Today is the last day of school for the kids. Ellie, 3rd & Jack, 1st. And if the Lord wills it, this is the last day of public school for them. Bitter sweet. There are things about public school that I'm sure we will all miss. Fun projects, new friendships, school lunch, neat teachers, recess & time away from home!
Today is also the last day of official daycare for Amelia & Evelyn. They've spent the past 2+ years on and off at Jessica Leeds house. And even though we'll still get together with her family and she might watch them here and there ... we really are done with daycare!
I'm trying to find the right words that express my inner most feelings. Excitement. Possibility. Hope. Fear. Insecurity. Overwhelming responsibility.
Looking at these, I'm sure these are feelings any parent has on any given day. So what makes this day so special? Why do I feel a new sort of heightened sense of stirring within me? The reality that it's really here? The extra responsibility that comes with not only molding & shaping your children, but now teaching them how to read too?! That seems so silly written out like that. So I've spent the past 4 years sending my children to someone else to be responsible for teaching them. Don't parents want their children to be that we want them to be? Or what they are meant to be. Not what others expect them to be? Or what peers and other parents (teachers) mold them to be.
I met with Ellie's teacher the other day to get some advice on what type of student Ellie is, what motivates her in the classroom, etc, because I'm pretty sure Mrs Hedges spent more time with my daughter than I did this year. Or maybe not Mrs Hedges alone, but the staff as a whole at Ballard East. That makes my tummy hurt. She leaves the house everyday at 7:30 and returns at 3:30 -- that's 8 hours of the day. If she and I are both home that evening, that is 5 hrs. Most nights she or I are off doing something else. I'm at bible study, she's at dance, I'm at a meeting, she's at her dad's. That leaves me the weekend to catch up. Which again, won't happen because of work commitments, co-parenting, and the like. I guess it's better than boarding school.
I know that God has created in me a vast feeling of responsibility to be the one to care for, teach, discipline, play with and shape my children. And, on the other hand, has not created that in others. Which is why everyone has a right to educate their children accordingly. Sadly, it's not shocking to me, but should be, the reactions that I have gotten over my decision to home school. Some good. Some bad. But reaction nonetheless. It's almost like I'm packing up the whole family to go live in Africa (which if one feels the Spirit call, pack on!).
It's home school. It's not foreign. There are millions of families that do it. It's not forever. It's a God-given blessing and a right as a parent. My kids won't become anti-social and weird. Those types of kids are at public school too. And what is your definition of weird? I don't want "normal" kids. They do stupid crap to fit in. I want children that create their own path (and for those of you that know me, that's not a surprise!) You should be the people that are like, "Oh, of course Deanna would home school. It's outside of the box."
We will have year-round school here at our house. It gives us something to do when it's blistering hot or rainy outside in the summer, and it gives us more flexibility during the traditional school years to take days off, travel, or relax. We will start school on June 4, so the kids have about a week to chill before we dive in. Which means I have about a week to get a few more of my ducks in a row. So I should probably sign off and go do that stuff.
Thursday, May 24
Sunday, April 15
Anticipation
Now that we have decided to Home School, everyday we experience things that have me saying, "Oh, I can't wait until I don't have to deal with this!" or "This is one of those reasons why being home with my kids is going to be super!" For instance, the other day it was rainy and windy and just plain icky outside. The perfect day to curl up with a book and read the day away. Ellie came upstairs, ready for school and said, "Mom, can I just stay home today and read?" I wished I could have said yes. And though I know she wouldn't have spent the entire day reading, she would have gotten a couple of hours in. Something she couldn't do at a full day of school. Something that we will all enjoy on a cold rainy day in the fall!
On the other hand, we are dealing with a very frustrating cycle with Amelia these days. Her disobedience and constant need of supervision is very tiring for this mom! She's nearly 5 years old and knows the rules, but is making some very poor choices. And in turn, is being repeated by her 3-yr-old shadow, Miss Evelyn. Billy and I explain about being an example a lot in this house, (which unfortunately I can see how my bad example wears off too!) and expect good behavior and good choices from the one older than its younger sibling. Amelia and Evelyn spend all afternoon together and Amelia's example is very important right now.
As we begin to anticipate this change, we are trying to prepare our house! Purging and de-cluttering to make room for school supplies and the like. I'm trying to be patient and not allow myself to make any purchases for "school stuff" until I've rid our home of lots of extras. The city wide garage sale can't come soon enough!
