Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Things have been so busy around the Zimmerman household this holiday season as is in every household I would guess. Each year I tell myself to slow down, things don't have to be perfect, and don't stress the small stuff. This year there wasn't much stressing just a lot of busyness. As a child I remember Christmas being so magical and I want this for my kids. I just didn't realize what my mom had to go through to make it this way and boy did it wear this mama out! No matter how early I start my shopping there is always one last gift to buy. No matter how much baking I do there is always something more to bake (especially when I am pregnant:). This year Isabella was really into the Christmas crafts so each day we had a new project to tackle. My most favorite activity that we did together this Christmas was the advent. Each night we did the advent as a family and my kids loved it! I got this great book from our church of daily readings with discussions for the advent season and my girls just really seemed to get it. We had some great discussions and they loved blowing the candles out each night. We had a fabulous Christmas and it was pretty spectacular to wake up Christmas morning to all of that snow. We did miss out on a few family functions because of the weather but what we have discovered is that it is also nice to be with our own little family.

We did find out wonderful news about our May arrival. Baby is very healthy:) I had a sonogram on Monday and all of the parts are where they should be. Kyle and the kids were with me on this visit because we were going to find out the gender. Turns out we have a stubborn, camera shy baby. They sent me home because this little bean would not cooperate! Two days later I went back to have a do over and it was at it again, legs crossed and butt up. After many pokes and prods to my belly it finally gave us a peek...

IT"S A GIRL!!!!

We are so very excited and can't wait to meet her! The only concern that Isabella has is that Walter will not have anyone to play with. I explained that he would have plenty of friends and grow up to be a very patient man:)

School is still out and my tutoring is at a stand still so I am going to kick back, relax (whatever that means), and enjoy the New Year! I hope that you all do too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Walter's new hat from Aunt Kari and Uncle Ben.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

Isabella loved the snow this year, played in it forever!

This little missy wasn't as big as a fan. She liked it but didn't like being so cold.

Breaking in our new sleds.

She loves her Hello Kitty bike.

Getting a feel for her "big" girl Barbie bike.

Of course Santa brought this little guy a bike of his own.

Nothing like green sprinkled sugar cookies on Christmas morning.

We loved getting to see Grandnana, Grandpapa, Nana, and Aunt Maureen

Grandpapa was brave to let him eat this on white carpet.

Best buds!

Happy Birthday Jesus party with our friends.

Checking out the train display at Union Station.

Afternoons of fun playdates with good friends.

Baking with our Mimi...

we look forward to it every year!

So does this guy even though he wasn't much help:)

The Nutcraker

Last Friday night I took the girls to their second annual showing of "The Nutcraker". Cousin Jack got to come with us which made it extra special for the girls. They had a great time!

I had to put this picture in because of what she chose to wear. White leotard, teal pettiskirt, and white tights. Oh, and don't forget the piggies! I really think that she thought she was going up on stage!

Frosty the Snowman

Her big recital is not until the spring but every year her dance teacher has them put on a little show for Christmas. They did a little tap to "Frosty the Snowman" and it was just so darn cute! She had been practicing religiously at home and when it came time to get up there in front of the parents she was not shy at all. I actually could hear her voice belting out all of the words to the song! I love how her dance teacher incorporates the singing into the dances.

Showing us her moves!

Okay, this is the part that made me cry. Ballet has always been my favorite even as a young child. When I danced I grew to love it even more and was so proud the day I went on pointe. I did have the long legs but unfortunately I was not as graceful as I had hoped to be. I was more like a newborn colt. When these wee ones put on their ballet shoes and the music started I saw my daughter really concentrating and moving through all of her positions like she had been doing it forever.

I was so proud of you sweetbug!

Church Christmas Party

Today we had our annual church Christmas party. This is something we all look forward to because Santa is there, there are tons of games to play with tons of prizes, alot of crafts to do, and a tableful of yummy holiday treats.

This year no one cried when they had to sit on or stand next to Santa!!! And best of all Kyle and I didn't have to be in the picture with them! This was our second visit with Santa, they went to visit him at the Bass Pro Shop a few weeks ago and we had the same success. Isabella looked a little frightened during that visit but was brave for her brother and sister. As we walked away she said to me, "Mom, Santa is missing his finger!" Turns out this is why she was so freaked out. Wondering if this was true I walked back around and sure enough poor guy was missing his index finger and he wasn't wearing gloves so all could see. Problem is I was worried that we would always have to drive around town to find a Santa with a missing index finger. Kyle told her that he must have lost it when showing the elves how to make toys and that Santa was so magical it was probably going to grow back (I love this guy!). Well it worked because today it wasn't even an issue and she didn't even ask why he still had all of his fingers.

Her special request from the balloon man: a heart bracelet

His special request from the balloon man: a sword with a holster to keep it in!

Love the face painting!

Margaret loved her tree.

Can you guess who this little guy wanted to be...

cutest Rudolph I ever did see!

I love that this gal still loves her pigtails!

Gingerbread House

Tonight the girls and I decided to get a little crafty!!!

Kyle has worked nights all week and we put Walter's whiney bottom to bed and had a sugar filled girls night in:)

The girls had been wanting to make a Gingerbread house since the Christmas season began and tonight we whipped it together with some graham crackers and yummy sweets.

I thought they turned out pretty darn good. I am surprised that so much candy ended up on the houses because of how much they were shoveling in as they worked!

Isabella's candy coated cottage!

