Emma's 6th Birthday

Ellie's friend, Emma, turned 6 this week. She had a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party that was lots of fun for all the little girls that came. They played "Pin the Tail on Pupcake", ate some yummy cake, and watched Emma open lots of presents.

Ellie

Chatting with Kaiya

Ellie and the birthday girl, Emma

AWANA

Jacob really loves going to AWANA each Wednesday. This month had several activites. First, Nathan and I joined him for Parents' Night. It was nice to see what he does every week. We also played the same games that he does. It was pretty funny to see all of us 30-something parents on our hands and knees doing the "Sparky Crawl".

Jacob also participated in crazy shoe night. Daddy helped him with his shoes made of bubble wrap and cardboard. Of, course, they couldn't stop at just making a pair of boots, so they also made a vest and hat, complete with bubble wrap serpent. Needless to say, Jacob was voted as having the best outfit in his group.

Being a flagbearer

Jacob was so excited to be picked as a flag bearer when we were there for parents' night.

Jacob's Crazy Costume

Chore Charts

I should probably have started this a long time ago, but better late than never! Chore charts now grace the side of our china cabinet. Each child has their own list of things to accomplish every day. I also made one (out of cardstock, contact paper, and velcro dots) that has weekly rotating jobs.

Air Force Museum

There's no better way to spend a dreary winter day than at the National Museum of the USAF. We had a great time there looking at the different planes and the best part...it's FREE!

Jacob

Ellie

EmmalinePilot and Co-pilot

This is what I get when I ask them to smile!

Where's Emmaline?

Last PACE Visit

Since Emmaline was a couple of months old, she has been involved with PACE, a program offered by our county to kids with developmental delays. We were blessed to have two wonderful instructors and many therapists. Macey worked with us for 10 months and then we have been with Joyce for over two years. Today was her last official visit with Emmaline. Once she turns 3 (next month!), she will be phased into the preschool program of our public school system. It's kind of sad saying goodbye to someone who has worked with your child for a consistent period of time, but it is also a good thing because it means that Emmaline is making progress and is ready for the next set of milestones. Preschool here we come!

Playing with foam

Practicing taking turns

Can you believe I will be 3 next month?! Mommy is in denial!

See you later!

Granddaddy passed away this morning. I no longer have any of my grandparents living, but he always treated me like his own grandchild though we weren't related by blood. Granddaddy was very influential in the lives of my husband and myself...we even gave Jacob the middle name of Clarence to honor him. He was a very godly man who will be greatly missed. It's comforting to know that this isn't "goodbye", just "see you later".

S-N-O-W!

The past two days, we have gotten a lot of snow. It has been exciting for the kids to get some days off school (yes, even though we homeschool, we do observe snowdays!), and I love hearing their laughter as they sled down our driveway.

Jacob helped shovel the driveway

Mommy and her oldest two kiddos

Look, ma! No hands!

Tubing with Mimi

I love how Jacob is trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue while sledding

New Year's Eve

To ring in the new year, we celebrated with my sister by watching movies and eating lots of yummy food. After the kids went to bed, Katie and I took turns falling asleep on the couch until it was time to watch the ball drop in Time Square. When did midnight get to be so late?!

The kids wore their "I love NY" shirts to mark the occasion

Yummy english muffin pizzas and homemade salsa (compliments of my new food processor)

Peppermint Ice Cream Sundaes

Happy New Year