Other things will just have to wait until we actually begin, and the anticipation is something to savor! We have about a month left of school and then a fun summer planned. We do plan to get some school days in when it's rainy or really hot -- that way we can get a jump start on our work and have more flexibility for the school year. I'll be getting curriculum from Ballard, which I can get 2 subjects now, but the other 2 will have to wait until late summer.
We are very excited to start our new adventure, even though I know it'll be a big change for all of us and will have some very challenging days. The big kids will need some transition time, as they are used to the structure of a school day. We have challenging days now, so certainly it'll just be a different kind of challenge that will be more rewarding for everyone.
On the other hand, we are dealing with a very frustrating cycle with Amelia these days. Her disobedience and constant need of supervision is very tiring for this mom! She's nearly 5 years old and knows the rules, but is making some very poor choices. And in turn, is being repeated by her 3-yr-old shadow, Miss Evelyn. Billy and I explain about being an example a lot in this house, (which unfortunately I can see how my bad example wears off too!) and expect good behavior and good choices from the one older than its younger sibling. Amelia and Evelyn spend all afternoon together and Amelia's example is very important right now.
As we begin to anticipate this change, we are trying to prepare our house! Purging and de-cluttering to make room for school supplies and the like. I'm trying to be patient and not allow myself to make any purchases for "school stuff" until I've rid our home of lots of extras. The city wide garage sale can't come soon enough!
Other things will just have to wait until we actually begin, and the anticipation is something to savor! We have about a month left of school and then a fun summer planned. We do plan to get some school days in when it's rainy or really hot -- that way we can get a jump start on our work and have more flexibility for the school year. I'll be getting curriculum from Ballard, which I can get 2 subjects now, but the other 2 will have to wait until late summer.
We are very excited to start our new adventure, even though I know it'll be a big change for all of us and will have some very challenging days. The big kids will need some transition time, as they are used to the structure of a school day. We have challenging days now, so certainly it'll just be a different kind of challenge that will be more rewarding for everyone.
Tuesday, March 27
Esther
Tonight I finished the Beth Moore study of the book of Esther with my Women's Small Group. What an amazing story! And so much more lies within the words as you did deep into it with Beth. I've enjoyed every single homework page and have come out more wise. Here are some profound pieces, mostly that are Beth's words, that I don't want to forget. I've bold my favorites.
You can't amputate your history from your destiny. That's what redemption is!
God reserves the right to tell us what happened in The Bible, without telling us how He reacted to is. He is so wholly secure in His own spotless integrity that He doesn't have to be accountable to us.
We can't depend on a good mood to get us through. We need more than a mood. We need a mind-set.
Remember what God has done for you! Remember who you are.
It will often be a crisis for God to pivot our direction.
Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord is God. it is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Most of our problems are a world deeper than our appearances.
We need to force ourselves to tell the difference between simple inconveniences and authentic tribulations.
I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life.
It is in the times of greatest struggle, when you make the Godward decision over convenience ... you have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment.
In a crisis situation there is no neutral position. A failure to decide brings personal loss and misses the opportunity to fulfill God's purposes.
No one is born brave. The most said command in the Bible from God to us is "Do not be afraid!"
You may be one brave decision away from the most important step in your destiny.
1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out fear
Once Satan sees what we believe would be the end of us, he threatens and torments us with it.
We must determine to trust Him no matter what. Sometimes God's hand is so close that it covers our eyes.
God isn't interested in our stellar performance, but in our hearts.
Nothing leaves us more hollow that being full of ourselves.
Wait upon the Lord, that's where our strength comes from.
God is never late, but He misses a few good opportunities to be early.
Great lives are never achieved by making greatness the goal. To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life. Everyone who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things!
His patience always involves His passion.
We can't fret our way to victory!
We fear things we just made up! God doesn't save us from our vain imagination.
If [something terrible] happens, then God! If [this], then God! He'll always be there.
Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." Meaning that God holds us so tight that we leave a mark in His hand. Know that when you are in a tight fist of your own fear, He has you held even tighter!
Divine work through ordinary means is what we call Providence. Providence cancels out every coincidence.
My paraphrase of Psalm 16:5: I chose Him and He chooses me.
Getting the credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing.
God knows. God sees. God acts. God is for us.
I hope some of these words can entice you to get a group of women together and take this journey. It's sure tough being a woman!
Study Guide
You can't amputate your history from your destiny. That's what redemption is!
God reserves the right to tell us what happened in The Bible, without telling us how He reacted to is. He is so wholly secure in His own spotless integrity that He doesn't have to be accountable to us.
