Life With Briana

December 10, 2012

Teething Advanced

I thought it was a bit unusual for a child to lose as many teeth as early as Briana did. Briana was 5 years old in the above picture.

Then I was looking through old photos and found a picture of myself at 5 years old...

Yep - I was teething advanced too.

Heh.

December 9, 2012

Christmas Goings On

We have been enjoying the Christmas holiday so far, and Briana has really been getting into the spirit. She loves dressing in holiday outfits to go to school.

And our elf Red has been busy finding new places to move around to in the house. Mr. Red decided to take a bubble bath one morning...

And one morning he decided to grab a car and drive Belle around town...

Saturday afternoon, Doug, Bri and I whisked my mom away for a holiday-filled afternoon. We took her to see "The Nutcracker" at the Fox and then to a fancy dinner that evening...

More to come on our fun holiday afternoon and evening. :)

It took me a little longer to get into the Christmas spirit this year, but I think I'm finally there.

December 8, 2012

Christmas Trees and Happy Hanukkah

Earlier this week, I finally got the big Christmas trees in my house decorated. I always decorate our real Christmas tree on my own. I love having a real tree, but it is a pain to decorate. Often when you put a heavier ornament on a branch, it droops. So then I have to go and find a sturdier branch. That would drive Bri nuts, so I do that tree. And it turned out really pretty this year.

I also put up a fake tree in the master bedroom sitting area. Briana helps me decorate this tree. Some of the ornaments are a bit low on the tree for my taste, but I wasn't going to change it up - she did a super awesome job this year!

And this is our special China snowflake tree. We have all sorts of ornaments representing China hanging on it...

Bri also has a small decorated Christmas tree in her room, and I have one more little tree that we usually decorate with Looney Toons characters (it was a tradition Doug and I started when we were dating), but that one isn't done yet still. I am a bit more behind this year than I have been in past years.

I also want to wish my father and his side of the family along with my Jewish friends a very Happy Hanukkah!

December 4, 2012

Meeting The Grinch and Pottery Painting

Sunday afternoon, Briana and I met up with Kathy, Chani and Elene (Kathy's Chinese foreign exchange student) for an afternoon of pottery painting.

And an added bonus was that the Grinch was there!!!

The little girls each put their hands on a dinner plate...

And then the Grinch put his hand on the plates as well...

The pottery place is going to add some pretty embellishments to the plates and we should be able to pick up the plates in a few days.

We also did some pottery painting for Christmas gifts...

I would love to show you the pictures of the girls and moms painting pottery, but that would give away the Christmas gifts. So, I will post those pictures after Christmas. :D

Here is Elene playing with the girls after painting...

I think my favorite part of the afternoon (besides spending quality time with friends) was when Briana started singing along to "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" as it was playing on the speakers in the pottery studio.