Sweet and Sassy

 I have not had a post just about Allie in a long time, so this is all about my sweet and sassy girl! Sometimes, I'm still in denial that Allie is in school. I feel like life seems to be speeding up now that she is in school and it's going to continue to go faster.  I just want it to slow down so I can cherish every sweet moment with my kids.  
Allie is having a wonderful year in Kindergarten. Her teacher says she is a joy to have in class, very helpful, respectful and a good friend.  As a parent, it warms my heart to hear such nice things about my daughter. Of course, we think she has "hung the moon", but so nice to get confirmation from someone else.  Allie loves everything about school.  Her favorite is PE, but I know she enjoys learning too. She has really become a fabulous reader and writer.  I am amazed every day by a word she reads that I think she won't be able to read, or spouting off things she has learned in math or science.  She really is a student! I'm so proud of her and how hard she works at school. They have a "color system" for behavior in her class. She has been on "green" every day this year except one...which is awesome! She gets to choose a special treat at the end of every month for her behavior at school.  She has won a few prizes at school for good behavior and she was also chosen for Student of the Month (for November) for her class (that is the picture above).  Allie also joined the running club at school in November. I was a little hesitant about her joining a club but she really wanted to and she loves it. She is the kid that wants to be very involved with every activity at school and gets mad at me if she can't.  Running club meets one day a week. They are given a little foot on a chain for every five miles they complete.  Allie just got her first "foot" on Friday.  She was so excited! 
Although Allie is awesome at school, she has become more sassy and defiant at home. I think now that she is in school, she thinks that she is "big" and "knows" better or more than her parents.  Or, she has been so good all day she saves her attitude and behavior for home.  It's just not something we are used to having from her and I'm having a hard time coming up with consequences.  Overall, she is great at home and with Jack but she does have her moments...but don't we all! 
I love my sweet girl so much and it is so exciting to see her succeed in life but also makes me sad because every year that goes by she will be getting older but no matter how old, she will always be my little girl!

 Jack of course had to be in the picture with Allie

 Allie at her school party

Tenery Christmas

 We had a wonderful Christmas with my family this year. I decided to put a kink in the holiday by having surgery on my tailor's bunion 3 days before Christmas.  I had everything ready well before Christmas, but it was still stinky to not be able to do fun with my kids and family.  
We had Christmas Eve brunch at my parents house. We had lots of yummy food and I'm sure there were good conversations, but my pain killers made me feel real out of it.  I'm pretty sure I slipped in and out of consciousness for the first few days! The kids loved opening gifts.  Jack was so funny, every time he opened a gift he said, "Wow!" It was so cute.  My siblings and I surprised my parents with a new tv for their bedroom.  They were both shocked, excited and over joyed. 
We had Christmas morning at our house...some how I managed to make muffins for the morning (I couldn't handle not having something baked for xmas morning). Allie was so excited to see Santa had brought her a couple of things she asked for and a few surprises. She also loved seeing that he left her a note and ate her cookies.  Jack wasn't quite sure what to think of everything. He even threw a little fit. Next year I know he will enjoy it so much more. After we cleaned up and packed, we headed over to spend a few days at my brother's house. We had an unconditional Mexican feast for lunch. We also had a love of yummy desserts. We were so blessed to be able to be together as a family. I think the grown ups enjoyed playing a couple of late night domino games...Greer, being the oldest got to stay up and play too! The younger kids had a great time playing together. They are so blessed to get a long so well! 

 Karlie and Greer opening gifts at Mimi and Poppy's

 Allie was really excited to get the Smurfs movie from Uncle Chad

 The kids gifts from Santa

 Allie was so excited to see her Rapunzel doll...she asked Santa for 1 week before X-mas:)

 Jack loved his CARS slippers

 Jack loved his new broom...he also got a vacuum cleaner and a mower (he likes to be helpful)

 Classic morning fit from Jack

 Allie's new shades

 We gave Jack a Little Tykes Car...he loves it!

This is the only good picture I got of the cousins...I usually take all of the pictures but not being able to get up real well made it more difficult.

The Polar Express

 We rode the Polar Express for the first time in downtown Grapevine.  My brother and his family joined us too. My parents were supposed to come with us, but neither one of them were feeling well. 
I wasn't quite sure what to expect and if we go again next year I will know what to do differently. That being said, all of the kids had a great time! I think the adults enjoyed seeing the smiles on their kids faces. Being on the train was the best part of the evening.  During the ride, there was music and caroling and a visit from Santa. Jack loved all of the music and being on the train.  Allie sat with her girl cousins, so I didn't get to talk to her very much but I know she had a great time! 
Afterwards, we came back to my house and have meatball subs and watch the Cowboys.  We all had such a great time!

 Dressed in their pj's and ready to board

 Getting closer

 Jack adores Greer!

 Santa came by and gave each kid a bell

 The decorations in downtown Grapevine are beautiful. I wish we would have had more time to look at them!

Thought I would add in pictures of the gingerbread house...next year I will make sure I have decorating tips to help with the frosting! Allie did a great job decorating!

*Side note - I have posted 7 times today, so if you want to see what else has gone on in the Varner family over the last couple of months scroll down and check it out!

Christmas Cheer

 I have really enjoyed getting ready for Christmas this year and all of the fun things we have done together.  Since I'm having foot surgery on the 22nd, I wanted to make sure that I got to do fun things with the kids during the day, after school or on the weekends since I won't be able to do much during the holiday break.  We started what some people call 25 days of Christmas or Advent this year and we will make sure to do it for the years to come.  Next year, Jack will actually understand what is going on and will be able to participate more.  
This is the first year that we had our lights on our house, tree decorated and house decorated before it was December ( I also had all presents bought too)! Allie loves to decorate the tree and I let her put on most of our ornaments.  Our tree isn't fancy and it's not coordinated by color. The ornaments on our tree are from when I was growing up. Each year, my parents gave us a new ornament (not sure when this was started) and I have done the same with Jarod and with the kids.  I also have ornaments that were either given to me or bought at different and fun places.  I love seeing all of the ornaments. They bring back so many wonderful memories.  Allie already remembers who gave her the ornaments she has.  Jack was also excited about putting ornaments on the tree and wanted to be very helpful. Most of the time he couldn't get them on there and big sister was quick to help him! Of course most of the ornaments were in big clumps on the front of the tree and I just moved them the next day.  
I bought a wooden train this year from Hobby Lobby and it has 3 box cars with little doors that open and the numbers 1-25 on it. Each morning, Allie opens a door and pulls out the note and reads what the fun activity is for that day. Not all of our activities have to do with Christmas, but most of them do.  
Here are some of the activities we have done:
lunch at school, rent a movie, play date at McDonalds, parade (it was cancelled due to rain), dinner with Mimi and Poppy, hot chocolate and X-mas books, make an ornament, make cookies for daddy's work, help wrap X-mas presents, watch a X-mas play, breakfast with Santa, ride Polar Express, ice cream treat, make gingerbread house, play a board game. We still have 10 more days to go!

 Here are some pictures from Breakfast with Santa...my friend Jenn took the good ones!