Search This Blog

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Our Annual Santa Visit

We started the family "tradition" of visiting Santa (and periodically Mrs. Claus) at our local Bass Pro Shops each year. The kids have now come to expect their little visit with the jolly fella.Santa is a little controversial in our house. We don't push the whole Santa thing and we certainly don't use the line "Santa is watching." Both the two older kids took it upon themselves this year to say "We are either on the naughty or nice list."
I picked up this dress outfit for Dawson for LAST Christmas and the little dude with a big 'tude wouldn't dream of putting it on. This year he was all about the button up shirt, tie, sweater vest (which he isn't wearing in the picture) and the "handsome coat." Good thing it fit him this year!
Oh my goodness. 
These are some CUTE kiddos!
The wait in line was really very manageable but the kids wanted to play a few games and color a picture and write a letter to Santa. Gabi was so funny when she asked me what she should tell Santa she wanted for Christmas. I asked her "Well, what DO you want for Christmas?" to which she responded "Santa can't give me the two things I really want." I expected her to say she wanted her Mema's cancer to be cured but instead she said she wanted a magical medicine to make her allergies go away and braces. An almost 7 year old wanting braces!!
Signed
Sealed
Delivered
I absolutely can not look at this picture without nearly rolling on the floor in laughter. Gabrielle is pretty "strike a pose" camera ready, Dawson looks like a deer in headlights & McKenna is screaming stranger danger!!
Followed by the two "big" kids attention being stolen by the screaming babe. Take note that Santa's eyes are still fixed on the camera with a mile wide smile.

Friday, December 23, 2011

CRCC Children's Christmas Choir

Sunday the kids from church opened our church service by singing "Light of the World" by Hillsong Kids
Lyrics:
Verse:
You called me in
To your glorious light

I will not fear
'Cause I'm walking with you
And talking with you

Pre Chorus:
From heaven you came
To show me life

Chorus:
You are the light of the world
You are the light of my life

The hope of the earth my Jesus
My Jesus

Bridge:
I'm gonna be a light and let it shine
Be a light and let it shine
The kids were beyond cute all dressed in their Christmas best.
May Christ's light shine in your life this Christmas season!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Embrace the Camera: December 22, 2011

Today's technology.
You either love it or hate it.
I personally have a love/hate relationship with it.
No need for explanation.
Photos courtesy of my IPhone being within an arms reach and me who apparently doesn't have a steady arm, doesn't know lighting, have a clue about angles, etc. and who also HATES being in front of the lens.
Recently I was enjoying one of the few fleeting moments where Dawson was willing to just sit on my lap and "be." I treasure these moments with everything that is in me. 
D man, I love your square face
{You get that straight from your momma}
Your infectious laugh
All your hugs & kisses
And probably more than anything I love this face right here. 
There is no denying how cute you can be and how adorable you are to us. 
Hugs and Eskimo Kisses


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

School Holiday Par-Tay!

Friday the 16th was the last day of school before winter break AND it was the day of classroom party festivities.
Ms. G ready for school. I made her buck up to the crisp morning air in order to snap a picture.
What's a party without TONS of sweet treats and a juice pouch? Obviously it is what puts a smile on our girls face.
The homeroom mom schemed up this "game" where the kids decorated one of five parents as a Christmas tree. I'm not sure how Mr. Herrig (G's 1st grade teacher) got roped into it, but Gabrielle's table got to deck him out in streamers & stickers. Gabi found it hysterical adding candy cane earrings, a Rudolph nose & a beard to Mr. Herrig. He was a true sport throughout the process.
Gabi & several classmates admiring their handy work.
And I had to add these last two photos because they are a perfect representation of Dawson's display of affection for McKenna. He has this obsessive way of showing his love for her by patting, rubbing, squeezing & kissing her head. As this picture shows, at times he grits his teeth and goes for the "You are the cutest baby in the world McKenna Jane!!!!" pat.
Followed by the death squeeze "I'm so glad you are our precious baby sister." 
And yes, he really says and does those things EVERY single day. She tolerates it, loves it and squeals with delight as well as hates it at times (when he gets a little too over jealous).
Break started this Monday and the kids don't return to school until Thursday January 5th. Lord help me to remain patient and not loose my sanity. We are keeping our previous neighbors Kindergartner every day as well as having Kendall & Kellen several days so if you'd like free admission to a small circus feel free to stop on by!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Get Your Bake On

