What are the names of the Reindeer, Mommy?

Middle Sis has been learning lots of new Christmas songs for her Christmas play.  Her favorite is Rudolph, so she sings it quite often.  Well, Lil Sis and Lil Bro are now singing it too!  Lil Sis was just trying to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and she stopped and said, "What are the names of the reindeer? Wait a minute.  It's Comer, Deutzer, Dancer, Princess, Neutzer, Comet and the most famous one of all is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose...."  Hmmmmm...I can't believe I had it wrong all these years!

Big Sis and the Gingerbread Man Writing Assignment

Weekend Creative Writing Journal Assignment

Prompt: 

You just finished decorating a tray of gingerbread cookies and one of them leaps off the counter.  

What happens next?

Don't Run Away Gingerbread Man

By: Big Sis

Once upon a time I was baking some cookies. 

 So then I got them out of the oven and put them on the counter. 

I had to wait for them to cool.

So I got a book to read and soon they were done. 

I put my book down and started to decorate the cookies.

 I just finished the first one when the phone rang. 

I answered it and talked to my Grandma, but only for a minute.

(notice the Gingerbread man in the picture below!)

When I was done I turned around and it was gone. I was so surprised!

 It can't be.

(notice the Gingerbread Man in the picture below!)

 I thought my Lil Bro took it, but he was clean.

 What was that?  I rubbed my eyes. 

This couldn't be!

Did I really see a gingerbread man  running across the floor and out the door?

 I chased after him but man can those little legs run!

 I wondered where he would go, but I never forgot that Christmas. 

1 Year Later...

Every year at Christmas I get a postcard from different places all over the world. "Dear Big Sis, Thank you for giving me life so that I can see how the World celebrates Christmas. Love,TGBM (The Gingerbread Man), Gingy." 

The End!

Big Sis said she may want to write some 

blog posts now!  

Please leave her a comment to encourage her!

Preschool ~ First Initial Activities

Preschool ~ First Initial Activities

Here are a few quick and easy preschool activities to do with your child!

1. Cut their first initial out of their sandwich.  

Save the crusts in a bowl and put it on the table!  No waste here!

The kids eat those faster than the the rest of their lunch! 

The apple sauce goes in cups with a straw.  You should see how fast they slurp it!

 2. Have them say the name of their letter and the sound.

 3. Have them trace the letter with their finger.

 4. Have them say words that start with the same sound as their first initial.

 5. Have them guess animals that start with the same sound as their first initial.

 6. Eat it!

 Print off coloring pages and Bingo Dauber pages with their first initial on it.  You can Google it or use the pages I found by clicking HERE!  Make sure that you stress dabbing only on the circles.  This will teach listening skills and following directions.

 While passing out lunch and their papers work on Please and Thank you.  If they already have that down teach them Por Favor (Please), Gracias (Thank you) and De Nada (Your Welcome).

Teaching them Spanish words is actually very comical! 

Have fun!  

Now you have some fabulous works of art!

Homage to the Bug Whisperers

Before having children I heard that boys catch frogs, play in the mud, put every bug into captivity and live for the great outdoors.  No one let me in on the secret that girls do that to....just usually with a bit more style!  If I let them play outside in their dress up clothes, ballet outfits or fancy dresses, they would.  I have lost count of the frogs and "crawlie" things that have come inside just to be turned around to go right back outside!  Lil' Bro definitely loves these things as well but for the past 8 years I have loved the screams and squeals when they are chasing and catching their newest little friend! The latest guy to become acquainted with our crew is a pretty fun one!  So fun that I heard, "Mommy, Mommy get your camera!  You won't believe this!!!!!"

Here's Lookin' at you Kid!

Sew Fun ~ Aprons

This year Big Sis turned 8!  She has been asking...and asking...and asking me to teach her how to sew. I thought that for her birthday I would teach her.  I had been wanting to make them aprons so this would be a great chance to do it!  I took the kids to the fabric store and let them pick out 2 fabrics, 1 trim and a flower.  I then took them home and prayed hard! I did not find a pattern I liked so I grabbed a garbage bag and made my own.  I had never done this before so I know prayer was the key!  Big Sis stood by my side and helped sew her own apron!   