We can't depend on a good mood to get us through. We need more than a mood. We need a mind-set.
Remember what God has done for you! Remember who you are.
It will often be a crisis for God to pivot our direction.
Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord is God. it is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Most of our problems are a world deeper than our appearances.
We need to force ourselves to tell the difference between simple inconveniences and authentic tribulations.
I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life.
It is in the times of greatest struggle, when you make the Godward decision over convenience ... you have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment.
In a crisis situation there is no neutral position. A failure to decide brings personal loss and misses the opportunity to fulfill God's purposes.
No one is born brave. The most said command in the Bible from God to us is "Do not be afraid!"
You may be one brave decision away from the most important step in your destiny.
1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out fear
Once Satan sees what we believe would be the end of us, he threatens and torments us with it.
We must determine to trust Him no matter what. Sometimes God's hand is so close that it covers our eyes.
God isn't interested in our stellar performance, but in our hearts.
Nothing leaves us more hollow that being full of ourselves.
Wait upon the Lord, that's where our strength comes from.
God is never late, but He misses a few good opportunities to be early.
Great lives are never achieved by making greatness the goal. To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life. Everyone who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things!
His patience always involves His passion.
We can't fret our way to victory!
We fear things we just made up! God doesn't save us from our vain imagination.
If [something terrible] happens, then God! If [this], then God! He'll always be there.
Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." Meaning that God holds us so tight that we leave a mark in His hand. Know that when you are in a tight fist of your own fear, He has you held even tighter!
Divine work through ordinary means is what we call Providence. Providence cancels out every coincidence.
My paraphrase of Psalm 16:5: I chose Him and He chooses me.
Getting the credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing.
God knows. God sees. God acts. God is for us.
I hope some of these words can entice you to get a group of women together and take this journey. It's sure tough being a woman!
Study Guide
Monday, March 19
Too long and it ends today!
Since the inception of my Facebook account, my blogging has increasingly because less and less. Which is mostly bad. The only good reason was that I posted fun, quick things more regularly. The bad is that those comments are now gone, as Facebook does not archive all our cute moments for later reading. So today it ends. I started this blog to be a scrapbook for my kids, and I am committed to putting things back on. I don't scrapbook. I never journal. I throw away 90% of the arts and crafts that they make. And we've either lost photos from computer crashes, or I don't get the camera out nearly enough to have those memories either. What will my children have someday when their older? Memories? I know how well those have fared for me. My mother has better memories of my childhood than I do!
The past 6+ months, I've been actively searching for my current calling. What does God want me doing now? What kind of legacy does He want us to create with our family? What do I want to be when I grow up? Now that I am done having children, and they are all at some sort of school age -- I feel like this is the next step in my life. Time to settle in. It's time to create something that will be our legacy. Or how a friend of mine put it, what is our "family farm."
I want something different for my family than the norm. With a family of 6, it's not easy anyway you do it, so why not do it the way you want. Billy and I started B Fabulous BBQ for two main reasons, to do something we love, and to have a place for our children to learn sound work ethic alongside us.
Along this journey of searching for my calling, God has brought me to Homeschooling. What?! Homeschooling? Excuse me, Father, but remember me? I'm the one that doesn't even like my kids! And I already have plenty of my plate. But I kept hearing Him pretty loud and clear, "I'll equip you. Be faithful. This will bring you closer to Me. This will keep you focused on what is important."
When we started praying about B Fab, we grew closer to God and our faith deepened by letting go and trusting His plan for us. It paid off! We have had tremendous blessing thru the decision to start B Fab BBQ and the opportunities keep coming week after week.
I see how Homeschooling could be another way that my faith will grow and I will depend even more on God. Not only will I be a better person for His glory, but I'll be a better example to my kiddos. Oh, how I long to be a better mother! But don't get me wrong, this is not a selfish endeavor to try to make a better Deanna, it's with the best interest of my children's lives in mind as a whole.
As I type this, Ellie is playing one-on-one with Amelia. She dressed her up, gave her a name, taught her "princess manners" and is currently teaching her a song/dance/skit. I have an internal hug of joy as I watch Ellie "teach" Amelia and the thought of lots of other opportunities that this can happen. And for Jack to teach Evelyn. And Amelia to teach Jack!
As we begin this journey this summer, I'd love your support thru prayer and thru fun ideas to be a super-duper teacher! The internet is SUCH a blessing for Homeschoolers. There are tons of great blogs, free learning websites, and more! If you have one that you like to send your kiddos to for learning games, or a resource you use for crafts or projects. Let me know! My kids will appreciate you!
