Happy Birthday Noelle and Ross!

I can't believe it! My babies, BABIES, are turning six today! Where has the time gone? Nathan and I were just talking the other day that we just love the stage the kids are in now and wish we could freeze time right where we are. Then we realized we've said that dozens of times in the past six years so I guess we love every stage!

Noelle, my lovebug!

She came into the world at 4 lbs, 3 oz, but she had a big personality even then! I love her big expressions, her big heart, and her love for people!

Noelle always says, "Let's pray for that!" when we see an ambulance, hear of a sick friend, or even if Ross gets a scrape on his knee.

Noelle loves Hello Kitty and Princesses, playing dress up, and playing "store."

I couldn't be more thrilled to be Noelle's mommy!

Ross, my sweet boy!

The moment Ross was handed to me to hold in the hospital, I couldn't believe it was all real! Ross was 5 lbs, 5 oz. and had squeezable cheeks! I still have to kiss them often!

I love Ross' creative mind and the way he asks questions to get to the bottom of everything! He's such a thinker and could turn out to be an engineer someday!

Ross loves Legos, Legos, and Legos. Oh, and playing with Noelle, watching Toy Story, and dragging his stuffed snake, mice, and bat around the house!

I feel like the luckiest mom in the world to be Ross' mommy!

We thank God every night for the gifts he gave us on December 27, 2005!

Happy Birthday to my two precious ones!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving! I love taking the time to think about what we are thankful for!
Here are a few things the kids are thankful for...

I'm so thankful for:
God's love for us
my husband
my kiddos
my parents and in-laws
my sister and all my siblings-in-law
a warm home that I love
our health
my friends
and so much more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ross starts soccer!

Ross is playing soccer this year and tonight was their first practice! Too bad it was 106 degrees outside! We were all nice and toasty, but he got to meet some of the boys he will be going to school with and they had a fun time together!

When we went to Academy, Ross kept asking, "Can I pick ANY soccer ball I want?! I mean, can I pick ANY one I want in the whole store?!" I said I'd have to see the prices on them, but when I saw that most soccer balls were around the same price, I said yes. I told him he could choose any ball he wanted...blue with silver stars, red with stripes, neon colors of all kinds, whatever! Well, he walked right up to the giant wall of balls and plucked out the basic white and black ball. "THIS is the one I want!!"

My Birthday!

It was a great birthday! Today I was spoiled by lots of people!
It started with sleeping in until 9:30! That was a treat in itself!
Then I got to spend time with friends and family!

Here's a pic of my with the kiddos at my parents' house tonight!

My parents are doing some home renovations so that's why the walls aren't finished!

They gave me all kinds of goodies!

We had these sweet cookies because Noelle isn't the only one who loves Hello Kitty--Mommy does, too!

Nathan and the kids gave me a new Vera Bradley purse that I love!!!!

Oh, and don't forget the food! When Mom asked, "Where do you want to go eat for your birthday dinner?" I said, "How about your house?!" I wanted her fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and my dad's salad!! It did not disappoint!!!

I don't mind turning another year older! It's been 35 great years so far and I'm looking forward to many more!

Chore Charts and "The Privilege Jar"

We started something new last month and it has been working great so far! We've given the kids Chore Charts for them to check off each night before bed. I started with some pre-made charts, but we narrowed it down to five chores we'd really like them to do and I made some with a free online chore chart maker (you can google it and you'll get a million options!) Our current chores are:

Brush teeth
Clean up toys/belongings from around the house
Put dirty clothes in the hamper and put shoes away
Clean room
Clean up after meals and snacks




Each night before bed, we give the kids about a fifteen minute warning that bedtime is coming and they need to start on any chores they have left to do. Then at bedtime, we line up in the hallway at our charts and the kids check off the ones they've done.

If they get all check marks, all week long, they get to chose a slip from the "Privilege Jar." (We allow a few empty squares for the week to still qualify for the privilege, but so far we haven't really needed them.) Whoever has the most checks gets to pick it from the jar. If they are "tied," we take turns drawing. The privileges in the jar are ones that the kids came up with together as things they'd like us to do as a family. We felt the kids weren't quite ready for allowance since they can't really appreciate money well yet so we chose to do family acitivities. We liked that better than toys or candy since it involves the whole family. The ones we have in the jar right now are:

* Picnic in the Park with sno cones
* Zoo Trip
* Paint ceramics
* Trip to the bookstore (and each buy a book)
* Everyone chose a toy at the dollar store
* Ice Cream sundaes
* Movie Night at home with popcorn
* Visit the Aquarium
* Visit the Pet Store (the kids love to visit the pet store, lol!)

As ideas come up, we'll just write them down and add them to the jar! Seems like we are often saying, "Sometime we should do ____." so this will be our chance to do those!

The kids draw one on Saturday nights and then sometime during the following week, we fulfill the Privilege. The slips are folded and put in the jar so they just reach in and get the one they draw. This week's privilege was a trip to the bookstore. The kids picked out several books for a little story time and Nathan and I took turns reading to them in the children's area. Then, each of them got to pick a book to buy and take home. They were so excited! We kept reminding them that we were so proud of them for earning this special trip!

What's funny is that before we started this, we'd find ourselves nagging the kids over and over to pick up their toys, take them to their room, etc. Many nights I would be too tired to worry about it and found it easier to just pick up after they'd gone to bed. But, now, the kids don't even want to wait until bedtime. Throughout the day, they keep taking things back to their rooms, putting their laundry away, etc. because, "we want to get it done now!"
They have realized it is easier to do it as they go along instead of waiting until bedtime. What a novel idea!! And I know it's only been a month, but so far the kids are excited to do their chores because they LOVE to check stuff off! Noelle has even suggested she "write in" a few other chores that she's done just so she can make another check mark! lol! It's the little things! And, bonus, we've got something fun to do as a family every week!

Ross' Toy Story Creations

The kids got a 24 pack of Play-Doh for Christmas and this morning Ross decided to create the toys from Toy Story. He spent hours working on details. He had to periodically tear apart what he'd made to make new ones because he wouldn't settle for the wrong color, lol! I know they aren't perfect replicas, but he worked very hard and did every single part himself so, of course, we were very proud!!!!


Ross working hard!

A few of his creations...Alien (top), (L to R) Hamm the Pig, Stretch the octopus, Lenny the binoculars, Lotso Bear, Peas in a Pod (in this photo they are inside the pod, but there are three peas in there with faces).

Woody, complete with hat and spurs! I made the star for him because he brought me a piece of yellow and asked me to make a star. I didn't know what it was for until he brought this over to show me.

Showing off his Lotso Bear!
He also made Rex, Slinky Dog, and several others, but you get the idea! ha ha! Anyway, we love that Ross loves to be creative. Thanks for letting me share! :)

More Christmas Pictures!

Here are some more shots from our great day!

Ross and Grandma at stocking time!

Nathan took the kids shopping for me this season and they were excited for me to open their gifts this morning! Noelle had chosen beautiful earrings for me and Ross gave me a lovely colored bracelet.

Uncle Jeff and Ross working on the big Toy Story Lego set! They are working at Ross' new Lego table from Grandma and Grandpa that Ross just loves!! Legos are definitely Ross' favorite interest these days!!

Noelle loved serenading us (all day!) with her new microphone/music player. She loves to sing! We heard many Christmas carols and even more Noelle "originals!" :)