A Rainbow Birthday Party

We did Peanut's party about five weeks early this year because of the Trifecta's expected arrival date.  I'm so glad we did too, because I was/am feeling every bit of 37 weeks pregnant.  I can't imagine doing the party at 39 or 40 weeks OR even one or two weeks postpartum AND nursing at the same time.  There's just no way! 

It was SO ridiculously HOT this last Saturday, but the kids had a great time swimming in my parents pool.  So thankful to have that option of entertainment!  I'll just share the rest in photos. 

Kindergarten Graduation

I am not even going to go there about how late this is. Considering this happened at the end of May.

 Ahem.

OR how I even feel about Kindergarten "graduation."  I mean, really?!?!??

But I found these pictures all edited and ready to go and realized how I never even posted them.  And considering school starts a month from today, I better get these posted.  Otherwise, what's the point--amIright? 

Why, yes, yes, I am. 

Our girl with her wonderful Kindergarten and music teacher.  What a year this was!



 

Easter 2015 in Pictures

Our girl has quite the social calendar.

The last week has been pretty busy around here.  Busy for us that is.  I know plenty of people that are much busier than we are, but either way, we've had lots going on! 

Last week, our little Peanut had her second trimester awards assembly, for which she received a certificate for Highest Honors.  She essentially got straight A's or pluses in our case.  I didn't even know they did this in Kindergarten, but apparently they do.  And while one part of me thinks it's kinda silly (I mean it is just Kindergarten), the other part of me is really proud!  Kindergarten or not, this girl has learned a TON this school year.  She is reading now, learning to tell time, learning addition and subtraction, to count by 2's, 5's, 10's--the list goes on and on.  So the fact that she is learning so much and retaining nearly all of that information is impressive.   

She also had to do a country report this week (with a fair amount of help from mom and dad-which was expected) and we had the opportunity to sit in on her little presentation.  She did well--she just needs to learn to speak up a little.  I have no idea where she gets that from!  Ahem.

Yesterday, while the little brother and daddy were both taking naps, the Peanut and I snuck (apparently this is not a word?  whatev) off to the library to pick up a book I had requested for her.  I have been reading Beverly Cleary's Ramona series to the Peanut before bed.  My mom and dad gave her a big ol' boxed set of Beverly Cleary books at Christmas. However, for whatever reason, the publisher's included all but one (!) of the Ramona books in the set. 

So I requested it from the library and it finally came.  Since it was just us (sans the 2.5 year old), we got the Peanut set up with her own library card now that she can write her own name.  Well.  That just about made her year. Yes, her year. As the librarian was entering her application in the computer, she pulled out a box from underneath the counter with these cute little crocheted library card purses that some sweet little volunteer ladies make for kids who are getting their first library cards.  Oh my. You would have thought the Peanut was just handed the moon.  Excited does not even begin to describe it.  She tried to wear the purse to bed last night, which I quickly nixed for fear of strangulation.  But then, when we got to school today to watch her give her presentation, I saw her wearing her little purse.  Apparently, she brought the library card purse to school.  Which neither her daddy or I knew about.  Nice.  I fear the teenage years already. 

Lastly, the Peanut had her spring voice recital on Monday night (Grandpa's 60th birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!) and she sang her solo, Singing in the Rain.  Me?  I cried.  Because I am a sap like that.  She did really well though.  It's amazing to see her confidence grow on stage each time she gets up there. 

So I will end with the video of her performance.  It's kinda cute. 




 

Life Does Go On After Christmas

I set a goal for myself that I wanted to get another post up on this here blog by the end of January.  And here we are with just three hours to go and I am achieving said goal.

Clearly, I strive for greatness.

Most who know me in real life know that I call January "let down month."  It truly does stink.  If I had to rank the months from favorite to least favorite, January wouldn't even make the cut.  All the festivities are over, school is back in session, and while I once claimed I like love winter, I've come to realize I simply don't.  What I do love is the fall/winter season right up until real life resumes the day after Christmas break. And then?  Well, winter might as well be done.  Which is truly discouraging, since according to that thing we call an almanac, says that we have about another 10-11 weeks of winter left.

Hmph.  

Now, if we actually got a little snow, that could certainly change my perspective, but the weather here has been very, very mild and I don't see any snow in our near future.  Not that I am a meteorologist or anything.

So, here are just a few highlights from the last time I posted.....

As I mentioned awhile back, my awesome dad has been working on the top part of our "built-in" desk.  I'm getting SO excited.....it's getting so much closer to being done!

