Chicago part 3

 

Smooth traveler

Build-a-Bear with Grandma (not pictured)

The bear is an axolotle

Sledding with Grandpa

More Xmas

 

With Shannon, age 8

So much great snow

Christmas night

The drone

Christmas Eve: 7 swans a-swimming

The Italian Christmas Song

Coordinated

Duet

Christmas so far

 

Exploring

Sledding

Bathtub snow

Gift exchange

Library stock-up

On the way

On her way to the piano party

 

The Sunday Funny

Dorothy said that on pajama day at school, the kids spotted an adult was dressed like Santa Claus.  "The little kids thought he was the real Santa Claus, but my class knew that, you know, he can't take time off."

Dorothy received a spell book for Christmas

This reminded me of a mermaid

My morning view (I knew Dorothy wanted to wake up early and read, but she came to my bed to do it)

M-i-c-k-e-y T-r-e-e-e!

D&B

B&D

The Sunday Funnies

Dorothy and her friend were flipping a quarter, but instead of calling heads or tails, I overheard them calling "George Washington!  Sally Ride!"

Dorothy woke up on Tuesday morning and she was nervous about her first reconciliation that evening.  I wanted to give her something to look forward to, so I said, "Afterwards we can get you an ice cream sundae."  "But that's such a long time to wait!" she cried.  "What is today?  Tuesday?!  And I have to wait until Sunday?"

Constant blur of Kleenex

Day 3 of whatever this sickness is

Scene from a sick day (sore throat)

Dorothy celebrated her first reconciliation tonight

Paper towel roll slide for her little toys

The Sunday Funnies

In church, the priest listed ways to "keep Christ in Christmas," for example, "You already go to Mass on Sundays, but we also have daily Mass, every day of the week."  Dorothy leaned to me and whispered, "But we're not gonna do that, right?"

Willa turned 8

Bass Pro Shop through the years

 

Advent Calendar Season

We delayed our return trip by a bit because this happy tête-à-tête just kept going!

Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way...

 

A few Thanksgiving photos of the busy cousins in Valdosta

 

The Thankful List 2022

 At age 8 Dorothy is thankful for:

• That Timon's [her piano teacher's dog's] eye is getting better
• Planet Earth because it has so many people on it
• The same thing as you [Mama said "our picture book reading time."]
• CCD
• for Livia being my friend
• Marnie & Brownie, the goats at my school
• for having such a silly Mama
• that I have such funny parents
• that you got that Lego set ahead of time and that I'm paying you back
• Baby Josie & all the cute babies in the world
• my friends
• playdates.  I'm thinking of the wonderful playdate with Elias yesterday, and today's.
• for being thankful--that's the only thing I can think of
• I know this might be silly but I'm thankful for my Squishmallows.
• for me finding my Hatchi Crystal Pixie Flying Fairy
• my family
• ice cream.  Actually, I'm thankful for dairy pills!
• Greek myths
• Olivia's Space Academy
• blankets
• for you [Mama] doing embroidery & diamond painting
• for your [Mama's] china doll
• all of my family

Goodbye Arendelle, hello outer space

And it's off to the store for longer pants