A little holly here, a little jolly there...

Here is a glimpse of Christmas around our house...

Lots of wrapped gifts

Lots of beautiful Christmas cards...

The stockings are hung... (sorry I had to blur the names)

...and the gingerbread houses are made.

My favorite place to visit at Christmas

In our city, there is an old Victorian house that hosts teas and special events.  This year, they invited Mr, and Mrs. Claus to visit with the children.  It really puts me in the Christmas spirit with the Old World style decor and the most sincere Santa and Mrs. Claus that you would ever meet.  My kids loved it!

Merry Christmas!

I am going to try to send you Merry Christmas wishes through pictures this week.  Hope you enjoy and many blessing to each of you!!!  May Christ's love fill your home and your hearts.

Meet Chief "Girlinagrocerysack"...

...leader of the Indian tribe "Likestosingalot".
We had the pleasure of attending my daughters first ever Primary grades Musical, titled "The First Thanksgiving".  We were so excited that she was in her first school production, and to know that there are many more to come.  The gymnasium was packed full of kiddos wearing grocery sack indian vests and paper pilgrim bibs.

Reminded me a little of herding cattle at a Red Carpet event (so many parents trying to take pictures and get a seat), and I should have taken a picture of all the people tripping over sound chords to get their child's picture.
Really, it was a precious event with Indians and Pilgrims singing beautiful songs about being thankful.  Every single song spoke about God and His blessings somewhere in the lyrics.  Mind you, we are at a public school.  LOVE IT!  The music teacher first explained that, "This is a little performance, for little people".  In other words, short and sweet.  She knows how to run a show!  The thing that  made me the most proud was this...

(I covered up her name with the stickers), but that girl has her priorities straight! This was on her door going into her room.  I am amazed at how quickly this child "gets" it.

Her class also has been working in completing Native American dioramas.  They divided the class into tribes, and my daughter was in the "Cheyenne" tribe.  They had to present this to the rest of the class, and each child had a line to memorize.  I was amazed when I saw the finished product!  I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when her teacher sent a note home asking us to send in sticks and dirt.  Huh? So, here is the end result...

I am just that we were not assigned the "fur".  Wonder what small squirrel is missing its backside?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Is it over yet?

Inside our house it still looks like Halloween.  There are candy wrappers and pumpkins everywhere!  Time to climb in the attic, crawl past the Christmas decorations, and place the plastic tub labeled "Halloween" away for another year.

Bottoms Up!

Note: My daughter wouldn't dream of doing this.

The Family Monster Mash!

Everyone should go and do this. It is easy and too cute! My sis-in-law sent me hers and I couldn't resist trying it. She has 5 in her family and we don't so I added my sister. Happy Halloween! *Oh, make sure you pause my music at the bottom and turn up your volume!

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To Infinity and Beyond!

My sweet "Roo" (as we call him) turned 4 last week. This is a monumental age to him. You see, the cut off for most things around here is October 1st...he was born October 10th. His first words after we woke him with a vibrant "Happy Birthday", were "YES!...I can go to basketball camp and play baseball on a team!" Oh my, maybe I want him to stay 3.

Roo is quiet, passionate, mindful, sensitive, and the best cuddler I know. Up until the week before his birthday he said to me that he didn't want to have a party because he had one last year. Sounded good to me...then he asked me 5 days before the big day, "Mom, when are my friends coming to my party?" Seriously??? So, giving in to his big eyes, I called some of his friends over for his favorite things, Toy Story the movie, popcorn, and cake. He had a ball and proved to a momma that always plans 6 months in advance that the best parties are the ones that are thrown together last minute.

I smile when I look at the pictures I captured of these precious 4 year olds. What a carefree age!!!

Roo, I love you to Infinity and Beyond!!!!

Momma Mia (what he affectionately calls me)

They all chose their spots, got comfy, and watched the movie.

still sitting...

still sitting....

...and then PRESENTS!!!! Everybody run wild!

His best little buddy and partner in crime

FOOD!

How many clowns, I mean kids, can we fit in the tent?

They made a boy band and rocked out...

...with pink guitars and purple mike stands from his sisters room.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Yee Haw!

