Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

The Oliver Family spent Christmas Eve with my Aunt, Uncle and my Grandma. They spoiled my kids rotten (and me, too). We had a great dinner and got home early enough to get everything ready for Santa and to sprinkle Reindeer food on the front lawn!!!

Christmas morning did not disappoint. The girls found "giant" chocolate Santa's underneath the tree. Kali received her pasta roller and Peyton got a bag full of "Imagination Mover Stuff". We had a quiet day, except for all the noise from Kali's favorite present -U-Dance. I made an early lunch and we just relaxed until Jimmy went to work. The girls and I headed to my brother's house for dinner. We had a nice time with my Dad, Joe and Kelly. We are so blessed to live the life that we do. God was shining down on us in celebration of his Son's Birthday.

Visions of Sugar Plums Dancing in their Heads

Peyton did an awesome job at her Christmas Program, I was so incredibly proud of her. She sang a solo - Up on the House Top - and brought the house down(pun intended). The ironic thing, Kali sang that same song as a solo at her preschool in Greece. My girls are amazing, I'm so blessed. Peyton rounded out her December at school with Breakfast with Santa and a Gingerbread House that her Daddy helped her make.

I was able to suprise my sweet angels with a trip on the Polar Express the week before Christmas. What a great time we had with our friends, the Spoerndles. We ate cookies, drank hot cocoa and sang Christmas carols. Of course, Peyton snagged the microphone to sing "Up on the House Top" and promptly told the train full of people to "Just sing the Ho,Ho,Ho's." She is not shy.

Deckin' the Halls at Stan Hywet

The Show Choir was invited to perform at Stan Hywet during the Deck the Hall event on Sunday. Even though the weather outside was frightful, the performance was just delightful. The Music Room was decorated beautifully for Christmas. My Aunt, Uncle, Grandma and cousin drove down from Chardon to see Kali do what she does best. Poor Peyton, she has sat through at least a dozen shows and there are plenty more in her future. She sits in the front row and does the dances right along with the choir. She is a good sport, just biding time until "it's all about her."

Kali's Big Brrrr-eak

Miller South Show Choir opened the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Akron on Friday night. Kali was wonderful - I was so proud of her. It was freezing, but she put a smile on her face and was the perfect performer. She even got some air time on Channel 3! Peyton and I braved the elements to watch her in person. It was fun! As you can see, the Oliver Christmas season is starting! We are almost finished decorating the house.

'Tis the Season!

Black Belt Dreams

Kali tested for her red belt and passed with flying colors - no pun intended. Yes, that is Kali jumping over someone and breaking a board with a side kick. If she works hard, she very well may test for her black belt in May! I am so proud of her. It has been a fascinating martial arts journey. Maybe Peyton will start TKD in the summer. Miss Peyton had a blast - again, no pun intended - helping us get the deck ready for winter. She thought she was such a big girl with the leaf blower. This week at school she had a Thanksgiving Feast. As you can see, she found herself on the Native American side of the table. Her class made applesauce from scratch and it was delicious. She can't wait to wear her Pow-Wow gear to Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

Tumble-Mania

The TumbleBus came to Peyton's 5th Birthday Party! Peyton and 10 of her friends had a great time on the obstacle course. They each got a medal and a special ceremony. The birthday girl was so happy to play with her friends and family. Even though it was a gloomy Sunday afternoon, there were plenty of smiles to brighten the day.

Mama Mia, Here We Go Again...

Kali's 1st Show Choir performance was a resounding success. There's no business, like show business for Kali Marie. She is a major cheeseball!

Sunday, Crazy Sunday

This past weekend was just plain hectic. Jimmy took Peyton, AJ and Maya to the Circus. They had a fabulous time. Cotton candy, sno-scones, popcorn and smiles! The tickets were Peyton's 5th Birthday present. While they were ringside - Kali, Tatum and I were at a dance workshop. They took class from the guy who choreographed "Stomp the Yard" and a dancer from "So You Think You Can Dance". Kali was in heaven. Those girls danced their hearts out all day long and even had energy left for High School Musical 3!!!! Good Times...

It Was a Spook-tacular Halloween!