tomatoes in december and such

Our tomato plant that we began one year ago in our Aerogarden, then kept in our solarium all through the summer is still producing tomatoes now!!! I find it simply amazing.





When asked where they would like to "get a treat" these days, the kids quickly respond, "the Co-op."






Sol and Poppy are really practicing at the whole 'baby-thing' lately. They have their learning babies, Zach and Susanna (pronounced zoo-za-nah) that my mom gave them a couple years ago to try out changing diapers, burrito wrapping, dressing, carrying all over the house, taking out on errands **, etc. I know they are going to be great helpers when the real baby arrives in just a few short weeks from now.

** When out on errands we have to put them 'safely' in the trunk as not to give someone a heart attack that might see them in our car hanging out by themselves....they look that real!!





The Lego advent calendar that the kids are over-the-top-excited about this month. Poppy opens the odd days, Sol the evens. Before they open their doors to reveal the small, ready-to-be-constructed Lego set we have asked them to tell us something they are truly thankful for. It has been really nice to hear the things that come to their minds....they have the right ideas during this sharing, giving, loving season.









Our first snow!! It came on December 1....we hadn't even seen a flake of snow up to this point. The kids have been so excited about winter coming - and now it's here. I had been wishing for snow to arrive too, but now I am really careful how I phrase it. I don't want too much winter...at least not until mid-January!





One more reason not to love the Zhu Zhu Pet. They chirp, honk like a semi truck (?), make dizzy sounds, spin in endless circles, never seem to run out of batteries, are said to contain toxic chemicals, the list goes on and on....






This year, instead of lumber-jacking it at a tree-farm, we opted to get our Christmas tree from the UW Forestry Club. It is a nice-sized, ultra-fragrant Fraser Fir that has found a very special place in our hearts and living room this year. This is shaping up to be one of the most memorable Christmases yet.

Happy Holidays!