Friday, December 9, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree

We are fast on track to welcome Santa and all the wonders of the
Chirstmas Season.

Gabrielle took charge of hanging the lights on the tree
and I think this was the least stressful light hanging
we have ever had!


Everyone was feeling the spirit!

Soon we began hanging ornaments on the tree.




The last touch--

Topping the tree with our Star-- by none other than  . . .

one of our little stars!


A few picutres in front of our
decorated masterpiece!

A quick appearance by the reclusive GeGe.


Some snacks and a little relaxation
enjoying the delights of
the season.


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Season Kick-Off

The day after Thanksgiving is our Christmas kick-off Day and I'm talking
Black Friday sales either!

We get our tree and start in with all the festivities!


That night the girls and I went to a nearby
Shrine that decorates to the rim with Christmas lights.

It is unseasonably warm in our area so it
was a really pleasant night for walking.


There were so many different light displays!

Really hard to capture with my cheap little camers--

not to mention my photography skills (I don't really have any!).

The girls and their friends had a great time
walking around looking at all the pretty lights.

The following day I took the girls to a Christmas fundraiser at
a Horse Farm.

There was lots to do!
Face painting!

Josie is very descriptive.

I'll have a Christmas tree riding a rainbow shooting star.

I like Rudolph!


Oh Clara Rose-- she just quit singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reighndeer" about 2-months ago.
Now he is back!

The girls were able to visit with Santa.

Being silly with balloons while waiting in line to get . . .

Some super-duper fancy balloon animals.

I mean REALLY!!!???

Has anyone ever seen balloon animals like THESE?

Of course, a trip to a horse farm isn't complete without actually
riding on a pony!


Thrills galore!


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

ThanksGiving Party Dance

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family.

Most people complain about their in-laws-- not so in our family,

We spent the Holiday at my Sister-in-Law's-- In-Law's!

There is one for the books.

The younger set had a great time being silly together.

Miss Emily pretending she is a kitty.

Clara Rose showing off some of her gymnastics abilities.

Nate getting his groove on!

Several of the youngin's with Nate and Emily's Pa Pa.
It was a fun day with lots to eat
 and
Lots of time to play!

A Tangled Birthday Party

Life is busy busy in our family from just before Halloween through about mid-Februray.

Catching-up a bit, the girls had a wonderful time at their friend's
Tangled themed Birthday Party.


It was a super fun party complete with a magician!

Josie and Clara Rose were both tickled pink with this show!

Clara Rose was even asked to assist! 

It was a rip-roaring good time!


He even made balloon animals and figures-- which has become somewhat
of a theme all in itself this holiday season.  More to come on that in future posts.


The guests were ready for cake

and they were NOT disappointed! 

This was some cake!

Decorated like the tower from Tangled!

Very Impressive!


Back at home the girls let loose with a few more sillies
from their goodie bags . . .


Then settled in for some snuggles and
bedtime cartoons.


Friday, November 18, 2011

November is National Literacy Month

November gets quite a bit of billing-- especially in our house!

A few birthdays, least of which includes Josie's and of course Thanksgiving!

The world of adoption notes November as Adoption Awareness month.


I don't think many folks realize that November is also National Literacy Month-- and that amounts to a lot of recognition in our home and at the girls' school.

I’ll be honest, we don’t read as much as we should. I used to read a couple stories to the girls every night at bedtime, but it turned into a battle of

“My turn to turn the page.”

So, I took a break from that part of the bedtime routine. I’ve been trying to read a story to them at a different time, but my goodness—time sure does seem to be in short supply!



I think I will try the bedtime story again.



I am also reading a book to Clara Rose’s class this week—she picked the book she wants me to read, "A Cold Winter Day." It is about a little hedgehog whose home is blown away in a storm and how he helps others even though he also needs help. 

Most importantly, it features a very cute little hedgehog as the main character!


Clara Rose was very excited that I was coming to her class to read this book.

She got up four times during the night to remind us that I needed to bring the "little hedgehog book" to class the next day.

Soooo--- clearly I've done a bang-up job fostering her trust in me to remember something this important!

The reading went off without a hitch!
Clara Rose was very proud--announcing to all her friends that her mommy was going to
read the story today.

Too cute for words, much less my writing abilities to convey.

As part of literacy month Clara Rose's class also did a book exchange. We sent in a slightly used book and she was able to choose a slightly used book that someone else brought in.

A very exciting exchange in the world of not quite 4-years old! 

Here are some fun and easy suggestions to highlight reading during the month:

Consider sharing a storytime as a family. Turn the TV off and everyone take turns reading a story or parts of a story;

Recite a play assigning everyone a part so the entire family gets to be involved;

Visit your local library;

Donate books to a library, school, or other nonprofit;

Volunteer to read a story to your child’s class or other event;

Some Links for Literacy:

http://www.famlit.org/


http://www.theliteracysite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=6

http://www.goodsitesforkids.org/literacy.htm


Learn to read with Phonics (the girls really enjoy this site):

http://www.starfall.com/

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Josie's Birthday Week-Grand Finale!

Hi Everyone!

Thank You for coming to my Birthday Party!
Josie's Birthday Week ended with the big Kid's Gym bash!

She was really looking forward to this
party and super excited when the day arrived!

Josie and Clara Rose checking out
the fun-ness before the guests arrive.

Josie's Birthday Cake.

Designed according to her requests--
a Green Smiley face, with a pink birthday hat, and balloons.

Guests arrived--

Emily and Nate made quick feet to the bounce house.

The Birthday Girl was very gracious,

waiting her turn in line for the rope swing.

It was a swinging good time.


Clara Rose-- always ready to put on
a show!

More friends boucing away.

Daddy-- being silly.

After some fun playing-- it was time for wishes on the
very Happy Birthday cake!

Yummy cake!

Followed by presents-- of course.

Josie did a great job of opening her
presents and thanking her guests.


Then it was back to the kid's gym for
some more swinging and bouncing good times!


"It's great to be 5!"