The past 6+ months, I've been actively searching for my current calling. What does God want me doing now? What kind of legacy does He want us to create with our family? What do I want to be when I grow up? Now that I am done having children, and they are all at some sort of school age -- I feel like this is the next step in my life. Time to settle in. It's time to create something that will be our legacy. Or how a friend of mine put it, what is our "family farm."
I want something different for my family than the norm. With a family of 6, it's not easy anyway you do it, so why not do it the way you want. Billy and I started B Fabulous BBQ for two main reasons, to do something we love, and to have a place for our children to learn sound work ethic alongside us.
Along this journey of searching for my calling, God has brought me to Homeschooling. What?! Homeschooling? Excuse me, Father, but remember me? I'm the one that doesn't even like my kids! And I already have plenty of my plate. But I kept hearing Him pretty loud and clear, "I'll equip you. Be faithful. This will bring you closer to Me. This will keep you focused on what is important."
When we started praying about B Fab, we grew closer to God and our faith deepened by letting go and trusting His plan for us. It paid off! We have had tremendous blessing thru the decision to start B Fab BBQ and the opportunities keep coming week after week.
I see how Homeschooling could be another way that my faith will grow and I will depend even more on God. Not only will I be a better person for His glory, but I'll be a better example to my kiddos. Oh, how I long to be a better mother! But don't get me wrong, this is not a selfish endeavor to try to make a better Deanna, it's with the best interest of my children's lives in mind as a whole.
- More family time
- More control over their curriculum
- Teaching to their strengths and learning style
- Better teacher to kid ratio
- Learning by doing, not just in a classroom discussing
- Flexibility with their schedule so they can see their dads more
- Less crazy evenings
- The list goes on ...
As I type this, Ellie is playing one-on-one with Amelia. She dressed her up, gave her a name, taught her "princess manners" and is currently teaching her a song/dance/skit. I have an internal hug of joy as I watch Ellie "teach" Amelia and the thought of lots of other opportunities that this can happen. And for Jack to teach Evelyn. And Amelia to teach Jack!
As we begin this journey this summer, I'd love your support thru prayer and thru fun ideas to be a super-duper teacher! The internet is SUCH a blessing for Homeschoolers. There are tons of great blogs, free learning websites, and more! If you have one that you like to send your kiddos to for learning games, or a resource you use for crafts or projects. Let me know! My kids will appreciate you!
Wednesday, September 21
Milestone Day!
I feel like today was a big day in our house. First, I cancelled the automatic shipment of diapers and wipes! Evelyn is officially potty-trained and doing very, very well! She'll still wear a diaper at night, but I have enough on hand to last for quite awhile. Amelia (& even Jack) is still wearing Pull Ups at night. It seems my little ones play too hard during the day to take time to go to the bathroom! And then when they finally give up and go to sleep ... it all comes out!
The other big step was that we disassembled the toddler bed and crib in the girls room. The bunk beds will get moved from Jack's room to their room next week. Jack has a new bed ... and he's excited for that to be put together next week too. This bed movement started with needing to re-stretch our carpet. It has started to get ripples in it, and to make sure it lasts as long as the kids are home, I want to take good care of it. So we are having it stretched and re-tacked, and then having it all cleaned. Which means everything has to be taken out of the rooms! It's quite an undertaking and we are doing it in steps each night.
Until next week, the kids are sleeping in empty rooms, on just a mattress. They think it's super fun! Sadly, it's how many kids sleep every night, or maybe without even a mattress. We are very blessed and thankful for all the luxuries we have, and obviously we take them for granted. We'll see how "fun" it is, if the girls actually sleep tonight!
My babies are growing up! Only 3 years left and they'll all be in school. And in 9 years my first one will graduate! I'm trying to do better about enjoying each day, instead of wishing them grown up. Each day is a special moment in itself. I need to stand still, be quiet, and be watchful of it!
The other big step was that we disassembled the toddler bed and crib in the girls room. The bunk beds will get moved from Jack's room to their room next week. Jack has a new bed ... and he's excited for that to be put together next week too. This bed movement started with needing to re-stretch our carpet. It has started to get ripples in it, and to make sure it lasts as long as the kids are home, I want to take good care of it. So we are having it stretched and re-tacked, and then having it all cleaned. Which means everything has to be taken out of the rooms! It's quite an undertaking and we are doing it in steps each night.
