Thursday, January 5, 2017

Elijah is TEN!

Elijah is 10! 4 Ft 6 inches, weighing 95 lbs by December and now has glasses!

This pic is from Open House for 4th grade year. Check out the origami bow tie from a dollar bill.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Our first Real Tree and first visit to Shadracks lightshow








Christmas with Zachary 2016

Zachary in our tree

Zachary came Dec 1st but we didn't have our tree up so he improvised.

Zachary and Barbie let us know we needed umbrellas

Breakfast was served, in Elf on Shelf muffin cups

Zachary lashed out at the turtles thinking they ate all the cakes

Rock climbing on cute Christmas bows, and eaten by Dino

Hide and Seek was top game

This was the day he left, he always reminds us of the true reason we celebrate

Elijah cleaned his room and was so proud. look what a mess Zachary made

The guilty elf with paper wad in hand.




Levi's first tooth


Levi's first tooth bottom right
First tooth loss, bottom left



Halloween 2016







In October we visited Salt Lick Farms





Junie B. Toothless Wonder

Levi loves Junie B.

Book Character Pumpkin

Read with a Child (20 minutes a day, every day)

Off to work with a children's book in hand.



I'd be lying if I said I read with my children 20 minutes everyday, but we try our best to read everyday. Sarah often carries books through the house and "reads" them or sits and asks me to read them over and over. Levi will sit and read books to himself quite often as well. But the one thing they are persistent about is reading before bed. When I read aloud to them. I'd also be lying if I said the kids sat quietly and listened.
 Over the summer we read Black Beauty, then we continued to read Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus and ended up falling in love with Junie B. We have now (months later) managed to read almost all of her books.
Some time ago I thought of taking a short book to school to read to the boys while on break. Of course being a nightshift nurse doesn't always allow taking a break or even lunch at a planned time, so it only happens once in a while. Levi loves waiting for mommy to facetime and read. Sarah bounces around and continues to play but I hope one day they remember these moments fondly. I know I will miss them!
FaceTime reading with mommy at work



Grandma

Making memories with Grandma and Papaw

National Read with a Child Week (Sept. 20, 2016)

3Little Pig Snacks. Straw=potato sticks, Sticks=pretzels, bricks=twix.

"Some Pig" Pizza
Sarah and Levi love reading new books, Elijah has gotten bored with sitting and reading or listening to books (except at bedtime when it keeps them from having to go to sleep for 20 minutes longer). So I jump at every chance I get to make reading and learning fun. I want to keep their love of books strong and make it a permanent part of their life.

First Day of School


Elijah's first day of 4th Grade, Levi's first day of 1st Grade. Lone Jack Elementary School. Happy boys, no tears!

Elijah Loves Drawing





Fall 2016 Professional Pictures

Photos by the Fabulous Brittany Miller at Fabulous Photography


Miss Sarah is 3, loves playing with trucks and legos but carries them in her purse while wearing her "dancing shoes" (heels). She still loves Peppa Pig, but also loves watching Barbie and all the princesses. She says her favorite food is candy but she loves "noodles" and "sickens" (chicken nuggets).  Her cousin Gracie is her best friend.

Levi is 6 years old enjoying first grade and all the girlfriends it has to offer. That's not really true, he has a heart for only one girl "Bella." He continues to love to dance and jump off of things, attempting stunts. He loves spaghetti and meatballs and pizza. He loves reading books and gets excited when he finds a sign of interest that he can read to us in town.

Elijah is 10! He still is a very picky eater, but he has definitely found his growing boy appetite. As you can see he got glasses this year and was amazed at being able to see the leaves on trees. He still has a love of legos but also enjoys Call of Duty on xbox and drawing pictures.