Palm Desert

We had a blast exploring Palm Desert. The kids had a blast a super cool children's museum. Another day we wondered around the Living Desert Zoo. They had amazing animals and plants to see along with the coolest model train set up I have ever seen. The kids loved ending the day by the pool. They were little fish. The residents thought we must be from Alaska since we were swimming in December and it was only 75 degrees out. It was hard to leave but we were all excited to get home and get ready for Christmas! 

Checking it off

Today we worked hard on finishing our Christmas activity traditions. We made our gingerbread houses which I have this love/hate relationship with. They are such a pain to get the walls to hold. This year I busted out the hit glue gun. We never eat the house anyways so instead of tears and several gray hairs the glue gun was a win. 

Next, we went in search for the best Christmas lights. How we have missed the house on Marbella all these years is beyond me. It's stunning!!!! This sweet woman painted all the lights and created these amazing flowers that age added lights to. Sadly, it's her last year as she is moving. I'm so glad we got to go see it before she moves. Tomorrow we tackle the prep for cinnamon rolls where we spread and smoother so much butter that it's unreal. Just when you think you can't add more calories we make a big batch of cream cheese frosting. Awwww... I'm already drooling thinking about them and sadly hearing in my head what my trainer says to me - moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. 

Fireside chats

I have been staying up and going to bed and insane hours trying to get ready for Christmas. Months ago the thought of getting away to Palm Desert sounded great and now.... It feels insane. With all the craziness it was nice to get away for a late night chat with my bestie. Fireside chats and late night Pizzookies were just what I needed. It was so nice to take a break and just hang out. We even had a special little guy that wanted in on the action and didn't want to fall asleep despite his Daddy's best attempts. I can't wait for our next fireside chat! 

All Aboard

Friday night we had our annual Polar Express Movie Night. Some of our friends were home sick and couldn't make it, but we had fun drinking hot coco and eating cookies all snugged up watching the movie on the big screen. 

Catnapped

Poor Jack had a rough Friday. He wanted to show his teacher Sparkle Pretty Princess Sweetheart kitten princess's new necklace. While we were taking the twins to school he dropped him in the hallway. As soon as he told me and we had time to turn around he was gone. He saided he saw a little girl pick her up. The hall was full of girls and they all went out to the playground with more girls. I couldn't question every girl and I had a talk with Jack explaining that the girl must have really needed her. Man what a tough lesson. He went to preschool heartbroken and wrote a letter to Santa asking for Sparkle. 

Happy Birthday Papa!

Last night and this morning we celebrated Papa's birthday. The kids wanted to make Papa cards and of course they requested black and orange paper. Caden, bless his heart searched his room for a gift and wanted to give Papa a dollar from his piggy bank. The kids are so lucky to have a great Papa! They get so excited to see him and they point out and ask to see Papa every time we drive past the high school. They look forward to walking the halls to find his office and they love their golf cart rides around the school. Happy Birthday Papa, we love ya! 

Veterinarian

Yesterday the kids informed me they had a big word for spelling. They then told me the word was veterinarian and that if they spell it right they get 100 tickets!!!!!!!! Can you sense their excitement. So we had one afternoon and morning to nail this word. And..... Emmeline did it! I have to say a 2 hour drive to San Jose to see her cousin worked in her favor as we practiced almost the whole way there minus the car sick time when she was writing it. After that we opted to just spell it out loud. I apologize now if my daughter has or will cine to you like 499 times and ask if you know how to spell veterinarian and then proceed to spell it for you. So proud of you sweet girl. You knocked it out of the park and even made the school news! I do have to add the Caden learned it after school perhaps from listening to his sister so many times.