Angel of the Week

...and Advent Calendar Days 3 & 4.

Saturday we spent ALL DAY at our friend Becky's house with her adorable daughter Ellie and super cuddly son, Holden. We did crafts, ate lots of food, played with lots of toys, ate some more, and watched a movie...or two! For dessert, homemade Snowman cupcakes...they were amazing!

Here is a picture of one of our crafts:

Cut up crayons melted into a mold creating a huge multi-colored beautifully Christmas shaped crayon. You can't see it very well from the picture below, but they are three dimensional.

Then, we came home and colored with them...of course it took everything in me to let them actually use the crayons as, well, crayons.

Then, we started preparations for our secret advent activity, which was completed tonight!

Here's a clue:

If you are family, watch your mailbox's...

And...Alex and Grace really had to use their thumbs for this one! :)

The MOST IMPORTANT news is that Alex is 'Angel of the Week' at school this week.

He gets to be the special helper, line leader, bring in his favorite book, the list goes on and on!

As 'Angel of the Week', we also got to make a posterboard all about Alex!

It was so fun going through old pictures and memories.

I love that he is so creative, has great ideas and thoughts, and a WONDERFUL memory!

What an AWESOME kid!!!

AC- Day 2

Tonights activity was on the delicious side...Christmas Rice Krispy treats.

This is one of those activities that just doesn't get old.

There is lots of counting involved, and separate and distinct responsibilities for everyone.

MMMMmmmmm!!!

Tonights book was Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee.

It is about a sleighing cat, dog, pig, duck, and horse.

It's very repetitive so the kids are able to 'read along'.

This book was a gift from Uncle John last Christmas.

Advent Calendar 2011 - Day 1

Our Advent Calendar kickoff began with our traditional New Jammies!!!

I LOVE how much these kids love new jammies!

Alex was especially impressed with the front pocket on his shirt.

And the buttons, I could go on and on about the buttons...they love the buttons!

This year Chris and I have decided to have an activity each night, and read a Christmas book each night. At first (after wrapping 24 Christmas books) I was hesitant that this isn't really teaching the 'spirit of Christmas'. But, after trying to convince the kids NOT to unwrap any of the twenty-three remaining books (and Grace failing...twice), I now see that this is an excellent lesson for them in self control!

Tonight we read the book, 'Elf on a Shelf'!

I wonder where he will be tomorrow morning???

Alex's Soccer Pics

Alex's first year of soccer was a success!

Alex's preschool class got to show their stuff at church this Sunday.

How was I doing?

Well, let's think. The last time they showed their stuff Alex threw a tantrum and I walked out with Alex under one of my arms screaming and shouting...I ditched my heels halfway up the main aisle. It was a moment to remember, let me tell you.

After that scene, I mean, after the service, Alex's preschool teacher came up and introduced herself to me.

I thought we were doomed from the beginning. Wait, did I just say that?

After that service, I knew that this was NOT how my child was, or who he was meant to be.

Did I know at that point I would see sweet vindication in the following months???

Look at this gentleman walking in proudly during the procession.

They quietly lined up on stage.

All were cute, perfect, quiet...

And then a sound.

Not a loud sound, a sweet sound. I winced.

"Hi Mom!"

It was Alex.

The congregation smiled, chuckled, and giggled.

But wait...there was more...
"Hi Dad!"

Again, louder laughter from the audience.

And finally, after looking towards the front of the church,

"Hi Pastor Morris!"

The crowd roared!

Who was stealing the show? That's right. My kid!

I know, I know, I should have been shushing him. He should have been quiet like the other kids...but considering how our last experience went, this one was nothing but sweet sweet sweetness. I reveled in it. Man, I LOVE that kid!

It was like the preschool Heisman.

Ok, I know I'm taking this pretty far...but again, shoeless Joe here once drug the kid up the main aisle kicking and screaming saying in my head, "I promised I would never be this mom, I promised I would never be this mom, I promised I would never be this mom."

And then the performance began.

The kids sang and sang and sang.

"God made the moon and the stars"

"This little Gospel light of mine,

I'm gonna' let it shine!

Let it shine, all the time, Let it shine!"

Keep shining, big guy!!!

Happy Halloween!

This Spiderman...

and this sometimes Pink Fairy/sometimes Elephant...
never cease to amaze me! Today was Wednesday, November 2nd.

Wednesday is recycling day.

Before we went recycling, though, I gave the kids their huge bags of Halloween candy.