Here is the big reveal!  She let me wrap it and she opened it to surprise Daddy!

You can't make one without making 2 more!  The Littler two got to pick out their favorites too!  I am so glad they had good taste!  I was worried when I gave them the choice...It could've been bad!

Now let's wear them out!

Summer Greetings

Hope you are having a Super great Summer!

Love, 

Big Sis, Middle Sis, Lil Si and Lil Bro

Mommy's Time Out ~ Wishing Time Could Stand Still!

  Knowing that Little Bro made our family complete was a bit bittersweet for me.  I know that because of complications due to 4 C-sections  doctors said 4 children was our max. I am so perfectly happy with all of them and am amazed how fast they grow.  God blessed us with each one.  I love and enjoy them and wish that time could stand still just for a bit longer. Big Sis will be 8 in August, Middle Sis 6 in December, Little Sis 4 in July and Little Bro just turned 2 in March.  A bigger shock to me is that Big Sis is entering 3rd grade and Middle Sis, Kindergarten in the fall.  Knowing Lil Bro is the Grand Finale I hug longer, hold more and drink in every moment that he lays his head on my chest.  I look at each finger and little toe every day.  I play This Little Piggy went to Market, Where is Thumbkin and Itsy Bitsy Spider more than I ever have because I know that this wonderful stage will be grown out of too quickly.  My Grandmother reminds me to enjoy every moment because they go by so fast.  

Tonight we went to the playground and Lil Bro was very apprehensive about the bridge.  He was unsure of each footstep and looked to me for guidance and safety.  As soon as he took my hand he took the final steps in confidence, knowing that I would catch him when he falls.

 Once he got to the top of the play set he sat down on top of the slide.  He wouldn't budge until I called his name and encouraged him to come.  He was still nervous until his eyes met mine and then....

 a huge smile broke across his little face.  He hopped off of the slide and ran back to the bridge that he was once afraid of and back to the slide he wouldn't budge on.    I like to be the one he calls.  

I love the little hand clinging to mine.

I want them to stay young forever.  To keep the innocence, the look of sheer joy at every new experience.  I love the twinkle in their eye.  I love to be the one they call for the tiniest little thing although to them it feels Monumental. 

I know that every moment is a gift from God. I love being a wife and mother.  I also know that there are times that I am apprehensive and unsure and God is there to hold my little hand.  As this love for my children grows each and everyday, as they capture my heart in a way that is completely and utterly astounding, I know God feels that way about me. I plan games, activities and outings, cook yummy things and do fun things for my children. In this busy season, I sometimes forget what God does for me each and everyday.  He gives me sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, friends and family. Amazing places, unbelievable experiences and more than I ever could discover in this lifetime, and always more than I could ever deserve.

Tonight, as I sit here typing away, I feel blessed. Enjoying this sometimes crazy stage in life.  Wishing that time could freeze just for a moment longer.  Reminiscing about fond memories, yet with excitement for what the future holds.  In a moment, I will hit the Publish button followed by the power button and then kiss each and every little blessing that is sacked out around my room from a fun family night!  Good night Blog Followers.  Thanks again for caring enough to stop by today!

I linked this post at

  

A few of my Favorite Things!

Here are a few of my favorite things!

Project of the Week ~ Lunch Bag Art

Lunch Bag Art

Here are a few cute lunch bags that the girls got to enjoy last week!

I was working on bags before the kids got up and when they saw what 

I was doing they grabbed their crayons and joined in!

 My niece made some bags too!

 Lil Bro colored and then cut up his bag!

 Middle Sis had a super great time!  

We know it was good since she used her phrase, 

"It's the BEST DAY EVER"!!!

 This was Big Sis's favorite bag!

 Middle sis requested a pink pony lunch bag!

 Angry Birds is a family fun game so why not make them into a lunch bag, too!

Middle Sis finished her bag!

 My niece has 3 lunch bags to take home for school next week!

 Big Sis has her lunch packed and she is off for a fun day in 2nd grade!

Check out the blog that inspired it all! Click HERE!