Christmas Joy

 Christmas is here, Glory to the newborn King!

Our month has been busy.  I enjoy all the traditions and activities that come along during Christmas time, but I'm also looking forward to the slower, quieter days that follow with the New Year.

I don't want to forget -

Taking the girls to school for their annual Breakfast with Santa.

Abigail didn't want her picture with Santa this year but after her 3rd grade teacher offered up 5 paw prints to do it, she was game.

We got our Christmas tree a little earlier than usual.  The man told us these trees last up to 8 weeks, J came home and said well we only need it to last 3 of the 8.  And so far it's held up well, not too dead yet. 

Beverly sent the girls a computer advent.  Each day they unlock another part of the Christmas town.  They've had fun doing the new days activity.  I love the snowman they created to represent themselves.

I bought a bunch of felt heart ornaments last year after Christmas and this year made them into a banner to hang over the fireplace.  I think next year I want to make a paper banner that says "joy to the world" or " the Lord has come" or something.  My stocking might hide it so maybe I'll divide it and put half the saying on each side of the fireplace on a bookshelf.

I also want to remember how and where Ash sets up her own nativity scene.  This year she's kept it right in front of the fireplace.

The first graders and Kindergartners put on a Christmas program, they did How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Ash had a speaking part she said, "and the Grinch with his Grinch feet, ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling."

It was a very cute program!  

Abigail is in the school choir this year.  The choir also was a part and sang a couple song in the beginning.  Christmas Feud was Abigail's favorite song.  You can actually still catch her singing it around the house.

We had a little snow.  Thankfully it came on a Saturday and the girls played in it all day long.  We're really hoping we get a white Christmas this year!

One of my favorite Sundays of the year is the Children's Christmas Program at church.  I love listening to our children sing praises to our King.  And the story they tell is so important, how a baby came to bring light to the world.

A favorite tradition of mine is getting together with my sweet friends (friends that God put in my life so many years ago) for our annual cookie decorating party.  I am so thankful for these beautiful, Christian women and I love that our children are growing up as friends too.

The talk around the house has been about Beyblades.  After Luke introduced the girls to them that's all they've thought about.  The girls were so thrilled to get beyblades from the boys.  I always get a little chocked up thinking about the special relationship these 5 have.  They consider each other family.  And I do too.

School days were busy.  Especially that last week.  The girls came home with many cute projects. Abigail had a gingerbread decorating afternoon with all the 4th graders.  Ash had a pajama day - filled with watching Polar Express, eating popcorn balls, and doing a book exchange.  Abigail was given an award at the assembly for respecting others.  Her class had a pancake breakfast and watched Home Alone.

One evening we drove over to see some Christmas lights we had heard about.  It was the best lights we've ever seen.  Christmas lights to music is very cool.

We celebrated Christmas with my sister yesterday.  The time with her and her family was nice and I was so happy to see them!  But it's sad to think that after spending 33 Christmases with my sister this year we wont be together. Maybe that's why I've been so teary today.  I cried as Jason said goodbye and told him I didn't know why I was crying but as I write it out now I know.  

I understand how it has come to be this way but it still is hard and makes me sad.

I don't want to leave on a sad note because I do see joy all around me - like the joy of watching my 2 girls together. 

Merry Christmas!

Night at the Farmstead

Our school started this thing called "kiss the pig".  The kids bring in loose change and the grade level that ends up raising the most money gets to pick the teacher they want to see kiss the pig.  For every hundred dollars raised the PE teacher will also kiss a pig. 4th grade won and Abigail's teacher was picked, so we skipped soccer practice and headed out for a fun night at the Farmstead.

We met up with boys.
Right away Ash saw the pony rides.
We all walked through the 'creature'.
The kids played on the swings and slides.
And then it was finally time for kiss the pig.  The cute little pig was named Kevin Bacon.  The teachers were such good sports.  They even got the principle and librarian to kiss the pig.
They did the bounce pillow.
Before it got too dark we started through the corn maze.  Abigail and Luke took off, thankful they always made it back to us.
Donuts and cotton candy were eaten.
And pictures were taken.

A new year

Just look at this girl, her smile is a direct link to her heart.

So I now have a 4th grader.

Crazy!

She is so excited to be in 4th grade.

(I loved 4th grade because it was the year I learned about Idaho history and my dad was the 'trapper' at our 4th grade rendezvous.)

This year she finally got the teacher that Cody had 

and her and her best friend, Jaclyn, are in the same class again!

(they've been in the same class every year since kindergarten)

Her teacher told them that they are now considered big kids of the school and Abigail told me she always considered herself a big kid.

It's going to be a great year! 

Look at this girl, when did she grow up on me?  Isn't she beautiful!

Ash has a new teacher to the school this year.

She recognized a few names of the kids in her class.

She has already made 2 new friends but is really missing her best friend, Dryson, from kindergarten last year.

When we went to the back to school night the teacher let them pick where they'd like sit.  The desks were moved together in groups of 5.  Ash picked the desk that hung out by itself.  I thought it was so that she wouldn't have to sit by anyone but the next day she told me she chose it because she's the leader.  That's my Ash! 

She's had a few moments where all the changes have upset her a bit but I told her it would just take some time to get use to and soon it would start to feel like normal.

