Young Chefs

Young Chef

Young Chef

Young Chef

We had a gift certificate for Young Chefs from a fundraiser earlier in the year and in November we had a chance for Nadia to redeem it. It would be an understatement to say that she loved it. They made pumpkin whoopie pies (with filling) and Mulled Cider. She practically begged me to sign up for the weekly program they sell for a class each week. I told her that she already did other stuff, but she could help me with the cooking more and more. Needless to say she has been inspired and helped me make a ton of our Christmas goodies. For Christmas she made her Grandpa Brian a set of 3 BBQ rubs. She went with me to buy the spices, measured everything out and then put them in the jars.

Young Chef

This is Amelie on the other side of the glass wondering when it will be her turn. One of the chefs came out and brought her a small chair and kitchen toys to play with which I thought was sweet.

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Her Papa and Grandma Brooke sent her a set of kitchen tools that are child sized and 3 very cool kids cookbooks for Christmas. She has already baked “Yummy Hunny Cookies” and looks forward to doing more in the New Year. I am really happy that the gift certificate has made her even more interested in cooking.

Polar Express 2011

Polar Express 2011

We headed to the Polar Express PJ party at the science and history museum the week before Christmas. The same as last year they had science experiments for the kids and hot chocolate for everyone before the movie started. Families are encouraged to come to the event in their jammies and aside from the popcorn I think that was Nadia’s favorite part. During the science experiment time she saw frost being created, how salt and sugar affect large blocks of ice and they did “a snow storm in your hand” which was very cool. We showed the movie to Amelie in advance so she wouldn’t be afraid of the loud sounds. She sat on my lap for about half an hour, but otherwise she did great. This is such a fun event and I hope that the museum continues to do it for years to come.

Polar Express 2011

Making a bracelet at the craft table.

Polar Express 2011

PJ Book Exchange Party 2011

PJ Party 2011
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Early in the month we had our 4th annual PJ and Book Exchange party. It’s a fun tradition that I started and have hosted each year, but this year Tricia offered to host it at her house. Thanks Tricia! Nadia was REALLY excited that we were leaving the house in our jammies (including mommy). We all brought food for the potluck and the kids had a blast playing. After lunch we did the book exchange – one round for the big kids and one round for the littles. It’s so much fun!

PJ Party 2011

PJ Party 2011

PJ Party 2011PJ Party 2011

Nadia opening her book. Later Elliott was helping Amelie with the names of animals in her book. Us moms always have a great time chatting.

And the post can’t be complete without a look at the prior years 🙂

2008 pj party

2008

2009 PJ party

2009

2010 PJ party

2010

Stockings!

Stockings 2011
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Nonni and Grandpa Brian gave the girls their personalized stockings and they are so adorable. As soon as they arrived in the mail I wrapped them so the girls could tear into them and hang them up. Amelie was not quite sure what was going on or what they were for and she actually tried to put her foot in at one point. On Christmas morning I know she will get a kick out of it.

Stockings 2011

Stockings 2011

Stockings 2011