♥

At Peanut's school, we have to put in volunteer hours for each student enrolled.  Because I have a two year old and a hard working husband that works crazy hours, I didn't feel comfortable committing to things/activities at school with never knowing what the Hub's schedule would be and not knowing if I would have someone to watch the boy.  So.  I signed up to help with a fruit platter once a month for the weekly staff meetings.  It was something I could do completely from home and I could just drop off in the office.  (Side note:  I was totally hoping for the muffins portion {so much cheaper!}, but they only had need for the fruit platter, which I guess is how God wanted me to bless them, so there you have it!)

Well, despite all my ranting and raving about the month of January, ironically, out of the three fruit platters I did (September, October, and January--November and December aren't done because of the holidays), January ended up being both the prettiest and best tasting month!

♥

On New Year's Eve, I was reading the little brother's devotion to him before bed and it talked about being thankful for all the blessings from the past year.  I asked him what he was thankful for this year. I kid you not, he looked at me and whispered, "Money in my piggy bank."

ALEX P. KEATON.

I couldn't make this stuff up even if I tried.

 ♥

We've had quite a few nice days in these last few weeks and so the kids were actually able to play outside.  The Peanut was all into her chalk drawings and the little brother was semi-interested in the chalk.  What he really liked was the small piece of bubble wrap I gave him to play with that was from a package I received that afternoon.  Yes, I know you aren't supposed to give small children pieces of plastic to play with.  #momfail


Peanut also got to have fun at her school's Family Fun Night this past Friday night.  She got to eat pizza, an ice cream sandwich, popcorn, and I even threw caution to the wind and let her get an orange soda instead of water.  Plus, she got to play in three bounce houses, get a balloon flower from the balloon animal artist, play the Plinko booth, shoot in a basketball shot competition, and walk in a cupcake walk.


Obviously, she was miserable the whole time.

♥

Daddy converted the little brother's crib and now he has a "big boy" bed.  He was just a little bit excited. He shows everyone who will watch how he can climb in and out "all by my-sef."  It's pretty cute.

Except when the 6 am wake up call comes running into our room.  #thatsnotcute

♥

My aunt and uncle got the Peanut a Lego set for Christmas.  WOW.  Had I known how enthralled she would be by them, I would have got her the set myself.  We did get her a very small set as soon as she was old enough (2.5-3 years ago?) and all she did with it was use the many pieces to "cook" with in her kitchen.  You know, sauteed Lego with a wine reduction?  I was less than impressed, because I knew the pieces were all going to wind up missing.  Anyhow, fast forward several years later and she hasn't stopped playing with it since Christmas.  Plus, she had some leftover birthday money and we let her buy another set off of Amazon.  Hours upon hours of entertainment, people!

And last but not least, I was getting all stressed about getting her Valentines done.  I was thinking they had to be done this week, but I guess I could use a calendar, because I actually had about two weeks to get them done.  Peanut filled out all the Valentines and I made the little pencil arrows to go with.  Thank you, Pinterest.  Once again.  Because we all know a Valentine is just a Valentine....unless we Pinterest it, right?  Yes, I realize I am part of the problem.

The Peanut Takes a Picture

Since I am the official picture taker of our little family, there are very few pictures with me in our photos.  While my kids will surely know someday that I was there at all the events, I would like for handful of them to actually have me in them as well. 

However.  I am really bad about remembering to ask the Hubs to take some pictures with me in them.  See how this plays out?

Then the other day, Peanut begged to take a picture of me and the boy. 

And I let her.  I know, right?

She did pretty good, considering she is even more a novice than I am.  We just might have a newly added photographer in the family!


 

Christmas Performances

The Peanut had her school's Christmas program last week.  It went well and she did great.  Each of the classes does 1-2 songs, starting with the youngest (this being her class--the Kindergarteners) and ending with the 5th grade classes.  Her class's song selections were Go Tell It On the Mountain and O Come All Ye Faithful.  O Come All Ye Faithful was wonderful just as expected, but Go Tell It On the Mountain?  Well, it was oh, SO sweet.  It's not a Christmas song you hear a lot--at least not on the radio.  I mean, I grew up knowing the Mahalia Jackson version of the song.  Very few current artists do this song on their Christmas albums.  But Let It Snow?  Excuse my while I roll my eyes. Not only do I REALLY NOT care for this song, but it seems like EVERYONE has sang it. It's just so not my favorite, mmmkay?

ANYHOW, her class's little version of Go Tell It On the Mountain was complete with hand motions (most of which I believe were ASL, but I'm not entirely sure?).  And it. was. precious. So precious that I've had her sing it for me since because it's just that sweet.

I love her little school programs.  But it was kind of a bummer this year because her school program was the same exact night at nearly the same exact time as her voice {lessons} recital.  So we had to choose one.  We thought it was important that she be at her school program with her class, since that was a one time event.  Plus, part of her music grade was based on her attendance at the Christmas program.  Secondly, she still had a chance to preform with her voice lesson comrades this last weekend at a local retirement home.  So we had her do just that.  She sang in the school's program and then she also sang with the other "voice" students this past Saturday night.  Plus, it was good that these last three months of practicing her Christmas solo were not in vain!!


