73 deg and Sunny

. . . was the forecast yesterday! It was so beautiful outside - it's hard to believe it's back down to 40 today. Merry Christmas Eve!! We took advantage of the gorgeous weather by walking to the park. We ran into a little girl that goes to Madelyn's school and all the kids played together while I chatted with her mom. Turns out a lot there were quite a few more Kindergardeners in our neighborhood!

Micah was loving the ride to the park - slowly falling asleep . . .

I forgot the duck food again. I've got several bread "butts" that I've been meaning to bring. Maybe next time . . .

I love my new camera. :)

Marek gets this look on his face when he gets really excited . . . If you see this, look out!

Our sweet watch dog. I won't yell at him anymore when he barks at the mailman, garbage men, cyclists, walkers, joggers, etc . . .

We got home and the kids played out back. This is the teeter totter daddy found on Craig's List

What a great day!!

Nana and Papa

. . . saved the day and watched the kids while I got my hair done on Tuesday. Nana even folded my laundry and cleaned! :) I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep because Marek came downstairs in the middle of the night to sleep with us. He wet our bed and me. : I got up at about 1:30 am and changed the sheets, Marek, and myself, washed the sheets and fell back into bed. Then Brock woke me up at 3:30 am to go outside. Yes - me again. Just another typical night in the Oley household. Tom never wakes up - to anything! I got up grumbling to let Brock out. Opened the door and turned on the light - Brock started growling and running. I looked up to see someone in a stark white hooded sweatshirt running between the truck and car into the back of the yard by the fence. Brock cornered him and I slammed the door trembling. I "whisper shouted" to Tom as to not wake Micah and Marek. He didn't budge. I said it louder - "Tom, someone is in our backyard!". Third times the charm. He sat straight up and said "someone?!", grabbed the gun and joined me at the back window. I called the police and it took them 15 minutes to get to our house. I did tell them that I couldn't see the person anymore - I'm sure they jumped the fence.

Micah fell back asleep snuggling with Papa. . .

Thank you, Nana and Papa SO much for helping me!!!

Santa!

We had a filled weekend with dance and Jasmine's birthday party on Saturday, and an Indian Princess Christmas party on Sunday. We got all dressed up on Sunday to get pictures with Santa at Southlake Town Square before the party. It was an outdoor setup and it was a beautiful day so I figured the 30 minutes we gave ourselves simply wouldn't be enough. We got there and there was hardly a line at all! We waited for about 15 minutes which was fine in the 70 deg weather! Santa was very sweet - Marek asked for a Buzz Lightyear and Madelyn asked for "anything". :) She is so stinkin' sweet and it really helped me out since I have already done all the Christmas shopping!

Marek waiting to see Santa. . .

Madelyn waiting patiently . . .


The kids were so well behaved while we waited - I was so proud and grateful . . .
Finally the big moment!

Santa and baby girl . . .

No smile from Micah in this pic but I'm surprised she's not crying because the lady taking the pcture pushed her head back to get the picture!! I was a little shocked. I should have pushed her head. . . Merry Christmas. :)

Landon's Christmas Program

We ventured out to Eagle Mountain Lake after our crazy day to see our sweet Landon's Christmas program. It's so fun to hear children reading from the bible and singing Christmas songs! The whole show was so cute and well done. Landon was the best in my personal opinion. :)

Double Header - Marek's Party

Marek's Christmas party was also on Thursday from 1 - 1:30. I got there at 1:00 while they were still in Chapel and helped set up a little.

When they got into the room their Ginger bread (graham cracker) houses were ready to start decorating! Marek decorated some and ate some!

All of the parents got gift cards for the teachers- they made out like bandits! They are so wonderful and deserve this and more for taking such good care of our children!


Marek giving "the look" when he wants something. How can you say no to those eyes?!
Licking his lips while he frosts his candy canes for his house . . .

The whole day was exhausting. When I got home from picking everyone up - they were all 3 asleep!

That didn't last long. As soon as I brought them inside - they all woke up!

Kindergarten Pajama Day

Madelyn had a pajama day at school on Thursday. She was so excited because it was also their Christmas party day. The party was early - from 8:00 to 9:30. I had to drop Marek off at 9:00 so I was a little late to the party. I dropped him off a little early and got to her school before 9 and didn't miss too much.

All the kids just loved Micah! They were all in the lunch room when I got there doing some crafts. They all rushed to get their crafts done so they could crowd around Madelyn and Micah. :) Madelyn was such a proud big sister!

After crafts, we headed back to their classroom for the gift exchange. Mrs. Graves had us all get 5 things from the dollar store - arts, crafts, etc. It was a great idea because it was economical, fun, fair, and all the kids loved what they got! Mrs. Graves played music as the kids passed around the gifts (boys separate from girls) and when the music stopped - whoever had the gift got to keep it.
Madelyn patiently waiting to open hers until everyone was done . . . she happened to get the gift that her best friend, Emery, brought!

Madelyn and Mrs. Graves. . . we just LOVE her. She is so sweet and cute with the kids. Prayers answered. :)

Madelyn and her bff, Emery!

Guess which head

All 3 are mine . . . hint - they're in order . . . :)

Madelyn's Piano Recital

Madelyn had her piano recital - just a small Christmas one in her classroom on Tuesday. There are only 2 other kids in her class so it's like taking private lessons! She is doing SO well - Mr. Blake (her teacher) has told me how quickly she caught on and how great she is! She played the hardest song for the recital - "We Three Kings" - a two pager! I'm so proud of my little angel.

She was last and afterwards we had some refreshments!

Thank you Nana, Papa, and Mimi for coming. She loves an audience!

NUTCRACKER

It's finally over! I loved the show - it was just a LOT of work and rehearsals with a newborn. Madelyn had two shows on Sunday at the Will Rogers Auditorium with full dress rehearsal that morning at 10:30 with a call time of 9:30!. It was a LONG day!

I brought the picnic blanket that Aunt Lorraine gave us - it has come in handy countless times! All the little mice gathered on it to draw pictures and color. . .

a sea of mice . . .
Mimi was such an INCREDIBLE help. She went with me that morning and stayed ALL day with us to help hold Micah while I got Madelyn dressed, made-up, undressed, re-made-up, hair done, etc. It was a crazy and exhausting day. Micah was such a trooper! She is such a good baby. I am so very blessed.
Waiting to go on stage during rehearsal. . .
All the little mice lined up in a row . . .

She was standing right next to the rat king and was so excited for her performance.

On stage - she's a natural!

Mouse costume off and angel costume on! She really is an angel . . .

Look at her form!

During the first performace at 2:00. . .

During the battle scene with the soldiers. She couldn't stop watching the battle of the rat king and nutcracker!

Precious angel . . .

She did such an amazing job. Thank you to all of our family that took the time out of their extremely busy schedules this time of year to see her perform and cheer her on. It meant so much to her to have everyone there - such a special day.

Tommy and I then went to the Aloft hotel in Dallas (silent auction winners of a 2 room/2 night stay). We invited Brian and Jessica to have the other room and we didn't get there until about 9:00. We ordered dinner from Campisi's and had a great night with Brian, Jessica and Micah! Then Micah and I got to sleep in and lounge around all day on Monday while Mimi took care of Madelyn and Marek.

Mimi - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of your help. You always anticipate our needs, you never need to ask -you just do it and you do it with a smile no matter how difficult.

We love you!!

Marek's 2009 Preschool Christmas Program

Marek's Christmas program was so cute. The theme was "Don't Be Scared". I managed to nurse Micah, video tape the entire show and take a few pictures. I think I grew a third arm . . .