February ONE

This is my life...

it's a beautiful mess!

Working in the Kitchen

love, love, love

Hit those books!

This looks like the stack of books that one might need for a semester of college, right?  No, this is a partial stack (2 of the books were being used when I took the photo) of the material for Dad's upcoming promotional exam. The notebook includes SOP's.  He's been studying, and will be studying non-stop for the next month, as we count down to the highly competitive exam.  Only the top scorers will be eligible for the promotion.  Please join me in praying for his studying efforts and test-taking!

First Jigsaw Puzzle

Elizabeth got her first real jigsaw puzzle for her birthday...  of course it had a unicorn on it.  I explained how to flip all the pieces over, look for edges & she took it from there.  She concentrated very hard.

And was so very proud when she had finished it!

Remembering Dublin

It is sad what the big guys of Dr Pepper have done to the small town of Dublin, Texas.  That's my only commentary.  Better words were written by my friend, Julie.  And the local news story explains the situation well.  Watch the video for the full effect.  So for now, I leave you with just one piece of how Dublin Dr Pepper has been a part of my life.

"Dublins" were special in Dad's family, thanks to his Papa, who loved them.  He would make the almost 2-hour drive just to get the special drinks.  I was introduced to Dublin when I joined the family.  Almost 14 years ago, my new husband & I toasted with Dublin Dr Peppers at our wedding reception.  (He's also a Dukes of Hazzard fan, as you can tell...)

Dublin Dr Pepper, you will be missed.

Back to School Fun: Spring 2012

We jumped right back into school as soon as the new year passed and we were all ready to get back into a normal swing of things!  We did some extra fun learning activities to get going.  Dot painting gave us the chance to work on patterns and following instruction.  I gave them a specific pattern to follow and after doing that, then they were allowed to exercise their creativity with the rest of their peacock.

I had planned a game of 10's Go Fish to refresh some math skills that might have been forgotten.  When I started shuffling the cards, I realized that my kids have never seen plain playing cards before!  So we played a simpler version to get used to the cards and and how to handle them.  I wish I had Grandma's card holders!  Guess I'll have to make my own.  This turned out to be a good counting review for Elizabeth anyway.

Another math game using dice & adding for David & Elizabeth to work on together.  I challenged David to a speed round later, which turned out quite exciting!  I was ahead by a long shot, then my dice would not cooperate and he pulled ahead for the win!

I love mixing learning with Christmas!  Found a great deal on the Crayola Activity Center that I'd been eyeing for a while anyway, with a coupon and a store sale the day after Thanksgiving!  Elizabeth loves it and is getting in some good handwriting review!

David's favorite subject is World History.  He is happy to be back in the world books.  Here he is marking the reign of Alexander the Great as we read about him.  It was a fun first week back to school and a good start to the Spring 2012 semester.  This week, perhaps we'll wear clothing for school instead of PJ's!

5th Birthday: The Unicorn Party

When I said, "We want to get the unicorn balloon," I had absolutely no idea the unicorn balloon was so HUGE!!  She was thrilled with it, though!

Elizabeth has been excited about, and planning this party for months.  I believe she was happy with the outcome.  : )  This afternoon she helped prepare the cupcakes with sprinkles and mini chocolate chips.

The party started with the girls making unicorn horn party hats!  I had the cones already made and they glitter painted them.  I was so busy squirting paint and passing out supplies I didn't get any pictures until well into the party when I got Dad to start taking pictures.

Next the girls made unicorn sun catchers.  I had precut black construction paper by tracing a unicorn that I printed off the internet.  The moms helped lay out clear contact paper and the outlines, then the girls sprinkled on tissue paper.  Again, no pictures of the process, but this is Elizabeth's completed unicorn.  They turned out beautiful in person!

We played a little relay game where the girls took turns carrying a mini unicorn in a spoon around the couch.  Well, it was supposed to be a mini unicorn, but Elizabeth misplaced her, so we used a giant marshmallow with a toothpick stuck in it.  No pics.  : \  But they had fun doing it.

Then we made edible unicorn horns - sugar cones, white icing and sprinkles!
 

 Rebekah had a big glob of glitter paint on her face.  There were sprinkles everywhere.  It hurts when you're in socks and step on a bunch of sprinkles.

Next up: Pin the Horn on the Unicorn!  I found this website with beautiful unicorn drawings and tried to replicate it... My unicorn looks kinda goofy, but I find if you add enough color and swirls it becomes a magnificent, magical and beautiful creature... especially to a 5 year old girl!

I've noticed that whenever we play a Pin-the-whatever game at a party, my kids always win.  Makes me wonder if there's a little foul play going on there under the mask...

Finally, it was cupcake time!  (much to the relief of some of the guests... hee hee!)
 

 Dad saved the day by lifting Elizabeth up to blow out the last candle.  Smear chocolate around your face & into your mouth and on to presents!!!

 Before the girls left, big brother came out to herd them around the room for a while.

 And Sarah was holding her ears because the squealing was so loud!!!!!!!!!!

 I can't believe I didn't get more pictures!  With all the set-up, then crafting that we started out with, I failed to photograph the food!  Elizabeth loved the unicorn cake topper that was on loan from my BFF.  She stood atop the cupcakes, prancing in the sprinkles.

It makes me happy to make kids happy.  

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

January ONE 2012

Happy New Year!

I don't typically do new year's resolutions, but I do hope I can blog better this year.  After adding baby #4, I really had a hard time getting it done.  Now that we've passed the 1st birthday, I look back and am disappointed that I didn't record more here.

December ONE

November ONE

Yes, I took the photos, then forgot to post them. Then the photos I took on the first, I really didn't like how  they turned out.  So this one was actually taken on the third.  And that's ok with me.

It's amazing every month how fast they grow.