Bar Superstar

Christmas in Ohio has found its own unconventional tradition in our family.  Typically we open gifts the Sunday before we leave for Minnesota; usually packages sent by our family in Washington, and other misc. gifts that may be too big to cart back & forth.

However, this year the girls got one of their gifts (and might I add, the very best one!) a little earlier than the norm.  We stumbled upon a great deal on a gymnastics bar, and because keeping them out of the basement is nearly impossible it became an early, early gift.

Geoff was amazed when he saw what Abby can do now on the bars.  I can only imagine what having her own at home now will do to beef up her skill level.

Our bar superstar....

Thank you, Grandma & Papa, for the gym mats.  They make for a softer landing and a tumbling dream!

Flashback Friday

For a few years the mommy guilt would sit in around Christmas when I realized it has been awhile since we got a picture of the girls taken with Santa.

While changing out pictures in one of our frames recently, I found this tucked in the back and am reminded just why we skipped the Santa visits.  Now I smile at this piece of their childhood.... another classic moment with Abby & Lauren.

December 7, 2006

{Melbourne Square Mall/Melbourne, Florida}

Flashback Friday

In Honor of Their First Christmas

Oh how they've grown....

December 25, 2005

Abby's First Christmas

December 25, 2006

Lauren's First Christmas

Letters to Santa, 2010 Edition

Dear Santa,

I miss you.  Santa, we're giving you milk and cookies at Grandma and Papa's.  Santa, will you please give me milk and cookies, and a letter?  Will you please, and I love you and up with your reindeer.  Santa, I like your reindeer.  Santa you will get a Christmas reindeer doll.  Santa, do you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  Santa, do you like milk and cookies?  Santa, does Mrs. Claus want to come at Christmas?  Santa, why do you like milk and cookies?  Do you like frosting milk and cookies on top?

Love,

Lauren

{Lauren with Santa at Preschool}

------------------------------

I love Santa!  I hope we see you, Santa.  I want to give you a special present.  Then we had to go to our grandma's.  Last night I see Santa, then we had to scare him and say, "Boo!"  Santa, I love you, then I want to see you at Christmas.

I love Santa.  I will give him some candy canes.  Santa, give me a special present with a puppy.  With a real puppy.  Can you do that?  Give me a real puppy?

I love you and I hope you don't die.  I went to the fair last night, just pretend.  I hope you get a Christmas tree.

I love Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Sincerely,

Abigail

{Abigail with Santa at Kindergarten}

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Our little Lauren is quite a performer.  We had our Christmas concert at preschool both yesterday and today (some of the children come every other day, so two concerts are held--one for each group).  Lauren sang her little heart out and just loves to gather an audience.

While she refused to wear the special Santa hat she made at school, she is donning the lovely mismatched outfit she chose especially for today's performance.  In case you are wondering, yesterday's outfit is equally as bad.

Lauren Sings

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

[Don't forget to mute the playlist in the right column.]

Chew on This

A fairly simple stocking stuffer for the office.

Obviously I had trouble settling on one paper pattern.  But with little more than a pair of scissors and some double stick tape, I transformed a simple pack of Trident gum into happy little snowmen.  Who doesn't love a minty fresh snowman smile?!

Ten Favorite Christmas Songs

A seemingly fitting way to end the Tens.  Again, in no particular order....

1. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

2. "Winter Wonderland" by Perry Como

3. "Jingle Bells" by Frank Sinatra

4. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Bing Crosby

5. "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry

6. "Here Comes Santa Claus" by Gene Autry

7. "Christmas Don't Be Late" by Alvin and the Chipmunks

8. "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

9. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by John Cougar Mellencamp

10. "Christmas Time is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas

2nd Annual Gingerbread House Building Competition

This Sunday afternoon was the event of the Zahn Christmas season.... Our annual gingerbread house decorating contest.  The girls were into it this year more than ever, and in more ways than one.

{Lauren's Maison}

{Abby's Haus}

{Brooke's Casa}

{Geoff's Dwelling}

{A Beautiful Neighborhood}

For a list of supplies and the royal icing recipe, visit last year's post: http://lifewiththelovelies.blogspot.com/2009/12/gingerbread-houses-sugar-cone-trees.html

Yes, Lovelies, There is a Santa Claus

Today was the day, our visit to see Santa.  The girls were filled with questions: Did you drive your sleigh here?  Are these reindeer real?  What do you want for Christmas?  Do you have any hair?

