Christmas Break...

The boys and I haven't done too much that is exciting and fun the past two days, as I have been sick :( and they haven't been at 100% either.... but today Jack helped me make spinach balls for Christmas Eve, the boys played crazy in the living room, and Jack wrapped some birthday presents for Daddy - not sure why, as it's not his birthday, but Jack did a very nice wrapping job anyways. And he was very proud of himself.

First Snow!

Ok, first "measurable" snow... kind of.

It coated the driveway enough to play in at least!

When Jack saw it was snowing on Saturday morning when he woke up (at 6am) he wanted to go out right away - but I made him wait until 7:15 when him and Jayden were both fed & dressed :)

And out they went. Jayden only lasted about 20 minutes before wanting to come in, but Jack played out on the driveway for a long time - shoveling and filling his sled. He loved it! Jayden probably would have stayed out longer if I was out, but I was too sick to be playing in snow this weekend :( Unfortunately, the snow is all gone now, but hopefully we get some more soon.

dressed & ready to play!

First Christmas Gift!

Friday was the boys' last day at daycare until after New Years... They gave Miss Leanne a nice Brighton keychain and some cookies & truffles. Miss Leanne gave the boys these awesome matching fleeces! (Her mom made them!!!) The boys were crazy trying to get the boxes open (I can't wait to see them Christmas morning :)

The fleeces are super cute & snuggly, Jack & Jayden have worn them lots already!

Princess Jayden!

This is Jayden in his princess costume as he watches his favorite princess - Princess "Punzel" on Tangled!

Christmas Adventure!

Last night we took a little drive around town to look at Christmas lights after it got dark!

The boys had lots of fun :)

And before coming home we stopped for some ice cream at DQ!

Grandpa's Birthday & Cookie Baking!

On Sunday morning the boys and I went over to Grandma & Grandpa B's to make Christmas cookies and we stayed for the Packer game and Grandpa's birthday dinner! Jack was very well behaved (until towards the end, to be expected...) and Jayden was good, a litte clingy during my baking, but he took a really long nap which made up for it!

Jack helped Grandma unwrap the kisses for her cookies!
Boys eating my chocolate chips and caramel bites!

The boys played outside with Grandpa for a while, and Jack took a long walk with Grandpa & Auntie Katie over to the park and pond.

Waiting for some lunch with Uncle Hayden.

A little quiet time watching Toy Story after their walk.

My Christmas treats, Chubby Hubby Truffle, Oreo Truffle and Sandtarts. They are all deliciously yummy.

Daddy came over before the game started, here Jayden had just woken up from his nap and decided to lay in the train track.... I'm not sure, I was gone for a little while... he looks cute though!

Auntie brought Jack this Christmas toy, it's called "Merry-okee", it plays loud, annoying christmas songs and you sing into it and it amplifies your voice to sound like an elf..... Jack (and Jayden) absolutely love it. Thanks, Auntie.

Jack sang Happy Birthday to Grandpa and helped blow out his candle & open his presents.

Time to leave after a long, busy, fun day!

Jack's Reward!

For the past 2 or 3 weeks we have been giving Jack money (nickels & dimes) in a small bowl when he is good and taking them out when he is bad.

Well this morning he finally managed to save 90 cents!!! So I told him after school today he could get a small bag of candy at Walgreens. He wanted skittles... and he bought them (but I had to front him another 15 cents, when in the world did the price of candy go up to $1.05!!! Outrageous)

But he was happy to buy the candy "himself", although he did start to cry a bit when I handed all his change over to the cashier.... hopefully now he will want to be a good boy to earn more candy spending money!

YAY Jack!

St. Nick!

St. Nick came early to our house, as he knows that we are very busy on weekday mornings before school, and he wanted us to be able to enjoy opening and eating our surprises together as a family!

Dig in boys! Jayden already pulled out the giant candy cane of Reeses', he's good, no need to look further!
Pez!
Play-doh!

A barrel of monkeys and a dump truck!

"Mommy, these are hard!"

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The boys each received a plastic candy cane of either Kisses or Reeses', 2 small tubs of play-doh, Jack got the Barrel of Monkeys game and Jayden got a little dump truck named "Chuck".

The boys also got a very nice Christmas story book, a tractor, dump truck and more candy from Grandma & Grandpa B.

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Mommy & Daddy got some nice candy & gifts too!

Merry Christmas!

Jack & Jayden say "Merry Christmas" !!!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS at the Stollenwerk house!!!

Yesterday I helped Jack make this card for Santa, I admit we went a little crazy with the glitter... but Jack was having fun with the glue (and at least then he wasn't trying to use the scissors!) I told him he better be a good boy if he wants Santa to bring all that cool stuff :)

This morning Jack & I made a countdown to Christmas chain! And this was the only place I could find to hang it where it is easily accessible each day to tear a piece off and where Jayden (and Jack) won't destroy it while playing.

And the Christmas season wouldn't be complete without a chocolate Advent Calendar! Neither boy quite understands the concept of "only ONE piece each day" very well though....

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Happy Holidays!