Princeton Christmas Walk 2014

The kids and I got out and enjoyed the Princeton Christmas Walk while Daddy was out deer hunting on Saturday. We enjoyed some lunch at Kramer's Kitchen with Pam and Kaylyn, Christmas cookies at Heartland Bank with Tori (who also bought me Starbucks!), the Hallmark store, and a carriage ride to top off our day.

 The carriage ride we didn't think would happen. We line was over 20 people long all day. We kept checking back but the line wasn't diminishing. After the Hallmark store, or Christmas store as he boys call it, we walked back down to the carriage ride line. The line was still 6 families long. The person running it said we would more than likely not make the cut off. I told Joel we wouldn't make and he was so disappointed. Tears. Tears. Tears. We started walking away and then i stopped to talk to him about it. We decided we would wait in line and even if we got to the front and the time for the ride was over, we would handle it. So our wait started. Thankfully the lady running the rides helped us out as made it work. The boys ended up going with another lady and her grandchildren. It was so sweet of the many adults who stepped out if line to allow the kids to go. What a special treat, and a fun way to start our Christmas season!

Lunch Time

What a sweet baby! 

First McDonald's Fry

Yes this is Callie's first McDonald's french fry! Yes I feed my kids processed food! Yes I feed my kids healthy food! Yes this is just plain fun to mark down in her life when she made this "monumental" moment - November 21, 2014 at 4pm. 

Turkey Feathers

Joel's class at preschool made a big turkey and sent paper home for the kids to each make their own feathers. Joel just wanted to color his, but after getting out the glitter and glue he decided a little 3D effect would be ok. We also attempted lacing pipe cleaners around in feather but it didn't work so well when Joel tried to lace. The paper was too thin and it ripped. So momma finished the lacing so we didn't loose our whole turkey feather. We had a nice little 20 minutes of fun! 

Awana Family Fun Night!

The boys had a great time at Awana's 2014 Family Fun Night. Lots of games and running around. You can't go wrong with that. Plus Joel won the first round of the cake walk!

Joel's Coloring

Joel enjoys coloring and drawing, especially at the coloring table at the library. I think he is a great artist. He always has a story behind his drawings and I am able to make out what he is drawing. There is a reason for every mark he makes on his page, and he always wants me to understand what and why he is drawing what he has. It is so important for him to have me listen until he gets all of his thoughts out. I am not very patient. Lord, please help me work on this. 

A few looks at his turkey! I just love his smile. I need to take a closer look at it more often! It is something special. 

Can't Catch Her

Callie is on the move and capturing her on my camera is almost impossible without the photo being blurry. She is fast! The sweet days of cuddles are over and we are now on to the no nos. No fun. It is fun to watch her walk and follow the kids. She is a clinger, though, and always wants to be where I am when it is just me home. She doesn't really play with toys but carries items around with her. I hope she eventually will play with things, but if she is like the boys she will want to be a mover and won't get to the playing stage until she is four or five. 

She is definitely something special!

Madison, WS Children's Museum

We made a last minute decision to drive north to visit Tori in her new home of Madison, WS on Saturday, November 15. Curtis' day was filled with sermon preparations, and we were just going to be sitting at home waiting around for him which would be a stress to him and us. 

We decided to head out early and enjoy the day so we could get home before dinner. I always hate the drive to get to places. It is stressful to me, but Cade has become a big help in the car which has helped to reduce the stress. He is able to keep Callie happy for the most part, and hand things to Joel for me. Books on tape, audio dramas (Jonathan Park!!), drawing pictures and movies help to keep the kids occupied while traveling. 

We first stopped at Tori's apartment. She lives in a quiet neighborhood with a couple other apartment buildings and homes around. It was nice to see her surroundings. 

We then went to a cafe for lunch. It was a quaint little place but definitely not kid friendly because all the tables were high stools and they had no high chairs. I was so thankful I brought the booster seat for Callie. 

We were just minutes away from the children's museum, which was perfect. We got to see a bit of Madison which helped put pictures to the words Tori has described. We parked a few blocks away from the museum and we left our coats in the car to avoid the extra bulk, which was a mistake because on the walk home we were cold. 

The museum was so fun! It was so nice to be able to use our museum pass again! We have gotten great use from it at least every month since we got it. 

The museum had a fun Native American themed play land on the first level. In the second level they had an artsy play land with slides, as well as a human hamster ball. Plus the boys spent lots of time doing hands on activities in the art center - clay and painting. And don't forget the fun model airplane, Joel loved it!  On our way to the top level, we played pinball in an "old fashioned" pinball machine. Too fun!

The top level of the museum is the outside top of the building. There was a special lookout tower, as well as gardens that I am sure our beautiful in the summertime. Plus there is an indoor animal center. Joel loved the rats!! Yes, the rats. Yikes! There were cockroaches and other yucky big insects too. Cool to look at, but definitely can stay out of my house!

Before we left we also checked out the basement level that had a fun outdoor play land made of palates. It would be a fun place to play in the warmer weather. We were extra cold. 

We really enjoyed our time with Tori. She is so sweet and plays with the boys despite it not being "cool" or out of her comfort zone. She isn't critical of them but accepts them for who they are. She has a special compassion that I call amazing. She is one special girl. I always pray that our time together will be filled with encouragement for her to keep on keeping in her walk with The Lord. Oh how I pray she would be a life Lon follower of Christ. 

