Jumping for Joy!

The Chunster was high on life this week. Here, she is practicing her ballet leaps (or, baway yeaps...as she says!) before Dancing with the Stars.

Is it Springtime yet?

It sure felt that way last week! It was even warm enough to don swimwear and play in the sprinklers. Alas, following some blowing dirt and now a cold-front with sleet, it doesn't feel that way anymore. West Texas weather is Crazy!

Introducing Timothy!

Meet Timothy! Timothy is the classroom puppet. Every Friday, Timothy gets to go home and spend the weekend with someone who has managed to not change his color from green ALL week long. Needless to say, Timothy has NEVER been to our home...until this weekend!

Every week since August, the Chunster has announced on Monday morning that she is going to be really good and not have to change her color or sit in thinking time. Every week, this goal has eluded her. This week, she had a new sense of determination. Last week, she mentioned it every day. Over the weekend, she talked and prayed about it. On Monday, she proudly announced she had not changed her color. On Tuesday, she met me at the front door with the same news. On Wednesday, she proclaimed that her new, big girl tennis shoes must be "Behaving Shoes" because she had made it 3 whole days. On Thursday, we cheered and high-fived because we had made it through Day 4.

On Friday, I was on pins and needles ALL day. First of all, she wanted to wear her new, sparkly (read: hideous) pink shoes for Valentine's Day. These are not her "Behaving Shoes" - but they are new. I told Amelia that ALL shoes over a size 9 are "Behaving Shoes." She went and checked the box, and sure enough, her pink, sparkly shoes are a size 9.5 (shocker!).



Also, Friday entailed singing Val-o-grams, a pizza party, and way too much sugar. I just wasn't sure that the necessary amount of self-control could be exercised on this day, but Chunie and I talked about how hard it would be to be calm, and not jump, and not talk, and listen and mind. She said she could do it. AND SHE DID!!!!



The Mama is SOOOOOO proud.




Happy Valentine's Day!

Random January Fun

Happy New Year!

We have just been hanging out and playing a lot in unseasonably warm weather. I am also realizing that some kids are born with gentle, sweet natures...and some are not. My Chun-bug has always been more on the "stubborn" than "sweet" side of things, but lately I am just seeing more and more of her natural strong personality. Where I was a very compliant, naturally obedient, people-pleaser kind of child, The Chunster is extremely strong-willed. She really just wants things done HER way. She is spirited, determined, opinionated, and often oppositional. She is also very, very bright. All moms think this about their kids, but I will say it. I am rearing a smarty-pants. Enjoy the photos and pray for the Mama that must help mold this personality!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Amelia received wayyyy too many toys, but it was fun! Amelia also enjoyed time laughing and singing with her cousins. We are so blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, more material things than seems right, and most importantly, lives lived with the knowledge of Our Lord, Jesus. We are very blessed to live in a place where we can live our faith openly and freely and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus the Messiah.

Christmas fun

Amelia and Mommy sang "Away in a Manger" in church on the Sunday morning before Christmas...Amelia and her babysitter, Susie, built a gingerbread house together...Amelia played with Cece and Heather...Amelia enjoyed ice cream with sprinkles after her school Christmas program...Grandmama, Mommy and Amelia went on a tour of the Christmas lights. And, of course...efforts for a great Christmas photo.

All Aboard The Polar Express

Amelia and I enjoyed a fun evening aboard The Polar Express. Amelia chose a long, red nightgown (she insisted that she needed a long gown like the little girl in the movie). The conductor yelled "All Aboard," and we found our seats on the upper deck. We listened to The Polar Express book on tape and enjoyed a cookie and hot chocolate presented by workers in chef attire. We rode to "The North Pole," where Santa and the elves boarded the train. Santa greeted each child and presented him/her with a silver bell. Then, the elves led us all in Christmas caroling. We finally disembarked the train about an hour later. Miss AiChun REALLY enjoyed herself, and she has been listening to the book on tape and asking me to read the book to her every night. All in all, a fun Christmas outing for the Mama and the goose-girl.

Amy