Christmas + Walks in the Park

Our weather has been so mild lately that sometimes it's hard to believe that it's Christmas time! We've been in the upper 50s and 60s for several days, which has lead to lots and lots of walks around various parks. Having a dog is such a great motivator to get outside! The tiny park by our house has been a favorite for proximity reasons...but also it has a pond that had ice on it for a day or two.

Loved these shadows on the ice.

Hannah collected shakers.

A mini Laws Hall reunion! Both these ladies were a year ahead of me but were friends with the people in my dorm and now Sarah, in the middle, lives 5 minutes from me.

Hannah and her pup.

Christmas Eve was another warm day that took us to Jay Dix Park. We tried Ozzy in the swing just for the heck of it and he either loved it or hated it. We couldn't tell. But he didn't try to jump out!

The path was still icy in the shaded areas.

And then Santa came!

Both kiddos have declared this the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! Both spent their own money on gifts for the immediate family this year and really delighted in watching others open them :)

Christmas Day LEGO assembly! A Mandelorian Star Wars set for Zane...

...and the Knight Bus from Harry Potter for Hannah.

Mason surprised me with this fluffy friend! We saw him when we went to the Alpaca Farm near our house and I coveted him, but walked away. He is made from Alpaca fur and is so soft you can't tell you're touching him. He is affectionately known as Chubs.

The day after Christmas we tried out a new dog park on the other side of town. Hannah entertained herself with the agility course since Ozzy was too busy sprinting around to bother with it.

 Mason and I gave both kids a djembe for Christmas. Zane plays a different African drum at school in his drumming group, but these are similar (and more affordable!). Both kids have a great natural sense of rhythm...something they didn't get from me!...and have been having daily jam sessions.

 Follow the leader is something they do in drumming at school. They take turns who is the leader.

A boy and his pup.

The Rise of Skywalker! Great movie. If you would have asked me 15 years ago if I was a Star Wars fan, the answer would have been a resounding NO (aside from the Ewoks). Oh how things have changed!

Snow + School Activities + ATA

Last weekend we got about 4 inches of snow. It was enough to make snowballs...

 ...and shovel...

 ...and burrow...

...and take fun walks.

 Reading by the fire with her pup.

 Ozzy is a tiny watch dog. Constant vigilance!

 Every time we let him out back he returned looking like this. He would go out and snuffle around in the snow for as long as we'd let him. Smelling the rabbits maybe?

 The snow was coated in ice overnight which lead to 2 snow days. We had a great time making cookies, watching movies, and reading.

Then it was back to school to cram a full week's worth of pre-Christmas activities into 3 days. On Friday both kiddos had holiday parties. I went back and forth to each one. This is Hannah's BFG (Big Friendly Giant) map she made with a partner. If you scan the code it leads you to a video of them programming an Ozobot to visit the different regions. Technology is cool.

 Zane's class did a fun challenge. You get a Nilla Wafer, put it on your forehead, and maneuver it into your mouth without using your hands. Zane and I both managed to accomplish the goal! Him by flipping it up and catching it and me by slowly moving around until I could get it. The cut on his chin is courtesy of a neighbor throwing an ice ball at him.

Hannah and Sarah posing by their elves.

After school we went to see Santa at Bass Pro!

 I like the layers in this pic: kids, fire, tiger (of course), and tree.

 They did a little in-store off roading.

 Also on Friday (it was a busy day!) Zane tested for the third stripe on his recommended black belt. The next testing, in March, will be for his BLACK BELT!!!

Christmas Tree + White Trash Bash

We went to our favorite tree farm, Timber View, again this year, but were sad to learn that they'd been hit with a nasty bug and many of their trees didn't make it. There were piles of brown trees off to the side. It was a sad sight, but despite the bugs issue, we were able to fine a great one to cut down! Ozzy and I stopped for a selfie while the family was on the hunt.

 Ozzy enjoyed all the smells in the air, and he especially enjoyed feeling the wind in his mustache on the hay ride out and back.

 Hannah made a LEGO Santa - completely free hand! I'm so impressed!!

 The boys took a break from decorating.

 Hannah and I went out to shop for a Christmas gift at the art studio of her Kindergarten teacher's husband, Joel Chrisman. While I browsed, Hannah and Mrs. Kilfoyle crafted and drank cocoa! Mrs. Kilfoyle will be Hannah's teacher again after break because she is the long-term sub for Hannah's class while her teacher is out on maternity leave!

 Christmas tree, O Christmas tree.

 Now on to less wholesome activities...Mason and I went to a White Trash Bash. It's hard work lookin' that good! Haha!

Vittles. To the far left you can barely see the plate of candy cigarettes...AMAZING.

 I won Best Female Trash! I'm so proud. My prize included flamingo ornaments, hair curlers, "a set of elegant vases" made from bullet casings, "instant curves" (balloons), a pregnancy test, and plastic champagne glasses.

Not pictured, but thoroughly enjoyed was a viewing of A Christmas Carol play at Stephen's College, and Zane's 7 hour basketball tournament. His team won 2 of the 3 games. We are now enjoying a snow day!