a McGyver message from Potter

Some nights, Potter takes a shower in our bathroom (to luxuriate) and tonight when I went into our bathroom, Potter left me the following message using a toothbrush, my necklace and 3 lip balms. Can I just say how much I teared up????

Potter's skateboard

Potter posing with his new skateboard. It was nice and sunny yesterday, warmer too, around 45. Nice!!

Dave giving the skateboard a go
Potter with his preliminary attempts. He did get much better after I had left to go inside. I'll have to do another video. Sorry for the orientation on this one. I keep forgetting I can't rotate them on the blog. Ugh!!!

Lin's blog

As mentioned previously, Dave had my blog bound for me for Christmas. Dave's dad was sitting next to me and got better shots of me opening it. The second picture is open to a page with Dave's mom. :)

Lin gets a Wii Fit Plus

I wanted a Wii Fit for Christmas and Granddad was sweet enough to get one for me. It is so much more than what I even imagined, great fun with lots of games to play that challenge those of us who are not in their 20s anymore!!! Actually, the kids love to play it too, and I even managed to get Dave to give it a spin!!

Christmas shots of all the joy

Caleb (and Molly) get some new finger paints.

Molly and Potter test out the new skateboard in the living room

Molly shows off her new watch, that Potter picked out for her himself

Caleb wrapping up in his new Star Wars blanket
Potter gets a new puzzle game. This will require thinking!!!
Molly's new sweater that she hasn't taken off since opening on Christmas morning. Made lovingly by our friend, Mary-Anne Beukema
Granddad wrapped up in HIS new blankie

Dave and his grill

For the past several months, Dave has been grilling out on what I have lovingly referred to as 'the pit of hell'. Our grill of 10+ years has now all but disintegrated into basically a giant pit, where the gas no longer comes out neatly from the little holes, but rather 3 foot tall flames shoot up, at ignition and basically at all times during grilling. Worried that Dave might singe all the hair off his head and face, or that I might face widowhood at a young age, I decided that Dave needed something better. But, let me point out to all of you that buying a grill in the north, which is out of season, is a difficult task. I have two long stories of how I found this grill for Dave, but I think I would run out of Blogger space if I had to pen them.

Dave in a series of shots opening his new grill. He said he didn't know what was in the big box, but I think he is telling a lie!!!!

Presents, presents, presents for everyone

Molly and Caleb got a huge supply of bath gels and bubble bath from Santa!!!

Dave had the majority of my blog, since its inception, bound into hardcover books for me. I LOVE THIS!!! So here I am looking at my blog on Christmas morning. (Dave said it would be odd to blog about me getting my blog and looking at it, what do you think??)

Potter received a new skateboard. Once we don't have icy sidewalks, maybe he can try it out without fear of a massive head injury.

Crash got many new toys, but this one seems to be a favorite. Thanks Wendy!!!

Opening stockings

Everyone got a new flashlight in their stocking this Christmas and that seemed to be the biggest hit!! The kids kept digging deeper and deeper to find toothbrushes, shampoos, toothpaste, chocolates, bookmarks, hair bands, and tops. Lots of goodies!!!

Christmas tree and Christmas stockings!!

On Christmas morning, our tree was bursting underneath and the stockings were stuffed to the gills. Yippee!! Nothing better than Christmas morning!!!

Potter's art and SPARK project

At Potter's school, the art teacher keeps a lot of what they do and then we get a huge portfolio sent home at the end of the year with all of the projects they have worked on. Luckily, one of the recent sculptures that the 4th grade did is now on display in a huge wall case in the 4th grade hallway and I took a few shots of Potter's when I was there for his party. I think it is self-explanatory!!!!

Also, Potter recently completed a project for SPARK (the name of the gifted program at his school) and being a good mother, I forgot to take a picture of it before he turned it in. These are now on display in the library, so Potter and I went down there and I got a couple pictures of his. They were to create a diorama of a room that had a specific theme, whatever theme they wanted, but it had to be evident just by looking at it. Can you tell what Potter's theme was?? His teacher could, and because of that and a number of other grading parts, Potter got a 100 on his project. He is so creative and we are extremely proud of him!!!

Christmas party with Potter's class

I planned (as a super room mom does) a wonderful party for Potter's class on Wednesday afternoon. Well, Mr. Williams, Potter's teacher, might have helped too! They have been reading the story 'The Family Under the Bridge' by Natalie Carlson, and it is about a non-traditional French family living in Paris. Mr. Williams then makes crepes for the children to have at the party. It was so fantastic!! There were tons of toppings and the kids enjoyed watching Mr. Williams, and another teacher Mrs. G (her name is waaayyy too long to type out, although now I have typed more than her name is long) flipping out tons of crepes. There were also tons of cookies, cupcakes, chocolate covered pretzels, a veggie tray (me trying to get in some healthy stuff), and another student brought in fruit (she is of a like mind with me!!). The kids ended up taking a lot of stuff home in baggies, it was just too much to eat. They also watched part of the Polar Express, made bead decorations and ornaments from craft supplies I had brought along with me, and then generally got to hang out. Mr. Williams opened some very thoughtful gifts from the kids right before dismissal. It is such a great group of children, they are so appreciative, I cannot wait to get back there once the break is over and work with them again!

Mr. Williams wielding his ladle for the crepe batter

Kids working on their bead projects

Mr. Williams and Mrs. G. slaving over hot griddles to make the crepes
Crepes are ready to be dressed with tons of sugary toppings
Looks like the sugar has kicked in
A (mostly) group shot of the kids with Mr. Williams

UPK and preschool Christmas program

Wednesday was full of parties and the first one was at Molly and Caleb's school. There was a huge sing-a-long of holiday songs that the kids had been practicing for month or so and Molly's class had learned sign language to one of them, very impressive. There were cookies and punch and lots of present exchanging. What a fun morning to spend with them!!!

Potter's 4th grade choral concert

Potter's school had the 4th and 5th grade chorale, orchestra, and band concert on Thursday night. I took all the kids and we enjoyed an hour of good music and singing. Great job Potter!!!

This video is a little long, but it is very cute!!