Christmas Prep, Roe Musical Trio, Visit to Hartford - Week of Dec 14, 2015

 On Monday we made bags for Christmas gifts for our CBS and library teachers. The kids had fun stamping the bags themselves. We would later fill the bags with cookies and tea.

More hands-on activities

 Making music together. This trio certainly keeps Mommy entertained!

 We definitely had some challenging moments this week (we learned that homeschoolers also experience pre-holiday crazies). But we also had a bright spot: Micah really wanted an applesauce packet for dessert and asked Helen if she wanted one also. When we found out that there was only one left, he insisted that she have it.

It's fun to see them all engaged in an activity together.

 At the library Tuesday, where everyone is excited to have computer time...

 "Dancing" with scarves

 After the library, we headed over to Theresa Steinkopf's house to join a farewell party for our friend Nami.

 It was our last opportunity to see Nami. We will miss her! But I did capture this moment: While taking a break from playing to eat some fruit, Henry kept his hand on Nami's back. It's hard to let go!

 On Wednesday, the kids and their CBS pals performed their Christmas songs for an appreciative audience.

While in the other room, Mommy heard the vacuum and walked in the living room to discover this new game the boys started: one turns on the vacuum while the other "feeds" it some scrap of trash from the floor. Mom's just going to hope it's only trash and be thankful the floors are being cleaned (for once).

At one point, this conversation happened...
Micah: Mom, today I accidentally peed in the trash can.
Mom: What?! How does that happen?
Micah: Sometimes, when you're peeing, it just goes the wrong direction.

 Racing through the dining room - this girl likes her speed!

 Fun with the music stand at Chit Chat Club.

 Hurdling football practice on Thursday...

On Friday afternoon we were invited to decorate Christmas cookies at Grandma's house. 

 Helen wasn't at all interested in wearing her designated apron (or taking a nap).

 Learning the art of Christmas cookie decorating.

 You know he wanted to eat them!

 Cousin Calla helped also.

 Poppa is the expert decorator with sprinkles, while Grandma puts icing on all the cookies, taking orders from the decorators for specific shapes.

 Instructions from Grandma

We headed over to Hartford Sat/Sun for a Roe family gathering on Sunday.

Helen was very pleased to sit in a big kid chair and eat her chicken nuggets.

Henry got a hold of Mom's phone and decided to take a few artistic shots of Poppa Roe. At first he didn't realize what was going on. But when he did, he was all too happy to ham it up for his little photographer grandson.

When the cousins bring their puppies over - it's fun for us!

Henry and Jackson

Convincing Uncle Kenny to make paper airplanes with them