Fun with Family

GP and GM have been visiting with us since December 7th. We are finding all sorts of things to keep up busy.

Watching holiday movies, like Elf, in the theater room.

Just chatting.

Crafts

Hiking

The trail can get pretty steep.

I love the expression on Boogs' face.

My boys. What a beautiful view, worth the hike.

My little cutie and me.

Using the fireplace on the back porch.

Boogs loved roasting marshmallows.

Snuggled up by the fire.

Dinner at the Oasis

My boys about to take off in an alien space ship.

We also met up with friends and ate way too much County Line barbeque. Time seems to be flying by. I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow. We better go make some cookies for Santa.

Last Morning With Cutesy

Cutesy was going to do something special for his last morning reveal today, but we did not get home until late. I was too tired to spell out Yipee! Christmas Eve! with Boogs' toy cars. So Cutesy ended up in this cabinet with "1 More sleep until Santa! Yipee!" written in dry erase marker. Boogs searched the entire house before he found Cutesy hiding in here. Tonight Cutesy will return to the North Pole. He is going to take the little Christmas tree with him (so it can be brought back next year) and leave Boogs a small gift and a note in its place.

Cutesy Has Inspired Boogs' Imagination

A few days ago a friend of mine, Eileen, posted a photo of her elf stuck to a painter's tape web while wearing a Spiderman mask. I knew Boogs would LOVE that ideas so I TOTALLY copied it. Only, my web did not look as cute as hers. I taped the web to the tiles in the bathroom so that none of my newly painted walls would get messed up. Boogs found the web shortly after he woke up.

This is how Boogs found Cutesy this morning.

He took down Cutesy's web and made one of his own.

Boogs' web was square.

WEB POWER!!!

Lookout, it's Spiderman!

Then Boogs drew Spiderman on the white board.

Spiderman's web is capturing an ant.

Spiderman started doing sneak attacks on me.

He used the sonic boom.

He collected other devices like: flash glasses, vibration goggles, power of the calendar to turn me old and young,  paper airplane darts, solar flare sun power, and several others I can't remember Boogs telling me about. It was an all out battle.

He hid all over the house. We had so much fun playing Spiderman this morning.  Cutesy and Eileen, thanks for the idea.

Cutesy's Magic Peppermint Seed Growing Kit

Beth at Living Life Intentionally posted a free printable for a Magic Peppermint Seed Growing Kit. We had a lot of fun with this.

Cutesy left this for Boogs.

We carefully read the directions. I used cotton balls for the "Potting Snow" and shredded Christmas scrapbook paper for the "North Pole Fertilizer". Boogs said, "Hmmm...this fertilizer looks just liked shredded newspaper." He is a smart kiddo.

Boogs was curious about how a peppermint seed could grow.

He carefully planted the seed.

When it was ready, Boogs set it on the coffee table so it could grow "overnight".

A few hours later, the peppermint seed had sprouted into a little peppermint stick. 

The next morning, a big swirly peppermint stick had grown in the cup. The peppermint was on a wooden stick and we decided that was its root. Yes, I did let Boogs eat it after breakfast.

Cute Kids Gift Idea

I saw this cute kid's gift idea for a Wooden Spoon Puppet Craft Kit on Kids Craft Weekly a couple of weeks ago and then promptly forgot about it. Earlier this week, one of Boogs' friends brought over this kit for a gift. Boogs loved it! As soon as his friend left, Boogs immediately began putting together his own wooden spoon puppet. He named his puppet "Mr. Wonky". Now, Boogs wants to build a new puppet theater and put on plays. We have not had a puppet theater since we lived in our old house. We will have to get busy making one.

A Few More Days With Cutesy

Cutesy keeps coming up with places to hide and things to do. Here are his latest adventures:

Cutesy and his friends roasted marshmallows by the gas fireplace.
How did that marshmallow get so toasted through the glass?

Cutesy started putting together a new
Christmas puzzle.
 

Boogs finished putting together the puzzle while Cutesy watched.

Cutesy removed the tree topper and climbed on top of the tree.

Cutesy found Boogs' batmobile, a cape and some shades.

Boogs loved this!

Boogs started the batmobile and Cutesy ran into the wall.

Cutesy climbed up the banister.

Christmas Lights & Party Food

My husband and GP finally had a tall ladder and a dry day to finish putting up the Christmas lights on the house. They surprised us by adding a little light up tree with flickering lights that make various patterns.

It made me nervous to see him up so high on a ladder. 

I forgot to put on the porch lights, it looks better with them on.

While the men were putting up the lights, Boogs and I went with GM to see A Merry Fairy Christmas Carol at the Scottish Rite Children's Theatre. The play was cute and we all enjoyed it. Boogs waited in line after the show to get autographs from all of the actors. He thought that was really neat.

I have no idea why Boogs has crazy eyes in this photo.

Boogs decided he wanted an autograph and a photo with Merlin, although
he did say that Snow White was his favorite character. Later, he said Robin Hood was his favorite.

We had a get together at our house for about 20 people on Saturday night. Luckily, I had taken a look at Cute Food For Kids 35 Edible Christmas Tree Craft Ideas. I used three of her food finds for snacks for my party. I think they turned out really well.

Tortilla Roll Christmas Tree - It was funny, at first no one wanted to "mess it up". Then people started eating off of only one side until it fell over. (I used spinach tortillas filled with herbed cream cheese, turkey, and spinach. Roll them up, chill in fridge for a bit, then slice.)

Fruit Christmas Tree - fruit toothpicked to a plastic wrapped styrofoam cone. I used cookie cutters on the cantaloupe to make stars and gingerbread men.

Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter - everything except the bell pepper garland was eaten.

We had other snacks and goodies brought by our guests. Two of our guests even brought their own supplies to make some amazing fried pastries. I don't know what they were called, but they were delicious.  I also served my favorite dish for parties - Penne a la vodka. It tastes good when it is warm and when it cools off. This pasta is always a hit. Here's my go to recipe for it:
1 lb penne rigate
3 T olive oil
8 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
28 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained and some additional fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pint heavy cream
4 T butter
1/2 cup basil, chopped
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup vodka
Cook penne al dente and drain.
In skillet, heat olive oil and saute garlic and crushed red pepper
Add tomatoes, heavy cream, and butter - simmer until slightly thick
Toss pasta with sauce, basil, vodka, and parmesan
Serve with additional cheese and freshly ground pepper

We really enjoyed having everyone over. It was the first time we used the fireplace on the back porch. It was so cozy out there with the fire when the drapes were pulled closed.