Christmas isn't Christmas without a little holiday baking. Our #1 has a class 6 peanut allergy and most all my favorite recipes call for peanut butter, so #2 and I had a blast whipping out some yumminess Thursday while big sis was at school and little sis napped.
Ignore the madness of magnets and coupons stuck to the side of our fridge. What a sight!
My neighbor said she did a double take when she saw this picture thinking at first that it was Gabrielle. No, this is just my man child looking C.U.T.E. in a play apron and chefs hat. And yes, I am very aware that he is hanging over a hot stove. Have no fear, I didn't leave his side.
And here is the finished spread: peanut butter blossoms, 2 batches of peanut butter fudge, no bake cookies (hubs favorite), chinese noodle drops, dipped pretzels & peanut clusters. Like I mentioned - lotsofpeanutbutter goodness right there!
Pictures taken on my IPhone. I would love any suggestions from IPhone users on obtaining the best quality photos when taken with your phone.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Chors {Spelling intentional}

It is no secret that Gabrielle is a Daddy's girl. She loves him and loves spending time with him so when Travis recapped their bedtime conversation to me this past Friday night, I nearly doubled over in laughter. 
G: Daddy, when is your next home day?
T: Daddy works two more days then I have a home day on Monday when you go back to school.
G: You mean when I have my home days, you have to work?
T: Yes
G: So Dawson and I will be home with Mommy on Saturday
T: Yep
G: Awwwww man! That means all we'll do all day is clean, clean, clean!
T: Laughing - well, your momma likes a clean house :)

So Saturday afternoon after she returned from the first of two birthday parties she grabbed her journal and pen and set to work writing. I wasn't aware of her "assignment" until I found it posted on our kitchen display board. This is precisely what she wrote - no changes or corrections made.

Clean Gabi B room.
Clean basement.
Clean toy room.
Clean citchen.
Clean up everything els.
Dust and sweep.
Take naps.
Check.
Rest.
Do agin.
Chek dents on wall.
Tell wher dents are.
Chek agin.
Redo.
Big rest.
2 hours rest.
Chors.

LOVE THIS GIRL!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Man Child Musings

D,
You will forever be my baby boy. You ask me that question often. "Mommy, even when I am a teenager I will still be your baby boy, right?" Yes! Even though McKenna is the babe of the family - you, my handsome little man, will always be my baby boy. In your own words "always and forever." I wanted to document just a couple of cute things about you that are current. Sunday morning Gabrielle told you how handsome you looked. You did look very dapper by the way. Here is a picture to prove it! 
Anyway, you then turned to McKenna and said "McKenna, you are so (pause), so damn adorable!" Yessiree, you dropped the "d" word. Child, you are too cute, too stubborn, too funny and growing up too incredibly fast. You have been taking a real shining to doing jigsaw puzzles. The house will become quiet (which doesn't happen often enough if I might add) and I will find you either in the front entry way on the hardwood or in the playroom on the craft table working away at a puzzle. Now if I could just get you to be as good about the clean up process. You are beginning to protest your afternoon naps, but I have learned a little trick which works every time. I "hold you me" {carry you} to your bedroom and "lower you like a crane" into your bed, tuck you in and smother you in Eskimo kisses. Your naps have shortened, but praise the good Lord you will still nap for me. You love singing the ABC song with me as I do diaper duty on baby girl. You are insistent that I don't home school you. This simply means if I begin to do anything of educational value with you you interject "I'm NOT doing school!" Like I said earlier - STUBBORN! You have succumbed to sitting very well and completing your weekly AWANA lessons and scripture memorization. I suppose the candy bribe I offer doesn't hurt in this area :) Candy ... you ask for it d.a.i.l.y. as if it is a necessity to your survival. I allow it but generally only one piece of your choosing. Our days home together aren't complete without you asking for a play date with Kellen. He is your favorite buddy and we are so lucky that we get to have him every Tuesday and several Thursdays each month while Ms. Kiersten works. I hope you two will continue to be buds over time and maybe someday even play sports together. Oh, I can't forget to document that your bald spot is nearly all filled in. Woot! We were so concerned that hair would never grow on the crown on your head again. Ring worm or chronic hair pulling/twirling? We will never truly know the cause but whichever, our hope is that your nugget will remain hair covered. And the biggest piece of news praise in my books - you have stopped changing your clothes umpteen times a day!!!! I hope this new trend will stick for good. I still laugh each time I see you pick up a pair of your underwear off the floor and sniff them to determine if they are clean or not. Where did you ever learn such a thing? Oh, yes. That would be from yours truly.
Never forget that your Daddy and Mommy love you always and forever. We are so lucky to have you, sweet boy, sandwiched between your two beautiful sisters. It is where you fit best! As Mema told you recently "you will always be a little brother to Sissy and you will always be a big brother to your baby MaJane." What a lucky boy you are!