*Kate was counting her coins and asked, "Do you think I have enough money yet for a car?"
I humored her and asked, "Well, what kind of car do you want- a new car or a used car?"
She shrugged and said, "A used one would be fine."
Keep saving, Sweetie. :)
*Awhile back, I was describing our hair color to the girls as dirty blonde. Natalie was very offended by this color description. Scott thought it was hilarious!
Yesterday, Kate was seriously trying to describe someone and said the girl had stinky blonde hair. Ha!
*Playing UNO with her dolls is fun, but playing UNO with Grammy is the best!
*Natalie and I had fun at a church Sunday School party! Bonus points- we haven't killed the potted plant yet!
*Last weekend, we went to a dog show! We didn't know what to expect, but it was fun to see so many different dog breeds all in one spot. The golden retrievers were so adorable!
Scott did a report on Alaskan Malamutes earlier in the school year, so it was fun to see them up close, too!
A year ago, Natalie was TERRIFIED of dogs. She's come a long way and has now joined in on the lobbying for a puppy.
Kate could ride the Saint Bernards. SO BIG!
After seeing many dogs, the golden retrievers ended up being our favorite and the ones that we kept returning to watch. Make some room kitties...a dog may be in our future...time will tell.
*The girls still think matching dresses are the best, but size mix-ups may happen every now and then. Oops!
*So we are only a few days into it, but I'm trying a new experiment. I've taped a $1 bill onto each of the kids' doors. If they keep their room picked up all week, they get to keep the dollar. Each night at 7:00, I do an "inspection" and can take their $1 bill if their room is a mess. SO FAR, I'm very impressed with the results. The kids are super motivated and are nervous Mean Mom is going to take their money. Tech-savvy Scott even set up a reoccurring alarm to go off each evening at 6:40 as a reminder to clean his room before inspection time. Tonight I was pleasantly surprised; they were all engrossed in a television show when Scott's alarm went off. He immediately paused the show, alerted the others, and all three kids RAN to their rooms to tidy up. Wowzers! Who knew?!
So in keeping with my regular New Year's resolutions, I've been trying to exercise more. Kate, my faithful side kick, has been doing step aerobics with me. We work out to a 90's Denise Austin step tape- originally on VHS- that has been converted to DVD. It's a gem.
Kate has been making me laugh while stepping together. (Well...laugh on the inside because I don't do much laughing during the workout.)
Here are a few of her lines...
**"Mommy, I know it gets long for you, but maybe you should start doing it twice a day."
**(Referring to Denise) "Does she even know what brownies are?"
**Sitting down for a rest, Kate said, "It's okay if I take breaks because you need more workout than I do."
**"Why did Denise make this so long?" (Obviously on a first name basis now.)
**And finally- the question that gets asked everytime we workout- "Do you think Denise is wearing any underwear?" Her swimsuit type leotard really intrigues Kate.
Natalie recently had Colonial Day at school. She was a cute Colonial girl!:)
She has a sweet second grade teacher!
I told the kids that we had to leave for Scott's piano lesson and Natalie groaned. I paraphrased Hebrews 12:11..."No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Much to my surprise Natalie changed her attitude, and said, "Yeah...someday later Scott can play at a church and earn a lot of money for our family." (That's why we have him in lessons, of course!;)
Kate and I were making brownies one afternoon. (No wonder the
step aerobics aren't working!) I was talking out loud and said, "Half a
cup of vegetable oil."
Kate stopped stirring and said, "Wait...vegetable?? Are you sure that's one of the ingredients?"
I told Jon that Prince caught a mouse and Jon said that the cat is earning his keep. I won't tell him which type of mouse he caught!;)
After Scott created a game for all of the kids to play in the basement, Natalie said, "Scott thinks of all the really great ideas. I'm glad we have him. (Me too, Natalie!)
Natalie was supposed to send in a picture with 100 of something for 100's day. Here she is with 100 Beanie Boo Eyeballs!
Kate doesn't play independently very often, so I was thrilled when she decided to strike up a game of UNO with her dolls. She said, "I think I'm maybe gonna win...UNO!" And..."Maybe I should let someone else go first next time."
Kate: I'm trying to be nice, but it's hard to be nice because I can't think of anything nice to do.
I vetoed this game the first time the kids played it thinking that someone was going to get hurt. I had to laugh a few days later when I saw the kids playing this modified version. Scott had passed out helmets for safer play! Spring, where art thou?!
We celebrated Baby Jesus on Christmas Day! Lots of excitement in the air!
The cats got a couple of gifts too and didn't disappoint us with their playful reaction!
Christmas Picture with Grandpa & Grammy!
Kate and Natalie were so excited when they opened another American Girl
Doll at their other grandparents house! WOW! Julie Albright times
two!:)
The day after Christmas, Jon & I had a little overnight getaway to see our friends, Tim & Molly, and to celebrate their new baby!
Baby Anna was oh so cuddly and adorable! I could post 10 more pictures of this precious girl, but instead encouraged Molly to start up her blog again!:)
Such a sweet blessing and a good way to wrap up 2017!
We celebrated Christmas early with my family. The cousins always enjoy seeing one another!
The girls got their first American Girl dolls and were thrilled! I love Mazie's face in the picture below, and I don't think Natalie's smile could have been any bigger!
Happy girl!
Naughty...
& Nice...
The boys both got BIG stuffed dogs. Scott was hoping for the real deal this Christmas, but he's going to have to settle for this.
We laughed as the cats cautiously approached the new toy. They weren't sure what to think!
We tried to do the December tradition of hiding the Wisemen again, but I wasn't as good at remembering to do it each night. One morning, Natalie woke me up to tell me that the Wisemen were in the same spot as the day before so I groggily told her to hide them. This was what she came up with...
Scott loves the snow- no matter how much or how little we get!
Christmas to be continued...
School Christmas Program night- they look thrilled.
Here was my vantage point for the program. I think I spotted my kids. Next year I'm bringing binoculars. :)
When Jon grows up, he wants to be a lumberjack.
Jon's Junior Lumberjacks
You'd think we had a wood burning stove or something!
Natalie's classroom party was something! The mom in charge did an incredible job and put me to shame on any classroom parties I've ever attempted.
Scott's classroom party was the following day. It was fun to see him get so tickled while throwing marshmallows at his classmate!
Kate's class performed the song that they've been working on for the parents. She was so excited to show us her dance!
I was swapping out the kids' photos and always love seeing how they've changed. I need to come up with some way to display these in the basement or preserve these through the years. Pinterest maybe? If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Piper thought that she couldn't be seen!
