket inside along with a weird little paper hat.  Despite the silliness, I think everyone liked them.

Then after our big meal, we continued on with gifts.  Gifts, gifts and more gifts.  Some of Emily’s favorite gifts included a Lite Brite from Aunt Laura, Uncle Andy and Jacob, a Disney Princess game and Monsters University movie from Aunt Alison, Uncle Charles and Everett and a new tablet from Grandma and Granddad Miller.  The tablet started out as an Innotab with fairies on it, but it was slow and took awful pictures so we helped her return it for a Samsung Galaxy tablet (a lower price version of an iPad).  It is a HUGE hit now.  Definitely a great Christmas in Martinsburg!!
at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)