They never did tell Santa what they wanted, but did tell each other on the car ride there that they would like Play Doh and a candy cane (AKA the gifts Santa gave out last year at preschool).

It took a few minutes to warm up to the jolly 'ol elf, but alas they made their way to his lap and sat hesitantly for a picture.

{Santa Reads The Night Before Christmas}

2010 Christmas Lists

Per the request of anxious grandparents, I have composed a Christmas list for Abby and Lauren.  I am posting it on the blog for one reason: it is easy access for anyone interested, and I can change it if necessary.

With that said, the girls haven't sat down and made formal lists.  We've tried not to do that with them, avoiding turning the holiday season into a celebration of greed.  I have spent time talking to them about it, and the following are ideas we've put together for their wish list.

Lauren

{Size 4T}

• Toy Story 3 Movie Theater and Story Projector (Barnes and Noble)
• A Buzz Lightyear
• Fred doll (from Scooby Doo)
• Curious George movie
• The red car at the BX
• A fishing poler
• Scooby Doo panties
• Black Express sweatshirt--no hood!

"And that's it."

{Fred, From Scooby Doo--by Lauren}

Abigail

{Size 5T}

• Charms for her Italian charm bracelet
• Dresses and tights (we usually shop at Old Navy and the Gap)
• Pink Express sweatshirt
• A fishing pole to fish with Papa
• Abby loves elephants!

Both Girls Like

• Any kind of art supplies: They would love their own tape, hole punches, fancy cutting scissors, stapler, etc.
• Books
• Puzzles and learning toys: http://www.mindware.com/
• Cooking
• Movies (though they have many, so check with me first)
• Playing in the snow
• Gymnastics
• Their families
• Playing Matchbox Cars
• Swimming

Letters To Santa

It is that time of year again. Time to write our letters to Santa. I just hope they make it to the North Pole in time for him to receive their sentiments before he takes off on his magical flight.

I'm not sure these letters top last year's classics (especially Lauren's exclamation of needing a fresh diaper!), but nevertheless, they are timeless treasures.

Lauren's Letter

Dear Santa Claus,

I want a Bubba. I want a Christmas tree. Umm, I want, umm, a necklace. I want a Band-Aid. I want a stroller. I want Santa. I want cookies, apples, umm gumballs. A helicopter, umm, I want an ice cream cone. I finish my milk. I want Play-Doh, licorice.

I saw the reindeer on the roof of your shop at the North Pole. I was nice. That's it, let me write my name. I'm not Lauren, I'm Ord.

Sincerely,

Lauren

Abigail's Letter

Dear Santa Claus,

I like Play-Doh. I like M&Ms. I like Santa Claus. I like reindeer. I like snowmans. I like cards. I like Christmas trees.

What is Mrs. Claus doing at the North Pole? Dying?

Where is your bed? What is Mrs. Claus doing to the vacuum?

It was nice to see you at preschool. Everyone was being naughty upstairs, and Santa was downstairs.

Santa Claus, I want you to eat my apples.

Your friend,

Abigail

The Best Christmas Gift Ever.... Opened

The best Christmas gift ever lived up to it's name. Because we will not be celebrating Christmas at our house, but instead traveling hundreds of miles to be with family, we decided to open up our gift here this morning. What Geoff and I got in that special little package is sure to be treasured for the rest of our lives each Christmas season.


Thank you, Abigail!

The Best Christmas Gift.... Ever!

The best Christmas gift I've ever gotten is sitting under our Christmas tree. It isn't open yet. I don't even know what it is. But it is from Abby. Delicately wrapped with a handmade card; the first of many special school treasures I'm sure. No doubt it is something only she could deliver.

But then I think the best Christmas gift might be at home, back in Minnesota, sitting in their chairs. My grandparents.

For me the real treasures of the season are being with the ones I love. I never could have appreciated these gifts fully if I didn't know what Christmas was like without all of them. But this Christmas I will have them all. What a wonderful Christmas.

Gingerbread Houses & Sugar Cone Trees

Gingerbread Houses
6 graham cracker squares per house
icing
candy decorations
1 small plate/foundation per house

Using four of the squares as the base, use the icing to glue the edges together to create a box that is open to the top. Use the remaining two graham cracker squares for the roof, gluing the edges and place on top of the open box.

