the choosing of the tree

Just like on TV - a Christmas Tree lot :-) ... of course, minus the snow us being in California and all ... although, there was a selection of trees coated in 'snow' for those that wanted ... we contented ourselves with walking through all the trees, perfectly shaped and all the same height - looking for 'the One' ... of course with five differing opinions and two of those opinions that kept disappearing into the trees (unfortunately close to a busy road) it wasn't the easiest of negotiations, but, eventually we'd done it - chosen the One ...

Having a people-mover with a roof rack comes in handy in times such as this ... and luckily there are still enough leaves for pretend snow flakes to throw at each other ...

Xmas decorations to make

we didn't bring many xmas things with us, except the kids stockings and our advent calendar ... usually we make something new for the xmas decoration box ... this year we need to make everything :-) ... well, not quite, a quick trip to the dollar store for sparkling things and home depot for the lights ...

Real Food!!

Look what arrived in the post today! How excited I am ... here is Josh driving the controls of the VitaMix - his first snack whizzing up in no time flat :-) He chose: banana, peanut butter, and orange juice ...

ps ... this has been wonderful machine in the kitchen ... Josh now is having one meal a day as "real food" - no worries about what to choose, I can just whizz up whatever we are having for dinner - it'll pulverize any of my cooking so far :-) ... he is doing so well weight gain wise too, actually has started to put on some weight and height too, he has much more energy, and has colour in his cheeks too ...

the final stage of the sunflower!

Yummy sunflower seeds ... Josh did give me a couple to save and we'll try and grow them next season...

Christmas arts and crafts

Now that it is December we are really getting under way to make decorations for Christmas ...

Put the girl to work ...

kneading bread ... lots of fun! this is what we do when we feel like some familiar home tasting bread - make our own ;-)

Lego Class

Some of the group setting up for Lego Class - each month there is a theme and the kids build something to do with the theme and bring it along to discuss ... this month was Castles ... Bens got a working catapult aiming at his Castle!