Library Fun

As much as we visit the local public library, I don't think I have ever taken pictures there. So, on our last trip to check out books, I took some silly photos of the kids playing.

Isn't it funny that all of the everyday, mundane, normal activities that make up our childhood don't get photographed, while at the same time the once a year events get all the photos? I guess I am saying that I need to take more daily activity pictures. Do I hear a New Year's resolution coming into focus? Maybe that would be a good one that I could actually keep.

An update on B's reading progress...she is starting to read and sound out many words on her own. She has been my slowest learner, yet, but definitely my most enthusiastic without ever really getting frustrated! I am so happy that she is understanding phonics and decoding her words. I am very proud of her progress. She'll only be five in January! Yeah for B! I love her determination!

First Confession, Christmas with Grandpa, and the Cookie Exchange

C made her first Confession last Saturday. She was very excited and happy after she received her second Sacrament. C can hardly wait until she receives Jesus in the Holy Eucharist sometime in May or early June. This picture doesn't do her smile justice. She was beaming with joy.


Last Sunday, we celebrated Christmas really early with Grandpa. The pictures say it all.

On the following Monday, I attended a cookie exchange with some of the other home school moms in my support group. T and M helped me make the Alpine Brownie biscotti. (We call these kitchen lessons "Domestic Challenges". Who needs Home-Ec in highschool when you've already had it as an 8 and 10 yr. old?)
It was wonderful, as were all the cookies at the party. It was really a neat night with all the ladies, but the show was stolen by the little girls. We had five lovely little baby girls in attendance that night. Two of them were my twin god daughters. I just love the picture of the girls having a "gab session". Sort of similar to the adult women, huh?

Twins! Not Me, but My Sister!

Aunt Susan and Uncle Ajesh announced this past Tuesday night that they are having identical twins. It is too early to tell whether they are boys or girls, but the doctor said they are identical. Amazing! Simply amazing! What a blessing! Congratulations to Susan and Ajesh! We'll be praying for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. God bless your rapidly growing family!

They Have Her Eyes

R with her twin baby dolls. She is really loving on them lately. I don't know if she likes them so much because Grandpa gave them to her, or if it is because I have twin God daughters that we see frequently at Mass. All I know is that she isn't sharing them as much as I'd expected. At least they are cute and as R noticed, they have her eyes. Thanks grandpa for the birthday baby dolls. She loves them.

Thanksgiving Weekend Up North

It has been seven years since my family has celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents' house. It was a refreshing change to be reliving my childhood memories of the family China and crystal, not to mention WARM turkey and mashed potatoes! (No offense to dear hubby's side of the family, but I just have to have my turkey warm and my potatoes on Thanksgiving!).

The table looked beautiful and the food was delicious! Everyone pitched in and helped. It was wonderful to be with family, especially my sister and her new husband, Uncle Ajesh!
We have a tradition in our family that at Thanksgiving we go around the table saying what we are thankful for over the past year. My sister and her husband went last this year, as "the grand finale" (so said M). They happily announced that they are expecting a baby in July! We were all so happy and very grateful! The look on C's face was priceless; she was speechless and covered her mouth in awe!

After the big day of eating and watching old family films, my mom, sister, sister-in-law, and I stayed up all night to go shopping on Black Friday. That was a very cold, but memorable experience. We did get some good deals, but I don't know if I'll ever do that again.

On Saturday, Aunt Susan and I took R to the mall to get her 3rd birthday present. She wanted her ears pierced and that's what we did. She picked out some really cute Hello Kitty earrings. R also got to spend some alone time with her Aunt and I. I think she'll remember that over the ear piercing pain, or at least I hope so.

Our Big Three-Year-Old

Here is R with her pink piggy cake that she requested. It was rather simple and I was thankful she asked for something so simple. I was really sick the day I made it and just wanted to go to bed the whole time I was frosting the cake and cupcakes. She was delited when she saw the cake on the morning of her birthday, which made it all worthwhile! Happy Birthday, Becca!

First Friday and Grandpa's Visit

Wow, I've been slacking and slow about getting pictures up. Sorry. Here is one from our First Friday activities for November. We celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day by dressing up as saints and having a "Name that Saint" game. It was a lot of fun and everyone learned a thing or two about these holy heroes of the Faith. Don't they all look so cute? I was amazed at some of the great costumes. We also played Saints' Bingo.

The rest of these pictures of Grandpa coming for a visit to celebrate R's 3rd Birthday. She received twin baby dolls and was very happy. It was such a nice day out that we were able to play outside with Grandpa. The kids were all so very happy to have Grandpa come for a visit. B even was able to ride a two-wheeled bike for a little while with the help of Daddy. :)