Artsy Fartsy

My attempt at getting crafty.  Mia and I created a wreath for Easter to help decorate before her birthday party.

Olivia was selected for the third year in a row to be in the district K-2 Art Show. She is quite proud because only 2-3 students per classroom are chosen. She sure has a passion for art.  

Alice and Mia buddies together at the art show

Olivia with her art teacher, Mrs. Henricks. She sure will miss her next year.

After the show we went next door for dinner at Mike's Pizza. Olivia's friend Citori, who was also in the art show, and her family had the same idea.  Olivia was thrilled to have one of her best friends at dinner with us that evening. 

Celebrating All Things Mia!

Celebrating five years with Mia took place a couple of days early.  Her birthday is actually Monday, the 31st, but she wanted to have a big party and invite her friends over.  We've never allowed her to do the "friends" party.  It's always been just family and maybe one friend.  It's not every day my youngest turns five so we obliged and let her invite all her friends.  She had quite a varied list.  We had from 1 year olds to 11 year old friends that made the cut, and then up to 13 years of age if you count the cousins.  All the attendees were courtesy of her strong friendships she's made while at Jackie's, with the exception of two neighbor girls that my girls have bonded with.  And of course, no party would be complete with out both sets of grandparents and the aunts and uncles.

Mia had be sick for a couple of days leading up to her big event.  Since she had to stay home with daddy, I let her open a gift early which happened to be the movie Frozen, so they could watch and enjoy it on her lazy days home.  The day of her party I also let her open a gift early.  She saw this Matilda Jane dress in their little catalog and has been begging for it ever since.  I of course bought it right away, but saved it for this special occasion.  I had another MJ dress put away for her that I got out for her to wear to the Date with Dad.  She got mad when she saw the other dress and said, "That's not the one I wanted!"  She can be a little bratty at times, but we still love her.

Here she is with her dress she so desperately wanted!

Wearing her new dress for her party.  She was all smiles all day!

The great spread with a Mia themed menu consisting of clementines, strawberries, raspberries, cheese and crackers, deviled eggs, guacamole and chips, salami and pickle roll ups, granola bars, and of course cupcakes.  There was virtually no food left at the end of the party, so she must have chosen a menu that appealed to most appetites.  

Macy and Mia

The party began with an Easter Egg hunt, but of course it was mad chaos of everyone running around looking for their eggs, that I never managed to snap any pictures of the kids in action.  I think they all had  a good time looking for eggs, although one egg is still at large.  Olivia hid most of them for me and of course hid the older kids' eggs in harder to find places.  So hard that she can't even remember.  One day it will turn up.

Time for presents!

Mrs. Starkey and Alice hanging out.  Poor Alice was bombarded with all the kids wanting to love on "Baby Alice."

Macy, Olivia, Jane, and Myah looking on to see what Mia got.

Her first reaction to her big gift from daddy.  I had nothing to do with this purchase, but was aware it was coming.  She's thrilled with it and I'm sure it will get a lot of use up north this summer.

I can already envision the races between Mia and Olivia.  Although, I'm nervous Mia will have a "bumper cars" type mentality and try to crash into her sister, or cut her off on the paths.

Getting ready to blow out her candle to celebrate these five wonderful years!  It truly doesn't seem like five years can be here already.  We've loved every moment of it.  Happy birthday Mia Margaret.  Thank you to all who came to show your love for our meatball.

Another Date with Dad

So, it again has been awhile since my last post, but life continues and is busy at that.  Things are finally slowing down now that Andy's swim team is done for the season and Olivia's swim season as well.  Last Friday, was a night the girls look forward to every year, the Date with Dad held at the Doyle Community Center.  They got dressed up in a dress of their choosing with great anticipation for a night of excitement.  What little girl doesn't look forward to getting all gussied up and having her daddy's undivided attention for one night?  Of course a date night is never complete without dinner before hand.  They were nice enough to let me tag along for dinner since I have no social life.  We were treated to a nice dinner at Iannarelli's in Howe.  After we returned home from dinner, I snapped the photos below and they took off for their night of adventure and life long memories.