Fall 2014 PCA Open House

Both Joel and Cade got to perform at the PCA Fall Open House. 

The preschool had a special performance of their own about 30 minutes before the rest of the students participated. Joel did so well. He knew all the words and sang out beautifully, but not too loud. They sang five songs and he knew them so well. 

He has been speaking more and more of The Lord at home. I think a lot of it has come from conversations and lessons he has had at school. I am sure some ideas have come from Awana and Sunday School, as well. Things are starting to click with Him more and more. He still gets his words mixed up, but I believe he understands the concept of Christ dying on the cross for his sin. He is being shaped each day and how I continue to pray his heart would be transformed by the renewing power of The Lord. He is a people person, full of so sweetness and kind words. He could touch so many hearts for The Lord someday. How I pray he will be His worker. 

Cade also performed at the open house. He knew the words of the songs so well and sang beautifully. He was especially talented at the song tht they sang in Spanish. I keep praying his innocence stays and his heart for The Lord would develop before the "uncool" attitude creeps in. He is so talented musically and I don't want this talent to be stolen by a bad attitude. We always are checki him for pride and arrogance. Being "so known" at school makes it hard for him to remember that he should want Christ seen in his life before his own talents. Oh Lord, how we pray Cade will have a heart for you. 

Grandma Cathy

We took another bike ride today. It was a little chillier but we made it. We biked to Grandma Cathy's house to see her. Grandma Cathy, Cathy Emmett, is one if Joel's Cubbies leaders. She is so sweet to him and he always enjoys the ladies. She also works at the building of the carpet shop where we adventure to often for health store needs or flooring. He loves to go and see her. The last time we were in the store, he wasn't there. She doesn't work on Fridays and we didn't know. So since we were out on Friday, November 6 we thought we would go by her house. But no one answered the door, so we took a picture to show her we had stopped by. Later we found out he was babysitting her grandson. 

Packing Up

Callie was helping me pack up my Pampered Chef tools to go to my party. What a sweetheart! She is moving more and more and wanting to get into more things. Busy busy busy girl!

Fall Bike Ride

Joel and I adventured out for a few Fall walks while the weather was still warm. I would walk with Callie in the stroller and he would bike. He isn't a go getter on his bike, more of a meanderer so I can keep up pretty well just walking. He gets distracted by things easily as his bikes. He will frequently get off his bike to pick a dandelion or find an amazing leaf. He calls me out when I ask him to hurry by saying, "Mom I am just enjoying God's creation." He cracks me up. Hurrying or staying at an even pace is just not in him Joel loves to live his life by stopping an smelling the roses, literally!

Here he is when he found already pile near Douglas school. He parked his bike, hopped on in, and started making lea angels!

Happy Birthday Grandma Bev!

We surprised Grandma Bev and celebrated her birthday a day early due to schedueling conflicts on the next day. We ordered Chinese food and surprised her at her home in Wyanet. 

What a special lady. She is always there for us. Always sacrificing for us. And always representing Our Lord wherever she goes. Her gentle an quiet spirit reflect and amazing Savior. I love how she interacts with our children, and sacrifices at church to teach them during Sunday school and children's church. She is wonderful. 

This year the boys shopped at the Christmas store at school to buy her gifts. Cade got her a special necklace and Joel got her a snowman platter. They love giving gifts. 

Brookfield Zoo Pics!

I found some more pictures from our day at Brookfield Zoo that I had to share - monkey building and bears!

Sending Notes

We love giving special notes on birthdays. It is so fun that both the boys can sign their names now. 

Pre School Fall Party

I received these special Sonshine Preschool pictures when they carved pumpkins in the classroom. What special moments. We are so blessed Joel gets to go to school at Sonshine Preschool. 

Library Music Time!

We went to the library today and Callie enjoyed keeping the beat to the music. She loves to dance and shake her head. She is such a happy girl. 

Good Morning!

Good morning friends!

Trying More Foods!

Grandma Bev gave Callie a yummy cookie today at Sunday lunch. I think she is getting a hang of this food thing!

Food

Callie tried Goldfish crackers today and enjoyed them. Mark that one down on her food list! Happy November 1st!

Trick or Treating

Our kids love to dress up, so Trick or Treating is right up their alley. And Joel loves candy so what a perfect combo. I convinced Joel to wear his jaguar costume but he wanted to be a dragon again. I have a feeling next year the dragon will be back. 

While Cade went to dodgeball, I took Joel and Callie to the library for the community Halloween party. They had activities and a costume parade. Joel had a great time. 

When Cade arrived after dodgeball, he jumped into his pirate costume. He did not want to go Trick or Treating originally but when he got home he changed his mind. Grandma Glenna had given him a pirate costume in the summer an it fit perfect. Good thing because no other costume in the dress up box fit. 

We visited our old neighbor Melvina first on our Trick or Treating adventure. She has always been important to our family and though we don't live next to her anymore, we still want her to know how much we care about her. We then ventured to other homes in our old neighborhood, as well as other friends' homes around town. The boys had a great time. Our night ended at our friends' home, the McCoys. We had pizza and the kids enjoyed playing together. As we left, Joel said, "This is the best night if the year. " And that about sums up our great evening. If only these evenings could last forever. I love happy children.