Winter Program

Tonight, Little Miss had her first concert of the year. The whole Elementary sang songs and the Orchestra played as well. It was adorable. 

Here she is with her little Brother. My heart runs over when I see them.

And Mama had to jump in!

Can you spot my Peanut?

They sang Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Feliz Navidad to name a few. I got some video and gushed at how precious the whole thing was. When it was over, we came home and celebrated her performance with  Orville and his movie theater butter popcorn. Ahhh, what a way to end a night!

~Bugs & Fishes,

Aleigh

You've got mail

Well, that's what happened to the Littles yesterday anyway. Since Jingles won't be here for a few more days, they get gifts and surprises til then. Today, they each got a letter from Santa!

Each letter was personalized for each child and they were excited to have gotten them. I think I was more excited though. Sometimes, I swear my children are their Father. They get so hyper and then 2 seconds later are over it. Either way, Pinterest came through for me, yet again! All I did was answer a few quick questions and hit print. Viola! Letters from Santa. The envelope was more tricky since there wasn't anything I could print on it for free so I just doodled. They couldn't tell a difference so thank God for small favors on that one. Next year though, I'll have to up my game on that part.

If you would like to get your own letters from Santa click this link. I hope it brings a smile to your kiddos face like they did mine!

~Bugs & Fishes,

Aleigh

For other letters click here.

It's WINTER!!

OK, so, it's been winter for a few weeks now but here in AZ it isn't exactly snowing or freezing cold. We have chilly mornings but by 9 it's bright and sunny and in the 80's. This past Sunday the Hubs and the Littles and I decked our halls and had a great time making the place look festive. I lugged out all the decorations and it went from this...

to this...

Ahh. So sweet. I love when the house is all pretty-fyed for the Holidays.

 It took a few hours and by the end of the night I was exhausted. The OCD in me wanted to move the ornaments the Littles hung. They like to put them groups all together but I didn't. I refrained and took a deep breath. Then another one and left them. They did that and it was perfect. Here are a few pics from along the way.

The Hubs putting up the icicle lights along the entire front of the house.

Little Miss stopped to show me a heart and to say "Look Mom, a heart! Love always finds a way!" Be still MY heart! She is so special.

Little Man decorating his tree. He has a thing for Wood crackers, aka Nutcrackers.

Little Miss getting her groove on for her tree. All her decorations are purple and silver and glitter. Imagine that.  

Puttin' on the glitz for the family tree!

Our Elf Jingles hasn't came to stay with us yet. He comes for the twelve days of Christmas. He did, however, send the kids a gift. It was a Mickey and Minnie ornament. Something to help them remember their trip to Disney!

I made those bad boys thanks to some hot glue, cardboard, Dollar Tree ornaments, a Sharpie and buttons! Thanks to Pinterest for the idea! It took about an hour and came out super cute. The Littles loved them so that's all I cared about.

How about you? Have you decked your halls yet? I'd love to see your home or tree or Monora if you have! So whatdya' say? Link on up and share the sights!

~Bugs & Fishes,

Aleigh

Taking a moment

I just wanted to take a moment and share with you a picture or two of Little Miss from Saturday. She's awesome. She can kick booty and look adorable doing it. She had her 4th belt test and she passed with flying colors. She is one of the youngest (a boy named Kaden is 4 and then it's my peanut as far as age goes) but she can hang with the older kids!

On the way, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky. Little Miss said it was for good luck since it was yellow and that's what color she is going for!

After, she had to sit and wait for other Students to get their belt tied on. The orange around her neck is her old belt.

Here she is with her instructors, Master Park (6th degree black belt) and Mr. Brandon. 

Meet Chief Master Choi. He's small but a first class Bad @**! He's an 8Th degree black belt, former Asian Military and trainer of the Asian Olympic Tae Kwan Do team! (Don't ask what year he did that. I have no idea) He also was an Officer and he trained fellow Officers as well in the art. He was in town for the Graduation and it was so awesome to have him there!

This is the progression of belt colors. The stripe belts are in between colors. So, if your child is white and graduates, their new belt will be white with an orange stripe and so on.

She did so great. After graduation, we took her to lunch at her favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese, and had some fun! 

~ Bugs & Fishes,

Aleigh