That's a Wrap

This is my final post of the year.  The kids and pets are not allowed to look cute, say anything cute, do anything cute, etc. until 2020.  The blog book for 2019 is being ordered in the morning. 

 

Since the promotion, Jon has had to work a ton.  He worked a long stretch of days in a row and on his only two days off, he did the most logical thing- cut trees and chop wood. Thankfully, he had some happy helpers to assist! 

The girls are lobbying for gymnastics lessons in the coming year.  Jon keeps warning, "Don't break your neck" as they flip and flop about in the basement. 

Scott's class spent a morning volunteering at the Salvation Army. 

 

 

Ironically, in looking back on past years, I've written exactly 29 blog posts in 2017 and 2018, and this is my 29th post for 2019.  I know I will appreciate the blog books eventually, but I may need to cut out more content in the coming years.  The kids are less appreciative of the cute/embarrassing stories that I am putting on here even though I assure them that I only have about 3 readers.  So, I may need to rethink how I capture these memories in the future.  Regardless, 2019 has been a great year, and we are thankful for the Lord's provision and blessing.  Happy New Year!  

Journal Entries

As an early Christmas gift, the girls made a trip to the American Girl store with Grandpa & Grandma.  Natalie had been talking about this for the past two years, so she was excited when they finally made her dream come true.

As a Christmas surprise, the girls received American Girl dolls.  We had unboxed Kate's doll and the doll still had a hair net on, but she was walking around with it like that.  I asked Kate if she wanted to take the hair net off, but she said, "Oh, that's one of Natalie's favorite parts, so I was waiting for her to come back so that we could do it together."  I love it!:)

Special Veteran's Day program at school with our family's favorite veteran-

Overheard from the other room- The girls had a hip hop beat playing and were dancing very enthusiastically to it.  Scott saw them and said, "Stop it!  This is what's ruining our country." 

Kate and a friend have a play date scheduled for tomorrow.  They even wrote out a detailed itinerary at school listing everything they want to do while they are together.  Instead of asking, "How many more days until Christmas?" Kate has been asking, "How many more days until the play date?"  

She received a puzzle for Christmas and I suggested that she could work on it with her friend during the play date.  She thoughtfully said, "Well, doing puzzles is not on the list, but talking IS on the list, so maybe we could do the puzzle during the talking time."  

She later said, "If I wake up at 7:45 tomorrow, how many hours would it be until the play date?"  When I told her, she groaned and said, "I'm going to try and sleep until 1:00."  

It better be a rip-roarin' good time because it's been HIGHLY anticipated!:)  They put "Eat Brownie" on the list too, so I better get on that and whip up a batch!

Natalie: How come you laugh at Kate and never get mad at her?  But don't worry, I'm not going to throw her in a pit.  (Oh, thank you, Joseph...I mean...Natalie)

Take a long look at the kitties because they are on borrowed time.  For some reason, no one responded to my ad to adopt them.  Perhaps I should have left out the line about one of them regressing in his litter box training.  Anyway...not sure if we will keep them around much longer. 

Scout went a huntin' on Thanksgiving morning and brought home a big rabbit.  Thankfully, Carol made a delicious turkey that we were able to eat instead. 

Natalie on Christmas Eve:  Don't forget to put out presents tonight.
Me: Really??  Have I ever forgotten that?!  
Natalie:  No, but it's just one of those things that kids must remind their parents of kind of like you reminding us to be good at Grandpa and Grandma's house. 

                                        

To be continued...(Can you tell I'm on a mission to catch up on 2019 before the end of the year?!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019!

 

Surprise!  BIG Smiles! 

Reindeer Costume A:

Reindeer Costume B:

 Which Christmas costume would you like, Piper?

Bah-humbug!  I think Piper is ready to move on!

First Grade is FABULOUS!

Kate has so many fun days in first grade.  Her teachers go out of their way to making learning fun!

Secret Spy Day-  The teachers used black lights and played spy music.  The kids had to crawl through the room to complete different missions.  It was an all day event!

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast-

 Gingerbread Play Day-

Pancake & PJ Day-

"Nugget" for a Week- Kate got to bring home a stuffed bunny (Nugget) home for a week.  She carried the rabbit with her everywhere and took excellent care of it.  One day, we were getting ready to run to a store which I had previously commented about it being in a shady area.  Anyway, we were getting ready to go to this area again, and Kate must have remembered me talking about it before.  She was walking out of the house with Nugget and then ran back in and very seriously said, “I better leave him at home since we are going to a bad area.”  :):)   I think that was the only time she left him alone all week (for the bunny’s safe-keeping of course).

She took cousin rabbits to play with the cousins!:)

 So far, it's been one very groovy school year! 

Celebrating KATE!

Kate celebrated her SEVENTH birthday in October.  How is this possible??!

She requested a sleepover with Grandpa & Grandma for her birthday- instead of a party.  Did I get off easy or what?! 

On Kate's actual birthday, Grammy & Grandpa Mike came over to celebrate too.  Lots of loving grandparents for this girl!

If Kate scans enough groceries now, perhaps she will want to choose a different career path when she's older.  I still had the desire to scan groceries when I was 16 and could get a job.  After a summer at Kroger, however, I learned that it wasn't as glorious as I once envisioned.  Kate sure makes a friendly cashier though.  I would always choose her lane!

Kate is my only child who enjoys sleeping in.  If I tiptoe down the hallway, Scott and Natalie immediately wake up.  Not Kate though.  She requires a personal wake up shake.  When I wake her up, she is almost always cheerful though and will give me a sweet smile or funny wave.  One morning, I wiggled her awake and she said groggily, "I seriously just went to bed!"  Isn't this how we often feel?! 

Kate LOVES the clip chart at school.  I get the daily report as soon as she gets in the van.  Scott made her a clip chart that she can use at home with her dolls.  Kate had very specific guidelines for him, and he executed beautifully.  I was impressed with the end result.  "Clip up for being a great brother, Scott."

Kate is having a great year in first grade.  She has a tender heart, wants to do the right thing, and has a great sense of humor.  We are proud of her! 

Her teachers have told us how she is very sweet with their class pet, Nugget.  We hear about this big bunny a lot!  Kate made us laugh when she said, "Last year, in kindergarten, we had a plant for our class pet.  I mean, come on people, a plant?"   The teachers have really upped the ante this year!

Happy Belated Birthday, Kate!  We love you!