The gingerbread house

Breanne and mom got to make a gingerbread house at school yesterday. It was fun to watch her create...she's extremely thoughtful, slow and orderly as you can see by all the straight lines of candy. I also got go meet more of her classmates and their moms. I'm sure they'll be more playdates in her future after the first of the year.
Our week has been busy finishing up Christmas gifts, wrapping presents, making homemade ornaments, baking cookies (that weren't worth the extreme effort...grr...should have just dipped pretzels), coloring pictures for classmates and Derrick's visit to the oral surgeon. Just one step away now from that permanent bridge.
Ah, Christmas...it won't be long now!

Countdown

The countdown has begun in our house. Only 14 more days until Christmas. Madison and Breanne have each taken home a chain countdown (you take 1 link off the paper chain every day and when you have no more links left...it's Christmas Day). What a joy to see Christmas traditions through the eyes of a child! Aliya is somewhat oblivious to it all. She just likes keeping up with her sisters, or trying to.

A week ago, Madison was involved in a program with a theatre company in town. They came to Alkali Creek Elementary to do a 1-week theatre musical. She practiced M-Th for 1 1/2 hours after school and then on Friday, did two performances. The name of the musical was "A Day in the Country." It was a very big week for her. She enjoyed it and never complained. She had lines that she did with her group, sang and danced. Songs included "Old McDonald," "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush," "John Jacob Jingelhimer," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and "This Old Man." After her last performance, we took her out to celebrate. She picked the Olive Garden. On the ride home, Derrick and I had a very quiet conversation as one, two, three little girls fell fast asleep. What a big week!

Madison in top row, middle.

This past Friday, both Breanne and Madison sang in the Christmas program at school. Madison's hit song was "Mashed Potato," and Breanne made gingerbread men to dance in her last song. They did great.

Breanne, top row, fourth from the right.

As the countdown has begun, I have lots to do...more later!