AJ asked me this morning "Mom, what is 13 + 13?"
I quickly replied "26."
With a look of astonishment on his face he told me
"Mom, you are smarter than a FROG!"
Wow! A frog! Smarter than a frog?!
I guess I'll take it as a compliment :)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Excitement & Anticipation
As Christmas Day gets closer and closer,
the boys are increasingly excited.
Here are a few things we have been doing this Christmas season.
Each year the boys put together a gingerbread house. AJ especially loves this activity. This year they got to share the experience with Mama Fern and Papa Ron while we were at a holiday party. I had to find an out of the way place to stash the completed gingerbread house so that it wouldn't be demolished by little fingers wanting one more taste of the icing & candy.
AJ has enjoyed his 'Countdown to Christmas'
paper chain he made in school.
I took this photo yesterday when we were down to 4 more days.
This Advent Calendar is my favorite countdown.
Each day we open the numbered door and put a new
magnetic piece on the nativity scene.
All that is left is Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.
It's almost Christmas!
Only a few more packages to wrap,
cleaning to be done, pies to make,
pictures to take,
and cookies to bake!
Monday, December 21, 2009
School's Out
On the first official day of Christmas Break, AJ said "I wish I had school every day!"
He would be staying home today even if school were in session. AJ has his 3rd ear infection since October. What a way to begin Christmas Break!
He would be staying home today even if school were in session. AJ has his 3rd ear infection since October. What a way to begin Christmas Break!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Not Your Typical Choo Choo
Last year we took the boys to the Christmas Train and began a new tradition for our family. Riding the train is an experience you will not easily forget. Along the tracks, you see and hear the Creation Story and the narrative of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. It is very well done.
We were excited to return to the Christmas Train this year. 
Waiting to board the train with tickets in hand.
The night wouldn't be complete without a visit to the man in the red suit. Santa Claus that is! AJ sat on his lap and told him the top three things on his wish list. JJ wasn't interested in getting too close to Santa. 
It was chilly, but we had a great time! AJ liked the train ride and the story of Jesus best.
JJ liked the candy stick and hot chocolate.
We can't wait to go again next year!
Programs & Parties
JJ's preschool put on a Christmas program last week. I was hopeful that JJ would have a better experience than the Thanksgiving program and actually sing & clap at the appropriate time.
Well, there was no singing or clapping for JJ in the Christmas program this year. At least I can say that while he did sit on the steps in protest of the performance, he did not make a scene. I wonder if he will be more willing to participate in these kinds of events next year. For now, we have these photos of our strong willed, only does things when he decides he wants to do them, JJ.
Finally off stage, we see a smile. Never mind that he was supposed to be facing forward and quietly watching the rest of the program.
Well, there was no singing or clapping for JJ in the Christmas program this year. At least I can say that while he did sit on the steps in protest of the performance, he did not make a scene. I wonder if he will be more willing to participate in these kinds of events next year. For now, we have these photos of our strong willed, only does things when he decides he wants to do them, JJ.
Finally off stage, we see a smile. Never mind that he was supposed to be facing forward and quietly watching the rest of the program.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Words from JJ
Tonight JJ said "The angels said 'Do not be afraid'."
My heart smiles - he does listen!
My heart smiles - he does listen!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas Decorations
I love decorating for Christmas and thought I would
show you my favorites.
This Willow Tree nativity tops the list.
My MIL made this garland for me a few years ago. It has lights that cast a beautiful glow on our "great room" at night.
This ornament is my favorite new addition to the tree this year. JJ made it at preschool. It is a "peanut" baby Jesus
in a popsicle stick manger.
Isn't it precious!
Candy Making Weekend
I was a busy girl this weekend making candy for teachers gifts and a few friends.
This is a new recipe I tried - Crockpot Peanut Clusters. Jimmie said it looked like chocolate soup :) It's soup-er easy and makes a TON of candy. The only hard part about this process (besides keeping from taste testing too much) is standing at the kitchen counter for an hour spooning candy and having a place to lay it all out.
