Abby's birthday celebration

Abby decided that this year, instead of presents, she wanted to spend her birthday at the American Girl store.  We picked up her friend Olivia and headed up for lunch.  The girls had fun eating lunch with their dolls at the cafe.

After lunch, Abby did a little shopping and picked out a couple of accessories for her doll.  Then, we headed to Claire's to get her ears pierced.  Abby was a little unsure, but then decided to take the plunge.  She seemed to be really proud of herself for toughing it out!

After our Mall of America adventures, we headed over to a nearby hotel to spend the night.  We went swimming, then Dave and Jenny came over after work.  We had pizza and dirt cups for supper and dessert, and the girls watched a movie before bed.  They were happy to have some extra time in the morning to swim and play with their dolls before we had to head home.

Norah turns 6!

Norah's birthday fell on a Saturday this year, so we met up with Dave's parents, my parents, and Jenny at Chuck E. Cheese for lunch.  Afterward, we came back to our house for cake.  We had fun celebrating the birthday girl!

Norah's 6-year-old stats:  weight-38 pounds (11th percentile; height-43 inches (13th percentile)

Norah's 6-year interview

Favorite color:  blue

Least favorite color:  red (a surprise, since this has been her favorite color for years!)

Favorite book:  The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors

Favorite fruit:  raspberries

Favorite vegetable:  carrots

Favorite tv show:  Elena of Avalor

Favorite movie:  Aladdin

Favorite food:  mac & cheese

Favorite school lunch:  hot dog on a bun

Favorite thing to wear:  dress

Favorite snack:  crackers

Favorite zoo animal:  zebra

Best friend:  Finley

Favorite cereal:  Lucky Charms

Favorite drink:  strawberry milk

Favorite thing to do with Mommy:  play games

Favorite thing to do with Daddy:  wrestle

Favorite thing to do with Abby:  hide and go seek

Favorite thing to do with Sadie:  play

Favorite store:  Target

Favorite toy:  Barbies

Favorite game:  Candyland

Favorite song:  Greatest Showman songs

Favorite thing to do outside:  swing

Favorite holiday:  Valentine's Day

What I want to be when I grow up:  daycare lady

What makes me happy:  playing outside

What makes me sad:  I don't know

What I like about Daddy:  wrestling

What I like about Mommy:  sleeping in her bed

What I like about Abby:  when we play

What I like about Sadie:  to pet her

Now that I'm 6:  I can play games

Christmases

We had to change our Christmas plans this year a little bit, due to the stomach flu...Norah ended up getting sick on her first day of winter break, so we had to postpone my family Christmas.  Instead, the Saturday before Christmas, we went to go see "The Greatest Showman" as a family and had our little family Christmas.  We went down to Iowa on Christmas Eve, and celebrated at Dave and LeaAnn's house.  The girls were given handmade quilts from my aunt LeaAnn.

Abby helped play the prelude at my grandma's church for the Christmas Eve service. 

After church, we spent the night at Miriam and Scott's.  We had a nice celebration with everyone on Christmas Day. 

We headed back up to Lonsdale, where we then had our family Christmas with my parents, Greg, and Jenny.  Later in the week, we went to our annual Timberwolves game with Mara and Bryan.

Our last Christmas was the next weekend with Dave's family.  Norah was so excited about her new stapler, and Abby was excited to get some Under Armor gear. 

Christmas program

The week before Christmas, our church had our annual kids' Christmas program.  Abby decided to be brave enough to have a speaking/acting part this year, and was the angel Gabriel.  Norah was an angel with a group of girls, and I played piano for the carols the kids sang.  It was a cute program!