Tender Heart

Aaron has been reading the Harry Potter series.  He can't seem to put it down.  He finished book three one night in bed.  He came into my room almost in tears and said, "That was such a good book."  I asked him if someone died and he said, "No, it was just a good book."  He went and told PK and then went to bed and just bawled.

I am reading the series along with him and finished book three a couple days behind him.  There was nothing that was really sad, so I started talking to Aaron about the end of the book.  Without giving away too much of the story line, as a baby Harry is saved from evil by his mother's love and readers find that out in book one.  Aaron said, "It is just nice how love is so powerful."  That is why he was crying.  So stinkin' sweet.   

The New "F" Word

There is a new "F" word in our house.  It didn't even occur to me that it was a "not so nice" word until I had to use it to describe myself.  Actually, I think the first person to use it in actual reference to me was my husband.

Today is my birthday.  We started celebrating this past weekend.  We went to my new favorite Mexican restaurant and to a movie.  The first sign of old age may be falling asleep in the middle of a movie that started at 7:15.

PK got the kids up


a bit early this morning

and they set up a little party for me.

There were cards (this one was from Hannah)

 

and cake (the same husband who used the "F" word also called this cake a campfire due to the number of candles)

and a present!!

What could have possibly been in that big ol' box?

My brand new KitchenAid!!  I've wanted one for quite a while, but I couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money.  They were on sale on Black Friday and even with the additional coupon I had, I still couldn't do it.  PK did!!!  Now all I have to do is decide what to make first.

As we are celebrating and eating cookie cake for breakfast (that's just the way we roll), my husband says, "Well, you are (wait for it...think of it in slow motion) fffff.....oooorrr.....ttttyyyy."  He didn't really say it in slow motion, but that is how I remember it.  I looked at him and said, "That is now the new "F" word and we will not say it in this house." 

Arrow of Light

Aaron is in his fifth year of Cub Scouts.  He and PK have enjoyed many scout activities together.  Aaron just received his Arrow of Light award.  This is the highest award a boy can earn as a Cub Scout.  He technically has the rest of the school year to finish up as a Cub Scout, but he and the other members of his den have chosen their new Boy Scout troops.  We will have even more scouting adventures in the not too distant future.

Aaron receiving final awards from his den leader.

PK and Aaron with his Arrow of Light award.

Aaron being accepted by the Boy Scouts.

Aaron with his old den.

Lovin' Ray Style

There was a time when I would make the kids a hot breakfast several times a week.  When Hannah was in kindergarten I would get up and make homemade muffins and send some to the teachers.  I lost my mojo somewhere along the way.  Now they grab PopTarts, cereal and instant oatmeal.

I got motivated for Valentine's Day and got up early to make them a special breakfast.

I got out our heart shaped plates.

Then I made pancakes and used my handy dandy heart shaped cookie cutter.

They each received a little heart Pez.

Then all four of my Valentines enjoyed.

A Christmas Gift From Rachel

Rachel had to write a poem about her life in her language arts class to give to her parents for Christmas.  That child made me cry.

Where I'm From

by

Rachel Ray

I am from a place with shimmery sand in my toes,

And blazing beams of light in my face

I am from fluffy white snow on the mountains in 90 degree temperature

I am from a place of proud patriotic chants and snappy salutes of men that camouflage into the flag of red, white and blue

I am from a place with companions of new and old

I am from a family that scours across the map from the top of the thermometer to the bottom

I am from the "Hallelujah, Amens" to the "Hey Ya'll's" and the "Yo Peeps"

I am from "if you can't say something nice don't say something at all"

I am the taste of sweetless coffee and under baked cookies made with love

I am a family of kids from Thomas to Legos to Dora to dogs

I am from a mom that's a part of all my memories and a dad that spreads the message of the Lord to people under metal bars and chains

I am hearing the cries of spunky little Holly Berry in the morning

My sister claims it has hers and hers it shall be

I am from a family I love and that will always love me.

Many of the descriptions in the beginning are from where we lived in California where she was born.  We lived on a Marine base in the high desert and during certain times of the year it would be 90 degrees or higher and we could see snow on the top of Big Bear Mountain.  Of course, even as a Navy wife, I know Marines give the best snappy salutes. 

We have my niece on video when she was about 3 being not so nice.  She meant to say, "If you can't same something nice, don't say anything at all" but instead she said, "If you can't say a something nice, don't say a something at all."  We often repeat her version around out house.

PK loves to bake chocolate chip cookies.  His version are oogey googey and maybe a little under cooked.

It is such a blessing to know she has such sweet memories.

Ornaments

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to sit down with the kids and tell them the story of each and every ornament as we hang them on the tree.  Each year PK and I get each of the kids a new ornament.  It usually has to do with something they are interested in that year.  These are some ornaments added to our collection this year.  Aaron received a Lego Darth Vader.  I don't know why I don't have a picture of it.

Each year it is a bit harder to find a special ornament for Rachel.  She likes peace signs and this one is glittery.

 My lead teacher, Lorraine, gave me this one for Christmas.  I almost cried because she had no idea how much I love my ornaments.  It has all of our names on it.

This snowman was given to me by one of my preschoolers, Lilah.

 Hannah has been in swimming lessons this year and really enjoys it.  Just like this bee, she never swims without her goggles.  I am looking forward to sitting by the pool this summer and reading a book without worrying about Hannah.

I am a co-leader with Maria for Rachel's Cadette Girl Scout troop.  She gave me this for Christmas.

 One of the other preschool teachers, Jessica, gave me this glass Christmas tree.  She bought it at an antique shop in Tennessee where her grandmother use to work.

The women of MVUMC have an annual ornament exchange.  I came home with this one.  I don't really like the snow, so this would NOT be my Christmas wish.  We moved south to get away from the white stuff.

I smiled thinking about reliving memories each year as we unpack these new ornaments.

The Christmas S.O.C.C.E.R. Team

The kids at our church put on a Christmas musical this year.  It was called The Christmas S.O.C.C.E.R Team.  S.O.C.C.E.R. stands for the Society of Christmas Carolers Emergency Rescue.  The story is about a group of soccer players who mistakenly show up for try-outs for the S.O.C.C.E.R.  The S.O.C.C.E.R. is made up of geezers who are on a mission to save traditional Christmas carols.  Because their was an old geezer choir, the parents of kids in the play were asked if they would like to participate.  Not being one to miss out on a little fun and also being willing to make a fool out of myself for my kids, I joined in.  It was SO...MUCH...FUN!




Rachel, Aaron and Molly at rehearsal.



Stan and Chrissy showing us all how it is done.

Jody and Terri

Aaron and Hannah

Molly, Montana, Galen and Rachel before the show.  Montana actually performed a clogging routine during the show and Galen was checking out her taps on the bottom of her shoes.

Jody in character.

Ms. Tracie all decked out.  She was really in character as she was putting copies of the script she had blown up so she could see in a binder.  Ha!

 Hannah and Jody

The cast of kids...Aaron...third from left, Matthew, Adrienne,  Rachel...fifth from right, Galen, Montana, Hannah and Molly...what a great group of performers!

Aaron and Rachel both had lead rolls.  They memorized their lines and weren't afraid at all to strut their stuff.  Hannah sang with the kids and had a Bible verse to recite at the end.  She was given another rather long verse the night before the performance because one of the other younger kids backed out.  She rocked it.  I couldn't believe how quickly she memorized it. 

I hope Mr. Adam and Ms. Rebecca will spearhead another youth drama soon!