Sleep over time 3

The girls are friends with a set of triplets and have been begging for a sleep over party for months. I finally gave in and my house quickly went from 3 kids to 6 in a matter of 30 seconds. It was a bit crazy! Kids running in every direction, no one wanting to do the same thing at the same time.  

After some free play and a little bit of a disagreement they finally settled on make overs.

Next was a movie on the projector with popcorn and snacks.

Finally they all crowed into the girls room for the night. It took a bit but they all finally fell asleep before 1 am.

In the morning I made pancakes for breakfast and then the girls got started on a project. By the time they were finishing up is was time to go home. I think they all had a good time and are already planning the next one.

Giving back!

This year to help give back I put together a supply drive for the Ronald McDonald House where I stayed while Taevin was in the hospital as a baby. Through the love and donations of family, friends and Matt's work (Uline) I was able to collect a total of about 20 boxes of supply to help the families staying there while their children are receiving medical care at the children's hospital. 

I want to thank those who donated and for all your love and support. It really does make a huge difference having a place like the RMH to call home so you can be close to your little one. I was truly blessed to stay there, as are all the families with these sick kiddos.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My silly boy!

Taevin loves cars! He loves them so much that they go every where with him, and since he only has 2 hands and about a million cars how do you suppose he manages that?

He puts them down his onesie!

He is such a goof ball! Love that boy!

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning 

A good time had by all!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas filled with family, fun and the light of Christ!!

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve day we made our yearly gingerbread house and let the girls decorate it. They went a bit over board with lawn candy but had a great time doing it. Taevin could careless and just wanted to eat the candy, maybe next year.

 

 That night we had our Polish Christmas dinner downstairs with Damian's parents. His mom made a not so traditional Polish dinner this year. After dinner we opened our Christmas jammies and then got stocking from Grandma and Grandpa Deja.

Amanda was able to eat dinner with us as well but had to rush off to work so couldn't stick around for gifts and pictures.

Before bed I told the story of Christ's birth using the props from my primary lesson. It looks like I am sitting there alone but the kids are there helping. I am so grateful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for the true meaning of Christmas.

Shedd Aquarium 2012

Matt and Amanda found a great deal on tickets to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and invited Taevin and I to go with them. Taevin is finally at that stage where he knows what is going on and gets excited about it. He was super excited to see all the sea life and loved the dolphin and whale show the most.

Thanks for the great time Matt and Amanda!

DIY Christmas gifts

 For Christmas this year I decided to get a little crafty and make the kids some cute stuff I found on Pintrest. I did 5 princess crowns for the girls. I changed my a little bit but think they turned out great. If your interested in how to make these the patterns and instructions are at the link above.

For Taevin I did super hero masks.  He is still a little young to understand what they are all about but he will wear them for a little while at least. If your interested in how to make these the patterns and instructions are at the link above.

Since Damian's mom is leaving I decided to make this picture frames of the kids to give her. It was pretty easy to type and print it up in word. Then I let them pick a paint color, painted their hands, put it in a picture frame and there you go. Like I said pretty easy and they turned out pretty cute too!

We'll miss you Babcia (Grandma)

Damian's mother has been living with us off and on for the past 2 1/2 years. (more on then off) The kids love her and spend a good part of their days downstairs with her. She has decided to move back to Poland in February and I know she will be missed. She has been a huge help to us over the past few years and we are so grateful to her for all she does! 

Laughn' around the Christmas tree

Rocking  Laughn' around the Christmas tree was the theme this year as we put the tree up. Taevin thought it was so funny to follow Uncle Matt around the tree while he was putting on the lights and garland. He did it the whole time, well until I got the camera out.

3rd Grade Choir Concert

Areya had her Third grade choir concert and did a wonderful job. She had a special part and always gets excited to sign and preform for all of us.

Damian's parents were here and able to go see her preform.

Where's Aniela?

Aniela did it again, she found the weirdest place to fall asleep. In the closet on the basket of dirty laundry. Not my first pick of places for a nap but it seems to be working for her.

I'm not sure what she was doing, maybe putting the dirty clothes in the basket, but it must have been hard work. She slept for a good hour like that. Silly girl!

I love sleeping baby picture and took this one of Taevin the other morning. I thought it was cute how he was snuggled up with his teddy.