Santa Claus

Santa asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas.  Benjamin said he wanted Star Wars Legos.  Savannah....bless her sweet little heart.....said she wanted a rubby ducky for the bath tub and that's it. 

Movie Night....

David was out of town for almost an entire week recently and the final night we decided to have family night (unfortunately without Daddy).  Normally on "family night" the kids pick a movie and we make popcorn, turn off the lights, and all stay up late (well, in kid language "late" is 10:30pm or so), curl up on the couch with our pillows and blankets and watch the movie of the night.  So the night before David came back I became quite the sucker....starting around 7:30pm here's a list of all we watched....these kids know how to work their Mama!!!
1.  Santa Claus the movie
2.  Smurfs Christmas
3.  Bubble Guppies Christmas
4.  We then listened to Christmas music for a while with just the lights of the Christmas tree on in the living room.  At this point Benjamin falls fast asleep.  Savannah on the other hand is READY for more!!! Sooooo....
4.  The two of us watch Alpha Bots Christmas, which Ben doesn't like but Savannah and I do.  It is the cheesiest movie ever but it has become sort of a tradition in our house the last couple of years and I'm not ready to let that tradition go just yet.  :)

So it was midnight before Savannah actually went to bed.  Their friends Emily and Rocco spent the night the night before so they were up a little late and up early because Emily and Rocco have to be at school before 8am.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Christmas time?  Happy happy joy joy!  Life. Is. Good.

Sleep

I've learned two things about Savannah this week.  First, she talks in her sleep.  Unfortunately, I can't understand what it is she's saying, but she's definitely talking about something!  Second, she runs in her sleep like a dog does when he's dreaming.  Ever seen that?  Yep, her little legs just start going as fast as she can and at the same time I can tell she's mad about something because she's making loud mad noises.  She crawled into bed with me last night and started doing the running dog thing.  Scared me at first because I didn't know what was going on.  But then she did it again and I realized she was just dreaming.  Funny girl.

So True

An email from my mother-in-law:

"There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad and focus on the good.

Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.

Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting  back up is living."

Welcome to the Family!

Welcome our newest addition to the family.  Mr. Toyota Highlander!

Our Murano started to become a major money pit so David decided it was time to trade her in.  When David drove off with my car for the final time to pick up the new one tears swelled up in my eyes and a lump was in my throat.  I loved that car.  So sad it didn't last longer.  However, this car comes with a really cool feature....I can fit 7 people in it!  Yay!  I'm officially part of the carpool rotation with Ben's homeschool group and Savannah's school.  How fun is that?  :) 

What??????

One day as Ben and I were at the table doing school, Savannah got all excited and REALLY wanted to show us something.  "Mama, Mama, Mama!!! I wrote something on the board, LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!!"  I sighed, it was the 100th time she interrupted us, and kindly looked up at the board.  Savannah says "Mama, I wrote 'zoo'"!!!!.  Lo and behold, she sure did with absolutely no help from me.  I have no idea what made her write it but she did a great job for a 3 year old, right?  You go girl!

Yikes!

I think she should audition for Blue Man Group.......just sayin'.

Savannah's First Purchase

Savannah has been saving up all her coins that she gets (and finds) and finally had enough saved to buy something.  Sweet thing only had a dollar and some change but it was enough to get something from the Dollar Store!  The picture below is Savannah in the Dollar Tree parking lot with what she picked (a little stuffed puppy dog that she named Roof, not Ruff, but Roof).  She was so happy!

Face Painting

Thanks to my dad, we have a membership to the Arboretum which gets up to 6 people in for no charge.  We have been spending A LOT of time there.  It's been even super great because of the pumpkin patch that's going on there right now.  I've lost count how many times we've been (and brought friends with us for no charge to them!).  Anywho, the kids haven't ever been real excited about face painting but for some reason they wanted to stand in line (and actually behave) for 45 minutes to get their face painted there at the Arboretum.  Savannah chose the Princess Boo and Benjamin, of course, chose Batman.  P.S.  I really think orange is Savannah's best color now (and it just so happens to be my favorite color, ahem....the orange lipstick was fabulous).

Friends, Marisa and Ellie.

