The School Bus

Nora recently watched several videos of Millie going to & from school.  (You can read about Millie's new school here.)  She has watched all of them numerous times but one in particular is her favorite.  It's the one where Millie gets off of the school bus on her first day at school.  Millie tells the bus "bye, bye, school bus".

That's where Nora's newest request was born.  She wants to ride the bus.  She wants to go to school too, but mostly wants to ride the school bus.  She hasn't been asking me daily anymore but an opportunity to ask does not go to waste each time she spots a 'bus'.  This was my favorite 'bus' she asked me to ride. 

It was a visitor of our neighbors.  To think I've been racking my brain to find her a way on a real school bus but actually I just need to let her go in someone's old van.  Haha.  Love her!

Pull Ups House Party

In January, we won another House Party.  This one was a Pull-Ups sponsored one.  They had activities all planned out so did it as a play date at our house.


The kids colored potty celebration pictures.

They decorated party hats & had tons of fun with all the party blowers.

They cut paper to make their own confetti to celebrate being diaper free.

Pin the flusher on the potty was a fun game.

When they 'tossed' the diapers they won pull ups.

Lastly, they played find the potties.  They were potty clip art pictures hidden around the house.

The party go-ers!

It was fun & I know the moms all appreciated the booklets of free coupons and free Shutterfly book codes.  Although, I think our favorite part was going to eat pizza afterwards!

Hasbro Game Night House Party

I was picked to host a New Year's Eve Hasbro Game Night.  They sent the games Draw Something, Yahtzee, Twister, and Scrabble Edition Catch Phrase.  They also sent party supplies like hats, cups, winner's trophy & crown, and of course coupons.  We already planned on hanging at our friends, the Harshbargers, so we did the party over there.  We had plenty to eat & drink along with all of our fun!

Isn't her hair so cute when she pulls out her piggies?

The kids played Twister for about 45 seconds.

April taught us how to play Yahtzee.

April & I played Draw Something against each other in real life.  I think we are much better at it on the ipad!  I like the game a lot more electronically.

 

Of course there were fireworks and sparklers for the kids.  Nora loved it!

Party Animals!

Before we knew it the ball was dropping & it was 2013!  Nora took a few photos to show us ringing in the new year.

We had a great night bringing in 2013.  A huge thanks to those that came to party with us!

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 was pretty low key for us.  Nora finally got up around 9.  We opened presents at home, after everyone brushed their teeth of course.

Her reaction was PRICELESS!

 

Somethings just have to be used immediately.  Nora loves anything dress up or princess (or Minnie in this case) so shoes & sticker earrings are now daily necessities. And Aaron's enormous Snickers...well it was enjoyed.=)

 

After we finished at home, we headed to Lala & Grandpa Steve's for more presents & breakfast.

A few days later we headed to Summerville to see PeePaw & Vivian.  Nora enjoyed hanging out and playing with PeePaw while Aaron worked on his bathroom.  One day she got to go with me shopping Christmas clearances.  She thought she hit the jackpot when she got a tiara at her favorite store there (Party City) and Rapunzel fake nails. 

Aaron's favorite part of the Christmas week?  He got to go hunting.  Several times.  Even in the rain.

First Christmas Parade

Aaron was hard at work so Nora & I ventured off to the Fort Mill Christmas parade alone.  Boy was it long and I would suggest bringing chairs because we got tired of standing.  Nora loved it!

(I absolutely cannot get this picture rotated!)

 There was so much entertainment between kids, music (to dance to), and Christmas decorations.  She wanted to wave at everyone, even though no one really noticed her.  She loves holidays, what can I say?

The Year of the Santa Hat

Paw Paw & Dee Dee came to celebrate Christmas December 22nd.  That meant there was lots of noise, lots of smiles, and lots and lots of presents at our house.  Reason # 2557 we need a bigger house.  We love everyone coming over but it fills the house.=)

Nora shared her Santa hat with Paw Paw and boy did she love singing to it!  Check out the videos...we were laughing so hard.

 

Nora in the hat, Paw Paw in the hat, Daddy in the hat

The kids all played while we waited for everyone to get there & off of work.

Finally it was time to eat!  These two found a spot & chowed down.

After most of the kids asked approximately 46 times each, it was present time!

Trying to sneak a peek at the presents lined up

It was such chaos that I only really got pictures of Nora.  The first thing she opened was something she loves.  A new 'Call Me Baby' skirt. 

That instantly had to be put on.

Now she can proceed with the present opening.  Apparently poofy skirts are more comfy.

This is Nora gasping with excitement over the Dora nail polish. Haha.

She got lots of great things and was so happy!  I don't have pictures of any of the stuff we got (which was tons!) or most of the presents we gave everyone else...but I do have pictures of the things we gave the other kids.  The boys got capes & the girls got tutus like Nora's.

We don't have many pictures of Nora with her grandparents so I thought I'd get one of her & 'my Dee Dee' as she calls her.  I wouldn't call it successful...

anyone know how to photoshop her eyes??

This last picture of Aaron sums up how everyone felt by the end of the excitement...love him!