Gingerbread houses

A couple nights ago we made a Gingerbread Mini Village with the boys.  We usually do one bigger gingerbread house, but I saw this and thought it would be perfect!  Kyle got to decorate three of the houses in the village and Max decorated two.  It worked out perfectly.  Each boys houses definitely reflect their personalities.  Max has a lot of stuff on his . . . they're quite busy and colorful!  Kyle's are very neat and orderly and followed his thoughtful plan.  They had fun making them and we now have a nice centerpiece for our table. 

Max's Christmas program

Today was Max's Christmas program at preschool.  He performed several Christmas songs with his class followed by a lunch party with teachers, parents, and friends.  It was a fun time.  Max did a great job!  Last year he got a little stage fright and just stood there most of the time not really singing or doing any motions.  This year was quite different.  He was so excited and sang all the songs and did the motions.  After the show he had fun with his two best friends Hammie and EJ being silly and eating some yummy treats.  We left with a Christmas gift for our family . . . a beautiful ornament that Max made for us along with a card.  He also got a gift from his teachers . . . a story book of the song "Away in a Manger." 

Kyle lost his first tooth

Kyle's tooth has been very loose for the past couple of days and last night it finally came out!  He is so excited to have lost his first tooth!  Most of his friends lost their first teeth back in kindergarten so he's been waiting quite awhile for this moment!  He got $5 from the tooth fairy since this was his first tooth and he's waited such a long time.  We made sure to let him know that the rate for other teeth will probably not be quite so high! :)  He's got a cute little toothless grin now. 

Christmas Cookies

Yesterday we decided to make Christmas sugar cookies with the boys.  We've done this the past couple of years, but this was the first year that they both participated from beginning to end.  They worked very hard and had a lot of fun.  The cookies turned out delicious!

Happy 5th Birthday Max!

Max celebrated his 5th birthday on November 8.  He is sooooo happy to be 5!  He got a new twin bed with mario sheets and blanket as his birthday gift from us.  He loves sleeping in his big bed and rearranged room.  On the actual day he had a day of eating out.  Jason took him to Bob Evans for breakfast where he got macaroni and cheese and a chocolate chip cookie.  I took him to lunch at Wendy's.  Then we all took him out for dinner to California Tortilla followed by Yogi Castle for dessert.   All his favorite places - he was a happy boy!  Then, the Saturday after his birthday we had his party at Chuck E Cheese with family and friends.  He played games, played in the play area, ate pizza and cake, and even got to go in the ticket blaster to collect extra tickets.  He had a great time and kept saying "Isn't this just the best day ever?!" 

Harvest Festival

Last night we went to the Harvest Festival.  We've gone every year for the past 4 years.  Church of the Redeemer hosts this annual event at the Germantown Soccerplex.  Kyle went as a ninja again this year and Max was James the train.  It's always very crowded, but the boys had a great time.  They play lots of fun games for candy prizes and there were many bouncy slides to play on as well.  They each filled up their buckets in about an hour and a half and then we headed home. 

Kyle's School Halloween Party

Yesterday, we went to Kyle's school in the afternoon for his annual Halloween parade and party.  Max was thrilled to be a part of this day.  The kids had a parade outside the school to show off their costumes.  Then they returned to their classrooms for a party.  The kids had pizza, cupcakes, donuts, and cookies.  They also got to make goodie bags, play limbo, and dance.  They had a great time!