Jacob's Star Day

Okay, so I know that I was supposed to post this a long time ago, but I have a couple of minutes right now, so I thought I would get it done.

Jacob had his star day on December 8. It was a lot of fun. We got to go to music class with him, help his class with a lacing craft (very hard for 4 & 5 year olds), and then I got to listen to him practice for his sing-along with the parents. Here are some pictures that we took.

This was Jacob's poster that he made. He had wanted it to look like a star-just like Kyle's. Unfortunately, Kyle's teacher made his and Jacob's mommy had to make his. However, he did do all the writing himself, with very few mistakes!

This is Jacob and his teacher sharing his poster. He did a great job remembering everything this year. Last year it had been kind of tough!

Then the class got to ask Jacob questions. I wasn't sure how he would do being "put on the spot" like that, but he did great!

Finally, he got to share a special Show and Tell. He brought in his Bear Hunt game. It was lots of fun to teach the teacher!

Again, I am impressed at what these teachers do all by themselves. They have ten students in a class and no assistant. The kids seem to love being there and I love watching them grow each and every day. I can't believe how fast these days are flying by!

B

Christmas at Home

There is a wonderful magic that I feel waking up on Christmas morning. The kids are not yet at the age when they are waking up at 4 and 5 am to see what Santa brought, so we got to sleep until 7 am, then we opened our stockings, and opened our presents, and ate some Monkey Bread that I put in the oven before all the festivities. The kids are all at an age where they are so excited about what is in the package. However, there were a few presents that were a big hit already.

The boys all got matching pajamas last night to wear. I wish I had gotten Jacob and Kyle's a little bigger, but I already got size 6/7 for them. Who knew I would need bigger? We love our tree in the background!

We got the boys this wooden nativity scene to play with during the Christmas season. It has been a big hit. The boys love to each be one of the "kings."

Then we opened our stockings. I had no idea that the books with wheels and the tootsie rolls wold be such a big hit!

I know that his face doesn't show it, but Jacob has been asking to open this football all morning long. It's hard for him to understand that it's an outside toy and we're not going outside today.

Zachary got a stool and some train books. I think he could have sat there all day!

Anyway, after a fun-filled morning, we are off to my mom's house for some much-needed Grandma and Papa Cassie time. We just spent the weekend with Grandma and Papa Iowa. I will try to post some of the pictures from there later.

B

Kyle's Star Day

Yesterday was Kyle's All About Me day at school. They call it his "Star Day." He got to share a poster that he made, share a book that he donated to the class, provide snack, and provide a craft for the class to do. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the craft, we were working on it so hard. Anyway, he also got to have anyone in the room that he wanted. Daddy stayed for about 45 minutes while Kyle shared his poster and read the story that Kyle decided to donate. Grandma Cassie stayed about an hour and a half, and I stayed the whole time. It was fun to get to see what Kyle does every day. We get to do Jacob's class on Monday.

Here is Kyle sharing his poster. I got to sit up there and help as well. We spent most of our time talking about Tulip Time and how much we liked to go and spend the time at the parades with family. His teacher was quite interested in that.

Here is Kyle and Daddy reading his story to the class. He donated the book Tacky the Penguin and he just loves when Daddy reads the silly places. It was Kyle's choice to have Daddy read.

Jacob even got to come over and listen to Kyle share. He loved the special attention of sitting on Grandma's lap. Grandma really liked getting to see what happens in 4-year-old preschool these days since she taught it about 20 years ago. She was quite impressed.

All in all, it was a fun morning. I am glad that I am not the teacher anymore. I don't know if I would have the patience anymore for the kids. It is often hard enough to have the patience with my own children. I truly thank God for the teachers that have been in my children's lives. They have been fantastic people.

B

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Whew! What a week! We were in Denver with my hubby's family. His brother and sister-in-law graciously let us stay at their house for an entire week! Zachary had a blast, and their son is just two months younger than him. They also have a new baby, just born in September. He is beautiful and a pretty easy going little boy. I have put in an order that my little girl act that way as well!

Here are some pictures that we took. We didn't take too many, but I do really like some of the ones I have.

Here is my hubby. We haven't had an infant around in awhile, so he's getting some good practice!

Here are all the cousins! It's awfully hard getting 5 boys to sit/stand still for a picture. This is the best one I got!

After a 19 hour train ride, this was the scene about 5 minutes after we dropped my mom off who so graciously agreed to pick us up!

We are still recovering, two days after gettting back, but we have some wonderful memories that we will always remember. I hope that we can continue to get together regularly so that my children get to know their cousins and Daddy's family better. We sure love them all!

B