Her solo was great too, despite her bundle of nerves an hour before her program.  I think she's starting to get nervous for these things, which saddens me.  It means that she's starting to feel self conscious, doesn't it?   I mean, wow, the girl wouldn't even eat her dinner before the recital.  That's just not like her!   Anyhow, if you would like to view it, here it is:


In the end, she still got past it and she did a fabulous job once she got up there.  The posing at the end?  All her idea.  The Merry Christmas at the end?  All her idea. 

My little precious Peanut, how did you grow up so fast? 


 

Happenings Around Here

Thanksgiving has come and gone {explain to me exactly how that happened?} and we are already full swing into many Christmas festivities.  But before I forget, I wanted to share these little tidbits.

♥  

My dad's employer is one of the very few left that still gifts a turkey to their employees for Thanksgiving.  My dad also likes to bless us, so he gave it to us.  We all went to my aunt's home and had a lovely Thanksgiving Day at her house, but I am in the camp that Thanksgiving just isn't the same if you don't have leftovers.  I cooked up the gifted turkey the Saturday after Thanksgiving (along with {from scratch} green bean casserole {FYI: once you go scratch, you never go back.  For reals.}, horseradish carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy and of course, fresh cranberry sauce) so we too, could have a weeks worth of meals.

Once all the trimmings leftovers were gone, of course we had lots of turkey still to be eaten.  So the family favorite White Enchiladas was on the menu. Can you say yum? 

And then. 

Ladies (and gentlemen as it may be), these are the new family fave for leftover turkey. 

Turkey Taquitos with a Spicy Cranberry Dipping Sauce

I was reading my favorite Food Network Magazine and Guy said these were his favorite to make with leftover turkey.  And funny enough, it isn't his recipe, but they are still oh so delicious!  I'll be honest, they are a pain to make if you don't have a deep fryer (we don't) but well worth it!!!  While casseroles that use up all the trimmings are great, they still taste like Thanksgiving dinner, and if you are like me, four or five days in you want. some. variety. of flavors!!!  Any Mexican inspired dishes are always a hit at our house, and these are a great option.

I also made these pretzel rolls and these schnitzle sandwiches recently.  Actually, it was about six weeks ago, but whatever.  The rolls tasted great (which I thought turned out looking pretty good too!) and the schnitzel sandwiches were divine. 

♥ 

We've all been passing around the sickies.  So that's fun.  But what's really the greatest is that I currently sound like (and have for about a week now) a fifty year old two-pack-a-day-smoker named Roxie.  I'm telling you, it's every bit as charming as it sounds. 

 ♥ 

About a month ago, our sweet boy was at the counter eating his lunch and he looked a little sad.  He was propping up his head on the counter with his crooked arm {I hope that word picture makes sense}.  I asked what was wrong and he said to me, "Me wish me had a truck like Daddy's" and sighed a sigh so big, you would have thought he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 ♥

A few weeks ago, I overheard the Peanut telling her Daddy about her day at school.  They have chapel on Fridays and she was telling him all about it:

"Sometimes when we are singing, people hold up their hands and close their eyes......I don't know why they close their eyes. But they hold up their hands 'cause it's like they are giving a high five to God."

Oh my gosh, I just about died laughing.  This girl is something else.  I feel like I fail her on so many different levels each and every day and she is just still as sweet and innocent as can be. 

I can't believe God chose me (!!!) to be her and my son's mama. 

To say I am humbled would be an understatement. 

The Perfectly Imperfect Gingerbread House

I am learning and really, have been learning since the Peanut was about two, that these traditions I am trying to create with them don't have to be perfect. 

Why yes, I am a very slow work-in-progress.

Anyhow, our little Christmas schedule is quickly filling and between all my DIY projects, Peanut being in school, and just living life {otherwise known as cleaning, laundry, ironing, bath time, the revolving door of sickness, etc}, there were very few days where Operation: Decorate Gingerbread House could commence. So this weekend it was.

And thank you, Grandma, for picking this up for the kids and thank you, Wilton, for placing such high expectations (for myself) of how these should turnout. (Really, their little kit is great and such a time saver, but holy smokes, do these people have children?  I think not.)

By about the third candy placed on the house and in between the little brother placing the gumdrops IN his mouth before placing them ON the house {"Me didn't eat, me just tasted" was his explanation}, I realized the picture perfect gingerbread house would not happen. Why yes, I believe I've had the conversation in my head before.  The same happened this year as well. 

But once again, just like all the other times, in the end the kids had such fun, and could. not. wait. for Daddy to get home so they could show him their artistic prowess. 

It was a great day.


