NO SCHOOL!!!!

Finally we had more of a real snow. Well, half of a real snow anyways but enough for the kids to really have some fun. It started snowing around 5:00 am and continued until around 6:00 pm. The kids got out their sleds and tested sledding on the side of our yard and everyone elses. Nearly every kid in the neighborhood was out today. Quinn enjoyed looking at the snowflakes as they dropped. I think she might have caught a few on her tongue. We had a Hershey's Hot Chocolate break around lunch time but the kids were out nearly all day long.

Line-Leader day

Jaiden was line-leader this past Friday. Instead of taking in a toy or game he wanted to take in one of his word books to read to his class. Watch the video to see Jaiden read to his class.

First Snow of the Year

Well, it's not really the "first" snow of the year for us but it is the first one to actually settle on the ground. In Pittsburgh terms, it was a basic dusting. BUT, the kids still went outside and managed to scrape up a few snowballs. They had fun on the day after the Steelers advanced to the Superbowl. As a special treat, I made them some Hersheys hot chocolate topped with some whipped cream by the fireplace. Quinn was amazed by the snow. She saw it through the window and stared at it. So I took her outside and she really enjoyed watching the snowflakes.

Cool Springs Elementary Student of the Month

Delaney was one of two 1st graders to be awarded the December Student of the Month at Cool Springs Elementary. Every grade level has 2 awardees per Month. She received a certificate and a pin for her back pack. She was also on the Student TV and her picture will be on the Cool Springs web site soon. Before being on Student TV she was interviewed by Mrs Dyers (her teacher). When Delaney was announced on TV, Mrs Dyers said that Delaney likes to read and when she isn't reading she likes doing Gymnastics.

Julie and I are extremely proud of Delaney for this accomplishment. On another note, we are equally proud of Jaiden. He has nearly mastered a book he has been reading that he says he wants to read to his class next time he is the line leader. Finally, Quinn has moved up to baby cereal accompanied with other baby foods. She has really taken well to eating.

1/12/2009 - Cool Springs just added the picture. Delaney is front row second from the right.

Christmas Morning

The kids woke up and were ready to see what Santa brought them. Once they were allowed to come downstairs they stormed down the stairs like a stampeding herd of Buffalo (except Quinn who preferred to be carried). Delaney and Jaiden each got a Nintendo DS from Mommy and Daddy. Jaiden has barely put it down since. Jaiden got a new steel hockey net with a goalie cover. Delaney got a new baby and stroller she wanted. Quinn got a new letter drum and some other baby toys. All in all, they had fun opening their gifts and they actually kept it pretty clean.

Christmas Cookies

The morning of Christmas Eve we made cookies and delivered to the neighbors along with a christmas card. The kids had fun playing in the flour, cutting the cookies, and sprinkling them before baking. The recipe is an old Leierzapf family tradition. The best ingredient, white wine. The rest is just brown sugar, spices, butter, and flour. Easy to make and fun to eat (before cooking).

Christmas Pictures

About a week before Christmas we dressed the kids up for Christmas pictures to put on our Christmas Cards. We thought it would be tough to get all of the kids looking in the same direction at the same time but we lucked out this year.