Sleeping Beauty

She's so funny.  This is how she wanted to sleep one night recently.  I had to sneak in and take a picture of her after she fell asleep.  Her Ireland hat, her trusty blanket, a scarf made by Grandmother, and gloves also made by Grandmother (although she took the gloves off but you can still see them in the picture).  Sweet girl.

Halloween

We had a GREAT time with Halloween this year.  Our good friends, the Barnes, came over with their kids Emily and Rocco and we all went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.  The kids had a blast!  Don't they look so happy!  Warm fuzzies.

Ouch!

Poor Savannah. I accidentally slammed her hand in the door about 4 weeks ago. Here's what it looked like then....and pretty much stayed that way until yesterday.....when the nail finally fell off.  The pediatrician said it'll take months to heal. She's tough though. Never complains about it. She just wants a band aid on it all times. I feel so bad. So so bad. Ugh.

Report Card

We received Ben's very first report card from the school that he attends one day a week. He did EXCELLENT! The school that he goes to provides the curriculum. On Tuesdays he goes to school all day and gets his lessons for the next week. Then for the rest of the week I teach it to him and he turns his homework in when he goes back on Tuesday the next week. It's a fabulous arrangement. The picture below is his report card. The M's stand for Mastered. The P's stand for Progressing. The N's stand for Needs Improvement (he received zero N's).

P.S. In case you can't tell, I love homeschooling!

Life is Good

So how's homeschool going? FANTASTIC! As I've discussed with David I feel like I finally understand God's will for my life. My entire life I've been organized, structured, disciplined, and punctual. Unfortunately, to the point of annoyance to some people (my poor husband). I see now that God made me this way for the very reason of homeschooling. I have truly found my passion, thank the good Lord. It is hands down one of the top 5 best decisions I have ever made.


Now with that description don't start thinking that our homeschooling efforts are done in a military kind of way. Oddly enough, we are very laid back during our daily routine which I find so refreshing. We aren't rushed, we take our time. We take lots of breaks. We have FUN learning! Benjamin is thriving. He's such a smart kid so it makes it so easy for me to teach him.

Our dining room, which hardly ever got used, has been transformed into our mini school.  Maps on the wall, calendars, white boards, and we even have the American flag (yep, we say the pledge every day before our lessons).  It has turned out to be the perfect setting.  Lots of natural light is in the room which makes it cheerful, big table for room for all of our stuff, and nice comfy chairs.   

On the mornings that the kids don't go to school (Ben goes one day a week and Savannah 2 days a week) our days look like this:

-we either decide to sleep in until around 8:30am or so or until one of the kids comes into our room and is ready to get up, or I get up way early to have some quiet time. I've been known to get up hours before them just to have my Bible time, coffee, emails, empty dishwasher, etc. Mornings sound great, right? No rush.  I hate being rushed in the mornings. Makes Mommy grumpy. I'm a firm believer that kids need rest so I rarely get them up before they're ready (unless it's a school day).

 -we go to the gym in the mornings and sometimes we eat lunch there. However, some mornings we take field trips instead .....dinosaur museum, zoo, Arboretum, aquarium, etc. and go to the gym after lessons.  (I'm a little obsessed with they gym, always have been).  Then if it's gymnastics that day we're off to gymnastics for 2 hours. When we get back we do lessons. Lessons are mostly after lunch every day.Lessons take anywhere between an hour and 2 hours, depending our how many breaks Ben needs.

-after lessons we usually go do something....either park or playdate. On Thursdays Ben has basketball at our gym so we eat dinner there on those nights.

So life is good.  Benjamin is learning so much and having fun.  Savannah sits at the table and does crafts while we do lessons and at times she joins in on our lessons.  The girl can already write the alphabet!  Ahhhh, proud Mama.


Our dining room......

New Friends

God has plopped some awesome new friends into our lives these last few months. It's amazing how quickly the friendships have blossomed! First, there's Handey. Her two girls have been so much fun! And of course, Savannah is all about girls! Dress up, dancing, and pretending to be a puppy....that's what these 3 girls love to do! Then there's Mirtha. Truly a blessing! She has a girl that just turned six, Emily. Savannah and Emily have become besties! Then there's Rocco. He's four. He and Benjamin have become besties as well. Emily and Rocco just moved in down the street from us so we get to see them several times a week. Not only did my kids acquire new friends, so did I! Love, love, love, these girls! :) Oh and David and Mirtha's husband, Alan, have a lot in common and they've been spending some time together as well. Just what David needed! Life is so good right now. GOD IS GOOD!