It's basically the same as the original recipe only you use Kashi cereal and sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries on top - yummy and reasonably healthy.
I tried to do most of the work while JJ was napping. It was challenging to keep the boys' fingers out of everything! They liked the chocolate dipped pretzels the best.
I'm going to need to fit a few workouts into my schedule this week!
This is a new recipe I tried - Crockpot Peanut Clusters. Jimmie said it looked like chocolate soup :) It's soup-er easy and makes a TON of candy. The only hard part about this process (besides keeping from taste testing too much) is standing at the kitchen counter for an hour spooning candy and having a place to lay it all out.
Ingredients:
2 lbs salted peanuts
48 ounces white almond bark chocolate
4 ounces sweet German chocolate
12 ounces dark chocolate
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in the crockpot.
Cook on low for 3 hours - don't touch it.
Turn crockpot off and let sit for 20 minutes.
Stir well.
Drop by teaspoons full onto waxed paper & let harden.
Store in airtight container.
Here is another treat I made from a Southern Living recipe -
Whole Grain Rice Krispy Treats with Dried Cranberries.
It's basically the same as the original recipe only you use Kashi cereal and sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries on top - yummy and reasonably healthy.
I tried to do most of the work while JJ was napping. It was challenging to keep the boys' fingers out of everything! They liked the chocolate dipped pretzels the best.I'm going to need to fit a few workouts into my schedule this week!
Lesson in Effective Arguing
Overheard the other day after a Pez candy dispenser went missing:
JJ: AJ, you took it!
AJ: Did not!
JJ: Did yes!
AJ: No JJ, say "Did too!"
JJ: Did too!
AJ: Did not!
JJ: (silence)
AJ: JJ, say "Did too!"
JJ: Did too!
The things that younger siblings learn from older brothers and sisters is really something!
JJ: AJ, you took it!
AJ: Did not!
JJ: Did yes!
AJ: No JJ, say "Did too!"
JJ: Did too!
AJ: Did not!
JJ: (silence)
AJ: JJ, say "Did too!"
JJ: Did too!
The things that younger siblings learn from older brothers and sisters is really something!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My Favorite Holidays
I just LOVE Thanksgiving! It's one of my favorite holidays.
I love it for it's simpleness. I love spending the day with family. I love the FOOD! And I love to ponder all the things I'm thankful for. I'm mostly thankful that God sent his son Jesus to the earth as a tiny baby to teach us about His love and ultimately die on the cross to save us from our sins.
We had an interesting weekend. It started off with a program at JJ's preschool. His class dressed as pilgrims and were soooo cute! The only problem was that JJ didn't want to be a pilgrim. He wanted to be an Indian. Here he is expressing his displeasure with his costume.
He didn't sing. He didn't play his instrument. He didn't do any of the movements to the songs. His teacher later asked him why he was crying at the Pow Wow. She said that he told her "Because I was sad, and I was mad, and I didn't want to be a pilgrim." Too bad. He would have been a really cute pilgrim. At least he enjoyed this cute turkey sandwich that I made for him. He's not so much a fan of turkey, but loves bell peppers. My picky eater is so unpredictable!
AJ had a "feast" at school too. With all the turkey talk, he was getting excited about the "real" feast we would have at Mama Fern's house on Thursday. He too is a picky eater. So I had the idea to create a chart of all the foods that would be served and let him document what he tried, liked and disliked. I was hopeful that having the chart would encourage him to at least try something new and discover that he liked it (mainly my homemade apple pie). Well, here is the chart after the feast was digested.
AJ's plate ended up looking pretty bland - turkey, mashed potatoes, and a roll. This is exactly what his Daddy's plate looks like every year (except Jimmie will eat my apple pie). Oh well, there is always next year.
