Sometimes I Wonder About Darwin

Monkey See
September 2008, Hogle Zoo

Monkey Do
March 2011, Struthers Zoo

{this moment}

Seeing Green

Those silly leprechauns came and caused a green explosion in our house.

After donning their green attire ("Hurry, hurry we can't let the leprechauns pinch us!") the kids came down to find Lucky Charms for breakfast. Hurray for the leprechauns! Mommy doesn't buy sugar cereal so this was an extra special treat.

Even Anne had some green applesauce and oatmeal for breakfast. Delish!

After an impromptu photo shoot (I cannot get over how adorable my kids are. Are these really mine? Wow!) it was time to get ready for Joy School. 

The leprechauns left a little treasure hunt for the Joy School kids. Those little green guys are so thoughtful, aren't they?

 I loved how proud they were to find each shamrock.

 Somehow Keira wiggled her way between those big boys and found the purple shamrock. That was quite the accomplishment.

 The loot.

These girls were so funny with this picture. This was the best I could get after 4 or 5 tries and there was no way I was going to get them to stand still for a second longer. I was using up their free play time!

The joy of the week was "individual confidence and uniqueness." Before the treasure hunt we had a discussion about their names. They learned that it is something special, something that is all theirs. I gave them each a name tag to wear for the day. Just thought I would clarify that after teaching these wee ones for several months, I do know their names.

After sending the cuties home we had a quick lunch (Which was going to be shamrock sandwiches and I couldn't find a shamrock cookie cutter. Darn it.) we made our way to the city park. Rumor had it that the leprechauns had a made a special visit there.

 And what do you know. A green waterfall greeted us as we approached the park. Leprechauns sure are busy, aren't they?

We finished out the day with some more green deliciousness. Green omelets, green jello with pineapple, green coffee cake, and green (ish) smoothies. 

I can't remember what Anne had, but it looks like it was green. 

I was proud of successfully making it through the holiday but by this point I was exhausted. Who knew adding a little green into your day could take so much out of you. 

Marie-esque

Our address has been a hot topic lately because we want to teach it to William as we get him ready for kindergarten. Every time the subject comes up Marie excitedly exclaims, “Address?! I have address! It’s pink!”

“The Buds” at the Jazz Game

While William would have enjoyed “Disney on Ice”, we knew he would love a guy’s night out at the Jazz game even more. And let’s be honest, I don’t think Brandon minded the set-up either. William loved to watch the game and to see the Jazz bear. The time-out/half-time acts were some of his favorite parts to tell me about.

The Jazz have not been exactly stellar, to say the least, in the past little while, so we were glad they managed to pull a win just for William.

The popcorn bucket hat was 100% William’s idea and he wore it all the way out to the car while banging his noise sticks.

When William got home that night he asked me, “Guess how much I liked the Jazz game? This much (while holding up all 10 fingers).” That, my friends, is the sign of a successful night indeed.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama

Let's Celebrate

Thanks to the generosity of grandparents and great-grandparents we had a reserve of Christmas money that needed to be spent. While eager to spend the money we were not eager to add any more toys to our tiny house. We wanted to do something fun and memorable. Enter "Disney on Ice". Marie and I went down last Saturday morning to see the show. I dolled her hair up and put on her Cinderella gown so she would fit right in to the festivities.

Waiting for the show to begin. I was just as excited as Marie. I seriously almost cried when I walked into the arena I was so happy. The satisfaction of giving a toy doesn't even hold a candle to the satisfaction of giving time to my kids. 

 When we got to our seats she looked around and then asked, "When do they bring us our popcorn?" Needless to say, we took a little trip to the concession stand to appease the little princess.

She pretty much ate this entire bucket of popcorn. I snuck a few handfuls, but that was about it.

 The show was as magical and fun as we expected and Marie loved seeing all of her favorite Disney characters. While she enjoyed the princesses, her favorite parts were with Mickey and Minnie. The absolute highlight of the entire day was when Minnie waved at her. I'm pretty sure Minnie was just waving in our general direction, but that was enough for Marie. She was in heaven after that. "Minnie waved at me! Minnie waved at me!"

 After the show was over she jumped out of her seat and immediately started "skating" up and down the row of chairs, while singing. She proceeded to sing and dance all the way out to the car. She had everybody smiling at her.

Thank you to all of our family that allowed for this wonderful memory making moment to take place. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend a Saturday then with my pretty, pretty princess.

{this day in our history}

{this day in our history} just because it is fun to reminisce 

March 17, 2006

What Matters Most – Kid Style

I went against my better judgment and allowed the kids to take some pictures with our camera. Thankfully, I didn’t regret my decision (in other words, the camera is still in one piece). Marie was first to take her turn. I told her she could take 3 pictures. Typical Marie completely ignored my instructions and took about 20. These 4 pictures cover the “themes” of her photo shoot, a few of her favorite things:

  …the beloved tea set… …the bookshelf…

…Anne Kinslee…

…her favorite person…

(this is the best picture of me, I promise)

Typical William took 4 pictures, just one step outside the boundaries for him. The first picture was an un-publishable picture of me. The other 3 pictures, also just a few of his favorite things:

Kindergarten Registration

The hardest part about registering William for kindergarten in a public school was knowing that I am capable of homeschooling my children. Knowing that I am sending William out of my home to teach him things I can him in my home didn’t seem right. So, as I have stated before, Brandon and I have prayed and discussed and researched and with confidence we have chosen to go the public school route. Why? There is so much to our decision. In short, we realized and determined that we do not believe that our children will learn everything they need to know inside the walls of our home. That is brief and not nearly all that I have to say on the matter, but that is it for now.
Therefore, a couple of Fridays ago we packed up our family and drove down to the elementary school to register. I felt like the first-time mom that I was with  my camera, but I couldn’t help myself. This was a big moment for all of us!
 

They were so excited they didn’t even notice I stopped so far behind them to get the camera ready. It worked out for a nice picture, though.

The kindergarten teachers, all of which we have heard wonderful things about. We have been assured, repeatedly, that we can’t go wrong with this group of teachers.

Brandon filled out the paperwork while I held Anne, took pictures, and consoled Marie. She was quite distraught the she wasn’t 5 and registering for kindergarten.

I attempted to console her at the play & learn station. She reluctantly submitted to my efforts.

William gave a half-hearted effort to the learning station with one eye on the next table.

The treats. Enough said.

After they finished their cookies we walked around to the kindergarten classes and were able to talk to some of the students. It really made me miss working with those little ones. I look forward to the opportunities I will have to volunteer in the classroom and be a part of William’s academic education.

Here’s to the next adventure in our family’s life!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.Inspired by SouleMama

Mommy, Wow!

Here she just learned to sit up last month … … and she already thinks it’s time to stand up.

Looks like it’s time to lower the mattress.

(Note: I helped her get on to her feet {because she was trying to} then she held on long enough for me to take a few pictures. She hasn’t mastered getting on to her feet alone … yet.)

When Our Domestic Goddess Comes Out…

This little cutie came to visit us a couple of weeks ago

and she brought her mom along, too.  With the help of an etsy pattern, my sewing machine and my mad teaching skills, we managed to whip up this bEaUTiMoUs outfit. Just in time to celebrate one heckuva year.

Happy first birthday, Baby J!