O Christmas Tree

Camden has been making lots of crafts this week at school.  It seems like there is nothing but a week-long party going on!  I don't have a problem with that...it's first grade!

Her first project home was a Christmas tree made from an sugar ice cream cone with lots of green frosting and candy ornaments.  She ate most of the candy except the small red circles which she discovered were Red Hots, which, she discovered, she does not like!

 

December Birthdays

GaGa and Grandpa had their annual prime rib dinner for Kevin and my birthdays.  Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric came down to help celebrate.  Camden liked helping GaGa get dinner ready - she liked the mashed potatoes beaters clean!

After dinner we played 6-handed bid Euchre and enjoyed the chocolate covered strawberries that Uncle Ric made for us.

After the guys won the first round, we had cake and ice cream. Aunt Carole made the camo cake per Camden's request.

 (those poor chapped lips!)

It was a perfect night of fun!

Living Nativity

One of our annual Christmas traditions is to go to Browns Valley Christian Church's Living Nativity.  It only takes about 10 minutes to drive through, but it's a good visual reminder of the life of Christ.  Camden loves the animals and seeing kids in each scene.

Olaf

Christmas Parade

Sunday afternoon was the annual Crawfordsville Christmas Parade.  This year, Camden decided to ride the float for the church she goes to VBS and Thursday afterschool program ("The Zone"). 

It was a cold day, but Camden LOVED it.

The pastor loves his tractor.  I think the church does so many parades because it gives him a chance to get his tractor out.

Camden was waving at everyone and was so excited when she finally saw Kevin and I.

I know it's not completely related, but the afternoon out in the cold air could not have helped the flu virus that hit her later that evening.  She ended up staying home for 2 days from school.  And yes, she did have the flu shot! 

Waveland Santa

The town threw a very nice Christmas party on Saturday with a great community turnout.

There were crafts to do and games to play.

And, of course, the big guy from the North arrived via firetruck.

Camden was her pure excited self jumping up and down the entire time.

Then it was all business when it came time for her visit.  They had a good long talk with lots of thinking and plenty of animated conversation.

Lady Mounties Pictures

Our little ball player and her team!

First Grade Cookbook

Mrs. Gonczarow had each child write a recipe for their favorite Thanksgiving food.  She compiled them into a booklet for each child.  Camden wrote this one.

At first I couldn't figure out where that one came from.  Fruit?  Thanksgiving?  Then I remembered in for her Kindergarten party, I made a watermelon turkey with fruit skewers for the tail feathers.  This was what she now thought of when she was asked about food at Thanksgiving. 

The centerpiece at our Thanksgiving Day table at Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric's.  Perfect - a new tradition made and kept!

I am Thankful For...

Daddy/Daughter Love

We parked near the small plaza and fountain in downtown Crawfordsville.  On our way back to the car, we saw the plaza decorated with big, lit snowflakes.  I wanted a few pictures of Camden with them and it turned into a daddy/daughter photo shoot.

Downtown Party

Saturday night was the annual Downtown Party in Crawfordsville.  All the local shops remained open, Santa was available for visits, and the courthouse tree was lit.  There was a nice crowd out for the event.

Downtown lights are always beautiful.  However, I was a little dismayed at how small the tree was.  It wasn't much bigger than the one we put in our house!  Little town, little tree, I guess. 

At our first stop, the shop had hot chocolate.  It was a fun treat on a cool night to enjoy while we waited for the lighting. 

Camden didn't want to wait in line to see Santa so after the lighting we left and had dinner.  It was a nice, short party for us!

How To Catch A Turkey

First I would
Get a net.
Hide behind
a tree and catch it.

Next I would
Put a big bowl
On its head
and ride it.

Last I would
camoflash
as a tree.

View From His Stand

Kevin got a nice Doe on Friday night.  Glad to have some meat in the freezer!

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Perfect day for Chutes and Ladders with Dad.

Dad's New Hat

Kevin got a new CSX hat at work.  It's a cool digital camo design.  Camden really liked it!

She wanted a picture with Tinker too.  Trying to get a dog to smile is hard work!

Maybe a little better?!?

First Snow

The snow started on Sunday afternoon.  It was Tinkerbell's first experience with it.  She pranced around in the first dusting.  Camden joined her.

 

They danced around and Tinker dug her nose into the small piles.  By evening we had a good ground cover and the two got out again and played.  

Camden's favorite thing is catching the flakes on her tongue and picking it up off the ground to eat (but no yellow or brown snow - she always reminds us!).

Final Practice

School Notes

 Camden's second 6 week report card came home with great comments:  Her handwriting is improving (at least when she wants it too!).  She also struggles a bit with "only child syndrome" and wanting her way...so it's nice to see that the teacher is seeing an improvement on that front as well.  She had all A's this 6 weeks, so she made the HIGH honor role.  We are so proud of her effort and growth.

Also in her binder on this day was a list that she made at some point.  It was not homework, but reflects what she was thinking about...

What I heart (love)
toys
God
mom
dad
frends + scool

What I dont heart (love)
snacs (snakes) + spidrs


I just adore this girl's heart!

Best.Girls.Day.Ever

After our visit with Grammy, Daddy met us at Monster Golf when he got off work.  Gramma Pat had never been there and held her own against us "experts" and the monsters.  We then headed over to dinner together and finally ended the night with yogurt from the Pink Walrus.  Daddy headed home after dinner, so it was just us three girls.  Camden declared it the best.girls.day.ever!  I know we all enjoyed our time with Gramma Pat.