Library Days

So every couple of weeks we usually go to the base library.  We go to the library for books of course, but also for the story time, the listening stations where Joe practices telling stories and answering questions, and the computer station for Eve who loves to learn by tech.  It is a great library with an enclosed children's section and arts/crafts sometimes.  This was our last visit to the library for a while due to circumstances and a lack of updated tabs!

 this is Tami, her last day in the children's section

Isn't this adorable?  Joe and Liz sometimes are so like twins when they are together.  This moment they were a little bored with the storytelling and chose to read by themselves.  They shared surprisingly well and I got lots of cute pix.

Even Ally really enjoys the story time at the library.  Due to the number of kids I bring in, we're pretty easy to spot and remember.  Most of the librarians wave hello and come to take a look at who is new and who is growing.  I'm a bit of a pariah, but never looked down upon on base.  I really enjoy the kindnesses of those around us (they often hold doors for us and are patient with tantrums).  Ally is always absorbed by a good story!

Anyway, so this day we read books, listened to stories, and made gingerbread men with construction paper, puffy paints, and sequins.  They turned out wonderfully and made for great decorations in our kitchen.

Christmas daddy/daughter date

 For Evie's daddy-daughter date in December, Chris and Eve went to the local production of the Nutcracker.  It was so cute.  She wanted to wear her new dress, tights, and shoes.  Then we did her hair in a special way and added some of mommy's sparkly stuff, like clips and necklace.  She was so cute and very excited.  We even gave her a little perfume to smell nice.  It was so great to see her having so much fun and she hadn't even gotten to the playhouse yet.

her lovely hairdo

 isn't she so pretty?

she loves! these special dates.

It was so funny - Chris said the production wasn't amazing because it was mostly local kids, but they did a good job and of course, the audience was very supportive.  Evie really enjoyed it.  She loves ballet and honestly, she would've participated except for the performances and practices on the Sabbath.  Chris said it was almost like watching a recital because the local parents were cheering after their children appeared.  Cracked me up.  At least there was a lot of support right?

Evie didn't care if it was the included the most amazing ballerina ever, she just liked that it had one.  She talked about it for several days afterward.  It was a great experience for all involved.

Being Home

After all that traveling being home was really nice.  My husband, sweet man that he is, made sure to have an extra day off or two when I got home to give me a nicer easing back in period.  Something else he did?  He had put up the Christmas tree and pulled out all the holiday stuff for us to get started.  Wasn't that nice?

So, I didn't do much when I got home except hang out with my kids and my husband.  Take a look.

 yep, we all just laid around

 my little cutie

 such a beautiful girl!

 so adorable, my Ally

 aahh, my boys - aren't they so cute?

While I was gone Ally accomplished another growing feat!  She began pulling herself up on things!  I was so excited I took lots of pix.  I was really happy to see her doing a bit more as she neared her 1st birthday.

 she finally began seeing the top of this toy!

I so loved these pictures!  The first cracked me up so much, I couldn't help but put it in here.  My kids are so silly.  I love it.

 one of our first pix of all four kids together 

- so much get up and go, so little mommy energy