Bolinger baking day!

Yesterday, we got together for our annual Christmas cookie baking day!

Lots of eating, playing, chatting, cookie decorating, eating, laughing, and did I mention eating?! :-)

I really don't know who has more fun at this event...the adults or kiddos!? I look forward to a house full of cheer (and yummy smells) every year!

Enjoy a few snapshots of the day:

Time for pizza!

Lily is 7!

It's hard to believe yet another year has passed and we now have a 1st grader who is 7 years old!  Lily is quite the student- she loves math and reading, and always has endless stories to tell me about her day at school.  She is still in ballet and added jazz this year.  We continue to give her the option to try something different, but she is very happy to stay in dance and continue learning new positions and routines.  Although she and Jackson are at each other's throats quite a bit (yes, sibling rivalry is present and thriving!), there are some sweet moments where she is helping him learn something new or initiating a new play activity.  As I have said before, we see a bright future for Lily.  She loves to learn new skills and take charge!

NAME: Lily Mae

HEIGHT: 46"

BEST FRIENDS: Autumn, Elizabeth, Sydney, Mattie, Aeja

AGE: 7

SCHOOL: Blackburn Elementary

PETS: Kelsey

HOBBIES: going to California, drawing, playing with Molly (American Girl Doll) and her dog- Bennett, weaving bracelets, reading "The Story" version of the Bible, ballet & jazz

FAV THING TO DO IN SUMMER: go to the beach

FAV THING TO DO IN FALL: play in the leaves

FAV THING TO DO IN WINTER: make snowmen

SPECIAL SKILLS: cartwheel and hand stands, reading chapter books, learning subtraction

WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: Artist

FAV SINGER: Taylor Swift

FAV SONG: Kidz Bop (on Pandora)

FAV COLOR: Purple

FAV FOOD: Hashbrown Casserole

FAV DRINK: Sprite

FAV SUBJECT: Art

LEAST FAV SUBJECT: P.E.

FAV TOY: American Girl Doll

FAV BOOK: Jessie, New Nanny

FAV MOVIE: Little Mermaid

FAV ANIMAL: Horse

FAV HOLIDAY: Christmas

FAV WEATHER: Sunny

FAV CANDY: Tootsie Rolls

FAV T.V. SHOW: Jessie

FAV SPORTS: Soccer, Basketball

FAV PHRASE: "Really?" (in a sarcastic Valley-Girl tone)

SEVEN WORDS TO DESCRIBE LILY: Funny, Kindhearted, Leader, Conscientious, Artistic, Loving, and Follower of Christ

Lunch conversation with Jackson

Yesterday, as we were eating our lunch, Jackson was bouncing from one topic to the next (which is usually the case with him).  When we are one-on-one, he will usually bring up the subject of spanking.  I'll be honest, he's our push-it-to-the-limit-of-spanking child.  So, unfortunately at this stage of development, spankings are a frequent occurrence in his life.

Jackson: "Mama, it's OK that you spanked me at Grandma's".

Mom: "Jackson, why do Mom and Dad give you spankings?"

Jackson: "Because I am not listening."

Mom: "So what do you need to do so that you don't get a spanking?"

Jackson: "Say 'No Thank You!' "

I couldn't stop laughing at his response!  I guess that would be a polite way of using his manners to get out of a spanking! Hahaha!

Thanksgiving 2013

This Thanksgiving marked a very special one for our family as we were able to celebrate with both grandparents for the first time!  We are so thankful Grandma & Grandpa L. stopped by our house to celebrate the holiday on their trip back from the east coast.  We are also thankful that Grandma & Grandpa B. hosted a fabulous meal!

Here are some more pictures of the visit we had with Grandma & Grandpa Losie...

Jason's Deli lunch after arriving from Baltimore, MD.

Trip to Union Station to see the model train exhibit

Lunch at Harvey's in Union Station

Grandma teaching Lily how to weave

Somebody was worn out! :-)

Enjoying a venison steak dinner for the first time :-)

For the past few years, I have been wanting to do a "thankful tree".  However, as is the case many times, I lose track of time and never get it started!  This year, I found this very simple banner idea.  The kids loved it!  It was such a heartwarming experience to see all the kids are thankful for.  The fact that God was at the top of their lists (even Jackson too!)  made my heart sing!

Ending this Thanksgiving holiday with our hearts full. So very thankful for family!