Olivia striking a pose

Mia was less forth coming for pictures, but Olivia was dancing with her helping me scheme to get some pictures.

Andy's choice of pose was shaking their tooshies for the camera.

A decent picture of all three before the big event.

Time for silly faces!

I had a realization the night before this big event, that I was going to be child and husband free for a night.  What could I possibly do with my time?  There's always my incessant cleaning, but what fun is that?  I decided some girl time was in order.  Who could I hang out with and maybe enjoy a nice glass of wine?  It sounds like something sophisticated adults do.  I knew lots of other moms who had daughters going, but they all made similar plans with their friends.  All my coworkers had family plans, except for one who was willing to let me come hang out, but had been feeling under the weather, so I thought I'd let her just recoup at home.  Tina, my usual go to friend, now is in South Carolina.  A few others I tried had sons they were taking out since their daughters were out with their dads.  Well, if this wasn't the slap in the face that I have no social life, I don't know what it would be.  

Back story: Earlier in the week, we were the only school in the surrounding counties that had school when a snow storm hit.  I managed to get my car stuck at a busy intersection in town when I slid into a corner.  Thankfully, Roger Ringenberg pulled up at that exact moment.  He had a tow strap and pulled me out within minutes.  I remembered his wife Karen liked Moscato wine, so I grabbed a bottle and headed over to the Ringenberg's to thank them.  Of course, Karen and I both such novice drinkers, she wasn't sure she had a corkscrew, and when we found one, we were surprised we could figure out how to use it.  All three of us enjoyed a glass and each other's company.  It was nice catching up and they are always so welcoming.  Their home has always been like a second home for me.  I just knock and walk right in and announce my presence.  Karen told me to get stuck again soon, so Roger can pull me out again, and then I can show up with another bottle of wine.  

After I returned home, I was pretty sure my family would be waiting.  Mia was a little uncertain about going, and likes her bedtime.  They weren't even home yet when I returned.  They pulled in about five minutes later full of chatter about all the fun they had.  Andy describes the event as a middle school dance.  All the dads line the perimeter of the dance floor, while the girls are all running around getting their moves on, out on the dance floor.  Occasionally the dad's are pulled out for a slow song.  Regardless of what goes on at this mysterious event, that ban mothers from attending and taking photographs to capture the memories, my girls love and look forward to it every year.  Secretly, I think Andy does too.  

This photo is a few months old here, but I took Mia for an adorable hair cut and this was our after picture.  I just love her haircut!  

Christmas Day 2013!

Christmas came like a flash.  It's hard to believe how time flies by as we get older.  The girls of course woke very early on Christmas morning, while I tossed and turned all night long.  We were scoping out our gifts by 6:30 A.M.

It's not the greatest picture, but you can kind of see the look of excitement on Olivia's face when she got her long awaited American Girl doll.  Her name is Kaya and she is a Native American.  Olivia adores her.  Santa must have thought she was good this year.

Mia only wanted a glow pet from Santa and he did not disappoint.  Of course Santa brought her a few other things, but she was thrilled her main item was checked off her list.

Around 8:00 A.M. Grandma and Grandpa, along with the Smith family arrived at our house to do our McNeil family Christmas.  Here everyone sits eagerly awaiting.

                                      
Finally the children are allowed to open some presents!  It's great being able to all get together on Christmas.

Titus and James each modeling their stylish new hats.

Asher got a camo U of M hat from Grandma and Grandpa.

Olivia was thrilled to receive Telestrations, he new favorite game we played at Dave and Sharon Smith's house at Thanksgiving time.

Naomi and Mia playing with one of Naomi's new toys.

I love this picture of Jared and Jadon.

After all the gifts were opened, thank yous said, a prayer was said, and breakfast was served.  A whirlwind time, and everyone was gone in the blink of an eye.  My once picked up house was left with boxes and wrappings, but I did have a picked up kitchen with the dishwasher running.  (I've been quite good about this and proud of myself to say the least.)  We tidied up a bit and then headed over to Nana and Papa's house for Christmas on the Feyes side of the family.