It is hard to go through changes, my momma's heart is having a hard time with it all too.

I'm sure, even months from now, I'll still be tearing up every time I see them walk away from me.

But I know the Lord is always with them and that comforts me.

Psalm 46:7

The Lord Almighty is with us ...

 Hurry home girls!

2012 Grad

Today was Ashy's Kindergarten Graduation.

It was a cute little graduation, they sang a couple of songs and then walked up to get their diplomas as the teacher announced what it is they want to be when they grow up.  Ash - a hair dresser, monkey scientist and makeup artist.

We're so proud of you Ash and we can't believe you're now a 1st grader!

I'm so glad my sister and the kids came. 

 I love this family photo and just had to post it!  Thanks for cooperating for a picture you guys!

And here we are loving on our Ash.

Now I can't even talk about how big this girl has gotten or how hard the thought of kissing her goodbye 5 days a week is going to be come fall.  So lets not.  Instead, I'm going to hope summer lingers around so that we have plenty of time to soak up all its fun!

Ticket Please

The girls participated in their school's first carnival.

You could enter into the art contest and/or a cake decorating contest.

Ash chose art and drew a self portrait.

Abigail picked the cake and decorated it as an American flag.

I was proud of both of them for getting involved.

Friday after school Melissa and I walked to pick up the kids.  We hadn't seen Ashy's picture up and so we went looking for it, hoping it had actually made it into the contest.  Then all of sudden I saw it, up on the wall with a 2nd place red ribbon attached!  Oh I was beaming with pride.  I actually teared up I was so happy for Ash.  Way to go girl, we love your picture and we love you!

That night was the carnival.  We showed up early, bought our tickets, ate a hot dog and then headed off to play.  It reminded me of my school carnivals, it's fun taking your kids to do things you did as a kid, that's one of my favorite things as a parent.  We did the cake walk, ring toss, bingo, fishing, sponge toss, pinko, duck pond and face painting.

We didn't win a cake or a big plate of goodies or a pop but we had lots of fun being together and brought home a load of small prizes and suckers.

Inbox

Yesterday I received an email from Abigail's teacher.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. H.

I just want to say that I really appreciate Abigail's  positive behavior in class. Our class is having a rough time with behaviors that is impacting our class in a very negative way. (I feel that we are experiencing an early case of Spring Fever! )Through these episodes, Abby always stays on track and does the right thing...pays attention, does her work, etc.

 

Thank you Abby!

Sincerely,

Mrs. C.  :) 

 

We're so proud of you Abigail!

Star of the Show

 Thursday was Ash's Christmas program, Melton the Warm Hearted Snowman.

She had been singing her songs around the house for weeks.  

I was very proud of her performance.

When it was time for the Kindergarteners to stand and sing, Ash put on a smile, did all the hand motions and sang with all her heart.

She may not have been Melton, but to me she was the star of the show!

 

Of course we needed a picture of Ash and Ryan together. 

And thanks Melissa for snapping a picture of me and my star.

1st Day of School

 Ashlynn was so excited for her 1st day of school.  She couldn't wait to get there.  

It sure helps a momma's heart when they are so happy to be going to school.

Ash was thrilled that she was now at the same school as Abigail.  She's finally a Wildcat too.

I wasn't sure if the girls would have a recess together but I asked Abigail to look for Ash and check on her for me. 

Ashlynn and Ryan are in the same class together.  I'm glad she has her best buddy with her all day.  You should have seen them playing on the playground together.  Right when the bell rang, kids dashed off the playground and started running.  You could see Ash and Ryan looking for each other.  They found one another and walked together to line up. 

 

It was finally time to go inside, she gave me a sweet little wave, blew me a kiss and then walked in for her 1st day of school.

School Days Are Here Again

I gave Abigail a ton of hugs and told her I was really going to miss her.

I told her I was super excited for her new school year and that I couldn't wait to hear all about her first day.

I wonder at what age I wont tear up a as she walks into her new classroom.

Abigail was so glad she got to see Jason before school.

He told her how nice she looked and that he wanted her to text him when she got home to say how her day went.

Abigail woke up bright and early and came downstairs already dressed.

She had the morning all planned out, step by step.

We curled her hair and got ready in time so that we could walk to school.

She saw a lot of her friends and happily posed for pictures.

She gave her teacher a wild sunflower she picked, it was so sweet.

Happy first day of 3rd grade!

A is for Ashlynn

Look at her. That's how excited she was. I'm glad we finally decided to just do it, to send her to preschool. She's happy to be going. Happy to have her own 'thing', her own school, her own friends, her own teacher and her own backpack. It's these little school days that we hope will prepare her for the big world of kindergarten that's coming all too soon. With her being the only one at home, her love of pajamas and her liking of 'running the show' ... we thought a little structure would be good. Plus all the other benefits that come along, like all the fun! That made saying good-bye to her a little bit easier today, but I still wanted to cry as I kissed her check and walked out. I held it in until J and I crossed the street, past the other parents, and then I lost it. My baby is growing up and it's way hard on this momma. Maybe preschool is more to help prepare me for what's ahead than it is for her.






I love ya, sugar! I'm glad you had a great first day!