Ava's map of the world

After it was proudly displayed on the classroom door at school, Ava brought home her map of the world. She traced each of the continents (or "states" as she calls them), then used a needle to punch holes around the boarders. Once punched out, she glued them all in place. Now it's proudly displayed on our kitchen wall :)

It looks good enough to eat!

Picnics, Picnics, PICNICS! at our house! The girls LOVE their favorite new toys made by my ultra talented 13-year-old cousin Emma! Emma knitted all of these foods and she said there is still more to come...we look forward to seeing what else she can create! THANK YOU!

Wisconsin Dells

We spent the last weekend in Wisconsin Dells. We met my Uncle Joel, Aunt Sandra and cousins Emma and Evan. Ava and Zoe got to stay at Grama and Grampa's on Thursday night and left for the Dells on Friday morning. I had to work Friday, so after work, Justin and I picked up Jer in Minneapolis and we got there around midnight. We had so much fun at the waterparks in the resort! Ava and Zoe have been talking about Emma and Evan every day, they miss you already (and so do I!).

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Festival of Lights

Ava's preschool celebrates the light or spirit of the children each winter with a (battery-operated) candle-lit celebration called The Festival of Lights. (Or as Ava refers to it as...The Vestibule of Lights) :) The kids (dressed in their finest apparel) walk in individually with their candle and when everyone is in, they sing all of the songs they've learned so far.

Here, Ava is with her teachers Linda & Alyssa and her best friend Fiora.

embarrassing mom

When I dropped Ava off at school one morning (running a little late) she took off her boots and I slid her shoes on to keep her moving. As I slid on her shoe, I whispered, "The slipper fits, you must be Cinderella!" We do this all the time at home and she smiles and giggles and gives me a big hug. Well, when I did that at school, she hushed me and whispered, "Mom, you can't say that at school, only at home." ...I have now earned the title of "The Embarrassing Mom."

winter fun

The girls had fun in the snow we got last week.
I took them for a little sled ride in the front yard.

Zoe's Birthday Party

The cake. Yes, I even made it myself :)

Happy birthday to you! Yay!

The pinata was a big hit! Not literally though...now they make pinatas that open with the pull of a string. One secret ribbon opens the trap door...and then...candy, candy, CANDY!!! Which was the theme of the party because it is one of Zoe's true loves.

CANDY!!!!!

After every one left the party, Zoe couldn't stop singing "Happy Birthday" to herself. I remember Ava did the same after her 2nd birthday too. :) I love how she walks away shaking her head at me at the end of the video. ;)