Out on the Ice

With my husband having a full week off from work between Christmas and New Years, my goal was to spend meaningful family time with the girls and to do something memorable together. While we knew it would be an undertaking introducing our 4 and near-6-year-old to ice skating, we decided to take them to their first skating rink today.

One of our biggest 'fears' was how to layer our constricting clothes-phobic girls in warm clothes without making them miserable. Thankfully they trusted us (for once!) when we explained that having extra layers would not only keep them warm and dry, but also protect their body parts if they had a fall on the hard ice. We managed to suit them up and put on their skates without a single whimper. :)

They truly had a blast! We did spend the first few rounds holding them up on their feet with all our muscle strength, but they did get the hang of it enough to hold just one hand and go around some more. The skating session was 2 hours long, and aside from the 10 minute Zamboni break, we were out on the ice the rest of the time.

Then to top off the afternoon, the girls came home to cocoa, a warm fire and a viewing of a recent favorite film, "Ice Princess" from Disney. The movie has its own website where you can learn about skating moves, view clips and hear music from the movie : http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/iceprincess/home.html

We were so proud of our little 'ice princesses', and the biggest compliment to the sport: both girls are ready to go skating again tomorrow... We can't wait for the Vancouver Olmpics in February, 43 days from now in case you're wondering!

Stay Princesses

Christmas morning at home was one to cherish, and included a genuine squeal of delight from B on her way down the stairs.

If only Hello Kitty lipgloss, Pez, and plastic "bling" would keep them happy forever.

Merry Christmas to all. Hoping you have made some lasting Christmas memories, too.

Wreaths were Hung on their Doors with Care

I invited two of M&B's neighbor friends over last week, as I needed some extra help tackling the enormous cookie pile remaining from Tuesday's cookie swap. While they were here, I pulled together some supplies I had been gathering for a simple project I saw on Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2009/12/muffin-cup-christmas-wreath.html

(She was also the muse for our Halloween wreath, too.)

Pretty basic stuff, just paper plates, paint, holiday muffin cups and glue for the main part, then a hole punch, some ribbon and a shiny bell to give it a little something special. (M wanted a green ribbon and a red bell, while B wanted a green ribbon and a gold bell.)

With four kids to watch over, I didn't take any 'before' or 'during' photos, just the finished product, which they wanted to display on their bedroom doors. I told them that was a good spot, so if Santa comes to look in on them on Christmas Eve, they'll be able to hear him peeking in.

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

With B's early December birthday accomplished (a future post, I hope), we can now move on to decorating for Christmas. Hubby brought in our tree on Sunday morning, and the girls couldn't wait to get started. It didn't matter that the lights weren't strung yet or that the ornament box wasn't open, they were compelled to decorate this blank canvas.

Their ornament of choice? Slices of a pink swimming noodle still left from a party game last week. The perfect circle center made for easy hanging. A hot pink Christmas tree? Maybe next year.

(Please also note the formal attire chosen to decorate: wings, crown, necklace, Cinderella poofy sleeve caps and tulle skirt. Wings, necklace and skirt are notably coordinating in pink!)