Elf on the Shelf Brunch

Our Elf on the Shelf came to visit for the season today. He came for brunch before church. We had waffles and a breakfast casserole. He brought with him Christmas painting books for the girls. Barbie for Audrey and Thomas for Allie. He left the girls notes reminding them that he'd be watching them during the day and reporting to Santa at night. The girls were excited to see him.

 

painting in the books that "Oak" brought. Audrey named him last year.

Winnie the Pooh joined us at the table too

yummy waffles

Sarah

Happy Thanksgiving

Audrey and Allie. And the bobble head pilgrims. 

Jeremy and I have had these pilgrims since we were dating. My tastes have changed since I bought these, but they have adorned our Thanksgiving table every year since 2003. I am just waiting for one of the kids to break one (literally). Then I can get more adult and sophisticated pilgrims. So it only seemed fitting that I let them pose this morning with the fat little bobble heads. Plus, Audrey let me curl her hair with the curling iron. She won't allow me to roll her hair in rollers like she did last year. I had to capture those curls while they hung around. They'll be gone by noon.

Sarah

Thanksgiving Day

Over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house we went. After our big Thanksgiving feast, the girls and I  made Christmas Card garland, to hang our holiday cards this year. Audrey and Allie  had fun playing with new toys and cousins they hardly ever see.  That night we went back to my parents house for supper with my Aunt Carol and cousin Lisa. Dad made pork loin and we enjoyed more pumpkin bars for dessert. The pictures I did get this day were of the craft we did down at Grandma's house. I forgot to get a finished product picture, but they all turned out so cute. And ours worked so well. All of our cards this year hung from it on our staircase. Again, so bummed I didn't get a picture of it in it's glory.  Here is our inspiration picture that came from Pinterest:

painting and decorating the mini clothes pins that would eventually hold Christmas cards to the ribbon

my little painter

Ellie. I love her concentration

Sarah

Our Thanksgiving

Our Family Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

Ever since 2003

This year we made

Turkey

homemade gravy

mashed potatoes

cranberry sauce

green beans

and it was GOOD!

For dessert:

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting

it was the first year since 03 I didn't make pumpkin pie

one day my husband won't wear a t-shirt and shorts to our Thanksgiving

and our table will look like it's straight out of Pottery Barn

that was not this year.

life is busy, and messy now

and just plain tiring

with two kids under the age of 5, soon to be 3.

tomorrow we'll travel to my Grandma's

and on Friday, to Jeremy's parents

for again, turkey, potatoes and pie.

We like having our own Thanksgiving, 

just us.

Because one day, we hope, it won't just be the four of us

but a house full of people

gathered together to share good food, good drinks

and be thankful for our blessings. 

2011: Audrey 4, Allie 1.5

Sarah

Beginning Tumbling

This fall Audrey started the beginning tumbling class at gymnastics. It's for 4-6 year olds. She started when she was 3.5. She shows promise in the sport but still goes back and forth between gymnastics and dance, as to which she prefers. This day they were practicing hand stands and back bends. 

Sarah

Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool

 Today we witnessed the Pilgrims (4's class) having a Thanksgiving feast with the Native Americans (Audrey's class) at preschool. Audrey was so quiet and patient as she sat on her painted green mat she'd made in class and her headband with a feather stating that she was thankful for her sister. Audrey's class sang songs they had learned, ate, and went on a "turkey hunt" (like the book, "Going on a Bear Hunt") with the 4's teacher. Allie was apparently starving the entire time because she kept trying to squeeze herself in between Audrey and the boy sitting next to her to grab food. Daddy is normally busy with work, but he came today and Audrey was thrilled. Afterwards we went out for a real lunch before he had to go back to work.

saying their prayer

turkey lunch meat, mini cornbread muffins, cranberries and popcorn.

Allie begging for food

the whole table

her feather said she was thankful for her sister.

going on a "turkey" hunt

Audrey and her friend Jaiden, who is in the 4's class.

Sarah

Hannah's Bubblegum party

Our niece Hannah turned 5 this year and she celebrated with a bubblegum party. Hannah and Audrey are good friends. It helps they are so close in age. 

The girls

cake! Yum. Audrey is all business when eating cake.

Sarah