Christmas time randoms!

We were really nervous our sweet yet wild little boy would surely rip a tree down so we opted for a little one...up, up and away. I was not a happy camper leaving with this teensy, sorry excuse for a tree but it actually grew on me. Ironically, he didn't try to touch a single tree at various places we went. Humpf....

 One of our neighbors had this great little sled that he pulled the kids in the neighborhood around by a lawnmower in! The girls took a cookie making break to go for a spin!

I kept seeing all these great photo shoots using lights so I thought I'd play around too....

We went to the annual Caleb's Crusade Santa Breakfast, which was as fun as always! BEST.SANTA.EVER.

And, of course, the visit to Bass Pro Shops....

I wanted something hand made for the kids so we...well, made hands! Salt dough ornaments...had never heard of such a thing! They were so easy and fun to do. Think we'll make this a tradition...

Maddie's First Dance Recital!

As expected, the girl rocked her first dance recital! She was the best Rudolph of them all. I may or may not be biased (can you say Stage Mom?!;)

Also as expected, there were a gaggle of four and five year olds going in fourteen directions and helplessly looking at each other for validation/cues. It was HI-larious!

I will say this...these tiny little ballerinas got on this huge stage with bright lights and a full audience and just didn't care. They had a blast with no concern about judgement or embarrassment. Man, that's some real bravery I say! Verbose and social as I am I was always terribly stage fright (on THIS very stage at my old high school, P.S.) and I so admired their courage! 

She has since performed this routine on various "stages" since, never without red lipstick covering her little nose, of course.

FMCS Christmas Show!

 Maddie had her Christmas Show at school and low and behold, kept her dress down this year! hehehe...

Our little natural performer did great! I love to watch her on stage....she's truly a natural. Maybe we'll be mentioned in her Tony's speech one day!

Bad Ass Bash!

So, I'm no priss but somehow running 6 miles through obstacles..in the mud...doesn't sound like the BEST time ever but I was surprisingly excited to be a part of  a local mud run, the Bad Ass Bash! Caleb's Crusade hosted the kids' portion so Maddie got to run too (I made Garret do that since our race was after and Mamma was barely gonna survive through that!)

I cannot get over how gung-ho she was...she could barely stand the wait! She wanted to do everything the bigger kids did (and 4 was the youngest you could be!!).

She was giggling the whole time and did it all!! No fear!

We were so proud! I so admire this kid's courage and determination!

Since we were dying running, we didn't get grown-up pics but I will say this...SO fun but the hardest thing I've done next to my half marathons! I was so inspired by Maddie, I did every obstacle too (alot of people just go around/skip what they don't wanna do....and there were alot I didn't wanna do, and a couple I physically couldn't!!). 

SO happy we did this as a family...it was such an awesome experience. The Copeland's kicked, well....ass!!