Bob and his Crazy Antics: A Guest Post by LG

Hey! This is LG. My elf, Bob, has arrived! Of course, he is very crazy. We've all had a very fun time with him. I don't really want to type all of the days, so I'll just tell you the important days. On December 5th, he went bowling at Candy Cane Lane on our island. Mom had to move the pins and the stand that he put up. He also gave me 3 envelopes. The first one was labeled "To Lily Grace." It was from Santa Claus! He sent me a reminder to send him my letter. Then I opened the one that was labeled "1." It said that there was 6 candy canes hidden around the house. If I found all 6, I could open the envelope that was labeled "2." I found them, and I opened the last envelope. It had a Crazy Pinz gift card in there! I LOVE bowling! Another day he was up in the light fixture in the kitchen. Underneath were 2 red jars, 1 red and white striped bag, and a letter. It said that inside the jars was North Pole sugar, and inside the bag may look like pink jelly beans, but they were actually magic Christmas beans. The letter told me to get a rectangular dish, to pour 1 jar of the North Pole sugar in, then put the beans in, but do not drop them because the magic would be lost.  Then pour the other jar of sugar in and place in the refrigerator, then check in the morning! I couldn't wait to check it. In the morning, guess what it turned out to be? 4 raspberry macaroons! Dad had 2, and I had 2. Another time he was doing pull-ups on Dad's TRX. He scattered pipe cleaners and some of my Jinga blocks on the floor. He put my dolls and horses on the table along with my stuffed rabbit and fake elf. He spelled out "Funny" with my Jinga blocks and used pipe cleaners to make a funny face. Ha Ha Ha. On Molly's birthday (or today) he gave Molly 2 balls and some dog treats. Apparently he thought the treats were gingerbread cookies because they were shaped like them. He left a note saying "BEWARE!!!! Lily Grace, these gingerbread cookies are disgusting!!!!! DON'T EAT THEM!!!!!! Happy birthday to Molly. Hope she enjoys the balls. But do not eat the cookies!!!!!!!!!" Crazy huh? Well he really did try a cookie. There were crumbs in his mouth and he was smiling a lot less. Bob is a nut, right? I think this year, his antics are a lot crazier than usual. We've all had an amazing (and crazy) time with Bob this year.

Bob looks like a mummy wrapped up in tape!

This is the day when Bob gave me the North Pole sugar and the magic Christmas beans.

Planting the beans!

Sorry, I ate a macaroon before I took the pic.

Bob went to Hawaii while we were at Chicago. Lucky elf!

Exercising while also being fashionable.

Yes it is funny even though you made a gigantic mess Bob.

Yes, eating a dog treat is probably gross. But still, Happy Birthday Molly!

Weekend Fun in Chicago!

We spent this past weekend in Chicago and had a great time.  
Chicago didn't disappoint as the city was lit up with lights and decorations.  We hit a couple of our favorite restaurants, favorite stores and of course the Nutcracker Ballet.  

Chicago at Christmas

Of course we couldn't go to Chicago without visiting American Girl.  This is the new Maryellen display.  LG is so hoping to get her for Christmas.  Maryellen if from the 50's.  Look!  We are on the old black and white TV set.  

After almost an hour in this crowded store and still thrilled to be in American Girl

Hanging out with Grace!

Santa at the Lego store

Every time we visit Chicago, Lily Grace is so taken with this street performer.  She loves to watch him do the robot.  This time, when she tipped him, he obliged her with a picture.  

On our way to the Nutcracker.  LG is becoming quite a pro 
at hailing a cab and gets so excited when they stop for her.

Waiting for the theater doors to open

Here's this years nutcracker: I can't believe this is the 7th one in her collection.  We started taking her when she was just three years old.

When we travel, we love visiting different catholic churches.  This Sunday we attended Holy Name Cathedral.  It was a beautiful church and the choir was wonderful.  I love their nativity outside the church.

Can you believe this organ?  It was amazing!  The picture truly doesn't do it justice.  It was so so big and ornate.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The holidays are in full swing around here.  We have been really busy and loving every minute of it so far.  There is still much to come but here's a little catch up of what's been going on.  
To break it down, we've had our first snow of the season, Thanksgiving, tree trimming and Christmas decorating around the house,
winter recital and...drum roll please...Bob is back!  We officially welcomed back Bob elf this weekend and Lily Grace couldn't be more thrilled!!!!

First Snow of the Season and of course after about three hours, we had to call LG to come inside. 

She did manage to talk her daddy in to going out for a while

Thanksgiving- this year Lily Grace made the cornbread for the cornbread dressing.  

This year for Winter Recital, Lily Grace played Bouree by Handel along with her teacher, Mr. Caleb.  She did an amazing job! 

