Girls' Outing

We took a trip to the nail salon on Corinne's birthday and we all got manicures! It was a lot of fun for all of us. Three big girls (my sisters and I) and the three younger girls (C and her sisters). Fancy!

Christmas

We really enjoyed celebrating Christmas with our families this year. Both of my sisters came to town for a week which was extra special, and we were able to see Brett's side as well. Unfortunately we also battled sickness spanning the entire holiday break - beginning even before Corinne got out of school for break - and it's still going. It has just morphed into different sicknesses. But nonetheless, we all made the best of it, even Aunt L and Aunt M who each went home feeling under the weather. There's just nothing better than celebrating with the people in your life that you care most about and we were still blessed to do that, sickness or no sickness. I am so thankful that my sisters make the trip here to be with us. And I'm also thankful for the family we have in town. We are so blessed!

Birthday

Thankfully Corinne was over the stomach bug by my birthday, though she missed her last day of school before break. (So thankful her program and party were on the 2nd to last day before break!) We went out for dinner in our old neighborhood and of course for ice cream as well. Loved our family day on my birthday! Love these people.

C's Party and Program

It was a full day - the same day we had the program and party for E and S we also had Corinne's party! And her teacher had planned a little program for the parents in their classroom - it was awesome. I *love* Corinne's teacher, she truly is incredible. The kids prepared about 8 songs for us with speaking and actions and highlighting different kids as leaders. Corinne was a leader on one of the songs and of course did a fantastic job. It was SO fun to see her shine so confidently. What a gift to the parents, we loved this special program. The kids were told to dress up and apparently they had been practicing for weeks! None of the other 1st grade rooms did anything of the sort - it shows how much C's teacher loves what she does.

Program & Party

Ellen and Sophie had their Christmas program at school last week, in which they sang as "Shepherds". It was a cute program, followed by their classroom party. I got to help out, which was a lot of fun. They had a great morning, and I loved spending it with them. Sometimes I feel as though life can center around big sis, Corinne. But it was great to focus on E and S and to celebrate them.

Observation Day

We recently got to observe Corinne's dance class and as you can see, Ellen and Sophie had a front row seat with their cousin! Corinne exudes such joy when she is dancing, and I'm so glad we all got to watch her class, Brett included.

Big Tree Field Trip

Recently E and S's class went on a field trip to Big Tree Plantation. I'm always kind of surprised that the pre-school takes the 4 year olds on a field trip in December to a Christmas tree farm, but I've heard so much about this place that I'm glad we got to check it out. We took a tractor ride out to one of the Christmas tree fields and then came in for hot chocolate and popcorn. E and S have wonderful teachers and really sweet friends at school. And interestingly, all of their good buddies have names that start with L! They are in pictures above with Lily, Luke, Linley and Lauren. It is always so fun to hear the chorus of goodbyes they give to all their friends when I pick them up, and all the voices yelling goodbye to them as well. I can't believe I need to start working on their kindergarten paperwork for next year!

Advent

We are getting ready for Christmas around here! We have begun our Advent calendar and our Advent wreath to prepare for the true meaning of celebrating Christmas. Each Sunday of Advent we light our Advent candle(s) and every night at dinner we take turns picking out the scripture verses waiting in the Advent tree's pocket. The girls love picking an ornament that decorates each Christmas tree pocket when we have finished reading the verses. Look closely in the picture, the little Christmas Advent tree hanging up is the one my family used when I was growing up. I fondly remember doing the same routine around our dinner table at Christmas time. Many times I've looked for a new Christmas Tree with pockets and I have found many to choose from...but I guess there is something sentimental about the one I always come back to! So far I haven't been able to make a switch. The girls love it and so do I. I also love knowing that my mom actually made it! So here's to another year of a homeade Advent calendar, worn and tattered felt and all.

Thankful

 

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with my side this year: Aunt Marcey, Pop Pop, Mimi and Bill. Marcey and I teamed up to make Thanksgiving dinner and my mom made her famous pies from scratch. Corinne got busy making a place card for each person. And a friend had passed along the Oreo Turkey idea for which the girls excitedly jumped on board. We had fun putting those together and made a few tweaks of our own to the recipe! Aren't they cute? The girls were so proud to share them and they placed one on each dessert plate. Everything was delicious, but more importantly we have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed us with so incredibly much!

New Bling!

My dad brought back these lovely necklaces for the girls from his recent trip to Puerto Rico. They love them! Thanks Pop Pop!