I took out an empty bag and asked if we should give the Recycling workers some of our candy.

Without hesitation, Alex dug through his bag, picked out a few suckers and some white cookies and cream Hershey's bars..and then HANDED ME HIS ENTIRE BAG!!!

Then, Grace did the same!

These kids I've got, well to say I'm thankful for them doesn't

even begin to touch the way I really feel.

I wish I had taken my camera with us recycling so I could have captured those workers' expressions...it was so much fun!!!

Everyone left the recycling center with full buckets!

Oh, and of course, Trick or Treating on Halloween was a blast too!

First Day of Preschool!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

This little one went to preschool!

Alex was very prepared for his first day of school.

There was an Open House last Friday where he learned where his backpack hook was, found his cubby hole, and got to pin a banana with his name on it to his favorite monkey...what fun!

Yesterday we were invited to go to Silver Dollar City (which was a blast, by the way),and on our way out we found the PERFECT gift for his teacher's!

Because of all of our fun the day before, Mom had to scramble preparing the gifts for the teacher's, but they got Alex's approval and he took them and ran out the front door to the car.

It was so heart warming watching him give the teacher's their gifts.

I hope this year for him is a great one!

The final product...delicious caramel apples...we should have gotten 3...or 4!

Hawaiian Luau

I am working on catching up on our blog, and next up is Jayne and Tillie's trip to visit us!

Our property owners association must have heard they were coming in town, and decided to throw a welcoming Hawaiian Luau for them!

So they got into town, rested up for a minute, and then we were off to start the party!

These three were ready to get the party started!

Alex and Grace always talk about Tillie, and love every minute they get to spend with her and their Auntie Jayne.

At one point, Tillie and Grace looked so cute together, it was an 'almost' perfect photo opportunity. So I said, "You guys, turn around so I can take your picture!"

This captures my love of how literal young children are.

As you can see, they obeyed and did exactly what I asked:

Turned around!

That's better!

My two men.

A natural talent.

This little one was, well, to say the least, content with this superman body paint.

As a matter of fact, for a moment, he turned in to Superman himself!

I don't know about you, but I see the resemblance.

Tillie with her rainbow and sun on one arm, and moon on the other.

Grace with her pink momma dolphin.And we can NOT forget the Hula Hoop Contest.

Here are some of the contestants:

I'm not trying to brag or anything,

but my niece was crowned

'Miss Junior Hula Hoop Champion'.

It was a pretty big deal.

And then there was the adult round.

I think the lady in the backround won.

"Is there something on my head?"

"It feels kinda itchy?"

"No?...Okay."

"It does feel itchy, though, are you sure?"

As the sun began to set, we all held hands and walked into the sunset,

falling/crashing into our beds,

dreaming of dolphins, rainbows, and hula hoops.

A-hem...and SpiderMan!

Practice First Day of School

This adorable big kid went to SCHOOL for the first time TODAY!!!

Actually, it was VBS. But still, it counts.

He was super excited, had a blast, and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

This is excellent practice for this fall when he will be going to preschool for real.

And I was right.

There was a struggle getting out of there.

But it wasn't Alex struggling...it was me!

I almost couldn't leave!

Luckily, I ran into one of the organizer's, and she eased my mind by telling me there was no way he could escape, he most likely wouldn't get hurt, and

he definitely was going to have a great time.

What a day. Phew. Sob. Deep breath. Brace yourself for tomorrow!

Alex's Helicopter Ride!

We made an agreement a long time ago, that when he was completely,

well, uh, let me start over.

Alex thought an excellent reward for 'taking a huge step in becoming independent' should be getting to go on a helicopter ride.

Unfortunately, this milestone was reached last fall after the helicopters had left for the season.

Chris and I decided that Memorial Day this year would be

a perfect time for him to take the ride!!!

So Chris, Aunt Anne, and Alex all went for a little ride.

Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, all stayed safely on the ground.

Grandma Pam and Grace stayed at home and took naps.

A safe landing!

Everyone had a great time, and it was a great reward.

Now Grace is really looking forward to getting to go on the helicoptor!

Alex's Birthday Party

Alex's Toy Story, or more specifically, Buzz Lightyear party, was a blast!

We had lots of family in town, including Aunt Anne.

And super fun friends!

Daddy and Alex jumping in together.

Marcia and Grace

Grandma

Friends, friends, friends, and smiles!

It was fun singing Happy Birthday to our son who turned FOUR!

Cleanest mouth award went to Colton!

Happy

Birthday

Alex!