Until next week, the kids are sleeping in empty rooms, on just a mattress. They think it's super fun! Sadly, it's how many kids sleep every night, or maybe without even a mattress. We are very blessed and thankful for all the luxuries we have, and obviously we take them for granted. We'll see how "fun" it is, if the girls actually sleep tonight!
My babies are growing up! Only 3 years left and they'll all be in school. And in 9 years my first one will graduate! I'm trying to do better about enjoying each day, instead of wishing them grown up. Each day is a special moment in itself. I need to stand still, be quiet, and be watchful of it!
Tuesday, July 19
Amelia Singing
Amelia sings all the time. Songs she's heard, songs she's made up, songs she doesn't know - but pretends. She's always singing. Luckily, she has a nice voice and sings on key! Here is a little preview.
Evelyn Bernice
Oh, how I do love little Miss Evelyn Bernice. But man, is she busy! She's so much like Ellie at this age. Always into something, wanting your constant attention, finding a new way to do something. I feel more prepared this time because there are more eyes watching her and I have more experience, but I can't help but know it's never enough. She is still very leery of strangers, and doesn't give out smiles very easily. Even folks or family she knows well, she is slow to warm up.
She's talking more and more, and we are able to understand more and more these days. Some funny ones are:
boobie = movie
cock = sock
seeming soup = swimming suit
I've been singing to her for a few months now. It just calms her, so that she can settle down to go to sleep. Over the past couple of weeks, she's started singing with me. The first time she did it, I nearly cried. It's so sweet. Here is a video of us singing "Godspeed" by Dixie Chicks. It's my favorite lullaby. We also sing Over the Rainbow, but not in this video. Oh, and of course, Amelia needs to try and steal the show!
She's counting and doing ABC's too!
She's talking more and more, and we are able to understand more and more these days. Some funny ones are:
boobie = movie
cock = sock
seeming soup = swimming suit
I've been singing to her for a few months now. It just calms her, so that she can settle down to go to sleep. Over the past couple of weeks, she's started singing with me. The first time she did it, I nearly cried. It's so sweet. Here is a video of us singing "Godspeed" by Dixie Chicks. It's my favorite lullaby. We also sing Over the Rainbow, but not in this video. Oh, and of course, Amelia needs to try and steal the show!
She's counting and doing ABC's too!
Monday, July 11
Tuesday, June 14
Saturday, April 2
Conversation with Amelia about God
Mom, is God singing this song? (Always by Switchfoot)
Kind of. God told him to sing this song for Him. Will God tell you to sing a song someday?
Yes. I like God.
I like God too.
I want Him to hold me.
He is holding you, all the time.
(smile) I like God to hold me. And keep me safe.
Kind of. God told him to sing this song for Him. Will God tell you to sing a song someday?
Yes. I like God.
I like God too.
I want Him to hold me.
He is holding you, all the time.
(smile) I like God to hold me. And keep me safe.
Sunday, March 13
Big Girl Bed
Evelyn has entered the next stage - big girl bed! Well, sort of. We've taken the side off of her crib, so that she can enter and exit like a big girl. Billy took on this task of removing the side without her approval though, and when she came into her room to see the bed partially dismantled she started crying and saying, "Daddy, no! It's broke! It's broke!" She cried and cried. Daddy consoled her and got her into it for nap time. He had to lay there by her until she nearly fell asleep, but overall we thought everything was okay.
Then last night when it was time for bed, I settled her in. Again, crying and saying "Mommy, it's broke." She did pretty well ... only getting out of bed 3 or 4 times to come and show us that she could. I'm very impressed with the smoothness of the transition ... let's hope it continues! Next will be getting rid of the pacifier!
Saturday, February 5
Thursday, January 27
So humble!
While driving to preschool this morning Amelia was telling me all about the letters she knows and how she can sing her ABCs, etc, etc. I said, "Yes, you are so smart!" She responded, "Yep! And I'm cute too!"
She then went on to tell me all the things she does that is good. Making her bed, sharing her Barbie with Evelyn, and singing at school. I suppose these reminders are so I can forgive when she's a little naughty.
She then went on to tell me all the things she does that is good. Making her bed, sharing her Barbie with Evelyn, and singing at school. I suppose these reminders are so I can forgive when she's a little naughty.
Wednesday, January 12
Dance Party
The dance parties at the Faubus House are getting bigger. Evelyn has really joined in ... and the costumes are getting a bit more elaborate. Billy even broke out the strobe light (but I've refrained from sharing that video because it hurts your eyes.)
You'll maybe notice Jack's bow tie. He had me make that for him to match his vest. It's made of paper and pinned on. You'll have to decide for yourself who is the coolest.
