This makes me laugh everyn time I see it...

The Mom Song from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Snow...sort of...

Here's some pictures of the girls playing around in our recent "wintery mix." It did contain some snow, but mostly ended up being little ice pellets. This did not deter the girls from wanting to go outside and play in the "snow." They enjoyed it, but we slightly disappointed that we couldn't make a snow man. Maybe soon we'll get some real snow... I think it's on Maria's Christmas list. ;-)

Poking at the "snow" on the bush with sticks. This kept them busy for about 10 minutes.

Ya, that swing set shouldn't really be out there...but there's no room in the garage.

Maria had to improvise a sled since we still don't have one.

Amelia very much enjoyed eating the snow, even thought I told her not to about 75 times.

Hot cocoa is the best way to warm up.

Yum!

Feast of St. Nicholas

Maybe next year, the kids will get more appropriate St. Nicholas day gifts, but for this year there was a princess theme. And instead of putting out their shoes to get gifts, they got slippers from St. Nick.

Then we baked Specuulas cookies. (Scroll down on the linked page for the recipe.)

It was fun, but exhausting, since I caught the annual "trip to Centre county cold." Wee!

The kids really got into it... they especially liked "trying" their new rolling pins. If I'd let Amelia roll the cookies would have looked like a mountain range - all peaks and valleys. Maria did pretty well, after a little instruction.


All in all, a fun feast day, and good start to the Christmas countdown.

Maybe next year we'll get one of those fancy St. Nicholas cookies boards, or at least a cookie cutter...but for now this one hand shaped St. Nick will have to do.