Five More Days

We leave for Disney World in five days! The kids and I are counting down. Tyler is looking forward to another break from work, but I'm not sure he's quite to the excited point yet. I'm sure it will take one gasp and "Daddy look!"

We did luck out. The new Fantasyland is opening while we are there. We are going to get to eat in Beast's castle, ride a new Little Mermaid ride, go in Gaston's pub, etc. It's essentially Allisonland. 

Beast's Castle

We still have the rest of this week to get through with a company party the night before we fly out. I have to admit, this week is creeping by. Come on Sunday!

"Two Great Things"

Allison said that today "two great things" happened.

1. She FINALLY lost her front tooth that has been just hanging there for weeks. I mean, this thing was just torturing all of us. It was losing color, hanging by a thread, and Allison thought it was great to push it completely forward, horizontal, and hold it between her closed lips. It would make Tyler scream every time, and she loved it. Today when she jumped off the bus it was literally hanging by one little nerve. She went straight to the bathroom and pulled it. Thank goodness! Aidan cracked me up because when she showed him, blood and all, he said, "NO! I don't want to see that!" He might be traumatized about losing teeth after watching this thing for so long.

2. Both kids had an amazing night at gymnastics tonight when the results of evaluations were announced.

Aidan moved up from green to blue. This is the first time he has moved up, and he was a little confused at first. After I explained that blue was a good thing because he had tried so hard, he was very proud.

Allison's dedication and practice really paid off. She decided a few months ago that she really wanted to improve in gymnastics and try to make the competitive team at Westwood. Tonight she moved up to the "Advanced" class. It is for 2nd grade and up students (she's in 1st), and it is the last class before she is invited to join the Nova team. Tyler and I both worked with her at home, she took three private lessons, and she's been going to gymnastics each Monday and tumbling each Wednesday. On Thursday morning she was sitting in the middle of the living room after practicing cartwheels and said, "I really wish I was at gymnastics right now." I think she's found a passion.

Allison receiving her evaluation sheet and advancement certificate.

She did not realize that she had moved up when she ran across the podium. I watched her for minutes read through her evaluation sheet. This video shows when it actually clicked. She is sitting down mid-right in the dark pink leotard. Unfortunately blogger does not keep the resolution on videos. 

Daddy met us at gymnastics to see them receive the great news, and then we all went to dinner. We are very proud of our little gymnasts!

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a very nice Thanksgiving this year. Omie and Papa Fred came up for two nights, and Grandma Renee and Papa Denis stopped by for a visit on Thanksgiving day. (I regrettably did not get any pictures of their visit.)

Papa Fred and Aidan Playing "Polar Express" Wednesday Night

Allison & Aidan Coloring on a Wine Rack Box

Papa Fred helped Daddy a ton with the wine racks.

Omie, Allison, and Aidan Making a Buttermilk Pecan Pie

Our Thanksgiving Table

Aidan Decorating the Christmas Tree Friday Morning

Allison Snoozing in the Toy Chest Friday Morning

Our Finished Christmas Decorations in the Living Room

We waited until this morning, the day after Thanksgiving, to decorate for Christmas. I really do not understand the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas mania that seems to be getting worse each year. I mean, Black Friday started on Thursday this time around! What the heck? Relax people and enjoy Thanksgiving. It is Tyler's favorite holiday of the year. We had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed spending time with family and eating yummy food. And, we still have a weekend together without school or work. Happy Thanksgiving!

Zoo Lights

Tonight we went to the first annual Zoo Lights exhibit. The zoo was lit up by so many lights, and it was really neat to see. I'm not sure we'll revisit this year after year unless I hear some requests. It was a member-only preview night, and it was insanely crowded. I think we need to check out Lights in the Heights or something next time.

The dancing lights and choir singing.

There were animal lights everywhere. (I obviously need to do some major night photography practice before Disney.)

The only animals that were awake and out were the giraffes.

They had huge music boxes set up. Allison really enjoyed these. There was one with a ballerina that she stared at for a few minutes. She loved seeing all the moving parts in all of them.

The Zoo Lights Car

Last Seven Days in Review

Time is flying here in McAfee land. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas presents-buying, and our Disney trip quickly approaching I have been less than wonderful at blogging. I did take pictures on my phone when fun moments presented themselves this past week, so here are some of our latest happenings.

This was before gymnastics on Monday. It was just a little chilly outside, so Allison wore her new leg warmers I found at the Nutcracker Market. They are cut off knee-high socks with tulle sewn on the bottom. She wore them upside down the next day to school so that the tulle was sticking out of the top of her knee-high brown boots. These things are adorable! I want to try to make some.

I wish this was more in focus because it was so precious. On Tuesday Allison's ballet class was running long as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas show, so the next class was warming up in the viewing room. Aidan made himself right at home and walked and danced in the middle of 20+ little ballerinas.

On Wednesday Aidan brought home his decorated turkey from MDO. So cute!

These were taken on Friday morning. I went to read to Allison's class, so Aidan went to Itty Bitty City for an hour. We then headed over to Starbucks because that morning was so crazy I forgot my coffee. He was owning his new green puffer vest from Target!

After school on Friday we had eight neighborhood kids over for an hour to play outside in this beautiful weather. Tyler drove up from work five minutes in and said it looked like a birthday party. The kids had a blast outside on the playset, hula hooping, and shooting baskets.

Saturday morning the kids warmed my heart. I was fixing a cup of coffee in a daze, and when I looked over they were watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse just like this. I love these moments because they are so fleeting sometimes. They proceeded to argue the remainder of the day.

Shortly after the loving moment I heard them banging on something in Aidan's room. They were attempting to get into the attic. They told me they wanted to decorate for Christmas. I am not quite ready to pull all of it out, so I let them do a playroom tree. I had bought some netting at Nutcracker after seeing the cutest candy-themed tree. We headed over to Hobby Lobby and picked up colorful balls, white snowflakes, and candy garland. I think they did a great job of decorating their tree!

While we were decorating our playroom tree Daddy went to play nine holes at the club. We met him up there around 5:30 for dinner. I really do try to teach these children table manners, and then Tyler hands Aidan a veal chop to gnaw. C'est la vie. The boy does love meat.

That's it for pictures. Yesterday the kids went to Itty Bitty City while Tyler and I played nine holes and ate a quick dinner. It was a nice break as we head into this Thanksgiving week. Aidan is out of school all week, and Allison only goes today and tomorrow. We do have some fun stuff planned, so stay tuned!

How to Cook a Turkey

According to Allison...

Medal Man

Aidan won the medal yesterday at baseball! He was so excited. He has been hoping for one each week, and Saturday was his day.

Fall 2012 School Pictures

Aidan - 3 years old

Allison - 6 years old