Lily's Field Trip to the Nutcracker

A couple weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get to go on a field trip with Lily's school to see the Nutcracker at the Baltimore Symphony.  The bus road to the even may have been the most challenging with restless kids and long wait to get the bus parked.  However, once we got inside and the ballet started they were quiet as a mouse for the next 45 minutes (it was a condensed version of the Nutcracker).  Seeing Lily's face light up when the first dancers came out was absolutely amazing.

Celebrating the holidays

While we are in fact getting exciting for our upcoming trip to Australia.  We are still trying to take time to enjoy the holidays.  Lily definitely seems to enjoy Christmas the most already.  Everything from the tree to the lights to marking down on her chalkboard how many days until Christmas.  On Sunday we made and decorated sugar cookies for Christmas.  Lily is a pretty decent froster and definitely an expert at the sprinkles.  OK, maybe just an expert at getting a LOT of sprinkles on each cookie.  She hung in there for three or four pans of cookies though.  What a trooper.

Then Sunday afternoon, she had her two best friends over (Lluc and Gianna) and their families for a play date.  We were planning to take the kids to Zoolights at the National Zoo, but the rain and inclement weather kept us from going gung ho.  Never the less we enjoyed dinner, gingerbread house making and the kids even sat down to watch Polar Express.  They even had hot cocoa to go with the movie.  She and her friends had a lovely time.  I won't mention the fact that we found them upstairs in her room with their shirts off.  They were all trying to put Lily's pajamas on before the movie.  Yes, I was slightly embarrassed.  And Chris refused to address the issue.  Hopefully the parents don't think we are teaching our kid bad habits.  I happened to think it a little hilarious.  O.K. a lot hilarious to find three kids on the upstairs landing dancing around with their shirts off.  So innocent.  Not for long I suppose.

Attaching some pictures of our wonderful weekend.

Lily with a Christmas present box on her head

Enjoying Chex Mix that she just took from her gift box from Aunt Nene & Uncle Dave

There is no getting this chex mix away from her...

Lily & Dad getting ready to frost cookies

Lily taking her baby for a ride on her pink car

Lily and her friends Gianna & Lluc

Lluc, Gianna & Lily decorating their gingerbread house

The finished product

Wrapping up time with Grandpa & Grandma

The time with Grandma & Grandpa visiting just flew by.  On Saturday we had to put Christopher on a plane back to Indiana to return to college.  Lily wasn't happy about this, but is starting to get used to it.  Then Grandma & Grandpa were able to stay for an extra four days.  We were able to hit the museums and see more sites.  Including a trip to Gettysburg for them.

Did I also tell you that Christopher went Black Friday shopping with me.  O.k. it was light in comparison to what I am used to, but still nice to have a shopping companion even if its a 19 year old young man who has way better things to do on his holiday break (including sleep).  What a sport.

Kim, Lily, Grandma Norma & Grandpa Cliff in front of the Botanical Gardens

(right next to the US Capitol)

The botanical gardens had a great holiday display complete with plant only replica's of the major D.C. landmarks.  Very cool.

A Fantastic Thanksgiving

I'm a little late with my posts, but I haven't forgotten.  Thanksgiving was a wonderful time this year.  We were lucky enough to have not only Christopher this year, but also had Grandma Norma & Grandpa Cliff join us.  We spent time being tourists and then headed to the beach for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The weather was fantastic.  Sunny days that allowed us to get out and see the beach, doing some walking, and a little crabbing.  Although the crabs were definitely not biting.  Or jumping in our crab traps anyhow.  None the less, we had a great time.

Lily at Rehoboth Beach

Grandma Norma, Christopher & Grandpa Cliff

Enjoying some pool time

Trying to crab, but coming up empty handed.  

At least the walk was great and we found five golf balls.

Back at home with Lily and Grandpa Cliff decorating the Christmas tree.  

They were really good at it.  And Lily was so proud of her tree.