Saturday morning Matt and I woke to squeals and calls to hurry upstairs and bring the camera.  Apparently, Bob thought it would be funny to wrap Lily Grace in her room.  She crawled under to get out because she wanted to enjoy his handy work for a while.  

Once downstairs she found Bob on the island bowling.  

Bob also brought a letter from Santa as well as two more envelopes.  Envelope 1 held a candy cane scavenger hunt and envelope 2 held a surprise for finding all 6 candy canes Bob had hidden around our house.  Her surprise was a gift card for bowling, one of her new favorite activities.  Guess what Gracie is treating us to over Christmas break?

Saturday night, Lily Grace enjoyed running through Bob's  work to get to bed.  

On Sunday morning Gracie woke to find Bob snuggled into one of our guest beds.  He even brought Gracie a new pair of Elf pajamas.

Loving her new elf pajamas

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Fourth grade brings with it a very special event, The Wax Museum of Saints.  This is something the kids look forward to and begin talking about long before entering fourth grade.  For Lily Grace, it started around second grade when she received a book about Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in her Easter basket.  
Each year fourth graders are asked to pick a saint to study.  They get to write down three choices and hope to get their first choice.  Lily Grace was in fact given her first choice.  She was so excited.  She has spent the last few months immersing herself in the life of Saint Kateri and learning all that she could about her.  All of this was done in preparation for today.
The kids hold The Wax Museum of Saints.  They come to school dressed as their saint.  A can is placed at their feet along with a red button.  The kids are lined all throughout the halls of the school.  This year, there were 51 different saints.  When you approach a saint, you drop a coin in their can, press the button and they come to life and share with you their name, feast day, what they are the patron saint of and some interesting facts about their life.  The museum last from 8:15 to 10:45 at which time parents, parishioners and the entire school travel through to each saint.  It truly was a moving sight and all the kids did a great job!  All the money collected is then donated to Saint Mary's Soup Kitchen.  This year the Bishop was in attendance which only added to the excitement. Lily Grace was also interviewed by one of the local newspapers and of course, she was all smiles.
Our little Saint Kateri did an amazing job.  She was so proud to share all she had learned and took it very serious as all the kids did.  Again, it was very moving.  I am reminded of how blessed we are that Gracie attends Catholic school where she can freely hear and talk about Christ each day and even spend the morning standing at the foot of a crucifix sharing the life of one of God's followers, Saint Kateri.  Thank you God for this amazing blessing!
Lily Grace you did an amazing job today sharing the life of Saint Kateri.  We are so proud of how very close you took her to your heart and how your faith and love of Jesus has grown through learning about her life.  
Thank you God for all the Saints you haven given us as examples to strengthen our faith and  devotion to you. 
Saints in Heaven, pray for us!

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Feast Day: July 14
Patron Saint of the Environment and Ecology
The Lily represents purity and the cross her devotion to Christ.
She is also known as Lily of the Mohawks
She was the first Native American to be declared a Saint.

Just before leaving for school

Ready to share the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Sharing her story with some of the school kids

Daddy hearing about Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Very happy to have the Bishop and Father Matt stop by to hear about her saint

Happy All Saints Day!

Smiles and giggles are always on the menu when meeting friends for breakfast after church.  

Happy Halloween from Lindsey Stirling!

This year, Lily Grace chose to dress up as Lindsey Stirling, the dancing violinist.  Believe it or not, she decided this is who she'd be for Halloween at the beginning of the summer, right after seeing the original in concert.  
She looked adorable in her red hair and fun outfit.  She also got to dress up Friday afternoon at school.  
My little Lindsey even bakes.  Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, she asked to bake an apple pie.
Regardless of what she's wearing, spending time with my girl is always special and fun and in this case, quite the "treat!" 

Lindsey with her friends Friday after a fun afternoon at school!

Oh that hair!

Baking her first apple pie

Joining the band

When Lily Grace started playing the violin three years ago, she did so declaring that she ultimately wanted to play the flute.  I'm not sure why, but the girl has always wanted to play the flute.
Well, today she got her chance.  Becoming a fourth grader also means being allowed to join the school band.  Lily Grace officially became a member of the band today. She is beyond excited.
The flute won't be taking the place of the violin.  She enjoys playing the violin too much.  She's actually going to be playing both.  She will continue to study violin while learning the flute with the school band.  
We are so happy for her and proud of her for working at both

Another First Day!

This year with becoming a 4th grader, Lily Grace had to give up the jumper  and peter pan collar shirts for a skirt.  She has loved wearing a jumper but excited about a twirly skirt.  

Talk about two girls excited to see their names together again.  They have spent a great deal of time together over the summer and even timed their arrival this morning.  Too cute!

All smiles with Mrs. Darling