Ellie and Emily over for a playdate.

We have a date every Tuesday afternoon with Emily and Rocco for ice cream.

Savannah, Emily, Rocco, Benjamin

Savannah and Emily

Benjamin and Rocco

Benjamin, Ellie, Marisa, Savannah at the Science Museum.

Savannah's School Picture

Maid to be a Mother

Welcome to the home that lives within the house,
Where loving kids is all that really counts.

The dishes in the sink, the crumbs upon the floor,
And all the dirty laundry are secondary chores.

Now don't assume me lazy by looking at the mess,
I've put forth forty hours and still don't take a rest!

I polish little minds as bright as they can be
 And sweep out tiny hearts and keep them pure and clean.

 Each and every soul is scrubbed until it gleams,
I also pick up spirits, should they ever lose a dream.

So push the clothes on over, and have yourself a seat
— Excuse the toys and cookie crumbs sticking to your feet.

Judge me as a mother, not the maid I ought to be
I'd prefer sparkling lives to a house dirt-free.

—Anonymous

Fredericksburg

Mom and I took a trip to Fredericksburg last month.  It was a great trip!  We were close enough to Main street that we could walk from the hotel.  Two days of wineries and shopping.  It was L.O.V.E.L.Y.! 

About Me

Benjamin...................................................

Favorite color:
Green and all the colors.

Favorite book:
Star Wars

Favorite movie: 
Ben 10, Super Hero Squad, and all the super heroes.

Favorite TV show:
Ben Tennyson

Favorite song:
Ben 10 song

Favorite fruit:
Kiwi

Favorite food for breakfast:
Cereal

Favorite food for dinner:
Ravioli

Other kids think I am:
That I am mean and some kids are mean to me. Some know I'm nice and Abby and Andrew and my friends at the gym believe in me.

What I like best about Mommy:
That she gives us back massages.

What I like best about Daddy:
I like that he tells me what to do.

What I like best about me:
I get to play with toys all day.

When I grow up, I want to:
Be a Paleontologist because I like finding bones, and a hunter, a scientist, a diver (I like diving).

 I like people who:
Be nice to me.

 I like to learn about:
I actually like to learn about everything that's been made.

 I want to go to:
Disneyland. I went to Disney World when I was little but I don't remember.


Savannah................................................

Favorite color:
Pink

Favorite book:
The Princess and the Queen.

Favorite movie:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Favorite TV show:
Penguins

Favorite toy:
Blanket

Favorite song:
Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Favorite fruit:
Oranges and bananas

Favorite food for breakfast:
Waffles

Favorite food for supper:
Macaroni and cheese.

Other kids think I am:
They think I am nice.

What I like best about Mommy:
I love YOU!!!!

What I like best about Daddy:
He pushes me really high (in the swing).

What I like best about me:
to go skating....

When I grow up, I want to:
Be an animal doctor.

I like people who:
I like Emily and Rocko.

I like to learn about:
Blocks

I want to go to:
I DON'T want to go to Chuck E Cheese. I want to go skating outside.

Who's Smarter?

Benjamin:
Tell me about thunderstorms Mama.

Me:
Well, Ben, thunderstorms have thunder and rain.

Benjamin:
I don't think so. Let's ask Dada when he gets home because he's smart.

Me:
Benjamin I'm smart too!

Benjamin:
Yeah, well, Dada is smarter.....especially about guns.

Me:
Okay, I can't argue with that.

First Day of Homeschool Kindergarten

Benjamin is attending a private school one day a week for his homeschool.  This school actually provides the curriculum and assigns his lessons and homework that I teach him the rest of the week that he's here with me.  It's such a WONDERFUL arrangement.  He went last week for orientation, to meet his teacher, and to get his first week's assignments.  Let me tell you, it has been an awesome week for us.  He's been doing so well at his lessons.  I'm really enjoying it too.  Savannah even joins us at times too so she's learning stuff as well!  The only complaint Ben has right now about his lessons is of all the coloring he has to do.  He hates, let me say that again, hates coloring.  But we're not backing down on that one because he has to color to develop strength in his hands for writing and to work on his fine motor skills.  Now Savannah on the other hand would color all day if she could.  So funny how boys and girls are different.

