Music, a visit to Daddy, and Family Game Night

Today we returned to music class after a few months hiatus.

Libi was beyond thrilled to be back-- so much so that she threw a fit when class was over.

It is only a three-week holiday class, but we are enjoying every minute of it!

This class was quite a workout for all the Mommy's!

We pulled the kids through the studio-- pretending to be horses,

bounced the kids on our laps, and twirled them til their hearts content. (Actually Libi got Miss Moira to twirl her the first time then I took over after that.)

We did some of our favorite things today as well: scarves,

instrument free-play,

and bubbles!!

Libi is a much better bubble blower now then she was for our last class, but she did eat a great deal of bubbles when she inhaled as opposed to blowing.

Next it was off to Daddy's class to visit his yearbook students.

Libi took this opportunity to draw on Daddy's white board. She actually liked erasing it better than drawing on it-- but we had to limit her when she began to erase Daddy's agenda for his classes.

On our way out Libi found every leaf on the ground to step on-- it's a good thing I wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere!

She also woke up with a very runny nose today. Not sure if it's a cold or allergies, but the pockets in her little holiday vest are the perfect place to stash lots of Kleenex.

For day 4 of our Advent celebration we had family game night!

We started off with a huge floor puzzle that cousin Bridget gave to Libi for her birthday.

It took quite a bit longer than I expected as Libi doesn't quite have the concept of straight edges going on the outside-- we will be working on that.

We did finish and we were all quite proud of ourselves!

Next it was on to Elefun, a game that the Strassner's gave to Libi. The elephant blows little butterflies out of its trunk that you catch in a little net.

It was a great deal of fun for everyone (Tobee even tried to catch some!) Libi did much better at grabbing them on the ground then as they were fluttering in the air, but she still thought it was a wonderful game!

Preschool, haircut and a movie...

Today when I got to preschool I found Madison and Ben waiting against the fence for Rosa where I always find them. However, today they had a few friends to wait with them-- so sweet.

After they left, Libi did some more running before it was time to leave.

She also enjoyed twirling around the basketball hoop a few times. We have both begun wearing our holiday outfits-- I hope Libi will have enough for all 25 days leading up to Christmas.

Next it was off to Cassie's for a much-needed hair cut for Libi (I got my hair done while she was at school.)

She is such a trooper about it! I hate it because it makes her look like such a big girl and I'm not ready for her to be too big yet.

She did so well listening to Cassie and not being too squirmy.

We both look much better-- and we can see with our shorter bangs.

Day 3 of Advent found us having a family movie night. To make it very festive I baked cookies and we turned off all the lights except for our little tree in the family room.

Libi chose Mickey's Christmas Carol for our movie and we all settled in for some quiet family time.

We are really enjoying our activity a day-- let's hope that we keep it up until Christmas Eve :)

After the movie there was some time to play and ride Eeyore before bed.

Potty training update-- we are doing REALLY well!!! Libi hasn't had any accidents at school, in public, or at home (except for one yesterday which really wasn't her fault!) She is using the bathroom both in public and at home by herself completely. School even commented that when she needs to go, she just takes off and goes-- I do wish she would tell them first, but at this early stage I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

They wrote letters to Santa at school the other day so I asked Libi what she asked Santa for. Her reply was, "A dolly and a racing car!" She also thinks that Mommy wants a horsey and Daddy should get a dinosaur.

The adventures of Chef Libi...

Much to my delight Libi loves all things having to do with cooking!!

Jammy gave her this cooking ensemble for her birthday, but it has been sitting in the box ever since. Today we broke it out of the box and Libi insisted on wearing the whole thing (oven mitt and all) the entire day!

She then spent much of the morning cooking up things to bring to me to taste. It is my not-so-secret wish that Libi becomes a world-famous chef-- perhaps because I would have loved to go to culinary school myself. I hope that she continues to want to work with me in the kitchen as we have so much fun together.

In the evening we were off to Skipper Club where it was sports night.

The best I could do for Libi was a UCLA t-shirt and a baseball hat (which was too big and kept falling off her.) We don't really root for many sports teams in our home, so this is always hard to find an outfit for.

The kids were in rare form today-- could be that we haven't seen them for two weeks. Hopefully they were absorbing what I was saying by osmosis, because they certainly weren't listening to me.

The difference between last year and this year for Libi is extra-ordinary! She is focused on coloring or crafts, she listens and follows directions better, and she really tries to help her fellow Skippers.

Afterwards we decided to try a new place for dinner that one of my favorite bloggers in the universe liked. Lady Ducayne is a local gal who reviews mostly Santa Clarita restaurants, but she sometimes ventures into other locals. She is honest and fun to read, she loves photography and good food, she is a teacher, and I think we could be good friends. Thus far, she hasn't led us astray in trying new places to eat in our own backyard.

Tonight we went to Fish Tail Seafood Market and Grill next to the Chipotle on Newhall Ranch Road. Libi got had her first fish and chips here-- it was AMAZING!!! I will order this next time. Ron and I ate the salmon platters which had way too much wonderful food. The owner was trying a new appetizer of steamed mussles in a bruschetta-type broth which he sent to our table gratis. Ron and I aren't really fans of mussles, but we had to try it and we were both floored-- it was so yummy!!!

Our family activity for Advent today was light looking on our way home. This is up on Angelica (where Hugo, Ann-Marie and Bridget will be moving soon). We loved seeing all the homes before all of the crowds got too bad.

While I admire all the work that goes into this, I would rather keep most of the decor on the inside of my home.

BUT, this is what I would like on our home next year-- hint, hint honey :)

Welcome to December!

Today it was back to school after a week off.

Libi wasn't too sure she wanted to go today, but she seemed to have a good day. She used the potty no less than 5 times and stayed dry all day. She was a little trouble-maker today though. She got into trouble for swinging her sweater around and hitting her friends. So much for getting a treat for staying dry today.

They wrote letters to Santa today-- I can't wait to see what Libi asked for!

We set up 3 advent calendars to count down to Christmas. The first was our magnet one-- which I just love! Libi matched up the number one on the back of the magnet with the 1 next to the door.

Mommy pulled the tab on our Mickey Mouse paper calendar, then Libi got to open her first drawer.

Mommy and Daddy came up with 24 different family activities for us to do that are written on papers in the drawers.

You should have seen the excitement on her face as Daddy read the paper.

Our first surprise for Libs was a basket full of wrapped Christmas books.

Every night before bedtime Libi gets to unwrap a book for Daddy to read to her.

She also broke out a new pair of Christmas PJ's from Jammy and Granpa.

Tobee is also excited about the holidays!

However, Tobee is still not excited about sleeping with her little sister.