The day after Thanksgiving, while our boys spent the night with Mama Fern & Papa Ron, Jimmie and I got up SUPER early to shop Black Friday at Wal-Mart. We snagged a few great deals and are now almost finished with our Christmas shopping. While we were bargain shopping, JJ woke up early with a stomach bug. He created quite a mess at Mama Fern's house, but was feeling better and wanting to snuggle by the time they brought him home. This tired mommy was more than willing to indulge him with cuddle time.
Thanksgiving is the perfect lead in to Christmas, my other favorite holiday. We have been decorating, shopping, and setting our minds on the true meaning of the season as it approaches. We put up the tree, the garland, the nativity, and a wreath on the door.
The lights went up on the house a couple of weeks ago, but we turned them on for the first time on Friday. That process went much more smoothly this year than last. We had labeled each strand of lights as they were removed last year so we didn't have to go through the frustrations we experienced a year ago. Also, we borrowed a taller ladder than we had access to last year to reach the peak over the garage.
I said a prayer as Jimmie climbed up to put on the lights (and reminded myself of his insurance policies)! As the daughter of an insurance agent I'm prompted to ask, Do you have adequate coverage?!
As much as I love Thanksgiving, it can't compare with Christmas. After all, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! May your Christmas season be full of hope and love!
I love it for it's simpleness. I love spending the day with family. I love the FOOD! And I love to ponder all the things I'm thankful for. I'm mostly thankful that God sent his son Jesus to the earth as a tiny baby to teach us about His love and ultimately die on the cross to save us from our sins.
We had an interesting weekend. It started off with a program at JJ's preschool. His class dressed as pilgrims and were soooo cute! The only problem was that JJ didn't want to be a pilgrim. He wanted to be an Indian. Here he is expressing his displeasure with his costume.
The hat comes off.
The collar comes off.
The collar comes off.He didn't sing. He didn't play his instrument. He didn't do any of the movements to the songs. His teacher later asked him why he was crying at the Pow Wow. She said that he told her "Because I was sad, and I was mad, and I didn't want to be a pilgrim." Too bad. He would have been a really cute pilgrim. At least he enjoyed this cute turkey sandwich that I made for him. He's not so much a fan of turkey, but loves bell peppers. My picky eater is so unpredictable!
AJ had a "feast" at school too. With all the turkey talk, he was getting excited about the "real" feast we would have at Mama Fern's house on Thursday. He too is a picky eater. So I had the idea to create a chart of all the foods that would be served and let him document what he tried, liked and disliked. I was hopeful that having the chart would encourage him to at least try something new and discover that he liked it (mainly my homemade apple pie). Well, here is the chart after the feast was digested.
AJ's plate ended up looking pretty bland - turkey, mashed potatoes, and a roll. This is exactly what his Daddy's plate looks like every year (except Jimmie will eat my apple pie). Oh well, there is always next year.
The day after Thanksgiving, while our boys spent the night with Mama Fern & Papa Ron, Jimmie and I got up SUPER early to shop Black Friday at Wal-Mart. We snagged a few great deals and are now almost finished with our Christmas shopping. While we were bargain shopping, JJ woke up early with a stomach bug. He created quite a mess at Mama Fern's house, but was feeling better and wanting to snuggle by the time they brought him home. This tired mommy was more than willing to indulge him with cuddle time.
Thanksgiving is the perfect lead in to Christmas, my other favorite holiday. We have been decorating, shopping, and setting our minds on the true meaning of the season as it approaches. We put up the tree, the garland, the nativity, and a wreath on the door.
The lights went up on the house a couple of weeks ago, but we turned them on for the first time on Friday. That process went much more smoothly this year than last. We had labeled each strand of lights as they were removed last year so we didn't have to go through the frustrations we experienced a year ago. Also, we borrowed a taller ladder than we had access to last year to reach the peak over the garage.
I said a prayer as Jimmie climbed up to put on the lights (and reminded myself of his insurance policies)! As the daughter of an insurance agent I'm prompted to ask, Do you have adequate coverage?!As much as I love Thanksgiving, it can't compare with Christmas. After all, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! May your Christmas season be full of hope and love!
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