My girl started riding lessons today...on a horse...in the barn...with dirt...

If you know her at all, you know that she is all girl and rarely is covered in dirt. This is why I was surprised when she said that she wanted to take riding lessons. But, her love for animals far outweighs her disgust for dust. When the instructor told me that she would need a pair of boots for her lessons, I thought I might be able to find some at Wal-Mart or Target...nope, not what she had in mind. So we go to this "boot lady" (suggested by a friend) and there they were...glowing...calling her name...and in her size. Take a look...


I mean, who wouldn't want to ride a horse in those?? I just hope that the horse didn't draw his own judgement of his rider after he saw them. Actually, I think that her horse, Doctor Yankee, loved the little lady that took him out for a spin this morning. If he could talk I think that the conversation would go something like this...

DY: Hello little lady, I sure do like your boots...

C: Thanks, you know that pink and brown are really in so I thought that it was important that we coordinated our outfits.

Thought this picture was a classic...

Those boots sure do show up well.

She was a pro after just one lesson. I am glad that she wants to go back because I am not sure how many of her Fall clothes would go with those boots. However, I think that after paying for lessons for a year, it would be cheaper to just buy a horse...Yikes!

Going to the big "K" and I don't mean K-mart!

Here she is as a baby...

...almost two...

...going to preschool...

... first day of K4...

...and last years school picture

Wow! Where have the last five and half years gone? I cannot help but think about what we have done/not done to prepare her for the next 13. Have we taught her this, have we taught her that? What I do know is that we are sending one excited little girl off to Kindergarten tomorrow.

I thought it only fitting, that I would write a little bit about my thoughts for her as she embarks on this next phase of her life. SO... HERE YA GO!

You are well equipped to start this journey. I was a lucky mom because I got to choose to stay home with you for the last five years. It is I who has received the blessing from being your mom and watching you grow into the amazing daughter I know. I got to see you write your name for the first time with side walk chalk, clean up the glitter and glue, read your favorite books, and to see you splash in the puddles in your rain boots.

Today marks a new day in your life. From this day forward, an education outside of our home will be part of your life. You will learn things that your dad and I can’t teach you, things that you have to learn by living and experiencing and meeting new people, but this we are sure of, you will do it with all the love and laughter that we are accustomed to seeing from you. You truly shine in so many ways.

We take our role as your most important teachers very seriously. While your school teachers will be there to help you gain knowledge, we will be there to provide you with understanding and support when you have questions. Whether you can believe it or not, we don’t know everything. Neither do your teachers. And neither will you. The beauty of this is that it leaves an opening for you to ask questions. I love that you want to know what the world is like. I want you never to lose that. Always ask questions. Always know that not knowing the answer is okay. And always know that just because someone gives you an answer doesn’t mean it’s right.

The most important answers will come to you as you grow in your knowledge of Christ. He is your ultimate teacher in life and your guidance counselor when you need direction. When it is tough to stand on your own, remember that God is always for you, never against you. He will teach you to have empathy towards others when you don't understand them. Find out who people are and what drives them, then love them.

God will always give you the strength to face any situation. Be willing to be different. Be tolerant of those that are different from you. Embrace change and be open to learning what the world and the people in it offer to teach you. You will stumble. Your father and I will do what we can to be there to help you stand back up again, and to lift your chin to Christ as he leads you in a new direction. We will hug you when you’re down and we will celebrate with you when you reach your goals and dreams.

We have tried to teach you from early on that there is nothing more powerful for you than a desire to learn but also a desire to think for yourself. If you don’t agree with an answer, that’s okay. Stand up and speak your mind about what you think is wrong. Do something if you see something that doesn’t make sense. Act on all of those “why”s and bring about change in the things you don’t like, but do it without sacrificing the grace and character that is so unique to you.

Tomorrow, when I walk you into class, and you are ready to let go before I am, I will stop and pray for you. As you unpack your washable markers and your safety scissors, I will pray that you to would someday have the blessing of sending the one you love off to Kindergarten. As your child turns to engage in a conversation with a new friend, you will smile, and then feel something warm running down your cheek...then you'll know.

I love you to pieces!

Mom