I don't want to forget....

AC's big gift was a kitchen. She has enjoyed it a lot so far and is always making something! :) EK enjoyed ripping the paper off her gifts. She still isn't really into playing with anything. She does like her rocking chair from Grandma Jo and Papaw. AC and her pillow pet. She was very excited about that! Her baby doll from Grandma Jo and Papaw. Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus At Mimi and Pop's house...cousin M with her new Jessie doll The cousins on the couch (plus Uncle Steven and me) AC and cousin M playing. M was the mommy and AC was the baby going to bed. :) Aunt Becky with EK... cousin C watching. It was a great Christmas. AC helped me put the Christmas stuff away yesterday. As we were packing it up, I mentioned that Christmas was over and that the next holiday to look forward to is Easter. We talked about how Jesus didn't stay a baby, but grew up so he could die on the cross and AC said "for our sins". I was happy that she's paid attent...

We had 3 Christmas Eve services at church this year. The 4pm service is geared towards families with young kids, so it's a different format from our traditional services. I asked my parents to take AC to the 4pm one. I knew she would enjoy it, but EK would not have (to put it mildly). Here's a picture of her before she left. She was so excited to go to "big church and see daddy". :) Here's EK in her Christmas pj's. We hung out at the house while AC was gone. Another picture of AC before my parents picked her up. Here's EK in her ball pit. I was on the computer checking e-mail. Her new thing is to throw balls, one at a time, to get my attention. Pretty cute! Mom brought AC back to the house after the 4pm service and stayed so she could watch the girls while I went to sing at the 8pm service. I asked how AC did, hoping that she behaved herself since this was her first time in "big church". Mom told me they invited the children up on the stage and...

Someone got some dress up clothes for Christmas. She begged for Daddy to open it last night so she could wear the outfit. Enjoy! :)

AC loves Christmas music this year and that makes this mama happy! She patiently listens to my favorites and then asks for hers. This year she really likes "Joy to the World", "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells". AC tells me that EK really likes "Deck the Halls" too. :) I am trying to teach her about the reason we have Christmas. We are reading lots of christian christmas books, like The Christmas Story by Patrician Pingry(she has most of this one memorized), Christmas Angels by Crystal Bowman, and God gave us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren. At 3 years old, she doesn't know to ask for presents. I am not sure how much longer this will last, but I love her innocence. She'll be thrilled with new toys, but it's not an expectation that she'll get a lot of things. The girls have been playing with our Little People Nativity. AC knows all the characters and where they go. The verse I've been meditating on the past few weeks is Matthew...

EK had her class christmas party on Wednesday. The party was scheduled for Friday, since it was an early release day. EK misses on early release days b/c she has ABA therapy from 9-11am and we don't get back over here in time. Ms. Sharla was going to change it to Thursday afternoon, but she found out EK's classmate was leaving for vacation that day. :) EK has 3 kids in her class. One friend has been gone for a while visiting family, so it was important to have the 2 kids there! :) AC enjoyed participating in group time. I was so pleased with how well EK did. She sat in her chair and paid attention. She helped turn pages when asked to. She was calm and happy! :) If we could get her talking, she would be the model student!! The kids enjoyed a snack together before they went to PE class. I didn't know if EK would willingly go to PE class since AC and I were there. Apparently, PE class is better b/c she went without any complaint! :) So thankful that she enjoys school. I am sad...

I love to see this sweet girl smile! She is happy most of the time, but it is so difficult to get it on camera! Enjoy! :)

I wanted to make something special for the grandparents this Christmas. I remembered this cute craft we made when I taught preschool a couple years ago. Isn't it cute? AC thought it was lots of fun to put paint on her hand. I needed Keith's help while doing EK's hand. I thought she would hate having paint on her hand, but she tolerated it quite well. :) AC's ornament EK's ornament Here is a link if you want to do it yourself.

I attempted to get a good picture of two of the girls a couple weeks ago. My friend Nicole made their adorable shirts and hair bows. (a little free advertising for her!) I am thankful for the 2 decent pictures I got for our christmas card. EK is so hard to photograph. Sometimes I get the cutest ones of her (as you'll see in another post) and other times, I get nothing! This particular day was not easy. EK got to the point where she cried whenever she saw the camera. Not exactly the effect I was going for. :) After several tries of getting a good one of the girls together, I gave up. AC is pretty good at keeping a smile while I work on getting EK to smile. Here are a couple examples of what I mean. First try: great one of AC 2nd try: neither one seems pleased with mommy 3rd try: a decent one of EK but not of AC After EK starting crying at the house, I thought we could try going to the neighborhood playground for some outside pictures. It was a cold morning though! This isn't a ...

I feel like it's been forever since I have updated the blog. Really, it's only been 3 weeks. :) Our computer died a week and a half ago, so I've been "visiting" my parents' house more often to check e-mail. :) We should be getting our new computer this coming week. Then I'll be able to update with pictures and videos. Is it sad that I really miss the computer?? I don't have an iphone (or anything similar) so without a computer, I have no access to the internet. I will admit that I have spent more time with Keith in the evenings. That has been one positive! :) In the meantime, here are a few updates: How is it already December?? We are getting ready for Christmas. AC was so excited to get the Fisher Price Nativity set down from the attic. She started asking for it 2 months ago when something reminded her of Christmas. She has been playing with it a lot. EK watches her and occasionally picks up a figure to carry it off and put it somewhere else. :) Decem...