The Christmas morning step picture…

And the step picture at my parents’ house on the 26th…

We went from sunny California (playing at the Palm Springs Airport)…

…to chilly Michigan.

We were hoping for snow, but it has been extremely mild.  I’ve been wearing a sweater or sweatshirt without a coat most days!  We were lucky enough to have snow one morning, so Dan and the girls could make a snowman.

Snow is in the forecast for next week, but Dan will be gone.    I’m not exactly one to brave the elements, so we’ll see if another snowman/woman gets made.

Well, we’re off to celebrate.  Happy New Year!

Sorry I didn’t get a Christmas post up earlier.  We once again traveled on Christmas Day, as it is a great (not busy) day to fly and then celebrated with the Van Houten clan on the 26th.

We stayed busy the whole Christmas season, doing different activities, watching Christmas movies, and trying to do “Christmas-y” things.

The ornaments were rearranged the next morning, to make up for the lack of height on the part of the ornament placers.

We celebrated with our little family on Christmas Eve. The girls got mini Build-a-Bear kits, Legos (I’m sure the girls will love them if Dan ever lets them play–he’s kind of a Lego hog), and a couple games.

The girls with their new kitchen from GabbaGreat and Aunt Jean.  There will be many great memories with this, as playing in the kitchen is one of their favorite things to do.

I can throw away my homemade one–it lasted us 2 good years.

We saved stocking stuffers and the annual “Stair Picture” for Christmas morning.  I’ll have to make that a separate post.

Mrs. Kimm does a great job with the class.  It can be anywhere from four to seven 2-3 year olds each week, and they read stories, do chants and songs, play basic instruments, and learn musical terms.  There’s a balance of listening activities and movement activities.

The other week, they did a bean bag song, which they’ve done a few times before.  They listen to the music and march around and then listen for where they are supposed to balance the bean bag.  They’ve all gotten pretty good at it and know what to expect now; it’s fun to see their progress.

Then they did a new song about a train.  I had to get a video because it cracked me up how they clung to each other.  I’m surprised they didn’t end up on top of each other on the floor.

As you can see, the girls love it–it’s one of the highlights of my week, too!

Dan and I decided to look for a look-alike so it could be washed and, heaven forbid, there could be a replacement in case it’s ever lost.  We misplaced it for a few days a while back, and it was a rough few nights.  I looked for a new Bear-y White everywhere and could not find one that would fit the bill.  First of all, there aren’t many white stuffed animals (who buys white for a kid, right?).  Second of all, this was over three years ago–merchandise comes and goes.  A friend bought a white animal that she thought looked similar (it was a kitty), but Aliyah just ended up wanting to sleep with both of them.  Fail.

Then while shopping for gifts for Livi’s birthday, I happened upon a white bear.  (Cue music.)  I was willing to spend whatever amount of money it would take to save us from possible disaster if Beary ever met his end.  So I bought it.  I’d say it’s a decent match. Not perfect, but the best I could find.

Is she satisfied with her Bear’s replacement?  Ummm, no, most definitely not.  It was a waste of $18.  Yes, $18.  But I had to try, right?  And who knows, maybe if something does happen to Beary, “other Beary” will do the job.  For now, it sits and waits, beautiful, soft…and clean.

Why am I spending so much time writing about this?  Because it’s a major part of life in the Schenkel household!  I know I’ll look back and love thinking about Aliyah’s Beary and Livi’s “minkies” (blankies) and the trauma when one is lost and the joy when it is found.  Plus, I know how important these love objects are (The Giver reference) because–confession–I still sleep with my blanky!

This year was no exception, and to make it even better, Aliyah was able to perform!  Her Frogs class sang 3 songs.  Aliyah has been very excited about this and practiced often at home.  I was a bit worried that she wouldn’t sing at all or, even worse, would cry and run to us, but she did great!  She wasn’t as animated as her practicing, but she did a wonderful job.  So did her friends!

Sorry about the camera shaking at the end.  I was laughing because Aliyah’s friend Eden was picking up all the pieces of blue tape that were set there for kids to know where to stand.  It was adorable.  And in the second video, notice Aliyah’s friend Luke casually fall into the poinsettias.

The rest of the program was great, too.  I love our church!  If you want to see the entire service, watch here.  (It’s not there yet, but I assume it will be eventually.)

Maddie and Kenz weren’t able to be in the program because Maddie’s immune system still isn’t 100%, but they came and watched.  Aliyah is all smiles with these girls.

My beautiful Aliyah

My girls

My Uncle Sam and Aunt Cynthia were generous enough to host us for Thanksgiving again this year. We used some birthday gift money from Gigi to buy the girls some luggage. They were the hit of both ONT and DIA.  Here they are running up the jetway off the airplane.

And now holding hands through the airport.  Everyone stopped, looked, smiled, laughed, talked to us or the girls.  Wouldn’t you?

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.