Margaret's sidewalk of sweet treats!

Loved doing this activity with my girls! As we were working Isabella said, "This is the best night ever!" I love when my kiddos appreciate the little things in life:)

The Ice at Park Place

A couple of nights ago we took the kids ice skating!

This is something that the girls have been begging to do for quite some time but we had to plan it on a night when Kyle was home. I love to ice skate, just not when I am four months pregnant and have a 1 1/2-year-old to chase after. We took them to The Ice at Park Place because it is a much smaller rink than at Crown Center and on a week night hoping there would be less people. I just wanted their first experience to be a positive one.

We had success, there were only about ten other people skating that night and the weather was perfect, not too cold but just cold enough to enjoy some hot chocolate.

Isabella went way beyond my expectations! She loved being on the ice and by the end of the night she was skating on her own.

My little bitty Margaret did a great job too for a gal that just turned three.

This was by far her favorite part of the night!

Taking a rest.

My little man was very upset that he couldn't skate. He literally threw himself down into a rage of a fit everytime I had to chase him off of the ice. Is this what a red headed temper is like????? HOLY COW! Kyle did take him for a spin around the rink but was told by the staff that was probably not a good idea.

SwEeTbUg Is ThReE!!!!!!!

This little one was soooo excited to turn three and have a birthday party with a custom Care Bears cake designed by her Mimi. Weeks before her big day she instructed Mimi on the exact colors that every part of the bear must be. She brought me magazines with pictures in it of a table decorated for a birthday celebration and told me this is what she wanted, and most importantly I must have birthday cups that weren't paper!

She may be little, but this girl knows exactly what she wants!

I can't believe that she is three because I remember the exact moment when I held her in my arms and it seems like a couple of months ago. Although she has an older sister's footsteps to fit into this girl definitely toots her own horn. She is so different than my Isabella and in many ways reminds me of myself if I had no restraints and half the nerve. She is a true firecracker with a love of life and a giggle that comes from so deep within I wonder if it hurts Her laughter is contagious and something I look forward to hearing daily.

She had a wonderful party with family and friends.

Here the kids are making icecream sundaes. Again, this was her idea and she insisted we have gummy bears for toppings.

On the night of her actually birthday after a night out at Jose Pepper's.

For a birthday lunch we dined at the new Fritz's in Shawnee with our special Aunt Krista! I love this place no matter where it is, but it was an extra bonus that it is so much closer than Crown Center and it was CLEAN (which means I didn't get stuck to the seat!).

Our special friends Staci, Mia Kate, and Jillian joined us.

Thanks for a great lunch girls, it meant the world to Margaret!

Introducing Ari and Walt!

Shortly after our beloved fish Pippi passed away I let the girls pick out new fish to fill their fish bowl. Of course they each wanted one this time around and they picked out these lovely goldfish. I was little nervous about these guys, which is why I am just now posting about them because I wasn't sure how long I could keep them alive. I was nervous for several reasons. I have never had a goldfish, only beta's, and when I researched anything about them they just sounded more high maintenance and let's just say I get to the fish when I get to it.

Much to my surprise they have been a delight! They are constantly playing with each other and chasing each other around the bowl which has been so much more entertaining than what Pippi would ever do. And also to my surprise, they have been alive about a month now!

Isabella named her fish Ari (a play name that they have had for ages, don't have a clue where it came from but usually it is Walter's name when they play) and Margaret named her fish Walt (this is actually what she calls her brother when she is being sweet to him). Wondering if these guys will last the full year-and-a-half that Pippi did...we will see!

Happy Birthday Barbie!

Today we celebrated 50 fabulous years with America's favorite doll, Barbie.

I took the girls to the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City for the celebration. This is another place I have been wanting to take the kids but wanted to wait until they were old enough to enjoy it. It was such a fun and magical place that brought back many memories of my childhood toys.

The girls loved the Barbie exhibit which featured the original Barbie and how she has changed through each generation. I learned a few new things about Barbie myself, at one time they made a pregnant Barbie and also a grandma and grandpa Barbie. Who knew! They also had crafts for the kids, they got to make bracelets out of beads and Barbie shoes. And best of all they had a full birthday honoring her with yummy cake and icecream.

Another favorite at the museum was all of the dolls and dollhouses. The girls loved peeking into the windows of each house to see what was going on inside. It was amazing to me all of the details that each house had. Each room was lit up and just full of coziness.

All in all this was a great way to spend a cold and rainy Saturday, I highly recommend it!

Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

This weekend we had a family outing to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This is really just a hop, skip, and jump from our house so I am wondering why it took us so long to go on this journey but we finally made it there and it was well worth it!

Obviously the gardens are not blooming this time of year but the trails and the scenery are just awesome! Even though a lot of nature is dying right now it was still beautiful with waterfalls, wildlife, ponds, and fantastic trails that twist through the thick of the trees. I have definitely found my new running spot and best of all it is like ten minutes away!!!

The kids had a great time too. I wondered how it would go with no play equipment or designated "park" area for kids but I will tell you they really took it all in. They got to climb trees, see gopher tracks, waterfalls, frogs and turtles in the ponds, and best of all...

we got to meet this little dear family. As we were winding through the trail we came across a family of four. They were beautiful and so peaceful. We were super quiet and they let us get as close as we could. They just looked up at us several times but never ran away.

The kids were in awe. Walter kept trying to get closer, I think he wanted to touch them.

It was a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather and show the kids all of Gods wonderful creations!