Christmas Tree Farm

One of Daddy's suppliers held a customer appreciation event today at a Christmas tree farm in Basehor, KS. They offered everyone lunch and a free tree!

Going to a tree farm has been on our bucket list of traditional activities, so we jumped at the opportunity!  The only downfall was that it was 20 degrees outside today!  Still, we layered up in multiple layers (long johns for everyone!), and decided to brave the weather for a day of family fun!

It was the perfect occasion for Daddy to wear his Russian hat from Great-Grandpa! He looked the part of a lumberjack out there amongst the trees!

We scouted the entire farm looking for the "perfect" tree. The kids were cold, even with their numerous layers, and unfortunately had to endure my criticism of tree after tree..."too tall", "too wide", "lop-sided", etc. etc.  Finally, I let go of my pursuit of symmetry and perfection and we found our perfectly imperfect tree! :-)  The kids were so excited to tag it as ours, watch the man cut it down, watch as they put the tree in the "shaker" to remove all the loose needles, and follow along as they strapped it to the roof of our car.

What an experience!! I realize we have yet to celebrate Thanksgiving, but this event ignited my Christmas spirit. As cold as we were, we had a great time of togetherness and laughter as we picked out our first "real" tree.

Enjoy our day in pictures:

We saw this poor tree and thought "Charlie Brown!" :-) Can you tell Lily was cold?

Here it is!

Cutting it down...

It's down! 

(Jackson especially enjoyed watching this process. He was right in there with those guys!)

Strapping it to the roof for the 45 min drive home!

American Girl

Today was a big day and a very special occasion for Lily....her first trip to the American Girl store!  Grandma B. offered to take Lily a few years ago, but not sure whether or not she would be interested, we agreed on starting with a cheaper doll.  Lily has played and played with that doll and most recently has been introduced by her friend, Chloe, to the American Girl dolls.  Noticing that there was a difference, she was hooked.  Every time a catalog came in the mail..."Mom...can I get one for my birthday??"  And this conversation was not only one for my ears...she started in on Grandma too!  And the rest is history :)

Grandma set up a fabulous day at the American Girl store for Lily and cousin Lola for their birthday gifts.  Lily and Lola are the best of friends so this was the perfect girly date for Lily.

I must make mention that up until we actually entered the store, Lily had no idea that we were going to American Girl!  I told Grandma that I was keeping it a surprise, and Grandma played right along!  She told the girls we were going to go shopping for her (Grandma) to find her some jeans!  Lily was a bit confused as to why I was highlighting this outing as "so much fun" for her :)  Haha!  I just love surprises!

Their reaction after Grandma told them they were picking out a doll!

So. Many. Choices!

The Historical Doll collection

The Modern Doll collection

Jackson was somewhat interested at first, until he realized "Mom, there are no boys here!" :-)

You know you are at a high-end doll store when there are stands in the bathroom to hold your doll.  Wow! 

Lily chose, Molly from the Historical Doll collection.  She came with glasses...just like Lily!

The ladies..and Jack...with their dolls...Molly & Caroline

watching the "hair salon" in action

So Happy!

And yes, the girls HAD to carry those big bags around :-)

Lily and Molly at home...with dog, Bennett :-)

Thank you Grandma for such a fun day!  Lily has been non-stop chattering about Molly and her experience since we got home!  Like her mama, she gets super chatty when she's excited :-)

Halloween 2013

I love this time of year!  When the season changes from humidity to crisp air, and the leaves change color, it just puts me in a good mood.  Unfortunately, it seems to fly by way too fast...every year!

Halloween arrived and left in a flash!

Here we have the Pirate and Baby Lily... 

 

We had a trip to the pumpkin patch...

 

Trunk-or-treating at Lily's school...

with BFF, Autumn

We were "Boo'ed" by the neighbor...

Pumpkin carving...

Daddy helping him draw out his design

he loved scooping out the pumpkin goo!

Lily, on the other hand, was not a fan :-)

their finished designs...guess who is whose? :-)

 Lily's school Fall party...

 

mummy Lily

Meanwhile, Jackson ate snacks and made new friends in Lily's class :-)

The last event was trick-or-treating, of which I did not photograph.  I tried...but with the speed of these kids running from house to house, I just couldn't get a good shot.  And there is no stopping for a quick pose...especially when candy is involved!  We had a great time celebrating Halloween this year, and without a doubt, will have candy coming out of our ears for months to come!