12 Great Years

Emilie is now Officially a Beehive! She is twelve years old now, and is entering the 

glorious and fun world of Young Womens, and pre-teendom.

She is a great girl. I love spending time with her. We had

a great time this weekend for her birthday. Friday I took her shopping. She picked

out a super cute new outfit, and we had great time talking, and laughing together.

Saturday we got a babysitter, and Jason and I took her to the movies.

She is so fun to watch movies with. She gets so excited and into

what she is watching. The movie really comes

alive through her.

Sunday, her actual birthday, she was not too happy with me

because I made her take part in her final Primary Program. I even made her 

write a one minute talk for her part 

in the program. I know, I know, Mean Mom!

She did go to Young Women's for the first time, and she 

loved it.

She also met the our Bishop for her age 12 interview, and 

got a temple recommend to attend

 her first baptisms for the dead at the  Dallas Temple on Saturday.

She is super excited about that!

For her birthday dessert she decided on ice cream pizza.

We had a great time digging in with our forks and 

eating right off the pizza pan.

What a fun idea she had. We'll be making this again.

I think Jason wants one for his birthday day now.

We may have a new family tradition in the making.

Happy Birthday to you Emilie.

I love you,

Mom

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you ...

Little baby fingers couldn't wait.
Sugar cookie crust
strawberry ice cream
chocolate syrup
whipped cream
 and cherries
DELICIOUS!

 Dig in Everybody!!!

water, worms, and wands

Today I had the joy and pleasure to host Adelaide's preschool class. We learned about the letter W. At first I wondered why on earth did I pick W? I even considered changing it at the last minute. I'm so glad I didn't. I've pondering on what to do with the kids for last few weeks, and drawing a complete blank. So, I decided it was time to call in the big guns. No, not super experienced teacher Jason, My Heavenly Father. The most experienced teacher of all. I prayed for inspiration, and boy did it ever strike when I needed it. I was flooded with ideas all of a sudden, and everything came together beautifully.

We talked about the letter W and what it looks like, what sound it makes, and what things start with W. We talked a lot about water, and some of it's many uses. Then we went outside to play with water sensory boxes. I have been wanting to make sensory boxes for Addie and Ella for a while now and I am super excited to have a water one all ready for them. It was also probably the easiest to make. A plastic storage bin filled with about 2 quarts of water. Some measuring cups and spoons, and some plastic sea creatures. The kids loved this activity. With played with it for a little over 30 minutes, and when entertaining 6 preschoolers, that's saying something.

Form there we moved on to worms. I bought a container of big juicy night crawlers. We took some out and held them. We talked about where they live, and what they eat. We watched them wiggle around on the ground, and we saw how they use their bodies to crawl. The boys were a little squeamish at first, but soon warmed up to our wiggly friends. The girls dove right in, holding them and washing them with water from our boxes. When our worms needed a break from all the attention, we went inside to paint worm pictures with cooked spaghetti noodles. We dipped the noodles in paint, and pulled them across the paper the way worms crawl, to make worm tracks. The kids thought this was cool. I'm a little afraid I didn't throw away as many noodles as I cooked. I wonder where they all went??? We also painted wormy apples. Apples pictures with a hole in them for their finger worm to fit through.

We took a walk around our circle, and got our wiggles out by doing the hokey pokey. We played with colored ice cubes from my fish, star, and pumpkin trays. they colored ice was actually a bigger hit than I expected, and the kids liked munching on the cold frozen shapes. 

We read books about witches for our last activity of the day. I love how easy it is to get the kids to settle down for a story. They love books and being read to. I could have gone on longer and I think they would have loved it, but by then it was lunch time.

Everyone got to take home a whistle, some gummy worms, a magic wand that I made for them, and a cup of live worms. I had so much fun, and I am so thankful the the inspiration that came to me. It is such a small thing, but it really means a lot to me that everything worked out so well.

ghosts, ghouls, and princesses too

Last night we held our Fifth Annual Poyfair Halloween Party.

It pretty much rocked. We had a total of 28 kids

running through our house last night. I'm actually a little

disappointed we didn't hit 30. 

Once again Jason mesmerized the kids with his 

ghost stories. Ivy and Mason even jumped

in with a couple of their own. 

Adelaide mostly hid behind the chair till the

stories were over.

They played Zombie Tag, Tricks for Treats,

went on a Treasure Hunt, did the Limbo,

and we ended with a costume parade to the park. 

Complete with glow sticks for everyone.

In past years I have failed to get pictures of the kids

in their costumes. This year I finally got smart.

I had Emilie set me up a little photo spot out front. As the kids

arrived I had them pose for pictures, then today I went over to

cvs and printed a picture for each kid.  They came out totally cute.

I think I will do it this way from now on.

I so love our Halloween party. I am so glad we

do this each year. 

Now I just have to wait 

till next year to do it again! 

 Ghost story time

 My little sour puss

 Ella is always ready for a photo

Mason the Angry Bird Zombie

 Bailey and Shelby

 Joshie

 Hannah, Sarah, Josh, and Penny

 Tyler

 Abby and Kambry

Ethan, Alaina, and Jeremy 

Alexis and Hailey

Eighteen Months and Growing Strong

I can hardly believe that my little Carmella Mae is 18 months old! In fact I'm not so sure I'm ready for this. I seem to be having a tough time dealing with how fast

my girls are growing. I told Jason I was thinking of postponing

putting Ella in nursery for another month. I have no doubt that 

she is ready to go in with the "big kids", but I don't think I'm ready for her

to be there. Jason is convinced I have lost my mind.

It is just that I know she is my last baby, and I am so not ready 

to let my little baby grow up. I just love my little baby person (as I call her), I don't 

want her to become a big kid person just yet.

I am filled with delight as I watch her explore her world,

and as she learns and grows I love her more each day.

My heart is so full with love and adoration for 

this beautiful, delightful child of God.

Just quit growing up so fast!!