So, we moved back to MinneSNOWta and well it snowed!! We all were beyond excited because it had been awhile since we have seen a decent snowfall and were able to go sledding. The kids had gotten snow tubes last year for Christmas and had yet to use them. After close to 2 hours of finding and getting snow gear on they were ready to have some snowy fun! Kris went first to smooth down the trail, sadly I was still getting the two little kids ready I missed my photo op. Kourtney was less keen on sledding and was more interested in watching everyone go up and down the hill. Luckily the hill is right in our backyard and when she gets bored of them or too cold she can just go inside while the other kids still sled! Lucas enjoyed sledding for awhile but entertained himself with catching and eating snow. He was VERY concerned with building a snowman with a carrot nose{as he had learned from a school song}, so we went to town on rolling snow and building a semi round snowman. After about 10 minutes of helping me build him Lucas said, "mom I am going to go inside come get me when you're done." So he finished watching from the front door while I did all the building work, something I complained to him about but would gladly do again so he could have his snowman! The kids are adjusting well to the snow and cold{so far}, adjusting less to having to go to school after it snows;P
So a couple weeks ago I was having one of those bad days that started Saturday and went clear through to Tuesday. These tend to rub off on everyone else in a BAD way. So Tuesday afternoon I decided we would take a break and start some holiday baking and just relax. It wasn't all of us and there really wasn't any rhyme or reason to how we went about things we just enjoyed each other and forgot for an hour or so that it was the middle of a hectic week and we still had a lot of regular life stuff to do and activities to get to. Alexis helped measure everything out while Lucas cracked all the eggs for us. We turned up the Christmas music and sang to our hearts content! Everyone got a turn to scoop{and eat} the dough. We even whipped up our first batch of eggnog! By the time Kris came out of his office from work we were in full swing and all he could say is, "ahh what's going on out here."
By dinner we were back to homework and activities {all the regular stuff}...but if you haven't taken a Tuesday afternoon and turned it into something special you should try it, it does wonders! December 2012
As I sit thinking back over this past year and what we’ve done, what we’ve accomplished, and who we’ve become all I can think is that we are so blessed. We are blessed with happy and healthy children, blessed with loving family, and blessed with the laughter and support of good friends. We are blessed to the brim and I wouldn’t have it any other way! We wake each morning with the possibility of a better day then the previous not because we need a better day but simply for the joy and hope of experiencing something new and exciting. With it brings that sparkle in the kids eyes with wonderment of what will come, what will we do, and what will we learn and accomplish. My kids love experiencing new things and growing into what they are. As their parents we have the huge privilege of watching them each day become something more than yesterday and seeing a glimpse of who they will become tomorrow! This year was filled with moving, adjusting, and reestablishing. With all the moving we have done I still can hardly believe the time it takes to accomplish it. At the start of the year we decided to make the big move back to Minnesota and now as we are finally getting settled the year is getting ready to close. The kids have been through a lot saying goodbye to friends, schools, sports, and a life they knew for five years. For the two younger kids that place is all they knew. Starting over takes your whole heart and a blind faith of sorts that everything will work out. We miss many we had to say goodbye to but know they are still a part of our extended family! As we start and get established in this new chapter of our life the kids have begun to make new friends, becoming established in their new sports teams, acclimating to their new schools, and finding their new normal here. They are resilient and amazing all in the same breath. Alexis continues soccer and dance with a drive for perfection. Since moving she has been reminded of her love of dance. Her new dance studio has ignited a great new fire within her! Derrick continues soccer and scouts. His love of things changes daily as he finds his way. Lucas continues swim, started preschool and soccer. In his words, “swim is on top of soccer, but school is on top of everything!” He has a love for activity and an inquisitive mind that doesn’t quite. Kourtney is growing “into her own” and is starting to decide what SHE wants. She still copies and mimics the other kids but without doubt we know what she wants now. Kris and I are always consumed with the kids but try to get to our own things in the “down time.” Kris has started his journey outside the military and seems to enjoy the increasing flexibility he now has! I know I am enjoying having him here more. Most of my time this year has been helping the kids adjust to everything, but I have found a new love of writing and hope that will take me farther than my blog. For now I am happy documenting my kids, my family, and all our escapades! Until next year from our house to yours may you look at each day with new eyes, see what can be through a child’s eyes and live it to the fullest each and every day! This weeks extra glimpse is the basics of our life...sports, homework on the sidelines, snuggles, and sickies. Enjoy:)
Truth in the tinsel is something we started last year during advent. We weren't really able to keep up with it...Kris was gone, Kourtney was still pretty young, and honestly I was just trying to keep up with everything else in Kris's absence. This year we have a whole new outlook on it....simplify, do what we can, and most importantly guide the kids towards the real meaning behind Christmas! With that in mind only 3 of the 4 kids do the daily ornaments, Alexis just listens to the bible verses. I love this time each day to just sit with the kids and talk about what they think everything means! Derrick has really taken to it and asks more and more questions each day. One thing I have learned is that we need a Children's Bible, the regular one just isn't cutting it. I get lots of blank stares until I reword everything into "kid speak." Day 1 - Light Day 2 - Kingdom Day 3 - Zechariah Day 4 - Gabriel Day 5 - Mary Day 6 - Mary & Elizabeth Day 7 - Song Day 8 - Sun Day 9 - Joseph Day 10 - Dreams Day 11 - Name of Jesus Check back through Christmas and see what the kids are learning about Advent and the Christmas story. If you want to know more about Truth in Tinsel go here and see what it's all about! Update #1 {Dec 11}
We are sailing smoothly through the truth in tinsel ornament activities. We do often have to do a couple in a day, but we don't sweat it. The kids color the ornaments while I read the stories. It seems to work out really well. I am so happy I decided to just do the ornaments. It's a great addition to advent but isn't too overwhelming with the more extensive activities. It is "just right" for our family at this specific stage. I often get asked by one kid or another, "we doing our ornaments mommy?" Then they go over to the tree and ask, "mommy which one is this again." It's a nice way to have repetition in understanding the Christmas Story! It's that time of year again! Our little elf, Max, returned last night from the North Pole. If you want to join in on the kids excitement follow his adventures day by day here! hiDay 1 - Max returns! He was testing out the fireplace for Santa.
Day 2 - Max got a little thirsty! Day 3 - Catching a movie under the lights. Day 4 - In light of some elf abuse by an unnamed 3 year old. Day 5 - Taking some lessons from GI Joe. Day 6 - Catching up on some Holiday reading. Day 7 - Max found the Christmas Candy! Day 8 - Max left a fun activity f'or the kids...wonder what they'll grow. Day 9 - Kids grew some Candy Cane trees! Day 10 - Max thought we needed some TP Tinsel! Day 11 - Superhero Max!! |