The Spirit of Christmas

I am so happy and excited for Christmas this year. Adelaide is really getting the hang of this Christmas thing. We only had to re-wrap 3 presents this year. Ivy is so excited for the lights, and music. She has been singing "Jingle Bell Rock" for weeks now. Emilie is, of course, the little mother. She is keeping track of how much candy the girls have had. If they are being naughty or nice, and trying so hard to make everything magical.
We didn't get the lights up outside this year, and that's okay. We did, however, put up our first "kid" tree. You know, the one with all the ornaments they have made over the years, and a few random ones we have collected. It was so heavily decorated on one side that it fell over once. But we laughed, picked it up, and did some redistribution. It looks like a bunch of kids decorated it, and I love it!
We have had a few casualties this year. Baby Jesus lost his feet, and my Christmas village took a big bang. But Jason was kind enough to super glue the houses back together, and it looks pretty darn good. I may need to keep my eye out for a new baby Jesus for next year, or he may just stay footless. I guess we'll see.
I think my favorite time has been reading our Christmas books together. I wrapped them all up and put them in a big bag under the tree. Each night one of the girls gets to open a book. They love it. I love it. It really helps quiet things down at night, and bring the right spirit into our home.
Of course I have had a crazy time playing catch up this last week. My semester didn't end for me till the 14th. I put off most of my Christmas shopping, and baking, and errands till it was over. It has really worn me out trying to fit all that into one week, but I think I managed pretty well, and even managed to finish with 3 days to spare! Now its time to sit back and enjoy the rest of the season with the family. Which of course means more craziness, and tons of fun. Gotta love those Poyfair Family Christmas's. And yes, our skit for the family Talent Show is even ready to go!!!
Christmas, here we come.

Barbie Uncensored

For my final photo project I was at a loss for what to do. We were given very broad guidelines, and not much direction, so really anything goes. The first group of shots I did my instructor was not very impressed with, so with one week left to go, I had to start from scratch. After looking at some work by other artists I decided to do something with toys, and I wanted to incorporate shadows with the toys. After trying a few things out, this is what I came up with. Now I know its a bit unusual for me, But I must say I do like how they turned out. Pay attention to the shadows, ad the detail you can seem in them. I really they make the photos so much more interesting. Perhaps for my next class I can try something similar, but with a different approach.

So here it is...BARBIE UNCENSORED

Yet Another Girl!!!

Yes, yes, yes. We are so excited. We are having our fourth girl. Jason, and I had such a feeling of peace as we left the lab today. We know that this new little girl is meant for our family, and we are so happy to have the opportunity to raise another sweet daughter. I have always imagined our family with 4 girls. I wouldn't say it was Divine Inspiration, but it is something I have always thought of for us. Maybe because I have so many brothers, I always wanted to be surrounded by girls. I don't know. But I just couldn't be happier with our news!

Big # 10, and a Crazy Crazy Hair Cut

Well, first of all for some reason my blog account decided to block me out of my account, and I just got it fixed today.

Emilie turned 10 last Thursday the 11th of November. She had a great day. Addie and I had lunch with her at school. Subway Spicy Italian sandwiches, per her request. Then her very kind piano teacher made her a totally cute headband. For her special birthday dinner she requested fruit crepes, and for dessert... Strawberry cake with Strawberry frosting. (Thank you Martha Stewart for providing those recipes)

Then it was present opening where she received a fancy new Barbie, and Barbie clothes, as well as her much anticipated "Smoking Hot Boots" yes those are her words!

Then, because of rain we couldn't go to Putt Putt, so we took the family to the movies and saw Mega Mind. A cute movie, and a decent substitute for miniature golf.

She had a great day, and is so happy to be a DECADE old. My darling little girl is so big now. I just love her to pieces. Happy Birthday Emme.

Now on to the crazy child, Ivy. It seems she really likes my new pixie style haircut. So much so that she decided to give herself one Sunday afternoon. It was quite a shock to see her beautiful long hair butchered to death, but Jason and I couldn't help but laugh at the White Trash Mullet she had given herself. Of course we had to take pictures to remember this one. Words will never do this even justice.

Thankfully my sweet friend and hairstylist Lacii was kind enough to give Ivy a Sunday night emergency haircut. She is so happy with it, and so proud to show it off to her friends, and teachers. I'm just glad that it will all grow back someday.

I should note that I gave her a very long talking to about not using scissors to cut our hair. We go see a professional for that!

Halloween festivities and all their fun!!

