The Midwestern Momma

Friday, December 11, 2015

Meeting Jan Brett

We had the opportunity to meet the beloved children's author Jan Brett last weekend at her book signing in Davenport.

The kids purchased two of her books, received an art lesson from her and got her autograph. They had such a good time.

The badger that Jan drew on the spot.

Finn receiving a hug from Hedgy.

Olivia and Hedgy and a girl from the library that Olivia wanted in the picture.

Father Christmas

We met father Christmas last weekend at the Belgian Waffle breakfast.

Father Christmas is the European version of Santa Claus.

The kids were a little timid that morning and weren't the most excited to take a picture with Father Christmas. When in doubt bribe them.

Oh darn, I guess we will have to make a stop at Lagomarsino's after the breakfast.

Some of you may remember a few years back when Finn had to have his right eye operated on for a blocked tear duct. As it turns out, it was more serious than we originally thought. His right eye is quite a bit more near sided than his left, which could cause him to become crosseyed in the future.

Here's to hoping these glasses can straighten him out.

Isn't he the cutest!!

It's Basketball Season!

We enjoyed our first basketball game of the season last week. We joined Papa and Emmie at the Legendary Wharton Field House to watch the Maroons win.

The kids had a great time. There weren't too many people at the game so they were able to climb up and down the bleachers again and again.

At half time Olivia spotted a cheerleader that was a few rows up talking with her parents. She convinced Emmie that they needed to go "introduce themselves". When they got a few steps away from the Cheerleader they came screaming back and Olivia said to Emmie "come on Emmie, we need to talk this through". The cheerleader noticed her newest fans and took the girls down to meet a few of the other cheerleaders. She made Olivia's year.

The girls and Finny spent the last half of the game cheering with the girls and screaming their names any chance they got.

They can't wait to go to the next game!

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Thursday was spent at our home with a low key ham dinner. Gramma, Papa and Emmie came over to join in on the fun.

After dinner and naps the kids woke up to Trixie. She has officially arrived for the season. The kids are thrilled. Me, not so much. Just one more thing I have to remember to take care of every day.

Trixie did come bearing gifts. The kids received matching Christmas PJ's, popcorn and hot chocolate.

On Saturday we celebrated Thanksgiving with all of the fixings. This time Momo and Auntie Abbie joined the crowd from Thursday.

Finn is too busy to take pictures these days.

The crowd was even able to enjoy a play put on by the littles: "The Three Little Pigs".

The First Snow

We experienced the first snowfall of the year last weekend. I was the only one who was unhappy about it.

The kids went to bed dreaming of white fluffy snow to play in and woke up to just that.

Olivia was outside for all of five minutes. It took longer to get her dressed! Snow is fun until the wind starts to blow at 30 miles an hour. Brrr.

Finn was a trooper and helped dad shovel the whole driveway.

That's Finn in there, if you couldn't tell.

Olivia the evening of the snow, catching the flakes on her tongue.

Since it was snowing I found it fitting to put the Christmas tree up. I was lectured by Finley when he came in from playing in the snow. "Mommy, it's not even Thanksgiving yet."

Monday, November 9, 2015

Lagomarcino's Cocoa Bean Race

I ran Lagomarcino's Cocoa Bean race a few weekends ago. I was pleasantly surprised with my time, but even more impressed with the chocolate and hot cocoa that I received afterwards.

The kids even ran the kids race. Of course, the only reason why they ran it was because of the chocolate that they received after.

The kidlettes with their after race Minion Oreo's: