Decorating sour cream cookies with Grandma.

Alyssa on the carousel ride at the mall.

Grandma & Grandpa with the kids.

Mom & daughter photo after getting back from church.



Kids decorated gingerbread cookies for Santa.

A visit on Monday to the Crown Center to see Santa at Crayola Land. Those were probably the best "smiles" I could get from John. Alyssa was being so patient with me having to take a dozen photos just to get one okay picture! :)



Here's some photos from a trip to Crayola Land in 2006 and for a train ride at Union Station - so amazing to compare from a few years ago!

Alyssa lost her 2nd tooth today (the first one was in July). She kept on showing me with her tongue how loose it was. So I took a tissue and took it out. She was so excited about it and wondering what the tooth fairy will bring her tonight.

Especially in the winter months it's great to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

The kids both had their dentist appointments this afternoon. Alyssa had x-rays done and has 4 loose teeth (the bottom tooth she lost in July is all the way in now)- with a good job of brushing. John was able to sit still and had a good report of brushing (I was pleasantly suprised). I was glad to hear that since I haven't been helping him with the brushing as much and his power toothbrush hasn't been used since the battery died several weeks ago.

We all got the tree decorated and daddy made some hot chocolate with marshmallows for the kiddies and can you believe it - no ornaments were broken in the process. :)

There are always going to be "bad days"

Last weekend we took the kids to Steak and Shake as a reward for John having "good" days at school. A good day consists of him either getting all smiley faces next to the following list...listening, keeping hands to self, respecting circle time, 1 step directions, staying on task, and lining up or not getting a piece of paper describing his "areas of improvement". He went 2 weeks without any issues! Definitely had to celebrate!
Yesterday though he didn't have a very good day. The note from the preschool teacher was that the "class lost center time because John threw a fit in gym and would not clean up". He also had frowns next to 1 step directions and lining up.
Today he had a good day again. I've come to realize that without those bad days we would forget to appreciate and enjoy all of those good days! I always need to remind myself to focus on the good things and not to dwell on the bad things. Especially during this Christmas season - all of the extra hassles and things we feel we just have to do...instead of getting all stressed out we need to remember to enjoy the moment and have fun and remember what the whole reason for celebrating is! I know, I know, easier said than done! :)