You'll maybe notice Jack's bow tie. He had me make that for him to match his vest. It's made of paper and pinned on. You'll have to decide for yourself who is the coolest.
Evelyn's New Trick
Evelyn's new thing she picked up over the holidays was scolding us. I guess she sees us do that to her too often! She puts her head down, squints her eyes, and shakes her finger at you. She doesn't ever really say anything ... just the shaking of the finger.
She also says, "'Cole Come Here!" Telling Nicole to come to her. She'll say it to everyone, but it's funniest when she says, "'Cole Come 'ear!"
She also says, "'Cole Come Here!" Telling Nicole to come to her. She'll say it to everyone, but it's funniest when she says, "'Cole Come 'ear!"
Tuesday, January 11
Chistmas Eve Tradition
Our tradition on Christmas Eve is to attend our church in Ankeny with Tony & Jana and the kids. Our church, Lutheran Church of Hope - Northbranch, had 3 services. I sang in worship band the 3pm service, and worked the nursery in the 5pm service while the rest of my family attended worship. We had over 800 attend all 3 services.
Afterward, we went to Tony & Jana's new home for dinner. We rotate hosting dinner and this year was their turn. They served a wonderful meal of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, carrots, rolls, etc, etc, etc! It is such a blessing to share a meal with all our kids and they too with all their parents!
Santa had arrived while we were at church, so the kids were excited to open presents and stockings! Here are a few photos from the evening.
Ellie excited about her Stand Microphone from Santa, while Jack is admiring his new Marshmallow Gun in the background.
Jack opening his Marshmallow Gun!
Amelia opening her Santa gift - A Princess Barbie.
See the Santa video for proof that she asked him!
Evelyn opening her Santa gift - a vacuum & cleaning set
Afterward, we went to Tony & Jana's new home for dinner. We rotate hosting dinner and this year was their turn. They served a wonderful meal of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, carrots, rolls, etc, etc, etc! It is such a blessing to share a meal with all our kids and they too with all their parents!
Santa had arrived while we were at church, so the kids were excited to open presents and stockings! Here are a few photos from the evening.
Ellie excited about her Stand Microphone from Santa, while Jack is admiring his new Marshmallow Gun in the background.Jack opening his Marshmallow Gun!
Amelia opening her Santa gift - A Princess Barbie.See the Santa video for proof that she asked him!
Evelyn opening her Santa gift - a vacuum & cleaning setChristmas Eve Sledding
Posing by the new colorful sled!
Awe -- Daddy with his girls.
Kids at home before heading to the sledding hill
It was snowing beautifully on Christmas Eve morning, and this was the first big snowfall for sledding! We went to the local hardware store, bought another sled and headed for a nice hill here in town. Luckily, friends of our were leaving and let us borrow 2 more sleds ... and all 6 of us had a blast. We are definitely a family in need of more than 2 sleds!
Evelyn road with me and Amelia stuck with Billy, while Ellie and Jack had their own. Some bigger kids were there with a snowboard, and so Ellie & Jack spent a lot of their time using their sleds as surfboards. Not very successfully though!
Amelia's Preschool Program
Amelia is attending Miss Wendy's Preschool Monday thru Thursday mornings from 8:30-11:30am. She just adores it and is a super student. She loves learning. The teachers put together an amazing program for Christmas and here are some photos and videos from that day. Amelia played Mary and her good buddy, Taylor was Joseph. They each had lines, but spoke so softly that you couldn't hear them.
Santa Elves in the Workshop (Reindeer behind them)
Miss Hollie getting "Mary" in her costume.
I love how she tries to do the actions, but doesn't want to drop baby Jesus!
Santa jokingly says, "You're a big 3 year old!" And then goes on to say, "You could dub as one of my elves." Yes, she's little, Santa!
Santa Elves in the Workshop (Reindeer behind them)
Miss Hollie getting "Mary" in her costume.I love how she tries to do the actions, but doesn't want to drop baby Jesus!
Santa jokingly says, "You're a big 3 year old!" And then goes on to say, "You could dub as one of my elves." Yes, she's little, Santa!
Birthday Suit
Okay, so I'm pretty sure my 3 year old does NOT know the meaning of what a "birthday suit" is ... but last night after her bath I was a little unsure! She walked to her room with a towel wrapped around her, then stood in front of Billy and as she threw off the towel, hands raised, she exclaimed, "Happy Birthday, I'm naked!" This girl continues to just say the darnedest things.
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