E-I-G-H-T... how?

She is kind, sweet, silly, funny, loving, trusting, hard working, creative, and just an all around awesome kid.  I'm proud to be her mama.  And I'm hoping she has the best 8th year ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILY GWEN!

Decorated!

We decorated the tree last night.  Lily, Lucy and I (Lincoln handed me the ornaments, but I'm guessing didn't like how pokey the branches were, since he had zero interest in touching them.)... Most of the ornaments are side-by-side, some actually sharing the same branch, mainly around the bottom, in the front.  I love it. There aren't any pictures of Lincoln or Luce, though -- because those turkey birds decided to take their clothes off to decorate.  *actually, Lily did too, but put them back on so I could take a couple pictures.

Lily also made a special picture for Santa, and asked if I could hand deliver her envelope to him at the mall -- clarifying she has no intention to get that close, she wants ME to hand it to him.  :)  I'll do it.  I know it's something she colored, but I'm not sure exactly what it is... it's sealed, and meant exclusively for him... Gotta respect that.  My girl LOVES telling me that Santa is coming in XX days -- she is SO excited.




Hard to believe on Friday, our big girl is turning EIGHT!  She hasn't mentioned anything about bringing a treat into school, but we're going to pick something out on Thursday night and Brandon will bring it in for her class.  We're having a pool party at our local hotel's indoor pool, and there are half a dozen little girls going to be there... but the coolest part of this... the first girl Lily asked if she could invite, was Avery.  Avery is in Lily class, and is in a wheelchair.  She doesn't speak at all, she uses her iPad to speak for her.  Lily asked Avery's mom (who regularly volunteers in the class) if she thought Avery would be able to come, because she'd really like her to be there... Avery's mom said that Avery can swim and just will need help in and out of the pool, so yes, she will be there!  YIPPEE!!  I have a lot to get done between now and then, but I work best under pressure.  A peace sign cake, and a 'rockin' birthday theme... butterflies, guitars, and peace signs, in tie dye.  **Thanks, Cindy - for your help again this year with the girls and the party... I really appreciate you.

Well, it's time to get to bed.  I have an almost eight year old that has to read her mama a book.   :)

It has been a long, long time...

How is it possible that I haven't blogged ANYTHING since June?!?  Um, my only (lame) excuse is starting a new job, working 5 days a week now, and just the busy life we lead....  so I'm not going to play 'catch up', since most of you are also my FB friends... and so you're up to date.  ;)

It is the holiday season and my kids are EX-CITED!  We have our tree up (no decorations on it yet), and a few sparse decorations here and there throughout the house... hoping this weekend will provide the time (and energy) to get those all out and up!  Also planning to bring all three of my kiddos to "Christmas in Kasson" - where they haul Santa from the City Hall to the cinnema in Kasson's finest, shiniest Fire Truck... there are 'reindeer' in a cage by the liquor store and most of the businesses downtown do some kind of cookie decorating / ornament making / coloring contest and at the end, every child is given a small stuffed animal...  I'm sure it will be a great time for the kids... and since we aren't going to be anywhere else, how can we not go?!  *though, honestly -- I am dreading trying to load them all up, get them all in snowpants / mittens / hats / boots / etc... bundled into the stroller -- because Lucy and Lincoln both are getting sick of riding and want to walk (in opposite directions of each other) -- think I'll need to stop in the liquor store, while visiting the reindeer, to purchase some patience.  :)

My Lucy is in LOVE with all the pretty lights... on the trees, in the windows, on the streets - Kasson has them hung on every street light on the main roads... I'm hoping that Brandon will string the lights on the house this weekend too -- so our house can be a part of the "Ooooooo, mama... look!"

Our bell ringer

The downside to this, is she thinks she's big enough to plug in and unplug the lights to our tree and I'm a little stressed about that.... she's quick, so by the time I'm correcting it, she's already plugged in or unplugged.... and oiy.


Lily was ringing the Salvation Army bell ... so proud of the sweet, kind hearted girl she is.

We've been coloring lots of Christmas pictures and hanging them on the cupboards in the kitchen, preparing for a beautiful display of art for Santa, when he comes to deliver all the goodies to our house... I have to say this is probably one of their favorite things to do... they love to sit at the table together and color... and it is a proud moment for me, to watch them together, sharing the crayons, complimenting each other's pictures... ♥

Promise to myself to start blogging again... so much to write, share, and reflect on.