He had his first official day at school today.  There were no tears and he was totally fine to be there.  Now let's just see what he says after I pick him up today. 

Here's a picture of him right before we left for school this morning.  He LOVES his Star Wars backpack!

Mommy and Daddy's Little Get-A-Way

David and I took a trip out to Wimberley recently.  We had a great stay!  Relaxing and quiet.  I came to 2 conclusions on this trip....life is too short to wear uncomfortable clothes and life is too short to drink bad wine (pardon the cliche).


Here's a picture of the house.

The river in our backyard that we swam in.

I thought this was funny....he called it his Red Neck cooler.

I loved this painting in the house.

The people that owned the house were very artsy. They had this rooster by our front door. Interesting......

This is the highlight of the trip for David. He caught a Cottonmouth snake. Yes, in the same river we swam in. Yikes!!!!!

Smile for the camera!

Savannah, say cheese.....

Ireland

We had a great time in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We started out in Dublin.  Stayed there for a few days and then headed south to Cork.  Stayed there for a week and then headed up to Northern Ireland and stayed in Belfast for a few days.  Here are some pictures of our adventures!


One of Benjamin and Savannah's favorite things to do? Chase birds.

A breathtaking view of one of the cathedrals we visited.

Benjamin and Savannah playing on a cannon that was located just feet from where the Titanic made it's very last stop in Cobh (pronounced Cove).

Of course, had to lay eyes on the Guinness factory!

Benjamin, Savannah, and me having some juice on our patio in our second house in Cork.

The view from our kitchen in Cork.

This is Kiera. She is from London and was one of our neighbors while in Cork. The kids had a great time together.

Yep, that's exactly what you think it is...Kiera planting a kiss on Benjamin. They were playing Prince and Princesses. Actually, just moments before Benjamin grabbed her and kissed her. David and I were watching and our jaws dropped and we were in utter shock for a few moments until David gathered his senses and grabbed the camera. This is their second kiss.

Here's Savannah's favorite site while visiting the Cliffs of Moher.

This is at the Cliffs of Moher. Savannah loved her viking hat and wore it a lot of our trip. She got lots of smile from strangers because of it.

The Cliffs of Moher. David took this picture standing right at the edge of the cliff. I was adamant that the kids were NOT allowed anywhere close. I was having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. Whew.

The three of us at the Cliffs of Moher. Notice Benjamin is extremely upset. He was wanting to go all the way up with Daddy to the edge of the cliff that I strictly forbid.

Benjamin and his shellaillagh (pronounced sha-lay-lee).

Savannah and me having a good time in a pub.

Benjamin played his games in the pubs.

David kissing the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle.

Benjamin and Savannah at the entrance to the dungeon at Blarney Castle.

Blarney Castle

Benjamin, me, Savannah, and Grandma Nancy at Blarney Castle.

Benjamin and Savannah sitting next to the Blarney Stone. They weren't allowed to kiss it. The stone is at the top and edge of the castle so it was too dangerous for them.

The four of us at Blarney Castle.

I love this picture of Granddaddy and Savannah. Granddaddy was teasing Savannah with ice cream.

We stopped at this place and got to feed goats, horses, and donkeys. The kids had a blast! As you can tell by Ben's expression.

Enjoying the animals.

Awesome cliff. Not sure what it is.

This is the neighborhood cat that made itself at home our last day in Cork.

Benjamin at the Cliffs of Moher

Belfast, Northern Ireland

More of the Cliffs of Moher 

The family at Cliffs of Moher

A castle we visited in Northern Ireland.

Benjamin at a castle we visited in Northern Ireland.

Our Prince and Princess

One of the rooms in the castle.

And finally, on our way home. He's tuckered.

But she's ready to GO! As Savannah would say it "Let's Go, Let's Go, G-G-G-S-G-O!!"