Allow several hours for the icing to dry and the house to stabilize before decorating.

Decorate the houses by using the icing as glue to hold the decorations on the house.


Sugar Cone Trees
1 sugar cone per person
icing
candy decorations
1 small plate/foundation per tree

Dip the open part of the cone in the icing and stick to the bottom of the plate. This will help hold the cone in place. [This does not need to be done in advance.]

Use the icing as a glue to hold the decorations on and, if desired, around the tree.



Candy Decorations can include, but are not limited to:
-gum drops, sliced in half to create flat side for sticking
-Lifesavers
-sprinkles
-marshmallows
-M&Ms
-candy canes
-striped chocolate chips
-pretzels
-frosted animal crackers

It is best to use light-weight candies. Anything too heavy will have to be held in place until the icing hardens or placed at the bottom to rest on the plate.


Royal Icing Recipe

3 egg whites, room temperature--unbeaten
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

Beat all three ingredients on low speed until well blended. Beat on high speed for several minutes, until icing is light and fluffy.

I like to use a my large Pampered Chef batter bowl to mix the icing. This way I can slip the cover back on and use the rest of the icing to decorate gingerbread houses a few hours later, when they've had time to set.

The icing is safe to consume, but I don't recommend over-indulging since it is made with uncooked egg whites.

The Worst Toys of Christmas

If you know my kids chances are pretty good you know what toys they have. If you really know my kids, you know what they like. So instead of composing a wish list this year, I put together a list of the worst toys to give kids this Christmas. I'll throw out the disclaimer now.... this list is in no way meant to offend anyone's economic, sexual, professional, or genetic orientation. It's simply a list of 'what were they thinking?' items. The toys themselves are entertaining, but in many cases the write-ups on the links are priceless.

No. 12 Sugar Daddy Ken Doll http://www.geekologie.com/2009/10/palm_beach_sugar_daddy_ken_now.php

No. 11 The Face Bank
http://www.strapya-world.com/categories/2331_3173.html

No. 10 Dr. Drill 'N Fill Play-Doh Set
http://www.drtoy.com/2000_b/hasbro_playdoh_2000b.htm

No. 9 Garden Zombie
http://laughingsquid.com/zombie-garden-sculpture-by-alan-dickinson/

No. 8 Yodelling Lederhosen
http://www.hoppinglederhosen.com/

No. 7 Blippy in the Box
http://www.systemwars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35794

No. 6 Squirrel Underpants
http://www.squirrelunderpants.com/

No. 5 Breast Feeding Baby Dolls http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2009/07/babyglutton.html

No. 4 Giant Mutant Cockroach
http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Giant-Mutant-Cockroach.html

No. 3 Japanese Toilet
http://www.cartoonleap.com/2009/07/30/i-want-that-japanese-toilet/

No. 2 Shave the Baby Doll
http://v11.www.urlesque.com/2009/01/27/omg-shave-the-baby/

And the No. 1 item on my item on 2009's worst toy list:

Hermaphrodite Dolls
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2007/03/12/chinese-hermaphrodite-dolls/

Letters To Santa

This morning the girls composed their letters to Santa. I'm not quite sure they get the concept of writing a letter, so I tried to prompt them, but wanted to keep it as pure to their thoughts as possible. Most of what came out of their mouths was about things they saw around the room, or things have been talking about in the past few days. At any rate, it brought me to tears as I read the letters to Mom over the phone, and I thought you might get a good laugh out of them as well....



Abby's Letter

Dear Santa Claus,

I have been a blue girl this year. I want two girls. I want to wear my stripe pants. I have been a good girl this year. Yes!

I like to do toys. I have a booster seat. Tiny doesn't have a booster seat?

I wanna go to Minnesota for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Abigail



Lauren's Letter

Dear Santa,

I wanna wear a swimming suit with my hearts. I like Chicken Run, Potty Video, and this, this, this; okay Mommy? I wanna wear flowers.

I wanna get Rock, I wanna get him, okay. No more, no more, no more. No more cookies, no more privilege.

I gave up Bubba in my mouth this year. Yes I did.

Merry Christmas, I need a fresh diaper.

Love,
Lauren