We spent most of the morning in our pajamas cooking, playing, and trying our best to keep warm! However, we did manage to make one cute craft, frozen wreaths! Perfect for us these days. First, the boys placed their choice of cranberries, limes, oranges, and rosemary in the bottom of a container,
then we poured water over the boys creations, 
and placed in the freezer. After they were completely frozen, we tied a ribbon around and voila...
a frozen wreath! And by now you should know that Holden and Rylan are not about to let a snow day go by without playing in this reoccurring winter wonderland. So here they are having some snowy fun!
Yes, Jolly Old Saint Nick from the North Pole!! There is nothing like seeing the boys faces when they answered the phone and Santa was talking just to them! Oh, I just love the innocence and excitement! Both were talking about it ALL night and especially today, when Santa made another phone call to let them know it was snowing at the North Pole too. I think he is "scheduled" to call each day until Christmas! Just to keep the excitement going until Christmas Eve when he makes his special visit.
It may sound so simple and boring but the boys love it. We get ready for bed, gather our blankets, popcorn and loveys. Then go out to look at lights. If you could hear how excited Rylan gets when he sees a yard full of lights, you would understand that this simple outing is well worth the time. We have some favorite houses, but by far the boys love the houses that you can tune to a radio station and the lights dance to the music! I am sure this one house in particular may end up calling the police for the amount of time I have parked in front of it! Yes, we are Christmas lights stalkers! I am sure the Zoo lights are probably much prettier and more grand but this simple Christmas outing was perfect alternative for us tonight!
yes it was pre-made one in a box! But hey, it was easy and it kept them busy. While they made a mess, I made gingerbread cookies. After our little men cooled, it was time to decorate! 
As a surprise, we had an impromptu movie night. The boys unwrapped "The Grinch". And they loved it.
warmed up with some hot chocolate,
did a couple of crafts, 
and made cookies. 
I really do love these day of not having anywhere to be a certain time. However, I am sure in January I will be tired of the snow but for now we are loving the fun. Especially now, since our package of new snow gear arrived! 
He has not been ice skating before, but has asked several times to go, I was hoping he would not get frustrated if he did not get the hang of skating and keep trying. But again, 
As soon as Holden got the hang of ice skating, he was off and having a blast! 
There were a couple of falls but he got right back up and kept trying. 
I was shocked at how quickly he got the hang of it! He loved it so much that he did not want to leave! We enjoyed some hot chocolate and fun in the photo booth. 
As we were leaving Holden received a children's bible and a 
I see another ice skating trip in the near future.
not only was he not the smallest on the team, but he had two friends on his team! The chances of that were so slim, since you can not request certain teams unless you coach. News Flash, mommy over here was not an athlete, so coaching will be done from me. HAHA We would all be in trouble if I was the coach! But one of Holden's friends dad is the coach and he is the best!! Not only is he patient, great with kids, but he lets them have fun! 
I can already see this is going to be a great season of basketball and laughs for us all. Just look at how cute their uniforms are... 
and they are reversible too! Seriously, I laughed as soon as he put it on! Our team is called the Mountaineers, cute I know. And as for Holden, he is making baskets and dribbling great...yes, my fears have been lifted. The season begins after the new year so I will have plenty of pictures to share soon!
After I finished reading, I told the boys to run upstairs and there was a surprise on the kitchen table...yes, our little Christmas Mice. 
They loved them!!! I am going to have to think of some more ideas for "A Book and a Treat" since both Holden and Rylan enjoyed our special story time and treat today! I have some ideas, so we will just have to see what I can come up with next....
One of our projects was to string popcorn and cranberries, which both boys did a great job, until it was time to hang them on the tree. Rylan started eating all the popcorn off. Yikes!!! Not sure he understands that it is a decoration and not a snack! 
We will see how long this last. Just look at these two, 
they are up to no good!!! And here are some of my very favorite keepsakes, Holden as an angel, but look closely, he has the patch on his eye... 
Yes, that was the year he had stitches, bronchitis and tubes all in the same week. Here is another one, but look closely again, his jacket is one button off...
it makes me laugh every year!! 
perfect I know! However, I put both on the big tree...shhhh!
Isn't it the most beautiful tree in the entire world, well we think so! Especially with the antler headband as the topper, Holden's idea! A true Charlie Brown Tree!