Mia modeling her new scarf from Aunt Jen.  

The funniest gift of the year was given to John.  He hit a parking sign a few months back while turning a corner.  He said he just nicked it, but it was at a 45 degree angle with the ground.  Esther called the city to let them know and they removed it.  Unbeknownst to John, Esther arranged with the city to get the actual sign he hit.  They are no longer using that type of sign and will be replacing it with a different version.  It was hysterical.

Olivia showing of her new Duck Dynasty camouflage nail polish.  I know, why?  But she loves it.

Mia feeding her new baby alive.

Andy and the girls being silly.

One of the best parts of Christmas was being able to have ALL our family together on both sides.  Aaron and Christy were here from Georgia and Jennifer and Robert as well.  What better time for a family picture.  I always want a white Christmas, and it wasn't completely white, but there was a dusting which appeased me.  I hope everyone was able to have a blessed Christmas to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, surrounded by family and loved ones.  

Christmas Eve 2013

I think I enjoy Christmas Eve more so than the actual Christmas Day.  The anticipation that builds this day is so fun, and I love going to church for Christmas Eve service with my family.  It seems to be a day that everyone gets along, and the true spirit fo Christmas can be seen and felt within.  Our girls both took part in Holy Angels children's program for church again this year.  I think my girls were type cast for their roles.  Olivia was proud to be the angel of the Lord and carry the north star, while Mia was the black sheep of the herd.  That's what she wanted to be and she did a great job.  She knew when to go up and when to move.  She sat up there quiet and was perfect.  I laughed at her and the other sheep pretty much being the youngest in the show, but the best behaved as a group.


Mia smiling at me.  She was on the complete opposite side of the church so snapping photos was a challenge.

Olivia in a trance as she holds the illuminated star.  She was smiling brightly most of the time, but never when I tried to get a picture.

All the angels rejoicing and declaring Jesus' birth.

The shepherds tending to their flock of sheep.  Yes, there is a fairly old sheep in the midst.  Alex, the little sheep on the far left, got a little stage fright so his dad stepped in to be a sheep with him.  I thought it was adorable.

Mia cuddling with Aunt Christy for the remainder of church.

After church we had our annual dinner with dad and Patty.  They have always hosted it at their home.  Well, this year their home is a tiny apartment, but since this will be the last year they are here, they didn't want to change.  So Andy, the girls, and I enjoyed a nice cozy dinner in their apartment. 

A photo of the girls in their Christmas dresses.  I had ordered a coordinating skirt and top for Olivia that would go with Mia's dress, but of course got an email later informing me it couldn't be fufilled.

We all opened our usual gift early that is always pajamas.  Mia wanted me to get a picture of her reindeer feet.

She crashed early at grandma and grandpa's house.  It didn't take long for the girls to get to sleep this Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, I've never been able to sleep on Christmas Eve and this year wasn't any different.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day.  The music is beautiful, the meaning of Christmas comes through so much more, and there's not the over excitement of opening gifts that takes away from the true meaning of the season.  Don't get me wrong we enjoy the gifts, but Christmas Eve is a day I can truly reflect on Christmas and the gift God gave us, his son.  I hope everyone else had a blessed Christmas.

The Days Leading Up to Christmas

The Sunday after Thanksgiving our family headed over to Bronson for our annual Christmas tree selection.  Now with the new house we had a higher ceiling clearance, so we knew we were clear for up to a 12 foot tree.

Olivia's choice for our tree.

Mia's choice.  Needless to say, Olivia's choice won out.
 

We also bundled up and headed to our annual Christmas in the City in downtown Sturgis the first Saturday of December.  The girls and I enjoyed a little shopping and some hot drinks from Great Lakes before the chilly wait in line to meet Santa.

Thankfully our wait wasn't too long and the girls popped right up there eager to tell the big guy their requests.  Mia only wanted a glow pet, while Olivia requested some Crayola craft items and a pillow pet.

After telling Santa what they desired they were still up for a sleigh ride.  Grandma and Grandpa, do you recognize the house in the background?  It was a fun prelude to the celebration of Jesus' birth.