 

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Today was Peanut's last day of school prior to her Thanksgiving break.  She was so excited for "the feast," as it had been referred to all week prior.  They didn't even have to bring lunches today, so it was quite the big deal.  Just ask our 6 year old daughter.

Here she is with her besties.  Ha, ha!  Although, she has never referred to these girls as that, from the way I hear Peanut's tales from school and recess, these three are inseparable and I am so thankful she has made such good little friends just a few months into the year!  

All the children made Pilgrim hats and they did a few recitations and songs for the mommies and daddies in attendance.
 
This is mommy's favorite {a new one for me}:

The turkey is a funny bird
Its head goes bobble-bobble;
And all he knows is just one word...
And that is
GOBBLE-GOBBLE-GOBBLE!

And an old favorite:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  Psalm 118:1 

 

Many blessings to each of your families this Thanksgiving.  

 

The Theater

About a year and a half ago, we began a new tradition with our little Peanut--we have been taking her to plays.  

One of my closest friends (her mom matched up the Hubs and I) has a daughter (our flower girl!) that is involved in a Christian theater arts group and I have taken the Peanut to several of their productions.  Of course this is an "amateur" arts group, but I seriously think they put on some really great performances.  Although I've only seen three of them, I have loved each and every one! 

Last year we saw The Little Princess.  Just an FYI, this was the first book that I never finished as a young, avid reader--I thought the story was so sad and depressing--I just hated it as a little girl.  But their performance of it made me love the play, so I really think that says something. 

Earlier this year we saw The Little Mermaid, Jr.   Need I say more.....I mean really, what's not to love??!?  Great characters, great music, great costumes......

And just this past weekend we were able to go see our former flower girl starring as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Jr.  She did SO good!  And this time we were finally able to work it out so the Hubs could come with us.  There might have been some initial arm twisting.  In the end though, I think he had a really good time. 

This is actually how we were able to get the Peanut into her voice lessons.  Her instructor advertises in the play's programs and since the Peanut has always been such a little singer around the house, I thought why not put her in voice lessons?  I mean, I certainly can't instruct her in that area, so why not have a professional do it one day a week?

Anyhow, we had a great time and we can't wait for the next one!

And just like that, the season is over

The season was just eight short weeks and just like that, it's over.  I think the Peanut enjoyed herself playing soccer, but she has some mixed emotions to be sure.  She told me more than once today that she was sad that it was over.  But then when I inferred that she would play again next year, she didn't seem too big on the idea. 

She ended up playing goalie quite a bit throughout the season.  I'd venture to guess probably 85% of the games?  There wasn't hardly any bench time for her and when she was out on the field, she was goalie.  But the thing is, while she did pretty well at it, she didn't like being goalie.  She wanted to be in on the action--part of the fun.  But then today, she got her chance (her first time in several games) to play both offense and defense and she didn't know quite what to do with that.  And in her defense, she didn't have much practice doing playing either position, so what were we expecting really?  I think if she had had more practice in playing those positions, she would definitely have more confidence out on the field.

It really is a bummer too that it was over so fast, because her team really seemed to be finding their groove.  They were really learning to play as a team and passing the ball to teammates to accomplish the goal making efforts as a team--which I think is big for 6-7 year olds!  I'm sure it always seems like that though, right?  Just as the bigger picture is figured out, the season is over. 

They had a pizza party after the game today and they got little certificates for team participation.  Several of the teams from her school went to the same pizza place and one of those teams got trophies for their participation.  I think that the certificates and/or trophies portion was coordinated by the parents of the team and I am glad our team didn't do trophies.  That probably sounds really bad, but this was a soccer league that didn't keep score.  So if they are not keeping score, then there isn't winning or loosing, right?  And to me, trophies indicate that you've won something.  Personally, I am so not in the camp of "not keeping score." 

While I am probably the least competitive person on the planet (according to my husband), I don't think not keeping score is a good idea.  Now, at this age level, it's probably not really that big of a deal.  The purpose of this league is for the kids to learn to play the game and have fun.  And that was definitely accomplished.  But while "score" wasn't kept, most of the kids totally knew which teams won each week.  So whatever "they" were trying to avoid, wasn't really avoided. 

Anyhow, I think Kristen said it very well last spring in this post.  I think in the long run, all these certificates (yes, those too!) and trophies can give today's kids an over inflated sense of self and I think that can be very dangerous, you know?  In the end, loosing can build character and it makes you learn how to do better next time.  Just like in real life, right?  You learn from your mistakes and you move forward and do better next time.  Funny how that works.....? 

There is always room for improvement, am I right? 

But for this time around, I'm glad she had fun (I think she probably enjoys the social interaction the most.....ah, yes, my little social butterfly!) and hopefully when my brother-in-law moves home, he can coach the Peanut and train her and she'll be more confident and want to give it another go next year.