Lets start with our wonderiffic annual Halloween Party. We held it on Friday the 22nd, and what a wonderful time we had. Mummy Dogs, Cupcakes, Treasure Hunt, Tricks for Treats, and Spooky Stories. Lets not forget the Costume Parade we ended with. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the park due to the rain starting. I think overall a good time was had by all. Thanks to everyone who brought their adorable children. This is the highlight of our year. We look forward to it all year long.

Pumpkin carving is always greatly looked forward to at our house as well. The kids picked out their own, and designed their own jack-o-lanterns. Even Adelaide told Jason what shape to make the face. I think they did a rather good job. Emilie's is a robot pumpkin, and Ivy's cooked smile just cracks me up.

Boo at the Zoo!

Adelaide and I went to the Zoo on Friday the 29th with my good friend Juliann, and her kids.

We trick or treated, Addie made a bead bracelet, and colored a pumpkin. We had such a blast. Thanks Juliann for inviting us!

The Costumes:

This year Emilie decided to be a 1950's Girl. I made her a turquoise poodle skirt with a totally cute pink and white poodle. She loves it.

Ivy was a ghost this year. By far the easiest of the costumes. I bought her a $4 sheet at cut a hole out. She was the happiest kid on the block in her sheet.

Addie was my little cowgirl. My brother Paul made her the cutest little pink and brown cow girl dress. She was just adorable. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Well, I think that covers all the festivities. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but it sure was fun!

Zoo Time with Adelaide

Last Wednesday I blew off school and took Addie to the Ft. Worth Zoo. Well, actually I had a photography project I was working on, and I decided the zoo was the perfect place to do it.

We had so much fun. I really treasure my time with Adelaide. She is such a sweet child, and we

have such a great time together. I love that my choice of degree allows me the time to

work, and still play with my kids.

The pictures are in reverse order of the day. I wasn't thinking when I loaded them.

The end of a long day.

Sometimes you just have to take a moment and dance.

So thirsty!

Lovin on the elephants.

We had a great time feeding the birds

Time to ride the giant turtle statue.

The big news

Well, it looks like the cat is out of the bag, and really I can no longer hide it. I am 12 weeks pregnant with number 4. A bit of a surprise (I blame girls camp really.), but we are happy about it, and the kids are even happier.

So if anyone one has been thinking " wow, Sara's been packing it on lately." You now know why.

Oh, and FYI for my Burleson buddies, please don't tell Valerie. She doesn't know yet, and I want to be the one to spill the beans.

Predictions for boy or girl can officially begin.

Muppet Babies

Addie cracks me up. I walked into her room a couple days ago, and this is what I saw. I couldn't not take pictures of her.

My new love

I am loathe to post this, but I love it so much I just have to do it. I saw this on another blog that I stalk occasionally (Burlap and Blue) and thought, I can do that. So I did.

Chalkboard Dessert Plates.

I am so in love with the practice one I made that I have decided to make them for Christmas presents this year. So, if you are lucky enough to be on mine or Jason's Home teaching or Visiting teaching routes, you now know what to expect. (Leanne, you do not get two!) If you are not so lucky, now would be a good time to call Sis. Meyers, or Bro. Smith and request a change. And yes, my lucky Sisters-in-law, you will be getting them too.

So without further ado, the Dessert Plate....

Conversations with Adelaide

Everyday, starting as soon as the big sisters are safely deposited at school, Addie asks me the following questions:

Addie: Mommy, Emme go? (she leaves out the "where" in her sentence)

Me: Emme's at school.

Addie: Oh. (pause) Ivy go?

Me: Ivy's at school.

Addie: Oh. (pause) Mommy, Daddy go?

Me: He's at work.

Addie: Oh. (pause) Paul go?

Me: Paul's at work too.

Addie: Mommy, Addie go?

Me: Your in the stoller (or possibly the car.)

Addie: Oh. Mommy go?

Me: I'm right here with you.

Addie: Oh.

Now wait about 10 minutes, and start the entire conversation again. If you do that about 20 times, you'll understand what my day is like with Adelaide.

Off To School Again!

Today is the first day of school for Jason and the girls. I don't know who is more excited, them or me! I asked Emilie if she wanted me to walk her to class today. Her response was " Mom I'm in 4th grade now, don't you think I'm a little old for that." (Please insert the sarcastic teen voice for more accuracy when reading that.)

Jason too refused my offer to walk him to class today. He thought it would be awkward or something.

So I walked a very happy Ivy to her class this morning. She remembered where her locker and desk are, and was very happy to show off her little sister to her new teacher.

Speaking of, Adelaide keeps asking me where her sisters are. I think its too quiet in the house for her right now. But I'm sure she'll get over it when she realizes she has me all to herself again.

So a happy first day to my family, and to everyone else's too.